Dodge Avenger: Safety tips - Things to know before starting your vehicle - Dodge Avenger Owners ManualDodge Avenger: Safety tips

Transporting Passengers

NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGOAREA

WARNING:

• Do not leave children or animals inside parkedvehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up maycause serious injury or death.

• It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, peopleriding in these areas are more likely to be seriouslyinjured or killed.

• Do not allow people to ride in any area of yourvehicle that is not equipped with seats and seatbelts.

• Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat andusing a seat belt properly.

Exhaust Gas

WARNING:

Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbonmonoxide (CO), which is colorless and odorless.

Breathing it can make you unconscious and caneventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)follow these safety tips:

Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confinedareas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in orout of the area.

If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the enginerunning, adjust your heating or cooling controls to forceoutside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.

If you are required to drive with the trunk/liftgate open,make sure that all windows are closed and the climatecontrol BLOWER switch is set at high speed. DO NOTuse the recirculation mode.

The best protection against carbon monoxide entry intothe vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaustsystem.

Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaustsystem, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside thevehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle isdamaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the completeexhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Openseams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumesto seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raisedfor lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside theVehicle

Seat Belts

Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replacedimmediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.

Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after acollision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced aftera collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding beltor retractor condition, replace the belt.

Airbag Warning Light

The light should come on and remain on for four to eightseconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is firstturned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see yourauthorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comeson while driving, have the system checked by an authorizeddealer.

Defroster

Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and placethe blower control on high speed. You should be able tofeel the air directed against the windshield. See yourauthorized dealer for service if your defroster isinoperable.

Floor Mat Safety Information

Always use floor mats designed to fit the foot well ofyour vehicle. Use only floor mats that leave the pedalarea unobstructed and that are firmly secured so thatthey cannot slip out of position and interfere with thepedals or impair safe operation of your vehicle in otherways.

WARNING:

Pedals that cannot move freely can cause loss ofvehicle control and increase the risk of serious personalinjury.

• Always make sure that floor mats are properlyattached to the floor mat fasteners.

• Never place or install floor mats or other floorcoverings in the vehicle that cannot be properlysecured to prevent them from moving and interferingwith the pedals or the ability to control thevehicle.

• Never put floor mats or other floor coverings ontop of already installed floor mats. Additionalfloor mats and other coverings will reduce the sizeof the pedal area and interfere with the pedals.

• Check mounting of mats on a regular basis. Alwaysproperly reinstall and secure floor mats thathave been removed for cleaning.

• Always make sure that objects cannot fall into thedriver foot well while the vehicle is moving.

Objects can become trapped under the brake pedaland accelerator pedal causing a loss of vehiclecontrol.

• If required, mounting posts must be properlyinstalled, if not equipped from the factory.

Failure to properly follow floor mat installation ormounting can cause interference with the brakepedal and accelerator pedal operation causing lossof control of the vehicle.

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outsidethe Vehicle

Tires

Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wearpatterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objectslodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall forcuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.

Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.

Lights

Have someone observe the operation of exterior lightswhile you work the controls. Check turn signal and highbeam indicator lights on the instrument panel.

Door Latches

Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.

Fluid Leaks

Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasolinefumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, orbrake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should belocated and corrected immediately.

    Engine break-in recommendations
    A long break-in period is not required for the engine anddrivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle. Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 k ...

    See also:

    Engine Oil Change
    When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message displays, have the engine oil and filter changed within the next 1 000 km/600 mi. If driven under the best conditions, the engine oil life system migh ...

    Lights
    Display messages about LEDs: This display message will only appear if all LEDs have failed. Display messages Possible causes/consequences and •► Solutions Check Left Corne ...

    DIC Operation and Displays
    The DIC has different displays which can be accessed by using the DIC buttons on the turn signal lever to the left of the steering wheel. The DIC displays trip, fuel, vehicle system informat ...