2013 DODGE AVENGER fuel

•Mix
Air is directed through the floor, defrost, and side
window demist outlets. This setting works best in
cold or snowy conditions that require extra heat to the
windshield. This setting is good for maintaining comfort
while reducing moisture on the windshield.
• Defrost
Air is directed through the windshield and side
window demist outlets. Use this mode with maxi-
mum blower and temperature settings for best wind-
shield and side window defrosting.
NOTE: The air conditioning compressor operates in Mix,
Defrost, or a blend of these modes, even if the Air
Conditioning (A/C) button is not pressed. This dehu-
midifies the air to help dry the windshield. To improve
fuel economy, use these modes only when necessary. •
Recirculation Control
Pressing the Recirculation Control button will
temporarily put the system in recirculation
mode. This can be used when outside condi-
tions such as smoke, odors, dust, or high
humidity are present. Activating recirculation will cause
the LED in the control button to illuminate.
NOTE:
• Continuous use of the Recirculation mode may make
the inside air stuffy and window fogging may occur.
Extended use of this mode is not recommended.
• The use of the Recirculation mode in cold or damp
weather will cause windows to fog on the inside,
because of moisture buildup inside the vehicle. Select
the outside air position for maximum defogging.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 281

▫All Season Tires – If Equipped ............353
▫
Summer Or Three Season Tires – If Equipped . . .353
▫ Snow Tires ......................... .353
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped ................354
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped .........354
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped .............355
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ..........355
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .356
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................357
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ .357
▫ Replacement Tires .....................358 
TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......360
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....360
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . . .361
▫ Base System ........................ .364
▫ Premium System – If Equipped ............366
▫ General Information ...................370
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................370
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................371
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............371
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......372
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................372
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................373
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 295

▫Fuel System Cautions ...................373
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............374
 FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) —
IF EQUIPPED ........................ .375
▫ E-85 General Information ...............375
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................376
▫ Fuel Requirements ....................376
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .......377
▫ Starting ........................... .378
▫ Cruising Range ...................... .378
▫ Replacement Parts ....................378
▫ Maintenance ....................... .378
ADDING FUEL ....................... .379
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............379
▫ Loose Filler Cap Message ...............381
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................381
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............381
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) .......381
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) .........382
▫ Overloading ........................ .382
▫ Loading ........................... .382
 TRAILER TOWING .....................383
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............383
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............385
296 STARTING AND OPERATING

to start, the starter will disengage automatically in 10 sec-
onds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK
position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal
Starting” procedure.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or 29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle.
• If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster
cables may be used to obtain a start from a booster
battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly. Refer
to “Jump Starting” in “What To Do In Emergen-
cies” for further information.
300 STARTING AND OPERATING

Without Tip Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all
the way to the floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine is flooded, it may start to run, but not have
enough power to continue running when the key is re-
leased. If this occurs, continue cranking up to 15 seconds
with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to the floor.If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15-second
periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal held to the
floor, repeat the “Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold
Weather” procedures.
With Tip Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Then, turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor
will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. Once this
occurs, release the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 301

DRIVE
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through all forward gears. The
DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteris-
tics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or
while towing heavy trailers), select the3range. Under
these conditions, using the 3range will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operat-
ing limits, the powertrain controller will modify the
DRIVE and “3” range shift points. This is done to prevent
transmission damage due to overheating. During cold temperatures, transmission operation may
be modified depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature im-
proves warm up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque
converter clutch is inhibited until the transmission fluid
is warm (refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter
Clutch” in this section). During extremely cold tempera-
tures (-16°F [-27°C] or below), operation may briefly be
limited to second gear only. Normal operation will re-
sume once the transmission temperature has risen to a
suitable level.
DRIVE 3
This range eliminates shifts into fourth gear. The trans-
mission will operate normally in first and second gear.
Shifts into third may be delayed to provide second gear
operation at higher speeds. Using the
3range while
operating the vehicle under heavy operating conditions
310 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized dealer at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (fourth gear). The transmission will
automatically shift into Overdrive if the following con-
ditions are present:
• the shift lever is in the DRIVE position,
• the transmission fluid has reached an adequate tem-
perature, •
the engine coolant has reached an adequate tempera-
ture,
• vehicle speed is sufficiently high, and
• the driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter engages automati-
cally at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during normal operation in
the upper gears. When the vehicle speed drops or during
some accelerations, the clutch automatically disengages.
NOTE: The torque converter clutch will not engage until
the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm
[usually after 1 to 3 miles (2 to 5 km) of driving]. Because
312 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
DRIVE
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through underdrive first, second,
third, and fourth gears, direct fifth gear and overdrive
sixth gear. The DRIVE position provides optimum driv-
ing characteristics under all normal operating conditions.When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or
while towing heavy trailers), use the AutoStick® shift
control (refer to “AutoStick®” in this section for further
information) to select a lower gear. Under these condi-
tions, using a lower gear will improve performance and
extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting
and heat buildup.
During cold temperatures, transmission operation may
be modified depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature im-
proves warm up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque
converter clutch is inhibited until the transmission fluid
is warm (refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter
318 STARTING AND OPERATING