checking oil DODGE DART 2014 PF / 1.G Owners Manual

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 seat 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 seat
belt or retractor condition, replace the seat 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.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 109

CAUTION!
•Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or per-
form repairs and service when necessary could
result in more costly repairs, damage to other
components or negatively impact vehicle perfor-
mance. Immediately have potential malfunctions
examined by an authorized dealer or qualified
repair center.
• Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of your
vehicle and also allow extended maintenance inter-
vals. Do not use chemical flushes in these compo-
nents as the chemicals can damage your engine,
transmission, power steering or air conditioning.
Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed because of
component malfunction, use only the specified
fluid for the flushing procedure.
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. The range markings will
consist of a crosshatch zone which depicts the MIN at the
low end of the range and MAX at the high end of the range.
Adding 1 qt (1L) of oil when the reading is at the low end
of the indicated range will result in the oil level at the full
end of the indicator range.
564 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Engine Air Cleaner Filter Selection
The quality of replacement engine air cleaner filters
varies considerably. Only high quality filters should be
used to assure most efficient service. MOPAR® engine air
cleaner filters are a high quality filter and are recom-
mended.
Tires
Checking For Tire Wear
Once a month, check the tire inflation pressures and look
for unusual wear or damage. Rotate at the first sign of
irregular wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic main-
tenance required.
WARNING!
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Do not allow battery fluid
to contact your eyes, skin, or clothing. Do not lean
over a battery when attaching clamps. If acid
splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area imme-
diately with large amounts of water. Refer to
“Jump-Starting Procedures” in “What To Do In
Emergencies” for further information.
• Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep
flame or sparks away from the battery. Do not use
a booster battery or any other booster source with
an output greater than 12 Volts. Do not allow cable
clamps to touch each other.
• Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands
after handling.
(Continued)
568 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Warning Light........................ .313
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................420
Brightness, Interior Lights ...................243
Bulb Replacement ........................ .603
Bulbs, Light .............................111
Camera, Rear ............................270
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..........608
Capacities, Fluid ..........................608
Caps, Filler Fuel .................................497
Oil (Engine) .......................... .558
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................581
Carbon Monoxide Warning ..................108
Cargo Area Features .......................296
Cargo Compartment .......................296
Car Washes ............................ .589
CD (Compact Disc) Player ...................379
Cellular Phone .......................... .133Chains, Tire
............................ .481
Changing A Flat Tire .......................532
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ .459
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .318
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ..............107
Checks, Safety .......................... .107
Child Restraint ............................84
Child Restraints Child Seat Installation ....................102
Install A LATCH-compatible Child Restraint .....98
Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle
Seat Belt ............................. .100
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children .......91
Seating Positions ........................90
Child Safety Locks .........................35
Clean Air Gasoline ........................493
Cleaning Wheels ...............................591
Climate Control ..........................390
634 INDEX

Hazard Warning Flasher..................519
Jacking ...............................532
Jump Starting ..........................543
Overheating .......................... .519
Towing ............................. .551
Emergency Trunk Release ....................47
Emission Control System Maintenance ..........561
Engine .................................558
Air Cleaner .......................... .567
Block Heater ..........................414
Break-In Recommendations ................106
Checking Oil Level ..................... .564
Compartment ..........................557
Cooling ............................. .578
Exhaust Gas Caution .....................108
Fuel Requirements ..................... .492
Jump Starting ..........................543
Oil..................................564
Oil Filler Cap ..........................558 Oil Selection
.......................... .565
Overheating .......................... .519
Temperature Gauge ..................... .310
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............80
Entry System, Illuminated ....................23
Ethanol ............................... .493
Event Data Recorder ........................83
Exhaust Gas Caution .......................108
Exhaust System .......................... .108
Exterior Folding Mirrors ....................121
Exterior Lighting ..........................235
Exterior Lights ...........................111
Filler Location Fuel ........................316
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... .567
Air Conditioning .......................404
Automatic Transmission ..................588
Engine Oil ............................567
10
INDEX 637

Monitor, Tire Pressure System................483
Mopar Parts ............................ .562
MTBE/ETBE ............................493
Multi-Function Control Lever .................240
New Vehicle Break-In Period .................106
Occupant Restraints ........................47
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ..................65
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ................492
Odometer ...............................316
Oil Change Indicator .......................317
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ..................317
Oil, Engine ............................. .564
Capacity ............................ .608
Change Interval ........................565
Checking ............................ .564
Disposal ............................. .567
Filter ............................... .567Filter Disposal
........................ .567
Materials Added to ..................... .566
Recommendation .......................565
Viscosity ............................ .566
Oil Filter, Selection ........................567
Onboard Diagnostic System ..................560
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®) ............274
Operating Precautions ..................... .560
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) .............4
Outside Rearview Mirrors ...................120
Overhead Console ........................ .272
Overheating, Engine .......................310
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .............4
Paint Care ............................. .589
Panic Alarm ..............................23
Parking Brake ............................442
Parking On Hill ..........................442
ParkSense® System, Rear ....................257
644 INDEX