2004 DODGE CARAVAN radiator

²If your air conditioning performance seems lower than
expected, check the A/C air filter and the front of the
A/C condenser for an accumulation of dirt or insects.
The A/C condenser is located in front of the radiator.
The A/C air filter is located under the instrument
panel on the passenger side.
²Fabric type fascia protectors tend to block the amount
of air to the condenser and may reduce air condition-
ing performance.
Economy Mode
If economy mode is desired, press the A/C button to turn
off the indicator light, and the A/C compressor. Move the
temperature control lever to the desired temperature.
Recirculation Control
Press the recirculation button to recirculate the
air inside the vehicle. This is located next to the
A/C button. An indicator light on the button
shows that air is being recirculated. Use therecirculation mode to rapidly cool the inside of the
vehicle. The recirculation mode can also be used to
temporarily block out outside odors, smoke, and dust.
NOTE:
²When the ignition switch is turned OFF, the recircula-
tion feature will be cancelled.
²In cold weather, use of the Recirculation mode may
lead to excessive window fogging. The Recirculation
mode is not allowed in the Mix and Defrost modes to
improve window clearing operation. Recirculation
will be disabled automatically if these modes are
selected.
²If the recirculation button is pressed while in the Mix
or Defrost mode, the indicator light in the recirculation
button will flash 3 times indicating that recirculation is
not allowed.
204 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways Ð Slow down.
²In city traffic Ð While stopped, put transaxle 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
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and
the fan 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.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads ªHº, 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 ªHº, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 281
6

JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES IF BATTERY IS
LOW
WARNING!
Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever
the hood is raised. It can start anytime the ignition
switch is on. You can be hurt by the fan.
WARNING!
²Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the en-
gine has started, ignite and damage the converter and
vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from
another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous if
done improperly, so follow this procedure carefully.
²Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not allow
battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or clothing. Don't
lean over battery when attaching clamps or allow the
clamps to touch each other. If acid splashes in eyes or
on skin, flush contaminated area immediately with
large quantities of water.
²A battery generates hydrogen gas which is flammable
and explosive. Keep flame or spark away from the
vent holes. Do not use a booster battery or any other
booster source with an output that exceeds 12 volts.
288 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Windshield Wiper Blades
The rubber edges of the wiper blades and the windshield
should be cleaned periodically with a sponge or soft cloth
and a mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will remove accu-
mulations of salt or road film.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always use
washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt
from a dry windshield.
Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice from
the windshield. Keep the blade rubber out of contact with
petroleum products such as engine oil, gasoline, etc.
Windshield and Rear Window Washers
The fluid reservoir for the windshield washers and the
rear window washer is shared. It is located in the engine
compartment and should be checked for fluid level at
regular intervals. Fill the reservoir with windshieldwasher solvent (not radiator antifreeze) and operate the
system for a few seconds to flush out the residual water.
The washer fluid reservoir will hold a full gallon of fluid
when the Low Washer Fluid Light illuminates.
316 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cooling System
Inspection
WARNING!
²When working near the radiator cooling fan, turn
the ignition key to the OFF position. The fan is
temperature controlled and can start at any time
when the ignition key is in the ON position.
²You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant
or steam from your radiator. If you see or hear
steam coming from under the hood, don't 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
Coolant protection checks should be made every 12
months (prior to the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
coolant. Check the front of the A/C condenser for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by
removing the upper grill support and gently spraying
water from a garden hose vertically down the face of the
condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, 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 coolant pressure cap for proper
vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of coolant
318 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing prop-
erly, the coolant will begin to drain from the coolant
recovery bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT
PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS
HOT.
Cooling System Ð Drain, Flush and Refill
At the intervals shown in the maintenance schedules, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled.
If the solution is dirty or contains a considerable amount
of sediment, clean and flush with a reliable cooling
system cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing to remove
all deposits and chemicals. Properly dispose of old
antifreeze solution.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturers recommended coolant, refer
to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
for correct coolant type.
CAUTION!
²Mixing of coolants other than specified (non-
HOAT), may result in engine damage that may not
be covered under the new vehicle warranty, and
decreased corrosion protection. If a non-HOAT
coolant is introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the speci-
fied coolant as soon as possible.
²Do not use plain water alone or alcohol base
antifreeze products. Do not use additional rust
inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not be
compatible with the radiator coolant and may
plug the radiator.
²This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based coolants. Use of Propy-
lene Glycol based coolants is not recommended.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 319
7

Adding Coolant
When adding coolant, or refilling the system, a minimum
of 50% solution of ethylene glycol antifreeze coolant in
water should be used. Higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) are required if temperatures below237ÉF
(238ÉC) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/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 coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
Coolant Pressure Cap
The coolant pressure cap must be fully tightened to
prevent loss of coolant, and to insure that coolant will
return to the radiator from the coolant recovery bottle.
The coolant pressure cap should be inspected and
cleaned if there is any accumulation of foreign material
on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
The warning words ªDO NOT OPEN HOTº on the
coolant pressure cap are a safety precaution. Never
add coolant to the radiator when the engine is over-
heated. Do not loosen or remove the coolant pressure
cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat causes pres-
sure to build up in the cooling system. To prevent
scalding or injury, do not remove the coolant pressure
cap while the system is hot or under pressure.
320 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for your
community. To prevent ingestion by animals or children
do not store ethylene glycol based engine coolant in open
containers or allow it to remain in puddles on the
ground. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
immediately. Clean up any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant recovery bottle provides a quick visual
method for determining that the coolant level is ad-
equate. With the engine cold, the level of the coolant in
the coolant recovery bottle should be between the
ªMAXº and ªMINº marks. The radiator normally re-
mains completely full, so there is no need to remove the
radiator cap except for checking coolant freeze point or
replacement with new antifreeze coolant. Your service
attendant should be advised of this. So long as the engineoperating temperature is satisfactory, the coolant recov-
ery bottle need only be checked once a month.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant recovery
bottle. Do not overfill.
Points to Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles of
operation, you may observe vapor coming from the front
of the engine compartment. This is normally a result of
moisture from rain, snow, or high humidity accumulat-
ing on the radiator and being vaporized when the
thermostat opens, allowing hot water to enter the radia-
tor.
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.
²Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 321
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