2012 DODGE AVENGER automatic transmission

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
• A long break-in period is not required for the engine and drivetrain (transmissionand axle) in your vehicle.
• Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
• While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in. Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be
detrimental and should be avoided.
• The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil changes should be consistent with anticipated
climate conditions under which vehicle operations will occur. For the
recommended viscosity and quality grades, refer to “Maintaining Your Vehicle”.
NOTE: A new engine may consume some oil during its first few thousand miles
(kilometers) of operation. This should be considered a normal part of the break-in and
not interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil in the engine or damage
may result.
TURN SIGNAL/LIGHTS LEVER
Headlights/Parking Lights/Automatic Headlights
• Rotate the end of the lever to the first detent for parking lights, the second
detent for headlightsand the third detent for AUTO.
• When set to AUTO, the system automatically turns the headlights on or off based on ambient light levels.
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
17

TRAILER TOWING WEIGHTS (MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS)The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings
Engine/Transmission Max. Frontal AreaMax. GTW (Gross Trailer Wt.) Max. Trailer Tongue Wt.
1
2.4L/Auto11 sq ft (1.0 sq.m) (See Note
2) 1,000 lbs (450 kg) 100 lbs (45 kg)
3.6L/Auto 22 sq.ft. (2.0 sq.m)1,000 lbs (450 kg)100 lbs (45 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
1The trailer tongue weight must be considered as part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and it should never exceed the
weight referenced on the Tire and Loading Information placard.2Enclosed trailers or open utility trailers with front shields/guards are not recommended for use with four-cylinder engines with an
automatic transmission. Please see your authorized dealer for additional information.
CAUTION!
Towing a trailer with a larger than recommended frontal area could cause the engine to overheat or cause severe engine
damage under extreme conditions.
UTILITY
64

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
Jack Location
• The jack and jack-handle are stowed under the load floor in the trunk.
Spare Tire Stowage
• The compact spare tire is stowed under the rear load floor in the trunk.
Spare Tire Removal • Lift up the load floor cover and remove the hold down.
Preparations For Jacking
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
2. Turn on the Hazard Warning flashers.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Place the shift lever into PARK (automatic transmission) or REVERSE (manual transmission).
5. Turn OFF the ignition.
Block both the front and rear of the wheel
diagonally opposite the jacking position.
For example, if changing the right front tire,
block the left rear wheel.
NOTE: Passengers should not remain in the
vehicle while the vehicle is being jacked.
Spare Tire and Jack Stowage
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
71

CAUTION!
• Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on locations other than thoseindicated in the Jacking Instructions for this vehicle.
• Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on locations other than those indicated in Step 3.
• Be sure to mount the spare tire with the valve stem facing outward. The vehicle could be damaged if the spare tire is mounted incorrectly.
WARNING!
• Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to movingtraffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
• Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get under a raised vehicle,
take it to a service center where it can be raised on a lift.
• Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack.
• The jack is designed to be used as a tool for changing tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
• Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the edge of the roadway as possible before raising the vehicle.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning flashers.
• Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be raised.
• Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic transmission in PARK; a manual transmission in REVERSE.
• Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center where it can be raised on a
lift.
• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a jack.
• Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
• Only use the jack in the positions indicated and for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
• Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help prevent personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
• If working on or near a roadway, be extremely careful of motor traffic.
• To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the valve stem facing the ground.
(Continued)
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
75

1. Set the parking brake, shift theautomatic transmission into PARK
and turn the ignition to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electrical accessories.
3. Remove the protective cover over the remote positive (+)battery post. To
remove the cover, press the locking
tab and pull upward on the cover.
4. If using another vehicle to jump-start the battery, park the vehicle within
the jumper cables reach, set the
parking brake and make sure the
ignition is OFF.
Jump-Starting Procedure
1. Connect the positive (+)end of the jumper cable to the remote positive (+)post of
the discharged vehicle.
2. Connect the opposite end of the positive (+)jumper cable to the positive (+)post
of the booster battery.
3. Connect the negative end (-)of the jumper cable to the negative (-)post of the
booster battery.
4. Connect the opposite end of the negative (-)jumper cable to the remote negative
(-) post of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then start the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in the reverse sequence:
6. Disconnect the negative (-)jumper cable from the remote negative (-)post of the
vehicle with the discharged battery.
7. Disconnect the negative end (-)of the jumper cable from the negative (-)post of
the booster battery.
8. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive (+)jumper cable from the positive (+)
post of the booster battery.
9. Disconnect the positive (+)end of the jumper cable from the remote positive (+)
post of the discharged vehicle.
10. Reinstall the protective cover over the remote positive (+)battery post of the
discharged vehicle.
NOTE: If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle you should have the
battery and charging system inspected at your authorized dealer.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
77

