Dodge Avenger (2014 year). Instruction — part 1

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS

The authorized dealer that sold you your new vehicle has
the key code numbers for your vehicle locks. These
numbers can be used to order duplicate keys from your
authorized dealer. Ask your authorized dealer for these
numbers and keep them in a safe place.

You can insert the double-sided keys into the locks with
either side up.

Vehicle Key

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Ignition Key Removal

Automatic Transaxle

Place the shift lever in PARK. Turn the ignition switch to
the ACC position, push the key and cylinder inward,
rotate the key to the LOCK position, and remove the key.

Ignition Switch Positions

1 — LOCK

3 — ON/RUN

2 — ACC (ACCESSORY)

4 — START

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

13

NOTE:

• If you try to remove the key before you place the shift

lever in PARK, the key may become trapped tempo-
rarily in the ignition switch lock cylinder. If this occurs,
place the shift lever in PARK, rotate the key to the right
slightly, then remove the key as described. If a mal-
function occurs, the system will trap the key in the
ignition switch lock cylinder to warn you that this
safety feature is inoperable. The engine can be started
and stopped, but the key cannot be removed until you
obtain service.

• For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle

Information Center (EVIC), the power window
switches, radio, hands–free system (if equipped), and
power outlets will remain active for 45 seconds after
the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK position.
Opening either door will cancel this feature.

• For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle

Information Center (EVIC), the power window
switches, radio, hands–free system (if equipped), and
power outlets will remain active for up to 10 minutes
after the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK posi-
tion. Opening either front door will cancel this feature.
The time for this feature is programmable. Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/
Personal

Settings

(Customer-Programmable

Fea-

tures)” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.

WARNING!

• Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking

brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and re-
move the Key Fob from the ignition. When leaving
the vehicle, always lock your vehicle.

(Continued)

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with

access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to
be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal
or the shift lever.

• Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle, or

in a location accessible to children. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.

CAUTION!

An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove key from the ignition and lock all doors
when leaving the vehicle unattended.

Key-In-Ignition Reminder

Opening the driver’s door when the key is in the ignition
sounds a signal to remind you to remove the key.

NOTE:

• The Key-In-Ignition reminder only sounds when the

ignition key is placed in the LOCK or ACC position.

• With either front door open, and the key in the

ignition, neither the power door locks nor Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter will function.

Locking Doors With A Key

There is only one external door lock cylinder which is
located in the driver’s door.

You can insert the key with either side up. To lock the
door, turn the key rearward, to unlock the door, turn the
key forward. For door lock lubrication, refer to “Mainte-
nance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle”.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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SENTRY KEY®

The Sentry Key® Immobilizer System prevents unau-
thorized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.

The system uses ignition keys which have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder) to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro-
grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operate
the vehicle. The system will shut the engine off in two
seconds if someone uses an invalid key to start the
engine.

NOTE:

A key which has not been programmed is also

considered an invalid key, even if it is cut to fit the
ignition switch lock cylinder for that vehicle.

During normal operation, after turning the ignition
switch, the Vehicle Security Light will turn on for three
seconds for a bulb check. If the Vehicle Security Light
remains on after the bulb check, it indicates that there is
a problem with the electronics. In addition, if the Vehicle
Security Light begins to flash after the bulb check, it
indicates that someone used an invalid key to start the
engine. Either of these conditions will result in the engine
being shut off after two seconds.

If the Vehicle Security Light turns on during normal
vehicle operation (vehicle running for longer than 10
seconds), it indicates that there is a fault in the electron-
ics. Should this occur, have the vehicle serviced as soon
as possible by an authorized dealer.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!

• Always remove the Sentry Key® from the vehicle

and lock all doors when leaving the vehicle unat-
tended.

• The Sentry Key® Immobilizer system is not com-

patible with some aftermarket remote starting sys-
tems. Use of these systems may result in vehicle
starting problems and loss of security protection.

All of the keys provided with your new vehicle have
been programmed to the vehicle electronics.

