2012 DODGE AVENGER steering

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir5 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 6 — Engine Oil Dipstick
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 7 — Engine Oil Fill
4 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 8 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
418 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 423

Engine Air Cleaner Filter
WARNING!
The air induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.) can
provide a measure of protection in the case of engine
backfire. Do not remove the air induction system (air
cleaner, hoses, etc.) unless such removal is necessary
for repair or maintenance. Make sure that no one is
near the engine compartment before starting the
vehicle with the air induction system (air cleaner,
hoses, etc.) removed. Failure to do so can result in
serious personal injury.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Selection
The quality of replacement engine air cleaner filters
varies considerably. Only high quality filters should be used to assure most efficient service. MOPAR
engine air
cleaner filters are high quality and are recommended.
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic main-
tenance required.
NOTE: The battery is stored in a compartment behind
the left front fender and is accessible without removing
the tire and wheel. Remote battery terminals are located
in the engine compartment for jump-starting. Refer to
“Jump-Starting Procedures” in “What To Do In Emergen-
cies” for further information.
To access the battery, turn the steering wheel fully to the
right and remove the inner fender shield.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 427

CavityCartridge
Fuse Mini Fuse Description
16 — 15 Amp
Lt. Blue Sunroof – If
Equipped
17 — 10 Amp
Red Wireless Control
Module (WCM)/
Clock/Steering
Control Module
(SCM)
18 40 Amp
Green —Auto Shutdown
(ASD) Relay
19 — 20 Amp
Yellow Audio Amplifier –
If Equipped
20 — 15 Amp
Lt. Blue Radio
21 — 10 Amp
Red Siren – If EquippedCavity Cartridge
Fuse Mini Fuse Description
22 — 10 Amp
Red Ignition Run – Cli-
mate Controls/Hot
Cupholder – If
Equipped
23 — 15 Amp
Lt. Blue Auto Shutdown
(ASD) Relay 3
24 — 25 Amp
Natural Sunroof – If
Equipped
25 — 10 Amp
Red Ignition Run —
Heated Mirrors - If
Equipped
26 — 15 Amp
Lt. Blue Auto Shutdown
(ASD) Relay 2
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 455

Fog Lamps
1. Access to the lamps through the lower fascia cutout is
limited.
2. Turn the steering wheel to allow access and remove
the inner fender shield.
3. Rotate the bulb and connector
14turn counterclock-
wise.
4. Pull the bulb off of connector and replace with a new
one.
CAUTION!
Do not touch the new bulb with your fingers. Oil
contamination will severely shorten bulb life. If the
bulb comes in contact with an oily surface, clean the
bulb with rubbing alcohol.
Backup Lamps
1. Open the trunk and gently pull back the trunk liner
behind the tail lamp.
2. Remove the two plastic wing nuts from the tail lamp
housing.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 461

Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission – Four-
Speed MOPAR
ATF+4Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent licensed
ATF+4 product.
Automatic Transmission – Six-
Speed (62TE) MOPAR
ATF+4Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent licensed
ATF+4 product.
Brake Master Cylinder MOPAR
DOT 3 and SAE J1703 should be used. If DOT 3 brake fluid is not
available, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only recommended brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir MOPAR
Power Steering Fluid +4, MOPAR ATF+4Automatic Transmis-
sion Fluid or equivalent licensed ATF+4 product.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 465

Caps, FillerFuel .............................. 373
Oil (Engine) ..................... 417,425
Power Steering ...................... 325
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 438
Car Washes ............................ 447
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............86,369
Cellular Phone ........................ 99,278
Chains, Tire ............................ 354
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 394
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 337
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 420
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 85
Checks, Safety ........................... 85
Child Restraint .................... 72,74,79,82
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............77,79
Child Safety Locks ........................ 34
Cigar Lighter ........................... 180 Clean Air Gasoline
....................... 365
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 449
Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 432
Climate Control ......................... 279
Clock ........................... 226,245,254
Coin Holder ........................... 182
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 278
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 349
Compass ........................... 210,216
Compass Calibration ..................... 217
Compass Variance ....................... 218
Computer, Trip/Travel .................. 21,215
Connector UCI .............................. 269
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 269
Console .............................. 147
Console, Floor ....................... 147,182
Contract, Service ........................ 485
494 INDEX

Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 438
Cooling System ......................... 436
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 437
Coolant Capacity ..................... 463
Coolant Level .................... 436,439
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 439
Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 436
Inspection .......................... 439
Points to Remember .................. 440
Pressure Cap ........................ 438
Radiator Cap ....................... 438
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....437,463,464
Corrosion Protection ..................... 446
Crankcase Ventilation Module ............... 21
Cruise Light ........................... 203
Cupholders ...................... 147,180,452
Customer Assistance ..................... 483
Customer Programmable Features ............ 221Data Recorder, Event
...................... 71
Daytime Running Lights ................... 154
Dealer Service .......................... 421
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 186
Defroster, Windshield ................87,281,287
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ...............30,157
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 419
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................. 152
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission .............445,446
Oil (Engine) ........................ 423
Power Steering ...................... 325
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 412
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 439
Engine Oil ......................... 426
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 32
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 164
10
INDEX 495