cooling DODGE CARAVAN 2006 4.G User Guide

▫Steering Shaft Seal....................413
▫Steering Linkage......................413
▫Drive Shaft Universal Joints..............413
▫Body Lubrication.....................413
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................414
▫Windshield And Rear Window Washers.....414
▫Exhaust System......................415
▫Cooling System.......................416
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......421
▫Brakes.............................421
▫Master Cylinder—Brake Fluid Level Check . . 423
▫Fuel System Hoses....................424
▫Automatic Transmission................424▫Front And Rear Wheel Bearings...........428
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................428
▫Cleaning The Instrument Panel And Underseat
Cup Holders........................432

Integrated Power Module (IPM)............434

Vehicle Storage........................436

Replacement Light Bulbs.................437

Bulb Replacement......................438
▫Headlights..........................438
▫Front Park/Turn Signal And Sidemarker
Lights.............................439
▫Front Fog Light......................440
394 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at any time the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
•You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant
or steam from your radiator. If you see or hear
steam coming from under the hood, don’t open
the hood until the radiator has had time to cool.
Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap
when the radiator is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, whereapplicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
coolant. Check the front of the A/C condenser for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
coolant from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing
properly, the engine coolant (antifreeze) will begin to
drain from the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT RE-
MOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
416 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cooling System—Drain, Flush and Refill
At the intervals shown on the Maintenance Schedules,
the system should be drained, flushed and refilled.
If the solution is dirty or contains a considerable amount
of sediment, clean and flush with a reliable cooling
system cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing to remove
all deposits and chemicals. Properly dispose of old
antifreeze solution.
Selection Of Engine Coolant
Use only the manufacturers recommended coolant, refer
to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct
coolant type.
CAUTION!
Mixing of coolants other than specified HOAT en-
gine coolants, may result in engine damage and may
decrease corrosion protection. If a non-HOAT cool-
ant is introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the specified
coolant as soon as possible.
Do not use plain water alone or alcohol base engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use additional
rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not
be compatible with the radiator engine coolant and
may plug the radiator.
This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based coolants. Use of Propylene
Glycol based coolants is not recommended.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 417
7

Adding Engine Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
coolant can be used up to 5 Years or 100,000 miles before
replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance period, it is important that you use the same
coolant throughout the life of your vehicle. Please review
these recommendations for using Hybrid Organic Addi-
tive Technology (HOAT) coolant.
When adding coolant, a minimum solution of 50% rec-
ommended Mopar Antifreeze/ Coolant 5 Year/100,000
Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technol-
ogy), or equivalent, in water should be used. Use higher
concentrations (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below

34°F(
37°C ) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/engine coolant solution.The use of lower quality water will reduce the amount of
corrosion protection in the engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:Mixing coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
coolant, and to insure that coolant will return to the
radiator from the coolant recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
418 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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
7

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

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate) 87
Octane20 Gallons 76 Liters
Engine Oil-with filter
2.4 Liter Engines (SAE 5W-30, API Certified) 5.0 qts 4.7 Liters
3.3 & 3.8 Liter Engines (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 5.0 qts 4.7 Liters
Cooling System *
2.4 Liter Engines (MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000
Mile Formula or equivalent)11.4 qts 10.7 Liters
3.3 & 3.8 Liter Engines (MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/
100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent)†13.4 qts 12.6 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
†* Add 2.9 quarts (2.8 liters) if equipped with a rear heater.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 443
7

Compass Variance....................... 160
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 162
Console, Overhead....................... 158
Console, Removable...................184,185
Contract, Service........................ 476
Coolant Pressure Cap..................... 418
Cooling System......................... 416
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 418
Coolant Capacity...................... 443
Coolant Level......................416,419
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 419
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 417
Inspection........................... 419
Points to Remember.................... 420
Pressure Cap......................... 418
Radiator Cap......................... 418
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......417,443,444
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 155
Cruise Light........................... 211Cup Holder.........................177,432
Customer Assistance..................... 474
Daytime Running Lights................... 145
Dealer Service.......................... 400
Defroster, Rear Window................... 300
Defroster, Windshield................84,279,290
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 398
Dimmer Control........................ 144
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission................. 426
Oil (Engine).......................... 401
Disabled Vehicle Towing................... 391
Disarming, Theft System................... 27
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 419
Engine Oil........................... 405
Domelight............................. 144
Door Ajar Light......................... 205
INDEX 485
10

Door Locks............................. 17
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 19
Door Opener, Garage..................... 167
Drive Belts............................ 405
Drive Shaft Universal Joints................ 413
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 389
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 92
Electrical Power Outlets................... 175
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 155
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 163
Emergency, In Case of
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 366
Jacking........................368,369,381
Jump Starting......................... 387
Overheating.......................... 367
Emission Control System Maintenance......399,448
Engine............................396,397Air Cleaner.......................... 407
Air Cleaner Filter...................... 406
Block Heater......................... 309
Break-In Recommendations................ 82
Checking Oil Level..................... 401
Compartment......................396,397
Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 444
Cooling............................. 416
Exhaust Gas Caution..................37,345
Fails to Start.......................305,307
Fuel Requirements..................342,443
Oil ...........................401,443,444
Oil Change Interval.................... 403
Oil Disposal.......................... 405
Oil Filler Cap......................... 404
Oil Filter Disposal...................... 405
Oil Selection.......................403,443
Oil Synthetic......................... 405
Overheating.......................... 367
486 INDEX

Traction Control Switch.................150,318
Trailer Towing.......................... 350
Cooling System Tips.................... 363
Hitches............................. 353
Minimum Requirements................. 358
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 356
Wiring.............................. 361
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 353
Trailer Weight.......................... 353
Transaxle............................. 309
Automatic........................... 309
Operation........................... 309
Overdrive........................... 312
Selection of Lubricant................425,445
Transmission........................... 424
Automatic........................... 424
Filter............................... 427
Fluid............................425,445
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry) . 25Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) . . 167
Transmitter Programming (Remote Keyless Entry) . 23
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)........ 20
Transporting Pets........................ 78
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 334
Trip Odometer.......................... 211
Trip Odometer Reset Button................ 212
Turn Signals...................147,205,439,441
Uniform Tire Quality Grades................ 479
Universal Joints......................... 413
Universal Transmitter..................... 167
Unleaded Gasoline....................... 342
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt.............. 49
Vanity Mirrors........................... 93
Variance, Compass....................... 160
Vehicle Certification Label................. 348
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)............ 6
498 INDEX