Dodge Avenger (2014 year). Manual

CAUTION!

Failure to follow these cautions can cause damage to
the heating elements:
• Use care when washing the inside of the rear

window. Do not use abrasive window cleaners on
the interior surface of the window. Use a soft cloth
and a mild washing solution, wiping parallel to the
heating elements. Labels can be peeled off after
soaking with warm water.

• Do not use scrapers, sharp instruments, or abrasive

window cleaners on the interior surface of the
window.

• Keep all objects a safe distance from the window.

204

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES

1 — Air Outlet

5 — Passenger Airbag

9 — Power Outlet

2 — Side Window Demister Outlet

6 — Glove Compartment

10 — Climate Controls

3 — Instrument Cluster

7 — Heated Seat Switch — If Equipped

11 — Ignition Switch

4 — Radio

8 — Hazard Switch

12 — Trunk Release Button

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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS

1. Temperature Gauge

The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading below the red mark of the gauge shows
that the engine cooling system is operating properly. The
gauge pointer may show a higher than normal tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades, in
heavy stop and go traffic, or when towing a trailer.

If the pointer rises to the H (red) mark, the instrument
cluster will sound a chime. 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 the H (red) mark, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service.

There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning is
on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C

removes 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.

2. Fuel Door Reminder

This is a reminder that the Fuel Filler Door is
located on the left side of the vehicle.

3. Fuel Gauge

When the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank.

4. Speedometer

Indicates the vehicle speed in miles per hour (MPH) and
kilometers per hour (km/h).

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

211

5. Low Fuel Light

When the fuel level drops to approximately 2.0
gallons (7.6 Liters), the fuel symbol will light and

a single chime will sound.

NOTE:

This light will remain on until a minimum of

approximately 3.0 gallons of fuel is added.

6. Charging System Light

This light shows the status of the electrical charg-
ing system. The light should come on briefly

when the ignition is first turned on and remain on briefly
as a bulb check. If the light stays on or comes on while
driving, turn off some of the vehicle’s electrical devices,
such as the Front Fog Lights or Rear Window Defroster.
If the Charging System Light remains on, it means that
the vehicle is experiencing a problem with the charging
system. Obtain SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. See your local
authorized dealer.

If jump starting is required, refer to “Jump Starting
Procedures” in “What To Do In Emergencies”.

7. Air Bag Warning Light

This light will turn on for four to eight seconds
as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned to ON/RUN. If the light is either not on
during starting, stays on, or turns on while

driving, have the system inspected at an authorized
dealer as soon as possible. Refer to “Occupant Restraints”
in “Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for
further information.

8. Seat Belt Reminder Light

When the ignition switch is first turned to ON/
RUN, this light will turn on for four to eight
seconds as a bulb check. During the bulb check, if

the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled, a chime will sound.
After the bulb check or when driving, if the driver seat
belt remains unbuckled, the Seat Belt Warning Light will

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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

flash or remain on continuously. Refer to “Occupant
Restraints” in “Things To Know Before Starting Your
Vehicle” for further information.

9. Oil Pressure Warning Light

This 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 temperature gauge to
pass H, and a continuous chime will occur until the
engine is allowed to cool or the 4 minutes duration is
expired, whichever come first.

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.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

213

11. Brake Warning Light

This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, that

the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system.

The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. Failure of either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.

The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.

NOTE:

The light may flash momentarily during sharp

cornering maneuvers which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.

If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.

WARNING!

Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It will
take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have a
collision. Have the vehicle checked immediately.

Vehicles equipped with Anti-Lock brakes (ABS), are also
equipped with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD).
In the event of an EBD failure, the Brake Warning Light
will turn on along with the ABS Light. Immediate repair
to the ABS system is required.

The operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to
the ON/RUN position. The light should illuminate for
approximately three seconds. The light should then turn

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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

off unless the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is
detected. If the light does not illuminate, have the light
inspected by an authorized dealer.

The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON/RUN posi-
tion.

NOTE:

This light shows only that the parking brake is

applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.

12. Tachometer

The silver area of the scale shows the permissible engine
revolutions-per-minute (RPM x 1000) for each gear range.
Before reaching the red area, ease up on the accelerator to
prevent engine damage.

13. Shift Lever Indicator

The Shift Lever Indicator is self-contained within the
instrument cluster. It displays the gear position of the
automatic transmission.

NOTE:

You must apply the brakes before shifting from

PARK.

14. Odometer Display/Trip Odometer Display

The odometer display shows the total distance the ve-
hicle has been driven.

