Dodge Avenger (2014 year). Manual — part 6

Installing A Child Restraint With A Switchable
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)

1. Place the child seat in the center of the seating

position. For some second row seats, you may need to
recline the seat and/or raise the head restraint to get a
better fit. If the rear seat can be moved forward and
rearward in the vehicle, you may wish to move it to its
rear-most position to make room for the child seat.
You may also move the front seat forward to allow
more room for the car seat.

2. Pull enough of the seat belt webbing from the retractor

to pass it through the belt path of the child restraint.
Do not twist the belt webbing in the belt path.

3. Slide the latch plate into the buckle until you hear a

“click”.

4. Pull on the webbing to make the lap portion tight

against the child seat.

5. To lock the seat belt, pull down on the shoulder part of

the belt until you have pulled all the seat belt webbing
out of the retractor. Then, allow the webbing to retract
back into the retractor. As the webbing retracts, you
will hear a clicking sound. This means the seat belt is
now in the Automatic Locking mode.

6. Try to pull the webbing out of the retractor. If it is

locked, you should not be able to pull out any web-
bing. If the retractor is not locked, repeat step 5.

7. Finally, pull up on any excess webbing to tighten the

lap portion around the child restraint while you push
the child restraint rearward and downward into the
vehicle seat.

8. If the child restraint has a top tether strap and the

seating position has a top tether anchorage, connect
the tether strap to the anchorage and tighten the tether

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

strap. See the section “Installing Child Restraints
Using the Top Tether Anchorage” for directions to
attach a tether anchor.

9. Test that the child restraint is installed tightly by

pulling back and forth on the child seat at the belt
path. It should not move more than 1 inch (25.4 mm)
in any direction.

Any seat belt system will loosen with time, so check the
belt occasionally, and pull it tight if necessary.

Installing A Child Restraint With A Cinching
Latch Plate (CINCH) — If Equipped

1. Place the child seat in the center of the seating

rear-most position to make room for the child seat.
You may also move the front seat forward to allow
more room for the car seat.

2. Next, pull enough of the seat belt webbing from the

retractor to pass it through the belt path of the child
restraint. Do not twist the belt webbing in the belt
path.

3. Slide the latch plate into the buckle until you hear a

“click”.

4. Finally, pull up on any excess webbing to tighten the

lap portion around the child restraint while you push
the child restraint rearward and downward into the
vehicle seat.

5. If the child restraint has a top tether strap and the

seating position has a top tether anchorage, connect
the tether strap to the anchorage and tighten the tether

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

strap. Refer to “Installing Child Restraints Using The
Top Tether Anchorage” for directions to attach a tether
anchor.

6. Test that the child restraint is installed tightly by

pulling back and forth on the child seat at the belt
path. It should not move more than 1 inch (25 mm) in
any direction.

Any seat belt system will loosen with time, so check the
belt occasionally, and pull it tight if necessary.

If the buckle or the cinching latch plate is too close to the
belt path opening of the child restraint, you may have
trouble tightening the seat belt. If this happens, discon-
nect the latch plate from the buckle and twist the short
buckle-end belt up to three full turns to shorten it. Insert
the latch plate into the buckle with the release button
facing out, away from the child restraint. Repeat steps 4
to 6, above, to complete the installation of the child
restraint.

If the belt still cannot be tightened after you shorten the
buckle, disconnect the latch plate from the buckle, turn
the buckle around one half turn, and insert the latch plate
into the buckle again. If you still cannot make the child
restraint installation tight, try a different seating position.

Installing Child Restraints Using The Top Tether
Anchorage

1. Look behind the seating position where you
plan to install the child restraint to find the
tether anchorage. You may need to move the
seat forward to provide better access to the

tether anchorage. If there is no top tether anchorage for
that seating position, move the child restraint to another
position in the vehicle if one is available.

2. Rotate or lift the cover to access the anchor directly

behind the seat where you are placing the child
restraint.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

3. Route the tether strap to provide the most direct path

for the strap between the anchor and the child seat. If
your vehicle is equipped with adjustable rear head
restraints, raise the head restraint, and where possible,
route the tether strap under the head restraint and
between the two posts. If not possible, lower the head
restraint and pass the tether strap around the outboard
side of the head restraint.

