2010 DODGE AVENGER Owners Manual

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
A Word About Your Keys ................. 12
▫ Ignition Key Removal .................. 12
▫ Key-In-Ignition Reminder ............... 14
▫ Locking Doors With A Key .............. 14
 Sentry Key .......................... 14
▫ Replacement Keys ..................... 15
▫ Customer Key Programming ............. 16
▫ General Information ................... 17 
Vehicle Security Alarm — If Equipped ........ 17
▫ Rearming The System .................. 18
▫ To Arm The System ................... 18
▫ To Disarm The System ................. 19
 Illuminated Entry — If Equipped ........... 19
 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) — If Equipped . . . 20
▫ To Unlock The Doors .................. 21
▫ To Lock The Doors .................... 23
▫ To Unlatch The Trunk .................. 24
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▫Remote Open Window Feature —
If Equipped ......................... 24
▫ Using The Panic Alarm ................. 24
▫ Programming Additional Transmitters ...... 25
▫ Transmitter Battery Replacement .......... 25
▫ General Information ................... 26
 Remote Start System — If Equipped ......... 26
▫ How To Use Remote Start ............... 27
 Door Locks ........................... 29
▫ Manual Door Locks ................... 29
▫ Power Door Locks .................... 30
▫ Child Protection Door Lock System
(Rear Doors) ......................... 32 
Power Windows ....................... 33
▫ Power Window Switches ................ 33
▫ Auto Window Down — If Equipped ....... 34
▫ Auto Window Up — If Equipped .......... 35
▫ Reset Auto Up ....................... 35
▫ Window Lockout Switch ................ 36
▫ Using The Remote Open Windows Feature
With Key FOB – If Equipped ............. 36
▫ Wind Buffeting ....................... 36
 Trunk Release ......................... 37
 Trunk Safety Warning ................... 37
▫ Trunk Internal Emergency Release ......... 38
 Occupant Restraints ..................... 38
▫ Lap/Shoulder Belts .................... 40
10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage . . . 45
▫ Rear Seat Belts ....................... 46
▫ Automatic Locking Retractors (ALR)
Mode — If Equipped ................... 46
▫ Seat Belt Pretensioners — If Equipped ...... 47
▫ Supplemental Active Head Restraints (AHR) . . 47
▫ Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert) ......................... 51
▫ BeltAlert Programming ................ 51
▫ Seat Belts And Pregnant Women .......... 52
▫ Seat Belt Extender ..................... 52
▫ Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) -
Airbags ............................ 53
▫ Airbag System Components .............. 54▫
Advanced Front Airbag Features .......... 55
▫ Airbag Deployment Sensors And Controls . . . 60
▫ Event Data Recorder (EDR) .............. 67
▫ Child Restraints ...................... 69
 Engine Break-In Recommendations .......... 79
 Safety Tips ........................... 80
▫ Transporting Passengers ................ 80
▫ Exhaust Gas ......................... 81
▫ Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle ............................. 82
▫ Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle ................... 84
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
The authorized dealer that sold you your new vehicle has
the key code numbers for your vehicle locks. These
numbers can be used to order duplicate keys from your
authorized dealer. Ask your authorized dealer for these
numbers and keep them in a safe place.
Ignition Key Removal
Automatic Transaxle
Place the shift lever in PARK. Turn the ignition switch to
the ACC position, push the key and cylinder inward,
rotate the key to the LOCK position, and remove the key.
Vehicle Key
Ignition Switch Positions
1 — LOCK3 — ON
2 — ACC (ACCESSORY) 4 — START
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:
•If you try to remove the key before you place the shift
lever in PARK, the key may become trapped tempo-
rarily in the ignition switch lock cylinder. If this
occurs, rotate the key to the right slightly, then remove
the key as described. If a malfunction occurs, the
system will trap the key in the ignition switch lock
cylinder to warn you that this safety feature is inop-
erable. The engine can be started and stopped, but the
key cannot be removed until you obtain service.
•For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power window
switches, radio, hands–free system (if equipped), and
power outlets will remain active for 45 seconds after
the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK position.
Opening either door will cancel this feature.
•For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power windowswitches, radio, hands–free system (if equipped), and
power outlets will remain active for up to 10 minutes
after the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK posi-
tion. Opening either door will cancel this feature. The
time for this feature is programmable. Refer to “Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/Personal
Settings (Customer-Programmable Features)” in “Un-
derstanding Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
WARNING!
NEVER leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don’t leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13

CAUTION!
An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove key from the ignition and lock all doors
when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Key-In-Ignition Reminder
Opening the driver’s door when the key is in the ignition,
sounds a signal to remind you to remove the key.
NOTE:
•The Key-In-Ignition reminder only sounds when the
ignition key is placed in the LOCK or ACC position.
•With either front door open, and the key in the
ignition, neither the power door locks nor Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter will function.
Locking Doors With A Key
There is only one external door lock cylinder which is
located in the driver’s door only.You can insert the key with either side up. To lock the
door, turn the key rearward, to unlock the door, turn the
key forward. For door lock lubrication, refer to “Mainte-
nance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle”.
SENTRY KEY
The Sentry Key
Immobilizer System prevents unautho-
rized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
The system uses ignition keys, which have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder), to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro-
grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operate
the vehicle. The system will shut the engine off in two
seconds if someone uses an invalid key to start the
engine.
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:A key, which has not been programmed, is also
considered an invalid key even if it is cut to fit the
ignition switch lock cylinder for that vehicle.
During normal operation, after turning the ignition
switch, the Vehicle Security Light will turn on for three
seconds for a bulb check. If the Vehicle Security Light
remains on after the bulb check, it indicates that there is
a problem with the electronics. In addition, if the Vehicle
Security Light begins to flash after the bulb check, it
indicates that someone used an invalid key to start the
engine. Either of these conditions will result in the engine
being shut off after two seconds.
If the Vehicle Security Light turns on during normal
vehicle operation (vehicle running for longer than 10 sec-
onds), it indicates that there is a fault in the electronics.
Should this occur, have the vehicle serviced as soon as
possible by an authorized dealer.CAUTION!
•Always remove the Sentry Key from the vehicle
and lock all doors when leaving the vehicle unat-
tended.
•The Sentry Key Immobilizer system is not com-
patible with some after-market remote starting
systems. Use of these systems may result in ve-
hicle starting problems and loss of security
protection.
All of the keys provided with your new vehicle have
been programmed to the vehicle electronics.
Replacement Keys
NOTE: Only keys that have been programmed to the
vehicle electronics can be used to start the vehicle. Once
a Sentry Key has been programmed to a vehicle, it
cannot be programmed to any other vehicle.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15