battery DODGE DART 2015 PF / 1.G Owner's Guide

WARNING!
Do not connect the jumper cable to the negative (-)
post of the discharged battery. The resulting electri-
cal spark could cause the battery to explode and
could result in personal injury. Only use the specific
ground point, do not use any other exposed metal
parts.
5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then
start the engine in the vehicle with the discharged
battery.
6. Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables
in the reverse sequence:
Disconnecting The Jumper Cables
1. Disconnect the negative(-)end of the jumper cable
from the engine ground of the vehicle with the dis-
charged battery.
2. Disconnect the opposite end of the negative(-)jumper
cable from the negative(-)post of the booster battery.
3. Disconnect the positive(+)end of the jumper cable
from the positive(+)post of the booster battery.
4. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive(+)jumper
cable from the positive(+)post of the vehicle with the
discharged battery.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at your authorized dealer.
554 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power outlets
draw power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not
in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough without engine operation,
the vehicle’s battery will discharge sufficiently to
degrade battery life and/or prevent the engine from
starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or 2nd Gear
and REVERSE (with manual transmission) while gently
pressing the accelerator. Use the least amount of accel-
erator pedal pressure that will maintain the rocking
motion, without spinning the wheels or racing the en-
gine.
NOTE:1.4L Turbo automatic transmission vehicles can-
not be rocked in this manner, because the transmission
will not allow shifts between DRIVE and REVERSE while
the wheels are turning.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of clutch or transmission failure during
prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 555

If the key fob is unavailable, or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, refer to “Shift Lever Override” in this section
for instructions on shifting the automatic transmission
out of PARK for loading onto a flatbed truck.
Manual Transmission Or 1.4L Turbo Automatic
(DDCT) Transmission
•The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle
with all four wheelsOFFthe ground using a flatbed.
•Manual transmission and 1.4L turbo automatic (DDCT)
transmission vehicles can also be flat towed (all four
wheels on the ground) with the transmission in NEU-
TRAL. For vehicles with DDCT transmission (1.4L turbo
automatic), refer to#Shift Lever Override#in this section
for instructions on shifting the transmission into NEU-
TRAL when the ignition is OFF. If the ignition is left in
the ACC position, it may be helpful to disconnect the
negative battery cable (and secure it away from the
battery post), to avoid draining the battery.
CAUTION!
•DO NOT flat tow any disabled vehicle if condition
is related to the clutch, transmission or driveline.
Additional damage to the drivetrain could result.
•Towing this vehicle in violation of the above re-
quirements can cause severe engine, transmission,
or drivetrain damage. Damage from improper tow-
ing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 561

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
!ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 1.4L TURBO . . . .565
!ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.0L..........566
!ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L..........567
!ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II . .568
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............568
!EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS..........................569
!REPLACEMENT PARTS..................570
!DEALER SERVICE......................571
!MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES...........571
▫Engine Oil..........................572
▫Engine Oil Filter......................575
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................575
▫Ti re s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..576
▫Maintenance-Free Battery...............576
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............577
▫A/C Air Filter.......................578
▫Body Lubrication.....................580
▫Windshield Wiper Blades...............581
▫Adding Washer Fluid..................581
7

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 1.4L TURBO
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir5 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)2 — Engine Oil Level Indicator6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir3 — Engine Oil Fill7 — Battery4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir8 — Air Cleaner Filter
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 565

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.0L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir5 — Washer Fluid Reservoir2 — Engine Oil Fill6 — Battery3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir7 — Engine Oil Level Indicator4 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)8 — Air Cleaner Filter
566 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir5 — Washer Fluid Reservoir2 — Engine Oil Fill6 — Battery3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir7 — Engine Oil Level Indicator4 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)8 — Air Cleaner Filter
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 567

persists, the message will appear the next time the
vehicle is started. This might indicate a damaged cap. If
the problem is detected twice in a row, the system will
turn on the MIL. Resolving the problem will turn the MIL
light off.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not
on when the engine is running, and that the OBD II
system is ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition actuated test, which
you can use prior to going to the test station. To check if
your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must do the
following:
1. Cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, but do
not crank or start the engine.
NOTE:If you crank or start the engine, you will have to
start this test over.
2. As soon as you cycle the ignition switch to the ON
position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part
of a normal bulb check.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 569

3. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
•The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn OFF
the ignition or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD II system isnot readyand you should
notproceed to the I/M station.
•The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn OFF the ignition or start the
engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD II system
isreadyand you can proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD II system isnot ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD II
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system isnow ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD II system is
ready or not, if the MIL is illuminated during normal
vehicle operation you should have your vehicle serviced
before going to the I/M station. The I/M station can fail
your vehicle because the MIL is on with the engine
running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine MOPAR® parts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to en-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-MOPAR® parts for mainte-
nance and repairs will not be covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
570 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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)
576 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE