2010 DODGE AVENGER Owners Manual

▫General Information .................. 254
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 255
▫ Acceleration ........................ 255
▫ Traction ........................... 255
 Driving Through Water ................. 256
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 256
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 256
 Power Steering ....................... 258
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 259
 Parking Brake ........................ 259
 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............ 262
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 264
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 264▫
Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 265
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 265
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – If Equipped ...... 266
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 269
 Tire Safety Information ................. 272
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 272
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 276
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 277
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 278
 Tires — General Information ............. 282
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 282
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 283
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 285
240 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Compact Spare Tire ................... 285
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 286
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 287
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 288
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 288
 Tire Chains .......................... 289
 Snow Tires .......................... 290
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 290
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 291
▫ Base System ........................ 294
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 296
▫ General Information .................. 299 
Fuel Requirements ..................... 300
▫ 2.4L And 2.7L Engine ................. 300
▫ 3.5L Engine ........................ 300
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 301
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 301
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 302
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 302
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 303
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 303
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 304
 Flexible Fuel (2.7L Only) — If Equipped ..... 305
▫ E85 General Information ............... 305
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E85) ................... 307
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 241

▫Fuel Requirements ................... 307
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E85) And Gasoline Vehicles ...... 308
▫ Starting ........................... 308
▫ Cruising Range ...................... 308
▫ Replacement Parts ................... 309
▫ Maintenance ........................ 309
 Adding Fuel ......................... 309
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 309
▫ Loose Filler Cap Message .............. 311
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 311
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 311
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ...... 312
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ........ 312▫
Overloading ........................ 313
▫ Loading ........................... 313
 Trailer Towing ........................ 313
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 314
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 316
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 317
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 318
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 319
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 323
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 324
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground) ........................... 324
242 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
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. Do not leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.NOTE:
The ignition switch must be in the ON position,
and you must press the brake pedal before shifting out of
PARK.
Normal Starting
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
For vehicles not equipped with Tip Start (Four-Speed
Transmission), turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release it when the engine starts. If the
engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
For vehicles equipped with Tip Start (Six-Speed Trans-
mission), turn the ignition switch to the START position
and release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 243

motor will continue to run, and it will disengage auto-
matically when the engine is running. If the engine fails
to start, the starter will disengage automatically in 10 sec-
onds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK
position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal
Starting” procedure.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below20°F or29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be dan-
gerous if done improperly. Refer to “Jump Start-
ing” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further
information.
Without Tip Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all
244 STARTING AND OPERATING

the way to the floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine is flooded, it may start to run, but not have
enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking up to 15 sec-
onds with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to the
floor.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15-
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, repeat the “Normal Starting” or “Ex-
treme Cold Weather” procedures.
With Tip Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Then, turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor
will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. Once this
occurs, release the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, wait 10 to 15 sec-
onds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 245

ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is bundled under the hood
between the headlight assembly and the Totally Inte-
grated Power Module (Fuse Box) on the driver ’s side of
the vehicle.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
246 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:You MUST press and hold the brake pedal down
while shifting out of PARK.
WARNING!
•It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK
or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake
pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward
or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle
and hit someone or something. Only shift into
gear when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
(Continued)
Shift Lever
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 247