2004 DODGE CARAVAN radiator cap

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
7

Filter............................... 328
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 328
Fluid Level Check...................... 327
Interlock System....................... 232
Reset Mode.......................... 233
Selection Of Lubricant................326,345
Shifting............................. 233
Special Additives...................... 329
Ball Joints............................. 314
Battery............................... 311
Gas Caution.......................... 311
Jump Starting......................... 288
Keyless Transmitter Replacement............ 25
Saving Feature........................ 101
Bearings.............................. 330
Belts, Drive............................ 307
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 315
B-Pillar Location........................ 247Brake, Parking.......................... 235
Brake System........................237,323
Anti-Lock........................... 237
Fluid Check.......................324,345
Hoses.............................. 323
Warning Light........................ 151
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 232
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 70
Bulb Replacement....................... 339
Bulbs, Light............................ 338
Calibration, Compass..................... 112
Capacities, Fluid........................ 343
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 270
Radiator............................ 320
Car Washes............................ 331
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 269
Cargo ................................ 135
INDEX 383
10

Radiator Cap......................... 320
Selection of Coolant..................319,344
Cruise Control.......................... 107
Cruise Light........................... 157
Cup Holder.........................129,334
Customer Assistance..................... 372
Daytime Running Lights................... 101
Dealer Service.......................... 302
Defroster, Rear Window................... 222
Defroster, Windshield................72,203,213
Digital Video Disc Player.................. 187
Dimmer Control......................... 99
Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle.................... 327
Disposal
Antifreeze........................... 321
Domelight............................. 99
Door Ajar Light......................... 151Door Locks............................. 17
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 19
Door Opener, Garage..................... 119
Drive Belts............................ 307
Drive Shaft Universal Joints................ 315
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 290
DVD Player............................ 187
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 79
Electrical Power Outlets................... 127
Electronic Speed Control................... 107
Electronic Vehicle Information Center.......... 115
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 282
Overheating.......................... 281
Emission Control System Maintenance......301,348
Engine............................298,299
Air Cleaner.......................... 309
INDEX 385
10

Panic Alarm............................ 22
Parking Brake.......................... 235
Parking On Hill......................... 236
Passing Light........................... 103
Pedals, Adjustable....................... 106
Pets.................................. 66
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 247
Power
Brakes.............................. 237
Distribution Center..................... 336
Door Locks........................... 18
Lift Gate............................. 34
Mirrors.............................. 79
Outlet.............................. 127
Seats................................ 81
Sliding Door.......................... 29
Steering............................. 240
Steering, Checking..................... 314
Sunroof............................. 125Windows............................. 37
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 48
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 47
Programmable Electronic Features...... 116,120,124
Programming Transmitters............23,120,124
Radial Ply Tires......................... 255
Radiator Cap........................319,320
Radio..........................161,171,178
Radio Broadcast Signals................... 160
Radio Operation........................ 198
Radio Remote Controls.................189,195
Rear Air Conditioning.................206,214
Rear Cup Holder........................ 130
Rear Heater............................ 206
Rear Seat Removal......................88,90
Rear Seating Flexibility..................92,94
Rear Window Defroster................... 222
392 INDEX