2010 DODGE AVENGER checking oil

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended maintenance
intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in these
components as the chemicals can damage your
engine, transmission, power steering or air condi-
tioning. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed
because of component malfunction, use only the
specified fluid for the flushing procedure.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to
check the engine oil level is about five minutes after afully warmed engine is shut off. Do not check oil level
before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking engine oil level when the engine is cold will
give you an incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. Either the range mark-
ings consist of a crosshatch zone marked SAFE or a
crosshatch zone marked with MIN at the low end of the
range and MAX at the high end of the range. Adding one
quart of oil when the reading is at the low end of the
range marking will raise the oil level to the high end of
the range marking.
354 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicles oil
if it has been six months since your last oil change even
if the oil change indicator message is NOT illumi-
nated.
•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” or under “In-
strument Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 401

Caps, FillerFuel ............................... 309
Oil (Engine) .................. 347,348,349,356
Power Steering ........................ 259
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 369
Car Washes ............................ 378
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............81,304
Cargo Area Features ...................... 135
Cargo Compartment ...................... 135
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 135
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 135
Cellular Phone ........................ 93,224
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 394
Chains, Tire ............................ 289
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 329
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 274
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 351
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 80Checks, Safety
........................... 80
Child Restraint .................... 69,71,75,78
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............73,75
Child Safety Locks ........................ 32
Cigar Lighter ........................... 132
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 301
Cleaning Wheels ............................. 379
Windshield Wiper Blades ................ 363
Climate Control ......................... 224
Clock ..................... 176,190,192,195,204
Coin Holder ........................... 136
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 224
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 285
Compass .............................. 169
Compass Calibration ..................... 169
Compass Variance ....................... 170
Computer, Trip/Travel .................. 19,167
Console ............................ 104,136
Console, Floor ....................... 104,136
430 INDEX

Door Locks, Automatic.................... 30
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 121
Driving On Slippery Surfaces ................... 255
Through Flowing, Rising,
or Shallow Standing Water ............... 256
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System™) .... 220
E-85 Fuel ............................. 305
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 139
Electric Remote Mirrors .................... 90
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 130
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ....... 118
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ............ 269
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 164
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................. 329
Jump Starting ......................... 335
Towing ............................. 341 Emergency Trunk Release
.................37,38
Emission Control System Maintenance ......351,400
Engine .......................... 347,348,349
Air Cleaner .......................... 358
Block Heater ......................... 246
Break-In Recommendations ................ 79
Checking Oil Level ..................... 354
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................. 367,397
Cooling ............................. 367
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 81,304
Fails to Start .......................... 244
Flooded, Starting ...................... 244
Fuel Requirements .................. 300,396
Jump Starting ......................... 335
Oil ........................... 354,396,397
Oil Change Interval ............156,166,355,400
Oil Filler Cap ................ 347,348,349,356
Oil Filter ............................ 357
Oil Filter Disposal ..................... 357
432 INDEX

Odometer............................. 154
Trip ............................. 154,157
Oil Change Indicator ................ 156,166,400
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ..............156,166
Oil, Engine ......................... 354,397
Capacity ............................ 396
Change Interval ............... 156,166,355,400
Checking ............................ 354
Dipstick ............................. 354
Disposal ............................ 357
Filter ............................ 357,397
Filter Disposal ........................ 357
Identification Logo ..................... 355
Materials Added to ..................... 357
Recommendation ................... 355,396
Synthetic ............................ 357
Viscosity ......................... 356,396
Oil Filter, Change ........................ 357 Oil Filter, Selection
....................... 357
Oil Pressure Light ....................... 152
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............350,351
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ........... 121
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 4
Overdrive ............................. 251
Overheating, Engine ...................... 327
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,423
Paint Care ............................. 377
Panic Alarm ............................ 24
Parking Brake .......................... 259
Passing Light ........................... 109
Personal Settings ........................ 171
Pets .................................. 79
Phone, Cellular .......................... 93
Phone, Hands-Free (Uconnect™) .............. 93
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 278
10
INDEX 439