2011 DODGE AVENGER adding oil

Flexible Fuel (3.6L Engine Only) —
If Equipped .......................... 350
▫ E-85 General Information ............... 350
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ................... 351
▫ Fuel Requirements ................... 352
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles ...... 352
▫ Starting ........................... 353
▫ Cruising Range ...................... 353
▫ Replacement Parts ................... 353
▫ Maintenance ........................ 354 
Adding Fuel ......................... 354
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 354
▫ Loose Filler Cap Message .............. 356
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 356
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 356
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ...... 357
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ........ 357
▫ Overloading ........................ 358
▫ Loading ........................... 358
 Trailer Towing ........................ 358
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 359
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 361
286 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 403

CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine
will cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil
pressure and an increase in oil temperature. This
could damage your engine. Also, be sure the oil fill
cap is replaced and tightened after adding oil.
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
NOTE: Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 8,000 miles (13 000 km) or six months,
whichever occurs first.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer recom-
mends engine oils that are API Certified and meet the
requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
404 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adding Washer Fluid
The fluid reservoir for the windshield washers is located
in the engine compartment. Be sure to check the fluid
level in the reservoir at regular intervals. Fill the reservoir
with windshield washer solvent (not radiator antifreeze)
and operate the system for a few seconds to flush out the
residual water.
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around
the washer solution.
Exhaust System
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
If you notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system;
or if the exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle;
or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged;
have an authorized technician inspect the complete ex-
haust system and adjacent body areas for broken, dam-
aged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams
or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep
into the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the
exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised for lubri-
cation or oil change. Replace as required.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 413

About Your Brakes....................... 304
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) .............. 306
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 417
Adding Fuel ........................... 354
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... 413
Additives, Fuel ......................... 348
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 407
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 409
Air Conditioning ........................ 269
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 269
Air Conditioning Filter .................280,410
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............409,410
Air Conditioning System .............269,273,409
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 281
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 327
Airbag .............................. 58,67
Airbag Deployment ....................... 68
Airbag Light ..................... 66,71,86,189
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 70 Airbag, Side
........................ 62,64,67
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ...........62,64,67
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............18,196
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................231,256
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............. 306
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 306
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 18
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..............417,442
Disposal ........................... 419
Appearance Care ........................ 426
Ashtray ............................... 175
Assistance Towing ....................... 112
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 36
Auto Unlock, Doors ....................... 32
Auto Up Power Windows .................. 37
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 94
Automatic Door Locks ..................... 32
Automatic Oil Change Indicator ..........194,206
472 INDEX

Contract, Service........................ 465
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 418
Cooling System ......................... 416
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 417
Coolant Capacity ..................... 442
Coolant Level .................... 416,419
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 419
Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 416
Inspection .......................... 419
Points to Remember .................. 420
Pressure Cap ........................ 418
Radiator Cap ....................... 418
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....417,442,443
Corrosion Protection ..................... 426
Crankcase Ventilation Module ............... 20
Cruise Light ........................... 195
Cupholders ...................... 146,175,432
Customer Assistance ..................... 463
Customer Programmable Features ............ 212Data Recorder, Event
...................... 71
Daytime Running Lights ................... 152
Dealer Service .......................... 402
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 181
Defroster, Windshield ................86,271,277
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ...............30,155
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 399
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................. 151
Dipsticks Automatic Transaxle ...............425,426
Oil (Engine) ........................ 403
Power Steering ...................... 303
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 391
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 419
Engine Oil ......................... 406
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 32
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 162
10
INDEX 475

Fluid Capacities......................... 442
Fluid Leaks ............................. 88
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transaxle ...............425,426
Brake .......................... 421,444
Cooling System ...................... 416
Engine Oil ......................... 403
Power Steering ................... 303,444
Fluids ................................ 443
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 443
Fog Lights ....................... 151,197,440
Folding Rear Seat ..................... 145,146
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 389
Fuel ................................. 346
Adding ........................... 354
Additives .......................... 348
Clean Air .......................... 346
Ethanol ........................... 347
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............188,354Filler Door (Gas Cap)
.................. 188
Gasoline ........................... 346
Gauge ............................ 188
Light ............................. 189
Materials Added ..................... 348
Methanol .......................... 347
Octane Rating .................... 346,443
Requirements .................... 346,442
Tank Capacity ....................... 442
Fuel System Caution ..................... 355
Fuel, Flexible ........................... 350
Fueling ............................... 354
Fuses ................................ 432
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) ........... 162
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............354,356,399
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 346
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 346
478 INDEX

Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) . . 162
Transporting Pets........................ 83
Tread Wear Indicators .................... 333
Trip Computer .......................... 201
Trip Odometer .......................... 192
Trip Odometer Reset Button ................ 195
Trunk Release Remote Control ............... 39
Trunk Release, Emergency ................39,40
Turn Signals ...................... 150,196,441
UCI Connector ......................... 259
Uconnect™ (Hands-Free Phone) .............. 97
Understanding Your Instrument Panel ......... 186
Uniform Tire Quality Grades ................ 469
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) Connector . . . 259
Universal Transmitter ..................... 162
Unleaded Gasoline ....................... 346
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt .............. 48
Upholstery Care ........................ 430 Vanity Mirrors
........................... 97
Variance, Compass ....................... 210
Vehicle Certification Label ................. 356
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ............ 6
Vehicle Loading ................... 323,356,358
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations .............. 7
Vehicle Storage ....................... 279,437
Vehicle Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) .......... 18
Viscosity, Engine Oil ...................... 405
Voice Recognition System (VR) .............. 128
Warning Lights
(Instrument Cluster Description) ............. 188
Warnings and Cautions ..................... 6
Warranty Information ..................... 466
Washer Adding Fluid ....................... 413
Washers, Windshield ................ 154,156,413
Washing Vehicle ......................... 427
10
INDEX 489