check engine DODGE CARAVAN 2006 4.G Owner's Manual

WARNING!
•The warning words“DO NOT OPEN HOT”on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add coolant when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to
cool an overheated engine. Heat causes pressure
to build up in the cooling system. To prevent
scalding or injury, do not remove the pressure cap
while the system is hot or under pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or
engine damage may result.
Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for your
community. To prevent ingestion by animals or childrendo not store ethylene glycol based engine coolant in open
containers or allow it to remain in puddles on the
ground. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
immediately. Clean up any ground spills immediately.
Engine Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine cold, the level of the coolant in the coolant
recovery bottle should be between the ranges indicated
on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
coolant freeze point or replacing coolant. Advise your
service attendant of this. As long as the engine operating
temperature is satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only
be checked once a month.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 419
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When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do
not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles (a
few kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor
coming from the front of the engine compartment. This is
normally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot coolant to
enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
•Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, contents of coolant recovery bottle must also be
protected against freezing.
•If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop when
the engine cools, the cooling system should be pres-
sure tested for leaks.
•Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled water for proper
corrosion protection of your engine which contains
aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean, also.
420 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Procedure For Checking Fluid Level
The fluid level in the automatic transmission should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transmission and of the fluid.
To properly check the automatic transmission fluid level,
the following procedure must be used:
1. The vehicle must be on level ground.
2. The engine should be running at curb idle speed for a
minimum of 60 seconds.
3. Fully apply parking brake.
4. Place the gear selector momentarily in each gear
position ending with the lever in P (PARK). Wipe the area
around the dipstick clean to eliminate the possibility of
dirt entering the transmission.5. Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot
or warm. Hot fluid is approximately 180°F (82°C), which
is the normal operating temperature after the vehicle has
been driven at least 15 miles (24 km). The fluid cannot be
comfortably held between the finger tips. Cold is when
the fluid is below 80°F (27°C).
6. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated.
Remove dipstick and note reading.
a. If the fluid is hot, the reading should be in the
crosshatched area marked“HOT”(between the upper
two holes in the dipstick).
b. If the fluid is cold, the fluid level should be between
the lower two holes in the area marked“COLD”.
If the fluid level indicates low, add sufficient fluid to
bring to the proper level.
426 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial ser-
vice).
•Off-road or desert operation.
NOTE:Most vehicles are operated under the conditions
listed for ScheduleB.
Second is Schedule“A”. It is for vehicles that are not
operated under any of the conditions listed under Sched-
uleB.
Use the schedule that best describes your driving condi-
tions. Where time and mileage are listed, follow the
interval that occurs first.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder and transmission; add as needed.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 449
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•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•Inspect the brake hoses.
•Inspect the CV joints and front suspension compo-
nents.
•Check the automatic transmission fluid level.
•Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
450 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Miles 75, 000 78, 000 81, 000 84, 000 87, 000 90, 000
(Kilometers) (125 000) (130 000) (135 000) (140 000) (145 000) (150 000)
Inspect the serpentine drive belt on 3.3 liter
and 3.8 liter engines, replace if necessary.‡XX
Check thePCV valveand replace if necessary.
Not required if previously changed.*X
Replace theengine timing belton 2.4 liter
engines. *X
Replace the air conditioning filter. X
SCHEDULE“B”457
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Miles 42, 000 48, 000 54, 000 60, 000 66, 000 72, 000
(Kilometers) (70 000) (80 000) (90 000) (100 000) (110 000) (120 000)
[Months] [42] [48] [54] [60] [66] [72]
Check thePCV valveand replace, if neces-
sary.*X
Inspect the serpentine drive belt on 3.3 liter
and 3.8 liter engines, replace if necessary.‡XX
Flush and replace the engine coolant at 60
months or 100,000 miles, whichever comes
first.X
Replace the air conditioning filter. X X X
SCHEDULE“A”465
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Miles 78, 000 84, 000 90, 000 96, 000 100, 000
(Kilometers) (130 000) (140 000) (150 000) (160 000) (165 000)
[Months] [78] [84] [90] [96]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X
Rotate Tires X X X X
Inspect the brake linings. X
Inspect the engine air cleaner filter, replace if neces-
sary. *XX XX
Replace theengine air cleaner filter.X
Replace thespark plugson 2.4 liter engines. X
Inspect the tie rod ends and boot seals. X
Inspect and adjust the power steering pump belt
tension on 2.4 liter engines.X
Check and replace thePCV valve, if necessary.* X
Inspect the serpentine drive belt on 3.3 liter and 3.8
liter engines, replace if necessary.‡X
466 SCHEDULE“A”
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Miles 102, 000 108, 000 114, 000 120, 000
(Kilometers) (170 000) (180 000) (190 000) (200 000)
[Months] [102] [108] [114] [120]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X
Rotate Tires X X X X
Inspect the brake linings. X
Inspect the engine air cleaner filter, replace if necessary. * X X X
Replace theengine air cleaner filter.X
Replace thespark plugson 2.4 liter engines. X
Replace theignition cables2.4 liter engines. X
Inspect and adjust the power steering pump belt tension
on 2.4 liter engines.X
Inspect the generator belt on 2.4 liter engines, replace if
necessary.X
Inspect the tie rod ends and boot seals. X
Check thePCV valveand replace, if necessary.* X
468 SCHEDULE“A”
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Miles 126, 000 132, 000 138, 000 144, 000 150, 000
(Kilometers) (210 000) (220 000) (230 000) (240 000) (250 000)
[Months] [126] [132] [138] [144] [150]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X
Rotate Tires X X X X X
Inspect the brake linings. X X
Inspect the engine air cleaner filter, replace if nec-
essary. *XXXX
Replace theengine air cleaner filter.X
Replace thespark plugson 2.4 liter engines. X
Inspect and adjust the power steering pump belt
tension on 2.4 liter engines.X
Inspect the generator belt on 2.4 liter engines, re-
place if necessary.X
Inspect the tie rod ends and boot seals. X
Check thePCV valveand replace, if necessary.* X
470 SCHEDULE“A”
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