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine
PartCapacities
Engine Coolant 2.4L MOPAR
®Antifreeze/
Coolant Five
Year/100,000 Mile
Formula HOAT (Hybrid
Organic Additive
Technology) or equivalent. 7.7 Quarts (7.3 Liters)
Includes heater and
coolant recovery bottle
filled to MAX level.
Engine Coolant 3.6L MOPAR
®Antifreeze/
Coolant Five
Year/100,000 Mile
Formula HOAT (Hybrid
Organic Additive
Technology) or equivalent. 11.6 Quarts (11 Liters)
Includes heater and
coolant recovery bottle
filled to MAX level.
Engine Oil with Filter 2.4L API Certified SAE 5W-20 engine oil, meeting the
requirements of Chrysler
Material Standard
MS-6395. Refer to the
engine oil filler cap for
correct SAE grade.4.5 Quarts (4.4 Liters)
Engine Oil with Filter 3.6L API Certified SAE 5W-30 engine oil, meeting
Chrysler Material Standard
MS-6395. Refer to your
engine oil filler cap for
correct SAE grade.6 Quarts (5.6 Liters)
Engine Oil Filter 2.4L &
3.6L MOPAR
®Engine Oil Filter
or equivalent. —
Spark Plugs 2.4L except
PZEV ZFR5F-11 (Gap 0.043 in
[1.11 mm])
—
Spark Plugs 2.4L with
PZEV ZFR5AP (Gap 0.031 in
[0.8 mm])
—
Spark Plugs 3.6L RER8ZWYCB4 (Gap
0.043 in [1.1 mm]) —
Automatic Transmission –
Four-Speed MOPAR
®ATF+4®
Automatic Transmission
Fluid or equivalent
licensed ATF+4
®product.—
Automatic Transmission –
Six-Speed (62TE Only) MOPAR®ATF+4®
Automatic Transmission
Fluid or equivalent
licensed ATF+4
®product.—
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
86

ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine
PartCapacities
Brake Master Cylinder MOPAR
®DOT 3 and SAE
J1703 should be used or
equivalent. If DOT 3 is not
available, then DOT 4 is
acceptable. Use only
recommended brake fluids. —
Power Steering Reservoir MOPAR
®Power Steering
Fluid+4orMOPAR®
ATF+4®Automatic
Transmission Fluid or
equivalent licensed
ATF+4
®product. —
Fuel Selection – All
Engines (except 2.4L
PZEV) 87 Octane
16.9 Gallons (64 Liters)
(Approximate)
Fuel Selection 2.4L PZEV 87 Octane 18.5 Gallons (70 Liters)
(Approximate)
E-85 Flexible Fuel – 3.6L Engine Only
CAUTION!
Only vehicles with the E-85 fuel filler door label or a yellow gas cap can operate
on E-85.
• Refer to your Owner's Manual on the DVD for further details.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
87

MAINTENANCE CHART
Miles:
8,000 16,000 24,000 32,000 40,000 48,000 56,000 64,000 72,000 80,000 88,000 96,000 104,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78
Or Kilometers:
13,000 26,000 39,000 52,000 65,000 78,000 91,000 104,000 117,000 130,000 143,000 156,000 169,000
Change the engine oil and filter. XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rotate the tires, rotate at the first sign of irregular
wear, even if it occurs before scheduled mainte-
nance. XXXXXXXXXXXXX
If using your vehicle for any of the following: dusty or
off-road conditions. Inspect the engine air cleaner
filter; replace if necessary. XXX
Inspect the brake linings; replace if necessary. X X XXXX
Replace the air conditioning filter. X X XXXX
Inspect the CV joints. XXXX
Inspect the exhaust system. X XXXX
Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot
seals for cracks or leaks and all parts for damage,
wear, improper looseness or end play; replace if nec-
essary. XXXXXX
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. X X X
Replace the spark plugs (2.4L Engines) X X X
Replace the spark plugs (2.4L PZEV Engines Only) X
Replace the spark plugs (3.6L Engines) X
Adjust parking brake on all vehicles equipped with
four wheel disc brakes. XXX
Change the automatic transmission fluid & filter if
using your vehicle for any of the following: police,
taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing. X
Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary. X
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
88