Engine Oil - Dodge Avenger 2013 Owner's Manual

426 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 markings 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.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine
will cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil
pressure and an increase in oil temperature. This
could damage your engine. Also, be sure the oil fill
cap is replaced and tightened after adding oil.
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to the "Maintenance Schedule" for further informa-
tion.
NOTE: Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve months,
whichever occurs first.