Replacement Keys

NOTE:

Only keys that have been programmed to the

vehicle electronics can be used to start the vehicle. Once
a Sentry Key® has been programmed to a vehicle, it
cannot be programmed to any other vehicle.

At the time of purchase, the original owner is provided
with a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).
This PIN is required for authorized dealer replacement of
keys. Duplication of keys may be performed at an
authorized dealer or by using the Customer Key Pro-
gramming procedure. This procedure consists of pro-
gramming a blank key to the vehicle electronics. A blank
key is one which has never been programmed.

NOTE: When having the Sentry Key® Immobilizer
System serviced, bring all vehicle keys with you to an
authorized dealer.

Customer Key Programming

You can program new keys to the system if you have two
valid Sentry Keys® by performing the following proce-
dure:

1. Cut the additional Sentry Key® Transponder blank(s)

to match the ignition switch lock cylinder key code.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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2. Insert the first valid key into the ignition switch. Turn

the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position for at
least 3 seconds, but no longer than 15 seconds. Then,
turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position and
remove the first key.

3. Insert the second valid key into the ignition switch.

Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position
within 15 seconds. After 10 seconds, a chime will
sound. In addition, the Vehicle Security Light will
begin to flash. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK
position and remove the second key.

4. Insert a blank Sentry Key® into the ignition switch.

Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position
within 60 seconds. After 10 seconds, a single chime
will sound. In addition, the Vehicle Security Light will
stop flashing. To indicate that programming is com-
plete, the Vehicle Security Light will turn on again for
three seconds and then turn off.

The new Sentry Key® is programmed. The Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter will also be pro-
grammed during this procedure.

Repeat this procedure to program up to eight keys. If you
do not have a programmed Sentry Key®, contact your
authorized dealer for details.

NOTE:

If a programmed key is lost, see your authorized

dealer to have all remaining keys erased from the sys-
tems memory. This will prevent the lost key from starting
your vehicle. The remaining keys must then be repro-
grammed. All vehicle keys must be taken to an autho-
rized dealer at the time of service to be reprogrammed.

General Information

The Sentry Key® system complies with FCC rules part 15
and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following conditions:
• This device may not cause harmful interference.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• This device must accept any interference that may be

received, including interference that may cause unde-
sired operation.

VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM — IF EQUIPPED

The Vehicle Security Alarm monitors the doors and trunk
for unauthorized entry and ignition switch for unauthor-
ized operation. While the Vehicle Security Alarm is
armed, interior switches for door locks and decklid
release are disabled.

If something triggers the alarm, the Vehicle Security
Alarm will signal for about 18 minutes. For the first three
minutes, the horn will sound intermittently, the head-
lights will turn on, the park lamps and/or turn signals
will flash and the Vehicle Security Light in the cluster will
flash. Then the exterior lights will flash for another 15
minutes.

Rearming The System

If something triggers the alarm, and no action is taken to
disarm it, the Vehicle Security Alarm will turn off the
horn after three minutes, turn off all of the visual signals
after 15 minutes, and then the Vehicle Security Alarm will
rearm itself.

To Arm The System

1. Remove the keys from the ignition switch and get out

of the vehicle.

2. Lock the door using either the power door lock switch

(one door must be open) or the LOCK button on the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter (doors can be
open or closed), and close all doors.

NOTE:

The Vehicle Security Alarm will not arm if you

lock the doors with the instruction door lock plungers.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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3. The Vehicle Security Light in the instrument cluster

will flash for 16 seconds. This shows that the Vehicle
Security Alarm is arming. During this period, if a door
is opened, the ignition switch is turned to ON/RUN,
or the power door locks are unlocked in any manner,
the Vehicle Security Alarm will automatically disarm.

NOTE:

• During the 16-second arming period, if a door is

opened or the ignition switch is turned to ON/RUN,
the Vehicle Security Alarm will automatically disarm.

• Once armed, the Vehicle Security Alarm disables the

unlock switch on the driver door trim panel and
passenger door trim panel, the trunk release button on
the instrument panel, and the HomeLink®/Garage
Door Opener (if equipped).