1 — Cover

A — Tether Strap Hook

3 — Attaching Strap

B — Tether Anchor

4. Attach the tether strap hook of the child restraint to

the top tether anchorage as shown in the diagram.

Tether Strap Mounting

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

5. Remove slack in the tether strap according to the child

restraint manufacturer’s instructions.

WARNING!

• An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to

increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchorage position directly
behind the child seat to secure a child restraint top
tether strap.

• If your vehicle is equipped with a split rear seat,

make sure the tether strap does not slip into the
opening between the seatbacks as you remove
slack in the strap.

Transporting Pets

Air Bags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision.

Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS

A long break-in period is not required for the engine and
drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.

Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or
55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.

The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur. For
the recommended viscosity and quality grades, refer to
“Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle”.

CAUTION!

Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil
in the engine or damage may result.

NOTE:

A new engine may consume some oil during its

first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This
should be considered a normal part of the break-in and
not interpreted as an indication of difficulty.

SAFETY TIPS

Transporting Passengers

NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO
AREA.

WARNING!

• Do not leave children or animals inside parked

vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.

(Continued)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

• It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,

inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.

• Do not allow people to ride in any area of your

vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat
belts.

• Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and

using a seat belt properly.

Exhaust Gas

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

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO),
follow these safety tips:
• Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in

confined areas any longer than needed to move
your vehicle in or out of the area.

• If you are required to drive with the trunk/liftgate/

rear doors open, make sure that all windows are
closed and the climate control BLOWER switch is
set at high speed. DO NOT use the recirculation
mode.

• If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the

engine running, adjust your heating or cooling
controls to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the
blower at high speed.

The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open
seams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes
to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,
inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The Vehicle

Seat Belts

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

Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after

a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt
or retractor condition, replace the belt.

Air Bag Warning Light

The light should come on and remain on for
four to eight seconds as a bulb check when the
ignition switch is first turned ON. If the light is
not lit during starting, see your authorized

dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes on while
driving, have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.

Defroster

Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is inoper-
able.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Floor Mat Safety Information

Always use floor mats designed to fit the footwell of your
vehicle. Use only floor mats that leave the pedal area
unobstructed and that are firmly secured so that they
cannot slip out of position and interfere with the pedals
or impair safe operation of your vehicle in other ways.

WARNING!

Pedals that cannot move freely can cause loss of
vehicle control and increase the risk of serious per-
sonal injury.
• Always make sure that floor mats are properly

attached to the floor mat fasteners.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• Never place or install floor mats or other floor

coverings in the vehicle that cannot be properly
secured to prevent them from moving and interfer-
ing with the pedals or the ability to control the
vehicle.

• Never put floor mats or other floor coverings on top

of already installed floor mats. Additional floor
mats and other coverings will reduce the size of the
pedal area and interfere with the pedals.

• Check mounting of mats on a regular basis. Always

properly reinstall and secure floor mats that have
been removed for cleaning.

(Continued)

100

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

• Always make sure that objects cannot fall into the

driver footwell while the vehicle is moving. Ob-
jects can become trapped under the brake pedal
and accelerator pedal causing a loss of vehicle
control.

• If required, mounting posts must be properly in-

stalled, if not equipped from the factory.

Failure to properly follow floor mat installation or
mounting can cause interference with the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal operation causing loss of
control of the vehicle.

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle

Tires

Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects

lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.

Lights

Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn
signal and high beam 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 gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

101

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CONTENTS

䡵 MIRRORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108

▫ Inside Day/Night Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
▫ Automatic Dimming Mirror — If Equipped . . .109
▫ Outside Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
▫ Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
▫ Adjusting Side View Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
▫ Exterior Mirrors Folding Feature . . . . . . . . . . .112
▫ Heated Mirrors — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . .112
▫ Illuminated Vanity Mirrors — If Equipped . . .112

䡵 Uconnect® Phone — IF EQUIPPED . . . . . . . . . .113

▫ Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
▫ Phone Call Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
▫ Uconnect® Phone Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
▫ Advanced Phone Connectivity . . . . . . . . . . . .130
▫ Things You Should Know About Your

Uconnect® Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

▫ General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142

䡵 VOICE COMMAND — IF EQUIPPED . . . . . . . .143

▫ Voice Command System Operation . . . . . . . . .143
▫ Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144