coolant level DODGE JOURNEY 2012 1.G Owners Manual

brakes. If the ABS light does not turn on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON/RUN position, have
the light inspected by an authorized dealer.
14. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
15. Fuel Door ReminderThe arrow in this symbol is a reminder that the
Fuel Filler Door is located on the left side of the
vehicle.
16. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN position.
17. Vehicle Security Light — If Equipped This light will flash at a fast rate for approxi-
mately 15 seconds, when the vehicle security
alarm is arming, and then will flash slowly
until the vehicle is disarmed. 18. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage 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” and you hear continuous chimes,
turn the engine off immediately and call an autho-
rized dealership for service.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 281

Headliner ModeAir 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 head-
liner 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 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. A solution of 50% ethylene
glycol antifreeze coolant and 50% water is recommended.
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
Use of the air Recirculation mode during Winter months
is not recommended because it may cause window
fogging.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 359

Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant (antifreeze) that allows extended maintenance
intervals. This engine coolant (antifreeze) can be used up
to five years or 104,000 miles (169 000 km) before
replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance period, it is important that you use the same
engine coolant (antifreeze) throughout the life of your
vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolant
(antifreeze). When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•The manufacturer recommends using MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) or
equivalent.
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below34°F (37°C) are
anticipated.
•Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
(antifreeze) solution. The use of lower quality water
will reduce the amount of corrosion protection in the
engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE: Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent coolant changes.
520 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Coolant Level
2.4L Engine –the coolant bottle provides a quick visual
method for determining that the coolant level is ad-
equate. With the engine idling and warm to normal
operating temperature, the level of the coolant in the
bottle should be between the “ADD” and “FULL” lines,
shown on the bottle.
3.6L Engine – the level of the coolant in the pressurized
coolant bottle should be between the “COLD” and
“FULL” range on the bottle when the engine is cold.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
coolant freeze point or replacing engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Advise your service attendant of this. As long as
the engine operating temperature is satisfactory, the
coolant bottle need only be checked once a month. When
additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to main-
tain the proper level, it should be added to the coolant
bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE: When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles
(kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
•Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in
the radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If
engine coolant (antifreeze) needs to be added, the
contents of coolant recovery bottle must also be pro-
tected against freezing.
522 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum)
and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of
your engine, which contains aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs mayresult in unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze)
performance, poor gas mileage, and increased
emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting or
riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 523

FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) Models 20.5 Gallons 77.6 Liters
All-Wheel Drive Models 21 Gallons 79.8 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
2.4L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 4.5 Quarts 4.26 Liters
3.6L Engine (SAE 5W-30, API Certified) 6 Quarts 5.6 Liters
Cooling System *
2.4L Engine and Single- or Dual-Zone Climate Control System (MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 10.7 Quarts 10.1 Liters
2.4L Engine and Three-Zone Climate Control System (MOPAR Antifreeze/
Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 11.6 Quarts 11.0 Liters
3.6L Engine and Single- or Dual-Zone Climate Control System (MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 13.1 Quarts 12.4 Liters
3.6L Engine and Three-Zone Climate Control System (MOPAR Antifreeze/
Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 14.5 Quarts 13.7 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
548 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 coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and transmission 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.
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S554 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

CleaningWheels ............................ 531
Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 512
Climate Control ......................... 344
Coin Holder ........................... 251
Cold Weather Operation ................... 370
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 343
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 422
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 293
Connector UCI .............................. 341
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 341
Conserving Fuel ........................ 292
Console, Floor .......................... 251
Console, Overhead ....................... 227
Contract, Service ........................ 571
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 521
Cooling System ......................... 518
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 520Coolant Capacity
..................... 548
Coolant Level .................... 518,522
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 521
Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 519
Inspection .......................... 522
Points to Remember .................. 522
Pressure Cap ........................ 521
Radiator Cap ....................... 521
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....519,548,549
Corrosion Protection ..................... 529
Cupholders ......................... 249,534
Customer Assistance ..................... 569
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 75
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights ........... 208
Daytime Running Lights ................... 204
Dealer Service .......................... 501
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 264
Defroster, Windshield ................... 92,351
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INDEX 581

Jump Starting....................... 483
Overheating ........................ 469
Towing ............................ 490
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 500
Engine ............................. 89,497
Air Cleaner ......................... 506
Block Heater ........................ 372
Break-In Recommendations .............. 89
Checking Oil Level ................... 503
Compartment .................... 497,498
Compartment Identification ............. 498
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................ 518,549
Cooling ........................... 518
Exhaust Gas Caution ..............43,91,443
Fails to Start ........................ 371
Flooded, Starting ..................... 371
Fuel Requirements .................... 439
Jump Starting ....................... 483
Oil ......................... 503,548,549Oil Change Interval
................ 291,504
Oil Filler Cap .................... 497,505
Oil Filter ........................... 506
Oil Filter Disposal .................... 506
Oil Selection ..................... 504,548
Oil Synthetic ........................ 505
Operation ........................... 89
Overheating ........................ 469
Starting ........................... 368
Temperature Gauge ................... 281
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 505
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ................. 505
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 71
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 440
Event Data Recorder ...................... 75
Exhaust Gas Caution ................. 43,91,443
Exhaust System ....................... 91,515
Exterior Folding Mirrors ................... 104
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INDEX 583