2010 DODGE AVENGER Understanding your instrument panel

vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility tomaintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
160 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can, or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.25. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is part of
an onboard diagnostic system called OBD that
monitors emissions, engine, and automatic trans-
mission control systems. The light will illuminate when
the key is in the ON position before engine start. If the
bulb does not come on when turning the key from LOCK
to ON, have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc., may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 161

CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and drivability. If the MIL is
flashing, severe catalytic converter damage and
power loss will soon occur. Immediate service is
required.
WARNING!
A malfunctioning catalytic converter, as referenced
above, can reach higher temperatures than in normal
operating conditions. This can cause a fire if you
drive slowly or park over flammable substances such
as dry plants or wood or cardboard, etc. This could
result in death or serious injury to the driver, occu-
pants or others.26. Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light — If Equipped
This light monitors the ABS. This light will
come on when the ignition key is turned to the
ON position and may stay on for approxi-
mately three seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or comes on during driving,
it indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required, however,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally provided that the BRAKE warning light is not
on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefit of Anti-Lock
Brakes.
The ABS warning light should be checked frequently to
assure that it is operating properly. Turn the ignition key
to the on position, but do not start the vehicle. The light
162 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

should come on. If the light does not come on, have the
system inspected by an authorized dealer.
27. Transmission Temperature Warning Light —
If EquippedThis light indicates that the transmission fluid
temperature is running hot. This may occur
with severe usage, such as trailer towing. If this
light turns on, safely pull over and stop the
vehicle. Then, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and
run the engine at idle or faster until the light turns off.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the Transmission Tempera-
ture Warning Light illuminated will eventually cause
severe transmission damage or transmission failure.
WARNING!
Continued operation with the Transmission Tem-
perature Warning Light illuminated could cause the
fluid to boil over, come in contact with hot engine or
exhaust components causing a fire that may result in
personal injury.
28. High Beam Indicator This light indicates that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the turn signal lever toward the steer-
ing wheel to switch the headlights to low beam.
29. Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display — If Equipped
This display shows the EVIC messages when the appro-
priate conditions exist. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC)” for further information.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 163

ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC) – IF EQUIPPED
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display that is located in the
instrument cluster.The EVIC consists of the following:•System status
•Vehicle information warning message displays
•Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable Features)
•Compass heading display (N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE,
SW)
•Outside temperature display (°F or °C)
•Trip computer functions
•Audio mode displays – 12 preset Radio Stations or CD
Title and Track number when playing
•Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) displays (if
equipped)
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
164 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

The system allows the driver to select information by
pressing the following buttons on the instrument panel
switch bank located below the climate controls:Press and release the MENU button to advance
the display to Trip Functions or Personal set-
tings or to return to the default System status
display.
Press and release the STEP button to advance
the display through the various Trip Functions
or Personal settings. Press and release the COMPASS button to
display the compass heading and the out-
side temperature.
Press and release the RESET button to accept a
selection. The RESET button also resets various
Trip Functions.
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Displays
When the appropriate conditions exist, the EVIC displays
the following messages.
•Turn Signal On (with a continuous warning chime
after one mile traveled)
•Left Front Turn Signal Light Out (with a single chime)
MENU Button
STEP
Button
COMPASS Button
RESETButton
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 165

•Left Rear Turn Signal Light Out (with a single chime)
•Right Front Turn Signal Light Out (with a single
chime)
•Right Rear Turn Signal Light Out (with a single chime)
•RKE (Remote Keyless Entry) Battery Low (with a
single chime)
•Personal Settings Not Available – Vehicle Not In PARK
•Personal Settings Not Available – Vehicle in Motion
•Door(s) Ajar (with a single chime if vehicle is in
motion)
•Trunk Ajar (with a single chime)
•Headlights On
•Key In Ignition
•Oil Change Required (with a single chime)
•ECO (Fuel Saver Indicator) — If Equipped
Oil Change Required — If Equipped
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The Oil Change Required message will
flash in the EVIC display for approximately five seconds
after a single chime has sounded to indicate the next
scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
release the MENU button. To reset the oil change indica-
tor system (after performing the scheduled maintenance)
perform the following procedure:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (Do not
start the engine).
166 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three times
within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary repeat this procedure.
Trip Functions
Press and release the MENU button until one of the
following Trip Functions displays in the EVIC:
•ECO (Fuel Saver Indicator) — If Equipped
•Average Fuel Economy
•Distance To Empty
•Elapsed Time
•Display Units of Measure in Press and release the STEP button to advance the display
through the Trip Functions.
The Trip Functions mode displays the following informa-
tion:
•ECO (Fuel Saver Indicator) — If Equipped
The ECO indicator will illuminate in the EVIC display.
This ECO message will appear when you are driving in a
fuel efficient manner and can be used to modify driving
habits in order to increase fuel economy.
•Average Fuel Economy
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset.
When the fuel economy is reset, the display will read,
RESET or show dashes for two seconds. Then, the history
information will be erased, and the averaging will con-
tinue from the last fuel average reading before the reset.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 167