2014 DODGE AVENGER fuel

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L ..........425
 ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L ..........426
 ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II . .427
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............427
 EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS ......................... .428
 REPLACEMENT PARTS ..................429
 DEALER SERVICE ..................... .429
 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ...........430
▫ Engine Oil ......................... .431▫
Engine Oil Filter ..................... .434
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................434
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ...............435
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance .............437
▫ A/C Air Filter — If Equipped ............438
▫ Body Lubrication .....................439
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ...............440
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ..................440
▫ Exhaust System ..................... .441
▫ Cooling System ..................... .444
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ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light” (MIL). It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability.
The vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
• If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
After fuel is added, the vehicle diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel filler cap is possibly loose or
improperly installed. A “gASCAP” message will be dis-
played in the instrument cluster. Tighten the gas cap until
a clicking sound is heard. This is an indication that the
gas cap is properly tightened. Press the trip odometer
“Reset” button to turn off the message. If the problem7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 427

CAUTION!(Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of your
vehicle and also allow extended maintenance inter-
vals. Do not use chemical flushes in these compo-
nents as the chemicals can damage your engine,
transmission, power steering or air conditioning.
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 a fully 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.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 431

CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your engine oil as the
chemicals can damage your engine. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Engine Oil Viscosity — 2.4L Engine
MOPAR® SAE 5W-20 engine oil or equivalent Pennzoil®
or Shell Helix® is recommended for all operating tem-
peratures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy.
The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended
engine oil viscosity for your engine. For information on
the engine oil filler cap location, refer to “Engine Com-
partment” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.Lubricants that do not have both, the engine oil certifi-
cation mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade number
should not be used.
Engine Oil Viscosity — 3.6L Engine
MOPAR® SAE 5W-20 engine oil approved to Chrysler
Material Standard MS-6395 such as Pennzoil®, Shell
Helix® or equivalent. is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy.
The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended
engine oil viscosity for your engine. For information on
engine oil filler cap location, refer to the “Engine Com-
partment” illustration in this section.
NOTE:
MOPAR® SAE 5W-30 engine oil approved to
Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395 such as Pennzoil®,
Shell Helix® or equivalent may be used when SAE 5W-20
engine oil meeting MS-6395 is not available.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 433

WARNING!
•Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain
carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Breathing it can make you unconscious
and can eventually poison you. To avoid breathing
CO, refer to “Safety Tips/Exhaust Gas” in “Things
To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further
information.
• A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park
over materials that can burn. Such materials might
be grass or leaves coming into contact with your
exhaust system. Do not park or operate your ve-
hicle in areas where your exhaust system can con-
tact anything that can burn.
CAUTION!
• The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions control
device and may seriously reduce engine perfor-
mance and cause serious damage to the engine.
• Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition.
In the event of engine malfunction, particularly
involving engine misfire or other apparent loss of
performance, have your vehicle serviced promptly.
Continued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.
442 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

License Plate Lamp
1.Remove two retaining screws holding the light lens in
place.
2. Gently pry the lamp assembly loose.
3. Pull bulb from socket, replace and reattach the lampassembly with the two retaining screws.
FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
All Engines — (Except 2.4L PZEV) 16.9 Gallons 64 Liters
2.4L PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) 18.5 Gallons 70 Liters
Engine Oil With Filter
2.4L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 4.5 Quarts 4.26 Liters
3.6L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 6 Quarts 5.6 Liters
Cooling System*
2.4L Engine (MOPAR® Antifreeze/Engine Coolant 10 Year/
150,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 7.7 Quarts 7.3 Liters
3.6L Engine (MOPAR® Antifreeze/Engine Coolant 10 Year/
150,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 11.6 Quarts
11 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
474 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Coolant We recommend you use MOPAR® Antifreeze/Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile
Formula OAT (Organic Additive Technology).
Engine Oil – 2.4L Engine
We recommend you use API Certified SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil, meeting the
requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395 such as MOPAR®, Penn-
zoil®, and Shell Helix®. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for correct SAE grade.
Engine Oil – 3.6L EngineWe recommend you use API Certified SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil, meeting the
requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395 such as MOPAR®, Penn-
zoil®, and Shell Helix®. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for correct SAE grade.
Engine Oil Filter We recommend you use MOPAR® Engine Oil Filter.
Spark Plugs – 2.4L Engine except
PZEV* We recommend you use MOPAR® Spark Plugs (Gap 0.043 in [1.1 mm]).
Spark Plugs – 2.4L with PZEV* We recommend you use MOPAR® Spark Plugs (Gap 0.031 in [0.8 mm]).
Spark Plugs – 3.6L Engine We recommend you use MOPAR® Spark Plugs (Gap 0.043 in [1.1 mm]).
Fuel Selection 87 Octane
* PZEV = Partial Zero Emission Vehicle
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 475

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 ser-
vice 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 otherthan 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 in-
formation.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve months,
whichever comes first.
Severe Duty All Models
Change Engine Oil at 4000 miles (6,500 km) if the vehicle
is operated in a dusty and off road environment. This
type of vehicle use is considered Severe Duty
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
• Check engine oil level.
• Check windshield washer fluid level.
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S478 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES