2013 Dodge Avenger Owner Manual - Page 312

310 STARTING AND OPERATING DRIVE This range should be used for most city and highway driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and downshifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission automatically upshifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteristics under all normal operating conditions. When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or while towing heavy trailers), select the Љ3Љ range. Under these conditions, using the Љ3Љ range will improve perforDRIVE 3 mance and extend transmission life by reducing excesThis range eliminates shifts into fourth gear. The transsive shifting and heat buildup. mission will operate normally in first and second gear. If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operatShifts into third may be delayed to provide second gear ing limits, the powertrain controller will modify the operation at higher speeds. Using the Љ3Љ range while DRIVE and "3" range shift points. This is done to prevent operating the vehicle under heavy operating conditions transmission damage due to overheating. During cold temperatures, transmission operation may be modified depending on engine and transmission temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature improves warm up time of the engine and transmission to achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque converter clutch is inhibited until the transmission fluid is warm (refer to the "Note" under "Torque Converter Clutch" in this section). During extremely cold temperatures (-16°F [-27°C] or below), operation may briefly be limited to second gear only. Normal operation will resume once the transmission temperature has risen to a suitable level.