To Disarm The System

Either press the UNLOCK button on the RKE transmitter
or insert a valid Sentry Key® into the ignition lock
cylinder and turn the key to the ON/START position.

NOTE:

• The driver’s door key cylinder and the trunk button on

the RKE transmitter cannot arm or disarm the Vehicle
Security Alarm.

• The Vehicle Security Alarm remains armed during

trunk entry. Pressing the trunk button will not disarm
the Vehicle Security Alarm. If someone enters the
vehicle through the trunk and opens any door, the
alarm will sound.

The Vehicle Security Alarm is designed to protect your
vehicle; however, you can create conditions where the
Vehicle Security Alarm will give you a false alarm. If one

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

of the previously described arming sequences has oc-
curred, the Vehicle Security Alarm will arm regardless of
whether you are in the vehicle or not. If you remain in the
vehicle and open a door, the alarm will sound. If this
occurs, disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm.

If the Vehicle Security Alarm is armed and the battery
becomes disconnected the Vehicle Security Alarm will
remain armed when the battery is reconnected. The
exterior lights will flash, and the horn will sound. If this
occurs, disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm.

Tamper Alert

If the alarm was triggered, but the warning signals have
timed out, the park and taillights flash three times, and
the horn will chirp three times, when unlocking the
vehicle with a valid RKE transmitter to alert the driver.

ILLUMINATED ENTRY — IF EQUIPPED

The courtesy lights will turn on when you press the
unlock button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) trans-
mitter or open any door.

This feature also turns on the approach lighting in the
outside mirrors (if equipped). Refer to “Mirrors” in
“Understanding The Features Of Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information.

The interior lights will fade to off after approximately 30
seconds or they will immediately fade to off once the
ignition switch is turned to ON/RUN from the OFF
position.

NOTE:

• The front courtesy overhead console and door cour-

tesy lights will remain on if the dimmer control is in
the

⬙Dome ON⬙ position (extreme top position).

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

21

• The Illuminated Entry system will not operate if the

dimmer control is in the “Dome defeat” position
(extreme bottom position).

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) — IF
EQUIPPED

This system allows you to lock or unlock the doors, open
the trunk, or activate the Panic Alarm from distances
approximately 66 ft (20 m) using a Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter. The RKE transmitter does not need to
be pointed at the vehicle to activate the system.

NOTE:

• The line of transmission must not be blocked with

metal objects.

• Inserting the key into the ignition switch disables all

buttons on the RKE transmitter.

To Unlock The Doors

Press and release the UNLOCK button on the RKE
transmitter once to unlock the driver’s door, or twice to
unlock all doors. The turn signal lights will flash to
acknowledge the unlock signal. The Illuminated Entry
system (if equipped) will also turn on.

Vehicle Key

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Remote Key Unlock, Driver Door/All Doors First
Press

This feature lets you program the system to unlock either
the driver’s door or all doors on the first press of the
UNLOCK button on the RKE transmitter. To change the
current setting, proceed as follows:

• For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle

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

Center

(EVIC)/Personal

Settings

(Customer-Programmable Features)” in “Understand-
ing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.

• For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the

following procedure:

1. Press and hold the LOCK button on a programmed

RKE transmitter for at least four seconds, but not
longer than 10 seconds. Then, press and hold the
UNLOCK button while still holding the LOCK button.

2. Release both buttons at the same time.

3. Test the feature while outside of the vehicle by press-

ing the LOCK/UNLOCK buttons on the RKE trans-
mitter with the ignition in the LOCK position and the
key removed.

4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to

its previous setting.

NOTE:

If there is no key in the ignition switch, pressing

the LOCK button on the RKE transmitter while you are
inside the vehicle will activate the Vehicle Security Alarm
system. Opening a door with the system activated will
cause the alarm to sound. Press the UNLOCK button to
deactivate the Vehicle Security Alarm system.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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Flash Lights With Lock

The feature will cause the turn signal lights to flash when
the doors are locked or unlocked with the RKE transmit-
ter. This feature can be turned on or turned off. To change
the current setting, proceed as follows:

• For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle

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

Center

(EVIC)/Personal

Settings

(Customer-Programmable Features)” in “Understand-
ing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.

