coolant DODGE JOURNEY 2009 1.G Owners Manual

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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 81
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Coolant Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge indicates engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range indicates
that the cooling system is operating satisfactorily. The
gauge pointer will likely indicate a high temperature
when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades, in
heavy traffic, or when towing a trailer. If the pointer rises
to the “H” mark, safely pull over and stop the vehicle. If
the Air Conditioning A/C system is on, turn it off. Also,
shift the transaxle into NEUTRAL and idle the vehicle. If
the needle remains on the “H” mark, turn the engine OFF
immediately and call for service. (See page 394 for more
information.)
NOTE:The gauge pointer will remain near its last
reading when the engine is turned off. It will return to a
true reading when the engine is restarted.
CAUTION!
Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the en-
gine running, as you would not be able to react to the
temperature indicator light if the engine overheats.
2. Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows the level of fuel in the tank when
ignition switch is in the ON position.
3. Fuel Cap Indicator This symbol indicates the side of the vehicle
where the fuel filler cap is located.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 205
4

4. Coolant Temperature Warning LightThis light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. 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 transaxle into NEUTRAL and
idle the vehicle. If the temperature reading does not
return to normal, turn the engine off immediately and
call for service. (See page 394 for more information.)
NOTE: As the coolant temperature gauge approaches
H, this indicator will illuminate and a single chime will
sound. Further overheating will cause the temperature
gauge to pass H.In this case, the indicator light will
flash continuously and a continuous chime will sound,
until the engine is allowed to cool.CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H,”
safely pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the A/C turned off until the pointer drops back
into the normal range. If the pointer remains on the
“H,” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the en-
gine OFF immediately, and call for service.
206 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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 a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to Section 7 and follow the
warnings under the Cooling System Pressure Cap
paragraph.
5. Front Fog Light Indicator Light — If Equipped This light shows when the fog lights are ON. (See
page 148 for more information.)
6. Low Fuel Warning Light This indicator lights when the fuel level drops to
approximately one-eighth tank. (See page 372 for
more information.) 7. Turn Signal Indicator Light
The left or right arrow will flash in unison with the
corresponding front and rear turn signal lights when
the turn signal switch is operated. (See page 149 for more
information.)
NOTE: A chime will sound if the vehicle is driven more
than 1 mi (1.6 km) with either turn signal on.
NOTE: Check for an inoperative outside light bulb if
either indicator flashes at a rapid rate.
8. High Beam Indicator Light This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the multifunction lever on the left side
of the steering column toward you to switch to low beam.
(See page 150 for more information.)
9. Speedometer
Shows the vehicle speed.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 207
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15. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. The trip odometer shows individual trip
mileage. Refer to “Trip Odometer button” for additional
information.
NOTE:U.S. Federal regulations require upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify the mileage the
vehicle has been driven. Therefore, if the odometer
reading is changed because of repair or replacement, be
sure to keep a record of the reading before and after the
service so that the correct mileage can be determined.
Vehicle Warning Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, messages such as
“hood” (hood ajar), “door” (door ajar), “gATE” (liftgate
ajar), “LoCOOL” (low engine coolant), “LoWASH” (low
washer fluid), “gASCAP” (fuel cap fault), “ESPOFF” (ESP in partial off mode), “NoFUSE” (IOD fuse out),
“HotOIL” (2.4L engine oil temp too hot), or “CHANgE
OIL” will display in the odometer.
NOTE:
If the instrument cluster is equipped with the
optional Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC),
then most warnings will display in the EVIC. (See page
221 for more information.)
Hot Oil — 2.4L Engine
Refer to “Engine Oil Overheating — 2.4L Engine Only”
under “If Your Engine Overheats” in Section 6.
Fuel Cap Fault Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, the
word “gASCAP” will display in the odometer. If this
occurs, tighten the fuel filler cap until a “clicking” sound
is heard. Then press the TRIP ODOMETER button to turn
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 209
4

•Coolant Low
•Key in Ignition
•Lights On
Oil Change Required
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “Oil Change Required” message
will display in the EVIC for approximately 5 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.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON position. To
turn off the message temporarily, press and release theMENU button. To reset the oil change indicator system
(after performing the scheduled maintenance) perform
the following procedure:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (Do not
start the engine).
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three times
within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
NOTE:
If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 225
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Operating Tips
NOTE:Refer to the chart at the end of this section for
suggested control settings for various weather condi-
tions.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air-conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. Refer to “Cooling System”
under “Maintenance Procedures” and to “Fluids, Lubri-
cants, and Genuine Parts” in Section 7 for information
pertaining to the cooling system and coolant selection.
Winter Operation
Use of the air Recirculation mode during Winter months
is not recommended because it may cause window
fogging.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in the
fresh air and high blower settings. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging
Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly re-
moved by turning the mode selector to Defrost. The
Defrost/Floor mode can be used to maintain a clear
windshield and provide sufficient heating. If side win-
dow fogging becomes a problem, increase blower speed.
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild but
rainy or humid weather.
NOTE: Recirculate without A/C should not be used for
long periods as fogging may occur.
300 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is bundled under the hood
between the headlight assembly and the Totally Inte-
grated Power Module (Fuse Box) on the driver’s side of
the vehicle.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
CAUTION!
Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
STARTING AND OPERATING 311
5

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H,”
safely pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the A/C turned off until the pointer drops back
into the normal range. If the pointer remains on the
“H,” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the en-
gine OFF immediately, and call for service.
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 a service center if your vehicle over-
heats. If you decide to look under the hood yourself,
refer to Section 7 and follow the warnings under the
Cooling System Pressure Cap paragraph.
Engine Oil Overheating — 2.4L Gas and 2.0L
Diesel Engines Only (If Equipped)
On hot days the engine oil temperature may become too
hot during sustained high-speed driving or if towing a
trailer up long grades. If this happens, a HOTOIL mes-
sage will flash in the odometer and the vehicle speed will
be reduced to 48 mph (77 km/h) maximum until the
engine oil temperature is reduced.
NOTE:Although the maximum vehicle speed is re-
duced to 48 mph (77 km/h), you may of course reduce
vehicle speed further as needed.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 395
6

2.4L ENGINE COMPARTMENT
1 — Coolant Bottle8 — Remote Jump-Start Positive Battery Post
2 — Engine Coolant Reservoir 9 — Remote Jump-Start Negative Post
3 — Power Steering Fluid 10 — Fuses (Totally Integrated Power Module [TIPM])
4 — Engine Oil Dipstick 11 — Air Cleaner Filter
5 — Engine Oil Fill 12 — Washer Fluid Bottle
6 — Automatic Transaxle Dipstick 13 — Engine Coolant Cap
7 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
418 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE