radiator cap DODGE CARAVAN 2007 4.G Owners Manual

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, where applicable). 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.
434 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
436 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
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.
438 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Compass Variance....................... 170
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 171
Console, Overhead ....................... 167
Console, Removable ................... 193,194
Contract, Service ........................ 488
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 436
Cooling System ......................... 434
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 436
Coolant Capacity ...................... 461
Coolant Level ...................... 434,437
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 437
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 435
Inspection ........................... 437
Points to Remember .................... 438
Pressure Cap ......................... 436
Radiator Cap ......................... 436
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......435,461,462
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 164
Cruise Light ........................... 219 Cup Holder
......................... 187,450
Customer Assistance ..................... 486
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 73
Daytime Running Lights ................... 153
Dealer Service .......................... 419
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 304
Defroster, Windshield ................90,283,295
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 416
Digital Video Disc (DVD) Player ............. 259
Dimmer Control ........................ 152
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ................. 444
Oil (Engine) .......................... 420
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 408
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............... 437
Engine Oil ........................... 423
Domelight ............................. 152
INDEX 499
10

Windows............................. 32
Power Steering Fluid ..................... 463
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 56
Preparation for Jacking .................387,399
Pretensioners Seat Belts ............................. 54
Programmable Electronic Features ......173,178,182
Programming Transmitters (Remote Keyless
Entry) ........................... 23,178,182
Radial Ply Tires ......................... 339
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .......434,436
Radio Broadcast Signals ................... 220
Radio, Navigation ....................... 257
Radio Operation ...................... 251,274
Radio Remote Controls .................262,275
Radio, Satellite .......................... 271
Radio (Sound Systems) ...........222,232,243,251
Rear Air Conditioning .................286,296 Rear Cup Holder
........................ 188
Rear Heater ............................ 286
Rear Park Sense System ................... 159
Rear Seat Removal .................... 141,143
Rear Seating Flexibility .................145,147
Rear Window Defroster ................... 304
Rear Window Features .................... 301
Rear Wiper/Washer ................... 302,303
Rearview Mirrors ........................ 96
Reclining Front Seats ..................... 127
Recorder, Event Data ...................... 73
Recreational Towing ................... 382,410
Reminder, Seat Belt ..................... 54,55
Remote Control ......................... 262
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................. 20
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ........ 275
Removable Floor Console ...............193,194
Replacement Keys ........................ 16
Replacement Parts ....................... 418
508 INDEX