• For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the

following procedure:

1. Press and hold the UNLOCK button on a programmed

RKE transmitter for at least 4 seconds, but not longer
than 10 seconds. Then, press and hold the LOCK
button while still holding the UNLOCK button.

2. Release both buttons at the same time.

3. Test the feature while outside of the vehicle by press-

ing the LOCK/UNLOCK buttons on the RKE trans-
mitter with the ignition in the LOCK position and the
key removed.

4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to

its previous setting.

NOTE:

If there is no key in the ignition switch, pressing

the LOCK button on the RKE transmitter while you are in
the vehicle will activate the Vehicle Security Alarm
system. Opening a door with the system activated will
cause the alarm to sound. Press the UNLOCK button to
deactivate the Vehicle Security Alarm system.

Illuminated Approach — If Equipped

This feature activates the headlights for up to 90 seconds
when the doors are unlocked with the RKE transmitter.
The time for this feature is programmable on vehicles
equipped with EVIC. For details, refer to “Electronic

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/Personal Settings
(Customer-Programmable Features)” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.

To Lock The Doors

Press and release the LOCK button on the RKE transmit-
ter to lock all doors. The turn signal lights will flash and
the horn will chirp once to acknowledge the lock signal.

Sound Horn With Lock

This feature will cause the horn to chirp when the doors
are locked with the RKE transmitter. This feature can be
turned on or off. To change the current setting, proceed as
follows:

• For vehicles equipped with EVIC, refer to “Electronic

Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/Personal Settings
(Customer-Programmable Features)” in “Understand-
ing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.

• For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the

following steps:

1. Press the LOCK button on a programmed RKE trans-

mitter for at least 4 seconds, but not longer than 10
seconds. Then, press the PANIC button while still
holding the LOCK button.

2. Release both buttons at the same time.

3. Test the feature while outside of the vehicle by press-

ing the LOCK button on the RKE transmitter with the
ignition in the LOCK position and the key removed.

4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to

its previous setting.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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NOTE:

If there is no key in the ignition switch, pressing

the LOCK button on the RKE transmitter while you are in
the vehicle will activate the Vehicle Security Alarm.
Opening a door with the alarm activated will cause the
alarm to sound. Press the UNLOCK button to deactivate
the Vehicle Security Alarm.

To Unlatch The Trunk

Press the TRUNK button on the RKE transmitter two
times to unlatch the trunk.

Using The Panic Alarm

To turn the Panic Alarm feature on or off, press and hold
the PANIC button on the RKE transmitter for at least one
second and release. When the Panic Alarm is on, the
headlights turn on, the park lights will flash, the horn
will pulse on and off, and the Illuminated Entry system
(if equipped) will turn on.

The Panic Alarm will stay on for three minutes unless
you turn it off by pressing the PANIC button a second
time or if the vehicle speed is 5 mph (8 km/h) or greater.

NOTE:

You may need to be close to the vehicle when

using the RKE transmitter to turn off the Panic Alarm due
to the Radio Frequency (RF) noises emitted by the
system.

Programming Additional Transmitters

Refer to Sentry Key® “Customer Key Programming”.

If you do not have a programmed RKE transmitter,
contact your authorized dealer for details.

Transmitter Battery Replacement

The recommended replacement battery is CR2032.

NOTE:

Perchlorate Material — special handling may ap-

ply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

1. With the RKE transmitter buttons facing down, use a

flat blade screwdriver to pry the two halves of the RKE
transmitter apart. Make sure not to damage the seal
during removal.

2. Remove and replace the battery. Avoid touching the

new battery with your fingers. Skin oils may cause
battery deterioration. If you touch a battery, clean it
with rubbing alcohol.

3. To assemble the RKE transmitter case, snap the two

halves together.

General Information

This device complies with part 15 of FCC rules and with
RS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the
following conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference.

2. This device must accept any interference that may be

received including interference that may cause unde-
sired operation.

Separating RKE Transmitter Halves

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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