oil additives DODGE TOWN AND COUNTRY 2003 Service Manual

API SERVICE GRADE CERTIFIED
Use an engine oil that is API Certified (GF-3).
Mopartprovides engine oils, meeting Material Stan-
dard MS-6395, that meet or exceed this requirement.
SAE VISCOSITY
An SAE viscosity grade is used to specify the vis-
cosity of engine oil. Use only engine oils with multi-
ple viscosities such as 5W-30 or 10W-30. These are
specified with a dual SAE viscosity grade which indi-
cates the cold-to-hot temperature viscosity range.
Select an engine oil that is best suited to your par-
ticular temperature range and variation (Fig. 2).
ENERGY CONSERVING OIL
An Energy Conserving type oil is recommended for
gasoline engines. The designation of ENERGY CON-
SERVING is located on the label of an engine oil con-
tainer.
CONTAINER IDENTIFICATION
Standard engine oil identification notations have
been adopted to aid in the proper selection of engine
oil. The identifying notations are located on the front
label of engine oil plastic bottles and the top of
engine oil cans (Fig. 3).
This symbol means that the oil has been certified
by the American Petroleum Institute (API). Diamler-
Chrysler only recommends API Certified (GF-3)
engine oils that meet the requirements of Material
Standard MS-6395. Use Mopartor an equivalent oil
meeting the specification MS-6395.
SYNTHETIC ENGINE OILS
There are a number of engine oils being promoted
as either synthetic or semi-synthetic. If you chose to
use such a product, useonlythose oils that meet the
American Petroleum Institute (API) and SAE viscos-
ity standard. Follow the service schedule that
describes your driving type.
ENGINE OIL ADDITIVES/SUPPLEMENTS
The manufacturerdoes not recommendthe addi-
tion of any engine oil additives/supplements to the
specified engine oil. Engine oil additives/supplements
should not be used to enhance engine oil perfor-
mance. Engine oil additives/supplements should not
be used to extend engine oil change intervals. No
additive is known to be safe for engine durability and
can degrade emission components. Additives can con-
tain undesirable materials that harm the long term
durability of engines by:
²Doubling the level of Phosphorus in the engine
oil. The ILSAC (International Lubricant Standard
Approval Committee) GF-2 and GF-3 standards
require that engine oil contain no more than 0.10%
Phosphorus to protect the vehicles emissions perfor-
mance. Addition of engine oil additives/supplements
can poison, from the added sulfur and phosphorus,
catalysts and hinder efforts to guarantee emissions
performance to 80,000 miles.
²Altering the viscosity characteristics of the
engine oil so that it no longer meets the require-
ments of the specified viscosity grade.
²Creating potential for an undesirable additive
compatibility interaction in the engine crankcase.
Generally it is not desirable to mix additive packages
from different suppliers in the crankcase; there have
been reports of low temperature engine failures
caused by additive package incompatibility with such
mixtures.
GEAR LUBRICANTS
SAE ratings also apply to multigrade gear lubri-
cants. In addition, API classification defines the
lubricants usage. Such as API GL-5 and SAE 75W-
90.
Fig. 2 TEMPERATURE/ENGINE OIL VISCOSITY
Fig. 3 API SYMBOL
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FUEL REQUIREMENTS
The vehicle will operate on both unleaded gasoline
with an octane rating of 87, or E-85 fuel, or any mix-
ture of these two.
For best results, a refueling pattern that alternates
between E-85 and unleaded gasoline should be
avoided. When you do switch fuels, it is recom-
mended that
²you do not switch when the fuel gauge indicates
less than 1/4 full
²you do not add less than 5 gallons when refuel-
ing
²you operate the vehicle immediately after refuel-
ing for a period of at least 5 minutes
Observing these precautions will avoid possible
hard starting and/or significant deterioration in
driveability during warm up.
FFV STARTING
The characteristics of E-85 fuel make it unsuitable
for use when ambient temperatures fall below 0ÉF. In
the range of 0ÉF to 32ÉF, you may experience an
increase in the time it takes for your engine to start,
and a deterioration in driveability (sags and/or hesi-
tations) until the engine is fully warmed up.
Engine Operating on E-85 Fuel
If vehicle operates on E-85 fuel either full or part-
time, use only MopartFlexible Fuel 5W-30 engine oil
or an equivalent that meets DaimlerChrysler Stan-
dard MS-9214. Equivalent commercial Flexible Fuel
engine oils may be labeled as Multi-Fuel, Variable
Fuel, Flexible Fuel, etc. These engine oils may be
satisfactory if they meet the DaimlerChrysler Stan-
dard.
SAE 5W-30 engine oil is preferred for use in Flex-
ible Fuel engines.
CAUTION: If Flexible Fuel engine oil is not used
when using E-85 fuel, engine wear or damage may
result.
CRUISING RANGE
Because E-85 fuel contains less energy per gallon
than gasoline, you will experience an increase in fuel
consumption. You can expect your MPG and your
driving range to decrease by about 30% compared to
gasoline operation.
DESCRIPTION - TRANSMISSION FLUID
NOTE: Refer to the maintenance schedules for the
recommended maintenance (fluid/filter change)
intervals for these transaxles.NOTE: All transaxles have a common transmission
and differential sump. Filling the transaxle accom-
modates the differential as well.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
MopartATF+4 (Automatic Transmission Fluid) is
required in the 41TE automatic and T850 manual
transaxles. Substitute fluids can induce transmission
problems and/or failure.
MopartATF+4 (Automatic Transmission Fluid)
when new is red in color. The ATF is dyed red so it
can be identified from other fluids used in the vehicle
such as engine oil or antifreeze. The red color is not
permanent and is not an indicator of fluid condition.
As the vehicle is driven, the ATF will begin to look
darker in color and may eventually become brown.
This is normal.ATF+4 also has a unique odor that
may change with age. Consequently,odor and color
cannot be used to indicate the fluid condition
or the need for a fluid change.
FLUID ADDITIVES
DaimlerChrysler strongly recommends against the
addition of any fluids to the transmission, other than
those automatic transmission fluids listed above.
Exceptions to this policy are the use of special dyes
to aid in detecting fluid leaks.
Various ªspecialº additives and supplements exist
that claim to improve shift feel and/or quality. These
additives and others also claim to improve converter
clutch operation and inhibit overheating, oxidation,
varnish, and sludge. These claims have not been sup-
ported to the satisfaction of DaimlerChrysler and
these additivesmust not be used.The use of trans-
mission ªsealersº should also be avoided, since they
may adversely affect the integrity of transmission
seals.
DESCRIPTION - FUEL REQUIREMENTS
Your engine is designed to meet all emissions reg-
ulations and provide excellent fuel economy and per-
formance when using high quality unleaded gasoline
having an octane rating of 87. The use of premium
gasoline is not recommended. The use of premium
gasoline will provide no benefit over high quality reg-
ular gasoline, and in some circumstances may result
in poorer performance.
Light spark knock at low engine speeds is not
harmful to your engine. However, continued heavy
spark knock at high speeds can cause damage and
immediate service is required. Engine damage result-
ing from operation with a heavy spark knock may
not be covered by the new vehicle warranty.
Poor quality gasoline can cause problems such as
hard starting, stalling and hesitations. If you experi-
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