check oil DODGE CARAVAN 2008 5.G User Guide

NOTE:Inspection of brake hoses should be performed
whenever the brake system is serviced and every engine
oil change. Inspect hydraulic brake hoses for surface
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots. If there is any evidence
of cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, the hose should be
replaced immediately! Eventual deterioration of the hose
can take place resulting in a possibility of a burst failure.
WARNING!
Worn brake hoses can burst and cause brake failure.
You could have an accident. If you see any signs of
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, have the brake
hoses replaced immediately.
Master Cylinder Ð Brake Fluid Level Check
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
when performing underhood services, or immediately if
the brake system warning light indicates system failure.
Clean the top of the master cylinder area before removing
the cap. Add fluid to bring the level up to the top of the
ªFULLº mark on the side of the master cylinder reservoir.
Overfilling of fluid is not recommended because it may
cause leaking in the system.
Add enough fluid to bring the level up to the require-
ments described on the brake fluid reservoir. With disc
brakes, fluid level can be expected to fall as the brake
pads wear. However, low fluid level may be caused by a
leak and a checkup may be needed.
Use only manufacturer's recommended brake fluid, refer
to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct fluid
type.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 463
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WARNING!
²Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
²Use of a brake fluid that has a lower initial boiling
point than the recommended MOPARtDOT 3
product or a brake fluid that is unidentified as to
FMVSS specification may result in sudden brake
failure during hard prolonged braking. You could
have an accident.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture.
CAUTION!
Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid Ð all brake seal components could be
damaged causing partial or complete brake failure.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
The automatic transaxle and differential assembly are
contained within a single housing.
The fluid level in the automatic transaxle should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transaxle and the fluid.
All Four±Speed automatic transaxles are equipped with a
conventional filler tube and dipstick. If fluid is added, it
should be added through the filler tube.
464 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:
²The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicle's
oil if it has been six months since your last oil change
even if the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
²Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
²Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 mi (10 000 km) or six months, whichever
comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If this
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your dealer, the message can be reset by referring to
the steps described under ªOil Change Requiredº in ªUse
Factory Settingsº of the EVIC section in this manual orunder ªOdometer/Trip Odometerº in the ªInstrument
Cluster Descriptions section of this manual.
At Each Stop For Fuel
²Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the ADD, SAFE or MIN mark.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once A Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 491
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²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
²Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.At Each Oil Change
²Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
492 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Brakes.............................337,462
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 328
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 93
Bulb Replacement....................... 482
Bulbs, Light............................ 481
Calibration, Compass..................240,246
Capacities, Fluid........................ 486
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 382
Oil (Engine).......................434,443
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 458
Car Washes............................ 468
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 381
Cargo Compartment
Luggage Carrier....................... 215
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 214
Catalytic Converter...................... 446
Caution, Exhaust Gas.................51,95,381CD (Compact Disc) Player...............280,283
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance........ 300
Cellular Phone.................104,283,284,299
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 485
Chains, Tire............................ 367
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 412
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 350
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light).............232,438
Child Restraint........................81,83
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 86
Child Safety Locks........................ 46
Child Seat.............................. 88
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 378
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 470
Climate Control......................... 301
Clock........................254,269,281,285
Coat Hook............................ 214
510 INDEX

Emission Control System Maintenance......438,490
Engine........................93,434,435,436
Air Cleaner.......................... 445
Block Heater......................... 327
Break-In Recommendations................ 93
Checking Oil Level..................... 441
Compartment......................435,436
Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 487
Cooling............................. 456
Exhaust Gas Caution..................51,381
Flooded, Starting...................... 326
Fuel Requirements..................377,486
Oil ...........................441,486,487
Oil Change Interval.................... 442
Oil Disposal.......................... 444
Oil Filler Cap......................434,443
Oil Filter Disposal...................... 444
Oil Selection.......................442,486
Oil Synthetic......................... 444Operation............................ 93
Overheating.......................... 410
Starting............................. 324
Temperature Gauge..................... 226
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 74
Event Data Recorder...................... 78
Exhaust Gas Caution..............51,95,381,448
Exhaust System......................... 447
Extender, Seat Belt........................ 66
Exterior Folding Mirrors................... 102
Fabric Care.........................470,471
Filler Location Fuel...................... 226
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 445
Air Conditioning....................320,451
Engine Oil........................444,487
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 444
INDEX 513
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Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 410
Turn Signal.....................227,483,484
Flash-To-Pass........................... 170
Flat Tire Stowage........................ 422
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Cruising Range........................ 387
Engine Oil........................... 387
Fuel Requirements..................384,386
Maintenance.......................... 388
Replacement Parts..................... 387
Starting............................. 387
Flooded Engine Starting................... 326
Floor Console.......................... 201
Fluid Capacities......................... 486
Fluid Leaks............................. 94
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle.................... 465
Automatic Transmission................. 466Brake............................... 463
Power Steering........................ 452
Fluids................................ 487
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 487
Fog Light Service........................ 483
Fog Lights.......................165,233,483
Fold in Floor (Stow8n Go) Seating........... 138
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 427
Fuel................................. 377
Adding............................. 382
Additives............................ 380
Clean Air............................ 378
Filler Cap (Gas Cap).................226,382
Filler Door (Gas Cap)................... 226
Gasoline............................ 377
Gauge.............................. 226
Hoses.............................. 461
Light............................... 234
Octane Rating........................ 487
514 INDEX

