oil dipstick DODGE DAKOTA 2010 3.G Owners Manual

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.7L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter7 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
2 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick 8 — Engine Oil Fill
3 — Engine Oil Dipstick 9 — Coolant Pressure Cap
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
5 — Power Distribution Center 11 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
6 — Battery
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 353

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 4.7L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter7 — Engine Oil Fill
2 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick 8 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
3 — Engine Oil Dipstick 9 — Coolant Pressure Cap
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
5 — Power Distribution Center 11 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
6 — Battery
354 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended maintenance
intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in these
components as the chemicals can damage your
engine, transmission, power steering or air condi-
tioning. 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 lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. The
best time to check the engine oil level is about fiveminutes after a fully warmed-up engine is shut off, or
before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the
dipstick. Adding one quart/liter of oil when the reading
is at the bottom of the SAFE zone will result in a reading
at the top of the safe zone on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 359

WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contami-
nate the brake fluid. Brake seal components could
be damaged, causing partial or complete brake
failure. This could result in an accident.
Automatic Transmission
NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with a dipstick, use
the following procedure. If your vehicle has a capped
dipstick, it is sealed and should not be tampered with.
Your authorized dealer has the proper tools to ensure that
the fluid level is set properly.
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level while the transmission is at normal
operating temperature 180° F (82° C). This occurs after at
least 15 miles (24 km) of driving. At normal operating
temperature the fluid cannot be held comfortably be-
tween the fingertips. To check the automatic transmission fluid level properly,
the following procedure must be used:
1. Operate the engine at idle speed and normal operating
temperature.
2. The vehicle must be on level ground.
3. Fully apply the parking brake and press the brake
pedal.
4. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi-
tion, ending with the shift lever in PARK.
5. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until
seated.
6. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level should be between the “HOT”
(upper) reference holes on the dipstick at normal operat-
ing temperature. Verify that solid coating of oil is seen on
both sides of the dipstick. If the fluid is low, add as
376 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

required into the dipstick tube.Do not overfill.After
adding any quantity of oil through the oil fill tube, wait
a minimum of two minutes for the oil to fully drain into
the transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
NOTE: If it is necessary to check the transmission below
the operating temperature, the fluid level should be
between the two “COLD” (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at approximately 70° F (21° C) (room
temperature). If the fluid level is correctly established at
room temperature, it should be between the “HOT”
(upper) reference holes when the transmission reaches
180° F (82° C). Remember it is best to check the level at
the normal operating temperature.CAUTION!
Be aware that if the fluid temperature is below 50° F
(10° C) it may not register on the dipstick. Do not add
fluid until the temperature is elevated enough to
produce an accurate reading.
7. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake.
To prevent dirt and water from entering the transmission
after checking or replenishing fluid, make certain that the
dipstick cap is properly reseated. It is normal for the
dipstick cap to spring back slightly from its fully-seated
position, as long as its seal remains engaged in the
dipstick tube.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 377

Daytime Running Lights................... 132
Dealer Service .......................... 358
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 162
Defroster, Windshield ................... 76,239
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 135
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 355
Differential, Limited-Slip .................. 264
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................. 175
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ................. 376
Oil (Engine) .......................... 359
Power Steering ........................ 268
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............... 372
Door Locks ............................. 29
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 148
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water .............................. 265 E-85 Fuel
............................. 303
Electric Remote Mirrors .................... 85
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 154
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 138
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ............... 347
Jacking ............................. 337
Jump Starting ......................... 343
Tow Hooks .......................... 348
Towing ............................. 349
Emission Control System Maintenance ......356,404
Engine Air Cleaner .......................... 362
Block Heater ......................... 251
Break-In Recommendations ................ 74
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................... 400
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 75,302
Flooded, Starting ...................... 250
Fuel Requirements ..................... 399
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INDEX 435

Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 293
Mopar Parts ......................... 357,426
Multi-Function Control Lever ............... 133
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 74
Occupant Restraints ................... 36,52,56
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) .............49,52,54
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 298
Oil Change Indicator ..................... 179
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ................. 179
Oil, Engine ......................... 359,400
Capacity ............................ 399
Change Interval ....................... 359
Dipstick ............................. 359
Disposal ............................ 361
Filter ............................ 361,400
Filter Disposal ........................ 361
Identification Logo ..................... 360 Materials Added to
..................... 361
Recommendation ................... 360,399
Synthetic ............................ 361
Viscosity ......................... 360,399
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............355,356
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ........... 148
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 4
Outside Rearview Mirrors .................. 84
Overdrive .......................... 177,254
Overdrive OFF Switch .................... 254
Overhead Console .................... 141,142
Overhead Travel Information Center .......... 142
Overheating, Engine ...................... 175
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,428
Panic Alarm ............................ 24
Parking Brake .......................... 269
Parking On Hill ......................... 269
Passing Light ........................... 134
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INDEX 441