engine coolant DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2017 5.G Owners Manual

Door Latches
Check for proper 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 (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected. The cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
96 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Refer to ”Instrument Cluster Display— If Equipped” in
this section for further information.
LoW tirE
When the appropriate condition exists, the odometer will
toggle between LoW and tirE for three cycles.
gASCAP
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
“gASCAP” message will display in the odometer display
area. Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and push the STEP
button on the steering wheel to turn off the message. If the
problem continues, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started.
noFUSE
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the Igni-
tion Off Draw (IOD) fuse is improperly installed, or
damaged, a “noFUSE” message will display in the odom-
eter display area. Refer to “Fuses” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for further information on fuses and fuse loca-
tions.CHAngE OIL
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change indi-
cator system. The odometer display will toggle between
CHAngE
andOilfor approximately 12 seconds, after a
single chime has sounded, to indicate the next scheduled
oil change interval. The engine oil change indicator system
is duty cycle-based, which means the engine oil change
interval may fluctuate dependent upon your personal
driving style.
3. Speedometer
•Indicates vehicle speed.
4. Fuel Gauge •The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank
when the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN position.
•
The fuel pump symbol points to the side of the
vehicle where the fuel door is located.
5. Temperature Gauge
•The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range indi-
cates that the engine cooling system is operating
satisfactorily.
• The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tem-
perature when driving in hot weather or up mountain
240 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

grades. It should not be allowed to exceed the upper
limits of the normal operating range.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer for
service if your vehicle overheats. If you decide to look
under the hood yourself, see “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle”. Follow the warnings under the Cooling System
Pressure Cap paragraph.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could dam-
age your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H”
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the
air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops back
into the normal range. If the pointer remains on the
“H”, turn the engine off immediately and call an
authorized dealer for service.
WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTS
IMPORTANT:The warning / indicator lights switch on in
the instrument panel together with a dedicated message
and/or acoustic signal when applicable. These indications
are indicative and precautionary and as such must not be
considered as exhaustive and/or alternative to the infor-
mation contained in the Owner ’s Manual, which you are
advised to read carefully in all cases. Always refer to the
information in this chapter in the event of a failure indica-
tion.
All active telltales will display first if applicable. The
system check menu may appear different based upon
equipment options and current vehicle status. Some tell-
tales are optional and may not appear.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 241

Coolant Temperature Warning Light
Red TelltaleLight What It Means
Coolant Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condition. If the light turns on while driving, safely pull
over and stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also, shift the transmission into
NEUTRAL and idle the vehicle. If the temperature reading does not return to normal, turn the
engine off immediately and call for service.
NOTE:
As the coolant temperature gauge approaches
H,a Red Dot lamp located to the left of the “H”
will illuminate and a single chime will sound. Further overheating will cause the temperature
gauge to pass H.In this case, a continuous chime will sound until the engine is allowed to cool
or the 4 minute duration is expired, whichever comes first.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 245

