power steering fluid DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2009 5.G Owners Manual

DefrosterCheck operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
94 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

mDriving Through Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
▫ Flowing/Rising Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
▫ Shallow Standing Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
m Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check . . . . . . . . . . . 342
m Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
m Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . 345
▫ Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 347
m Electronic Brake Control System . . . . . . . . . . 347
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . 347
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
▫ Electronic Stability Program (ESP) . . . . . . . 349
▫ ESP/BAS Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351 m
Tire Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
▫ Tire Markings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) . . . . . . . . 355
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . 356
m Tires — General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
▫ Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
m Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
m Snow Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
m Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
m Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) . . . . . . 370
▫ Base System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
▫ Premium System — If Equipped . . . . . . . . 374
326 STARTING AND OPERATING

POWER STEERINGThe standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and do not indicate
that there is a problem with the power steering system.
Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steering
pump may make noise for a short amount of time. This is
due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering system. This
noise should be considered normal, and it does not in any
way damage the steering system. WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and it should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
Power Steering Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
342 STARTING AND OPERATING

apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an autho-
rized dealer.CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your power steering
system as the chemicals can damage your power
steering components. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to ensure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturer’s recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in Section 7 for the correct fluid type.
PARKING BRAKE
When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch ON, the “Brake Warning Light” in the instrument
cluster will turn on.
NOTE:
This light only shows that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
STARTING AND OPERATING 343 5

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.3/3.8L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter
7 — Engine Oil Fill
2 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick (3.3L Only) 8 — Engine Oil Dipstick
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Coolant Pressure Cap
4 — Battery 10 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
5 — Totally Integrated Power Module 11 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
6 — Engine Coolant Reservoir MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 433 7

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 4.0L
1 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
7 — Engine Oil Dipstick
2 — Air Cleaner Filter 8 — Engine Oil Fill
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Coolant Pressure Cap
4 — Battery 10 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
5 — Totally Integrated Power Module
6 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
434 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of your
vehicle and also allow extended maintenance inter-
vals. Do not use chemical flushes in these compo-
nents as the chemicals can damage your engine,
transmission, power steering or air conditioning.
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 engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to
check the engine oil level is about five minutes after a
fully warmed 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. Maintain
the oil level between the MIN and MAX markings on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the MIN mark will result in a MAX reading on these
engines. CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause oil aeration, or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 439
7

ChassisComponent
Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transaxle MOPARtATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid
Brake Master Cylinder MOPARt
DOT 3 and SAE J1703 should be used or equivalent. If DOT
3 brake fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only rec-
ommended brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir MOPARt
Power Steering Fluid +4 or MOPARt ATF+4 Automatic
Transmission Fluid
482 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Once A Month
Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, the
brake master cylinder, the power steering and the
transaxle and add as needed.
Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.At Each Oil Change
Change the engine oil filter.
Inspect the brake hoses and lines. CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
486 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
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C
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S

Calibration, Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255,261
Camera, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Capacities, Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 480
Caps, FillerFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Oil (Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 441
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 454
Car Washes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 462
Carbon Monoxide Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92,382
Cargo Compartment Luggage Carrier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Caution, Exhaust Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,382
Cellular Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113,305
Center High Mounted Stop Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 479
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
Changing A Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
Chart, Tire Sizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353 Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246,436
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Checks, Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Child Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79,81
Child Restraint Tether Anchors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Child Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Child Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Clean Air Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Cleaning
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463
Climate Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268,271,280
Coat Hook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Coin Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Cold Weather Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252,255,261
514 INDEX