U.S. Federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. If your
odometer needs to be repaired or serviced, the repair
technician should leave the odometer reading the same
as it was before the repair or service. If s/he cannot do so,
then the odometer must be set at zero, and a sticker must
be placed in the door jamb stating what the mileage was
before the repair or service. It is a good idea for you to
make a record of the odometer reading before the repair/
service, so that you can be sure that it is properly reset, or
that the door jamb sticker is accurate if the odometer
must be reset at zero.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

215

The two trip odometers show individual trip mileage. To
switch from odometer to trip odometers, press and
release the Trip Odometer button. To reset a trip odom-
eter, display the desired trip odometer to be reset then
push and hold the button until the display resets (ap-
proximately two seconds). Refer to “Trip Odometer But-
ton” for additional information.

Vehicle Odometer Messages

When the appropriate conditions exist, the odometer will
display the following messages:
door

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Door Ajar

dECK

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trunk Ajar

LoW tirE

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Low Tire Pressure

CHANgE OIL

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oil Change Required

gASCAP

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fuel Cap Fault

HOTOIL

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Engine Oil Temperature

Exceeds Safe Threshold

NOTE:

If the instrument cluster is equipped with the

optional Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC),
then all warnings including ”Low Tire,” “Door Ajar” and
“Trunk Ajar” will only display in the EVIC. (Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” for spe-
cific messages).

LoW tirE

When the appropriate condition exists, the odometer
display will toggle between LoW and tirE for three
cycles.

HOTOIL

When this message is displayed there is a engine oil
over-temperature condition. When this condition occurs,
the “HOTOIL” message will be displayed in the odom-
eter along with a chime.

Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in “What To Do In
Emergencies”.

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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

gASCAP

If the vehicle diagnostic system detects a leak or change
in the evaporative system, or the fuel filler cap is loose,
improperly installed, or damaged, the words “gASCAP”
will display in the odometer display area. If this occurs,
tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the odom-
eter reset button to turn off the “gASCAP” message.
(Refer to “Onboard Diagnostic System — OBDII” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information). If
the problem continues, the message will appear the next
time the vehicle is started. See your authorized dealer
service center as soon as possible.

CHANgE OIL

Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “CHANgE OIL” message will flash
in the instrument cluster odometer for approximately 12
seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate the
next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change

indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style.

Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position.
To turn off the message temporarily, press and release the
Trip Odometer button on the instrument cluster. To reset
the oil change indicator system (after performing the
scheduled maintenance) perform the following proce-
dure:

1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position (do

not start the engine).

2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly 3 times

within 10 seconds.

3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

217

NOTE:

If the indicator message illuminates when you

start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.

4. For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle

Information Center (EVIC), refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)”.

15. Cruise Indicator — If Equipped

This indicator shows that the Electronic Speed
Control System is ON.

16. Odometer/Trip Odometer Reset Button

Trip Odometer

Press and release this button to change the display from
odometer to “Trip A.” Press and release it a second time
to change the display to “Trip B.” Press and release it a
third time to change the display back to the odometer.

To reset the trip odometer, first display the trip mileage
that you want to reset, “Trip A” or “Trip B.” Then push
and hold the button (approximately two seconds) until
the display resets to 0 miles (km). The odometer must be
in Trip Mode to reset the trip odometer.

17. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Indicator Light

This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. If a
problem is detected, the light will come on
while the engine is running. If the light remains

lit with the engine running, your vehicle will usually be
drivable and not need towing, however see your autho-
rized dealer for service as soon as possible.

If the light is flashing when the engine is running you
may experience power loss, an elevated/rough idle, and
increased brake pedal effort, and your vehicle may
require towing. Immediate service is required.

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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

The light will come on when the ignition switch is first
turned on and remain on briefly as a bulb check. This is
normal. If the light does not come on during starting,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.

18. Park/Headlight ON Indicator — If Equipped

This indicator will illuminate when the park
lights or headlights are turned on.

19. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF Indicator
Light — If Equipped

This light indicates the Electronic Stability Con-
trol system (ESC) has been turned off by the
driver.

20. Turn Signal Indicators

The arrows will flash in unison with the exterior
turn signal, when using the turn signal lever. A

chime will sound if the vehicle is driven more than 1 mile
(1.6 km) with either turn signal on.

NOTE:

If either indicator flashes at a rapid rate, check for

a defective outside light bulb.

21. Vehicle Security Light — If Equipped

This light will flash rapidly for approximately
16 seconds when the alarm system is arming.
The light will begin to flash slowly indicating
that the system is armed. The light will stop

flashing when the vehicle is disarmed.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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Dodge Avenger (2014 year). Manual - part 13