2010 DODGE AVENGER instrument panel

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the airbag system is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure,
or add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an airbag system.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your ad-
vanced airbag system. The airbag may inflate
accidentally or may not function properly if modi-
fications are made. Take your vehicle to an autho-
rized dealer for any advanced airbag system ser-
vice. If your seat including your trim cover and
cushion needs to be serviced in any way (includ-
ing removal or loosening/tightening of seat attach-
ment bolts), take the vehicle to your authorized
dealer. Only manufacturer approved seat accesso-
ries may be used. If it is necessary to modify the
airbag system for persons with disabilities, contact
your authorized dealer.
66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
84 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Fold-Flat Front Passenger Seat ........... 102
▫ Folding Rear Seat .................... 103
▫ Folding Rear Seat Center Armrest ........ 104
 To Open And Close The Hood ............ 105
 Lights ............................. 106
▫ Multifunction Lever .................. 106
▫ Headlights And Parking Lights .......... 107
▫ Automatic Headlights — If Equipped ...... 108
▫ Headlight Time Delay ................. 108
▫ Turn Signals ........................ 108
▫ Lane Change Assist ................... 109
▫ High/Low Beam Switch ............... 109
▫ Flash-To-Pass ....................... 109 ▫
Fog Lights — If Equipped .............. 110
▫ Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped .... 110
▫ Lights On Reminder .................. 110
▫ Instrument Panel Dimmer ...............111
▫ Map/Reading/Interior Lights ............111
 Windshield Wipers And Washers .......... 112
▫ Intermittent Wiper System .............. 114
▫ Windshield Washers .................. 115
▫ Mist Feature ........................ 116
▫ Headlights With Wipers Feature
(Available With Automatic
Headlights Only) .................... 116
 Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column .......... 117
86 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released.
1. Pull the hood release lever located under the left side
of the instrument panel.2. Lift the secondary latch located under the front edge
of the hood, near the center and raise the hood.
Hood Release Lever
Hood Safety Catch
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 105

passing light, fog lights, instrument panel light dimming
and turn signals. The multifunction lever is located on
the left side of the steering column.Headlights and Parking Lights
Turn the end of the multifunction lever to the first detent
for parking light operation. Turn to the second detent for
headlight operation.
Multifunction Lever
Headlight Switch
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 107

Automatic Headlights — If Equipped
Turning the end of the multifunction lever to the third
detent (AUTO), will activate the automatic headlight
system.With the engine running and the multifunction lever in
the AUTO position, the headlights will turn on and turn
off based on the surrounding light levels.
Headlight Time Delay
There is also a feature that delays turning off the vehicle
lights for 30, 60 or 90 seconds after the ignition switch is
turned OFF. To activate the headlight delay, the multi-
function lever must be rotated to the off position after the
ignition switch is turned OFF. Only the headlights will
illuminate during this time. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Customer-Programmable
Features” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
Turn Signals
Move the multifunction lever up or down and the arrows
on each side of the instrument cluster flash to show
proper operation of the front and rear turn signal lights.
Headlight Switch
108 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Instrument Panel Dimmer
Rotate the center portion of the lever to the extreme
bottom position to fully dim the instrument panel lights
and prevent the interior lights from illuminating when a
door is opened.
Rotate the center portion of the lever up to increase the
brightness of the instrument panel lights when the park-
ing lights or headlights are on.
Rotate the center portion of the lever upward to the next
detent position to brighten the odometer and radio when
the parking lights or headlights are on.
Rotate the center portion of the lever upward to the last
detent to turn on the interior lighting.
Map/Reading/Interior Lights
These lights are mounted between the sun visors above
the rearview mirror. Each light can be turned on by
pressing the barrel. Press the barrel a second time to turn
the light off. Both of these lights can swivel so that the
light can be aimed at a specific spot, if desired. The lights
Dimmer Control
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 111

Ignition Off Operation
For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power sunroof switch
will remain active for 45 seconds after the ignition switch
is turned OFF. Opening either front door will cancel this
feature.
For vehicles equipped with the EVIC, the power sunroof
switch will remain active for up to 10 minutes after the
ignition switch is turned OFF. Opening either front door
will cancel this feature. The time is programmable. Refer
to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/
Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable Features)” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS
There are two 12 Volt (13 Amp) electrical power outlets
on this vehicle. Both of the power outlets are protected by
a fuse.The instrument panel power outlet, located below the
climate control knobs, has power available only when the
ignition is ON. This power outlet will also operate a
conventional cigar lighter unit.
To preserve the heating
element, do not hold the lighter in the heating position.Instrument Panel Power Outlet
130 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE