2013 DODGE AVENGER transmission

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
• In any of the following situations, you can reduce the potential for overheating by takingthe appropriate action.• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, shift transmission into NEUTRAL, but do not increase
engine idle speed.
NOTE:
There are steps that you can take to slow down an impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C system adds heat to the engine cooling system and turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the Temperature Control to maximum heat, the Mode Control to floor and the Fan Control to high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement to the
radiator and aids in removing heat from the engine cooling system.
• If the temperature reading does not return to normal, turn the engine off immediately.
• We recommend that you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
Engine Oil Overheating — 2.4L Gas
• On hot days the engine oil temperature may become too hot during sustained high- speed driving or if towing a trailer up long grades. If this happens, a HOTOIL message will
flash in the odometer and the vehicle speed will be reduced to 48 mph (77 km/h)
maximum until the engine oil temperature is reduced.
NOTE:
Although the maximum vehicle speed is reduced to 48 mph (77 km/h), you may reduce
vehicle speed further as needed. Once the engine oil temperature is reduced, you may
continue to drive normally.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge
reads HOT (H), pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air conditioner
turned off until the pointer drops back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
HOT (H), and you hear continuous chimes, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your
radiator. If you see or hear steam coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap when
the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
74

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 trans-
mission).
5. Turn OFF the ignition.
6. 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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
75

CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on locations other than those indicated
in the Jacking Instructions for this vehicle.
• 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!
• 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.
• Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic, pull
far enough off the road to avoid the danger of being hit when operating the jack or
changing the wheel.
•
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help prevent personal injury or damage
to your vehicle:
• Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the edge of the roadway as pos-
sible before raising the vehicle.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
•Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make the vehicle less stable. It could slip
off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough to remove the tire.
• To avoid possible personal injury, handle the wheel covers with care to avoid contact
with any sharp edges.
•
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or hard stop could injure the occupants
in the vehicle. Have the deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced immediately.
• To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not tighten the lug nuts fully
until the vehicle is lowered to the ground. Failure to follow this warning may result in
personal injury.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
79

BATTERY LOCATION
• The battery in your vehicle is located between the left front headlight assembly and theleft front wheel splash shield. To allow jump-starting there are remote battery posts
located on the left side of the engine compartment.
JUMP-STARTING
• If your vehicle has a discharged battery it can be jump-started using a set of jumpercables and a battery in another vehicle or by using a portable battery booster pack.
Jump-starting can be dangerous if done improperly so please follow the procedures in
this section carefully.
NOTE:
When using a portable battery booster pack follow the manufacturer's operating instruc-
tions and precautions.
Preparations For Jump-Start
• The battery in your vehicle is located between the left front headlight assembly
and the left front wheel splash shield.
To allow jump-starting there are remote
battery posts located on the left side of
the engine compartment.
1. Set the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission into PARK and turn the igni-
tion to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnec- essary electrical accessories.
3. Remove the protective cover over the re- mote positive (+)battery post. To remove
the cover, press the locking tab and pull
upward on the cover.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
80

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
ModelFlat Towing
(all four wheels
on the ground) Flatbed Towing
(all four wheels
suspended OFF
the ground)Front Wheels
Raised, Rear
Wheels on the
GroundRear Wheels
Raised, Front
Wheels on the
Ground
FWD Without
aKey NOT Permitted Recommended
MethodMay Be Used NOT Permitted
without a front
end dolly
FWDWithaKey Shift lever must
be in NEUTRAL.
The distance
to be traveled
must not exceed
15 mi (25 km),
and the towing
speed must not
exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h). Recommended
Method
May Be Used NOT Permitted
without a front
end dolly
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
•If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it can often be moved by a rocking
motion. Turn your steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the front wheels.
Then move the shift lever back and forth between REVERSE and DRIVE. Using minimal
accelerator pedal pressure to maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the wheels, is
most effective.
NOTE:
To improve the vehicle's traction when starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel, it may be
desirable to switch the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) to “Partial Off” mode by momen-
tarily pressing the ESC Off
switch. For further information on ESC, refer to the Owner's
Manual on the DVD.
CAUTION!
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving between REVERSE and DRIVE, do not spin the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast may lead to transmission over- heating and failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no transmission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated by excessive wheel speeds may
cause tire damage or failure. A tire could explode and injure someone. Do not spin your
vehicle's wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) when you are stuck. Do not let anyone
near a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
83

ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine
Part Capacities
Automatic Transmission We recommend youONLYuse
MOPAR® ATF+4® Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Failure to use ATF+4 fluid may
affect the function or perfor-
mance of your transmission. —
Brake Master Cylinder
We recommend you use
MOPAR® DOT 3 and SAE J1703.
If DOT 3 is not available, then
DOT 4 is acceptable.
—
Power Steering Reservoir We recommend you use
MOPAR® Power Steering
Fluid+4orMOPAR®ATF+4®
Automatic Transmission Fluid. —
CAUTION!
•Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than specified Organic Additive Technology
(OAT) engine coolant (antifreeze), may result in engine damage and may decrease
corrosion protection. Organic Additive Technology (OAT) engine coolant is different and
should not be mixed with Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolant
(antifreeze) or any “globally compatible” coolant (antifreeze). If a non-OAT engine
coolant (antifreeze) is introduced into the cooling system in an emergency, the cooling
system will need to be drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh OAT coolant (conforming
to MS-12106), by an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
• Do not use water alone or alcohol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not
use additional rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not be compatible
with the radiator engine coolant and may plug the radiator.
• This vehicle has not been designed for use with propylene glycol-based engine
coolant (antifreeze). Use of propylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is not
recommended.
E85 FLEXIBLE FUEL — 3.6L ENGINE ONLY
Refer to your Owner's Manual on the DVD for further details.
CAUTION!
Only vehicles with the E-85 fuel filler door label or a yellow gas cap can operate on E-85.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
89

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change indicator system. The oil change indicator
system will remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change indicator message will illuminate. This
means that service is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions such as frequent short-
trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or cold ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will influence
when the “Oil Change Required” message is displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can cause
the change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles (5,600 km) since last reset. Have
your vehicle serviced as soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).
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” for further information.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or
twelve months, whichever comes first.
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
• Check engine oil level
• Check windshield washer fluid level
• Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual wear or damage
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake master cylinder, power steering andtransmission as needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
Required Maintenance Intervals.
Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following page for the required maintenance
intervals.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil Change Indicator System:
• Change oil and filter.
• Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before the oil
indicator system turns on.
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as required.
• Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped with dipstick.
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses and park brake.
• Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses.
• Inspect exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or off-road conditions.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
90

Maintenance ChartMileage or time passed (whichever comes first)
20,00030,000
40,000
50,000
60,000 70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000 130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000 224,000
240,000
Additional Inspections
Inspect the CV joints. X X X X X
Inspect front suspension, tie rod ends, boot
seals and replace if necessary.
XXXX X X X
Inspect the brake linings, replace as
necessary. XXXX X X X
Adjust parking brake as necessary XX XX X X X
Additional Maintenance
Replace engine air filter. XX X X X
Replace cabin/air conditioning filter. XX XX X X X
Replace spark plugs (2.4L Engine). ** XX X X X
Replace spark plugs (2.4L PZEV Engine Only). ** X
Replace spark plugs (3.6L Engine). ** X
Flush and replace the engine coolant at 10 years
or 150,000 miles (240,000 km) whichever
comes first. XX
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter
if using your vehicle for any of the following:
police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing. XX
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
91