checking oil DODGE JOURNEY 2011 1.G Owners Manual

damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open
seams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes
to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,
inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt
or retractor condition, replace the seat belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The light should turn on and remain on for four to six
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, or if the
light stays on, flickers, or turns on while driving, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check 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.
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit the footwell of your
vehicle. Use only floor mats that leave the pedal area
unobstructed and that are firmly secured so that they
cannot slip out of position and interfere with the pedals
or impair safe operation of your vehicle in other ways.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 91

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 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 afully warmed engine is shut off. Do not check oil level
before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking engine oil level when the engine is cold will
give you an incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. Either the range mark-
ings consist of a crosshatch zone marked SAFE or a
crosshatch zone marked with MIN at the low end of the
range and MAX at the high end of the range. Adding
1.0 qt (1.0 l) of oil when the reading is at the low end of
the range marking will raise the oil level to the high end
of the range marking.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 457

Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” or under “In-
strument Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.At Each Stop For Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 509

Brightness, Interior Lights.................. 196
Bulb Replacement ..................... 495,497
Bulbs, Light .......................... 93,495
Camera, Rear ........................... 215
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 503
Caps, Filler Fuel .............................. 401
Oil (Engine) ..................... 451,459
Power Steering ...................... 349
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 475
Car Washes ............................ 484
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............90,397
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................246,403
Cargo Area Cover ....................... 248
Cargo Area Features ...................... 245
Cargo Compartment ...................... 245
Light ............................. 245
Luggage Carrier ..................... 253 Cargo Load Floor
........................ 246
Cargo Management System ................. 246
Rollaway Tonneau Cover ............... 248
Tri-Fold Load Floor ................... 246
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 247
Cellular Phone .......................... 310
Certification Label ....................... 403
Chains, Tire ............................ 380
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 425
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 363
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light) ............................. 259,454
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 89
Checks, Safety ........................... 89
Child Booster Seat ........................ 77
Child Restraint .................. 75,77,79,83,85
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............81,83
Child Safety Locks ........................ 31
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 393
534 INDEX

Emergency, In Case ofFreeing Vehicle When Stuck ............. 441
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 423
Jacking ............................ 425
Jump Starting ....................... 437
Overheating ........................ 423
Towing ............................ 444
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 454
Engine ............................. 88,451
Air Cleaner ......................... 460
Block Heater ........................ 338
Break-In Recommendations .............. 88
Checking Oil Level ................... 457
Compartment .................... 451,452
Compartment Identification ............. 452
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................ 472,504
Cooling ........................... 472
Exhaust Gas Caution ..............42,90,397
Fails to Start ........................ 337 Flooded, Starting
..................... 337
Fuel Requirements .................... 393
Jump Starting ....................... 437
Oil ......................... 457,503,504
Oil Change Interval ................ 275,458
Oil Filler Cap .................... 451,459
Oil Filter ........................... 460
Oil Filter Disposal .................... 460
Oil Selection ..................... 458,503
Oil Synthetic ........................ 459
Operation ........................... 88
Overheating ........................ 423
Starting ........................... 334
Temperature Gauge ................... 266
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 459
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ................. 459
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 71
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 394
10
INDEX 537

Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 383
Mopar Parts ......................... 455,526
MTBE/ETBE ........................... 394
Multi-Function Control Lever ............... 195
Navigation System (Uconnect™ gps) .......... 215
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 88
Occupant Restraints ................... 42,67,71
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ...........64,65,67,70
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ............393,504
Odometer ............................. 261
Oil Change Indicator .................. 262,275
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ..............262,275
Oil Filter, Change ........................ 460
Oil Filter, Selection ....................... 460
Oil, Engine ......................... 457,504
Capacity ........................... 503
Change Interval ................... 275,458Checking
.......................... 457
Dipstick ........................... 457
Disposal ........................... 460
Filter .......................... 460,504
Filter Disposal ....................... 460
Identification Logo ................... 458
Materials Added to ................... 460
Recommendation .................. 458,503
Synthetic .......................... 459
Viscosity ........................ 459,503
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............453,454
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®) ........... 220
Operating Precautions .................... 453
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 4
Outside Rearview Mirrors .................. 102
Overdrive ............................. 342
Overhead Console ....................... 218
Overheating, Engine ................ 267,423,424
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,527
10
INDEX 545