2012 DODGE AVENGER check oil

damaged, 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 lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt
or retractor condition, replace the belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for four to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see your
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 87

WARNING! (Continued)
•Always make sure that objects cannot fall into the
driver footwell while the vehicle is moving. Ob-
jects can become trapped under the brake pedal
and accelerator pedal causing a loss of vehicle
control.
•If required, mounting posts must be properly
installed, if not equipped from the factory.
Failure to properly follow floor mat installation or
mounting can cause interference with the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal operation causing loss
of control of the vehicle.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objectslodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 89

flash or remain on continuously. Refer to “Occupant
Restraints” in “Things To Know Before Starting Your
Vehicle” for further information.
9. Oil Pressure Warning LightThis light indicates low engine oil pressure. The
light will come on and remain on when the
ignition switch is turned from the OFF to the ON/RUN
position, and the light will turn off after the engine is
started. If the bulb does not come on during starting,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
If the light comes on and remains on while driving, stop
the vehicle and shut off the engine. DO NOT OPERATE
THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CAUSE IS CORRECTED.
The light does not show the quantity of oil in the engine.
This can be determined using the procedure shown in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle”. 10. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. As engine coolant temperatures rise and the
gauge approaches H, this indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound after reaching a set
threshold. Further overheating will cause the tempera-
ture gauge to pass H, the indicator will continuously
flash and a continuous chime will occur until the engine
is allowed to cool.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and
stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also,
shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the ve-
hicle. If the temperature reading does not return to
normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service. Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in “What To
Do In Emergencies” for further information.
198 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Right Rear Turn Signal Lamp Out (with a single
chime)
•RKE (Remote Keyless Entry) Battery Low (with a
single chime)
•Personal Settings Not Avail – Vehicle Not In PARK
•Personal Settings Not Avail – Vehicle in Motion
•Door Ajar (with vehicle graphic showing which door
is open. A single chime sounds if the vehicle is in
motion).
•Doors Ajar (with vehicle graphic showing which doors
are open. A single chime sounds if the vehicle is in
motion).
•Trunk Open (with vehicle graphic showing an open
trunk and A single chime )
•Lights On
•Key In Ignition
•Remote start aborted — Door ajar
•Remote start aborted — Hood ajar
•Remote start aborted — Trunk ajar
•Remote start aborted — Fuel low
•Remote start disabled — System fault
•Oil Change Required (with a single chime)
•Low Tire (with a graphic of the car showing which
tire(s) is/are low - with a single chime). Refer toTi re
Pressure Monitoring System inStarting and Operat-
ing.
•Check TPM System (with a single chime) Refer to Ti re
Pressure Monitoring System inStarting and
Operating.
214 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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

WARNING! (Continued)
•To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that
has been in a tightly closed container. Keep the
master cylinder reservoir cap secured at all times.
Brake fluid in a open container absorbs moisture
from the air resulting in a lower boiling point.
This may cause it to boil unexpectedly during hard
or prolonged braking, resulting in sudden brake
failure. This could result in a collision.
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contami-
nate the brake fluid. Brake seal components could
be damaged, causing partial or complete brake
failure. This could result in a collision.
Automatic Transmission
The automatic transmission and differential assembly are
contained within a single housing.
The fluid level in the automatic transmission should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transmission and the fluid.
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transmission to assure optimum transmission perfor-
mance. Use only the manufacturer’s recommended trans-
mission fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 443

•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 8,000 miles (13 000 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.
Once A Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and transmission and add as needed.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 469

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