License............................. 485
Lights On Reminder.................... 165
Low Fuel............................ 234
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)........ 232
Oil Pressure.......................... 233
Park.............................162,483
Passing............................. 170
Reading............................. 183
Rear Servicing........................ 484
Rear Tail............................ 484
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 233
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm).............. 233
Service...........................481,482
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . . 232
Side Marker.......................... 484
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm).............. 233
Turn Signal.....................166,483,484
Voltage............................. 234
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 226Load Leveling System.................... 218
Loading Vehicle...................214,388,391
Capacities........................... 391
Tires ............................... 353
Locks
Door................................ 31
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)... 86
Lubrication, Body....................... 454
Luggage Rack (Roof Rack)................. 215
Lumbar Support........................ 137
Maintenance Free Battery.................. 448
Maintenance Procedures................... 441
Maintenance Schedule.................... 490
Maintenance, Sunroof..................... 195
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 232,438
Manual, Service......................... 504
Map/Reading Lights..................... 183
Memory Feature (Memory Seat)............. 155
518 INDEX

Memory Seat........................104,155
Mini-Trip Computer...................238,244
Mirrors............................... 100
Automatic Dimming.................... 100
Electric Remote.....................102,103
Exterior Folding....................... 102
Memory............................. 155
Outside............................. 102
Rearview............................ 100
Vanity.............................. 101
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 369
Mopar Parts.........................440,503
MP3 Player.........................280,283
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 166
Navigation Radio........................ 283
Navigation System....................... 283
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 93Occupant Restraints...................55,72,75
Occupant Restraints (Sedan)...........68,70,72,74
Odometer............................. 229
Oil Change Indicator................230,237,243
Oil Change Indicator, Reset...........230,237,243
Oil, Engine.........................441,487
Capacity............................ 486
Change Interval....................... 442
Checking............................ 441
Disposal............................ 444
Filter............................444,487
Filter Disposal........................ 444
Identification Logo..................... 443
Materials Added to..................... 444
Recommendation...................442,486
Synthetic............................ 444
Viscosity..........................443,486
Onboard Diagnostic System..............437,438
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLinkt) ........... 185
INDEX 519
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Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 64
Programmable Electronic Features............ 248
Radial Ply Tires......................... 361
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......457,458
Radio Broadcast Signals................... 251
Radio, Navigation....................... 283
Radio Operation...................281,284,299
Radio Remote Controls.................... 299
Radio, Satellite............280,281,283,284,287,297
Radio (Sound Systems).................280,283
Rear Air Conditioning.................307,314
Rear Heater............................ 307
Rear Park Sense System................... 171
Rear Window Defroster................... 320
Rearview Mirrors........................ 100
Reclining Front Seats..................... 136
Recorder, Event Data...................... 78Recreational Towing...................407,429
Reminder, Seat Belt....................... 64
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)................. 21
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls........ 299
Remote Starting System.................... 28
Removable Floor Console...............207,211
Replacement Keys........................ 16
Replacement Parts....................... 440
Replacement Tires....................... 365
Reporting Safety Defects................... 503
Resetting Oil Change Indicator.........230,237,243
Restraint, Head......................... 134
Restraints, Child.......................81,88
Restraints, Infant......................... 81
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck................ 427
Roof Rack (Luggage Rack)................. 215
Rotation, Tires.......................... 368
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle................. 93
INDEX 521
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