To Reset A Trip Function
Reset will only occur while a resettable function is selected
(highlighted). Push and hold the RIGHT button to clear the
resettable function being displayed.
Tire Pressure
Push and release theUPorDOWNarrow button
until “Tire PSI:” displays highlighted in the Instrument
Cluster Display. Push and release the RIGHT
arrow
button to view a graphic of the vehicle with a tire
pressure value at each corner of the graphic.
Units
Push and release the UPorDOWNarrow button
until “Units” displays highlighted in the Instrument
Cluster Display and push the RIGHT
arrow button.
The Instrument Cluster Display, odometer, and naviga-
tion system (if equipped) can be changed between
English and Metric units of measure. To make your
selection, scroll up or down until the preferred setting is
highlighted, then push and release the RIGHT
arrow
button until a check-mark appears next to the setting,
showing that the setting has been selected. Vehicle Info (Customer Information Features)
Push and release the
UPorDOWNarrow button
until “Vehicle Info” displays in the Instrument Cluster
Display. Then, push and release the RIGHT
arrow
button. Push and release the UP
orDOWNarrow
button to scroll through the available information dis-
plays, then push and release RIGHT
arrow button to
display any one of the following choices.
• Coolant Temp
Displays the actual coolant temperature.
• Oil Temp
Displays the actual oil temperature.
• Oil Pressure
Displays the actual oil pressure.
• Engine Hours
Displays the number of hours of engine operation.
Messages #
Select from Main Menu using the UPorDOWN
arrow button. This feature shows the number of
stored warning messages (in the # place holder). Push-
ing the RIGHT
arrow button will allow you to see
266 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Rear Mode Control
•Headliner Mode
Air comes from the outlets in the headliner. Each of
these outlets can be individually adjusted to direct
the flow of air. Moving the air vanes of the outlets to one
side will shut off the airflow.
• Bi-Level Mode
Air comes from both the headliner outlets and the
floor outlets.
NOTE: In many temperature positions, the Bi-Level mode
is designed to provide cooler air out of the headliner
outlets and warmer air from the floor outlets.
• Floor Mode
Air comes from the floor outlets.
Operating Tips
NOTE: Refer to the chart at the end of this section for
suggested control settings for various weather conditions.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system must be protected with a
high-quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corrosion
protection and to protect against engine overheating. OAT
coolant (conforming to MS.90032) is recommended. Refer
to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle” for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
To ensure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is functioning
properly and the proper amount, type, and concentration
of coolant is used. Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for proper coolant selection.
Use of the air Recirculation mode during Winter months is
not recommended, because it may cause window fogging.
336 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NOTE:To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), tap the gear selector to the
left (-) repeatedly as the vehicle slows. The transmission
will shift to the range from which the vehicle can best be
slowed down.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically con-
trolled Overdrive (sixth gear). The transmission will auto-
matically shift into Overdrive if the following conditions
are present:
• The gear selector is in the DRIVE position.
• The transmission fluid has reached an adequate tem-
perature.
• The engine coolant has reached an adequate tempera-
ture.
• The vehicle speed is sufficiently high.
• The driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle. A
clutch within the torque converter engages automatically at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly different
feeling or response during normal operation in the upper
gears. When the vehicle speed drops or during some
accelerations, the clutch automatically disengages.
NOTE:
The torque converter clutch will not engage until
the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm [usu-
ally after 1 to 3 miles (2 to 5 km) of driving]. Because the
engine speed is higher when the torque converter clutch is
not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission is not
shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal. Using
the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control, when the
transmission is sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that
the transmission is able to shift into and out of Overdrive.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet or other slippery
surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull erratically to
the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when there is a
difference in the surface traction under the front (driving)
wheels.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 353

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located in the lower
center area of the instrument panel.Push the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming traffic
of an emergency. Push the switch a second time to turn off
the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE: With extended use, the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down. •
In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control to
high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement
to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the
engine cooling system.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If you
see or hear steam coming from under the hood, do not
open the hood until the radiator has had time to cool.
Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap when
the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
422 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Air Filter6 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 7 — Engine Oil Dipstick
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 8 — Engine Oil Fill
4 — Battery 9 — Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Totally Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 10 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 459

After the engine has warmed, operate the defroster for a
few minutes to reduce the possibility of smearing or
freezing the fluid on the cold windshield. MOPAR All
Weather Windshield Washer Solution or equivalent, used
with water as directed on the container, aids cleaning
action, reduces the freezing point to avoid line clogging,
and is not harmful to paint or trim.
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, discon-
nect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition switch to
the OFF position. The fan is temperature controlled
and can start at anytime the ignition switch is in the
ON position.
• You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not 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.
Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where appli-
cable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty, the system
should be drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh OAT
coolant (conforming to MS.90032) only by an authorized
dealer. 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 rubber,
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 engine
coolant (antifreeze) 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
REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
472 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE