2004 DODGE INTREPID oil temperature

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 “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”, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never get any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
center where it can be raised on a lift.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 153
6

Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground also
will improve the accuracy of the oil level readings.
Maintain the oil level between the MIN and MAX
markings on the dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when
the reading is at the MIN mark will result in a MAX
reading on these engines.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C)
•Stop and go driving
•Extensive engine idling
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
2.7L Engine Oil Fill
3.5L Engine Oil Fill
174 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

The proper SAE viscosity grade of engine oil should be
selected based on the following recommendations and be
within the operating temperature shown in the engine oil
viscosity charts.
SAE 10W-30 oil is preferred for use in 3.5L engines within
the operating temperatures shown in the viscosity chart.
SAE 5W-30 engine oil is allowed for use in the 3.5L
engine during cold weather only to improve cold
weather starting.SAE 5W-30 oil is preferred for use in 2.7L engines within
the operating temperatures shown in the viscosity chart.
You are encouraged to use SAE 5W-30 oils to aid in low
temperature starting and for improved fuel economy.
Synthetic Engine Oils
There are a growing number of engine oils being pro-
moted as either synthetic or semi-synthetic. If you choose
to use such a product, useonlythose oils that meet the
American Petroleum Institute (API) and SAE viscosity
standard. Follow the service schedule that describes your
driving type.
Materials Added To Engine Oils
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and it’s
performance may be impaired by supplemental addi-
tives.
Disposing of Used Engine Oil
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil from
your vehicle. Used oil, indiscriminately discarded, can
present a problem to the environment. Contact your
dealer, service station, or governmental agency for advice
3.5L Engine Oil Chart
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 177
7

SCHEDULE “B”
Follow schedule “B” if you usually operate your vehicle
under one or more of the following conditions. Change
the automatic transmission fluid and filter every 60,000
miles (96 000 km) if the vehicle is usually operated under
one or more of the conditions marked with an.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32° F (0° C).
•Stop and go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90° F (32° C).
•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, police or delivery service (commercial ser-
vices).
•Off-road or desert operation.
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
SCHEDULE “B” 215
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Additives........................... 146
Filler Cap........................... 147
Filter.............................. 180
Gauge.............................. 88
Light............................... 88
Materials Added...................... 146
Octane Rating........................ 143
System Hoses........................ 194
Fuses.............................201,202
Garage Door Opener..................... 70
GasCap .............................. 147
Gasoline, Reformulated.................. 144
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............... 144
Gauges
Coolant Temperature................... 89
Fuel................................ 88
Oil Pressure.......................... 88
Speedometer/Odometer................. 91
Glass Cleaning......................... 200
Glove Compartment..................... 14
Hazard Warning Flasher.................. 152Head Restraints......................... 57
Headlights
Bulb Replacement..................... 204
Cleaning............................ 200
Dimmer Switch....................... 64
Lights On Reminder.................... 62
Switch.............................. 62
Time Delay........................... 62
Heater............................ 114,117
High Beam Indicator..................... 89
Holder, Cup........................... 52
Homelink Transmitter.................... 70
Hood Latch Maintenance................. 185
Hood Release.......................... 59
Hook, Coat............................ 52
Hoses............................191,194
Ignition
Key ...............................9,12
Lock............................... 13
Illuminated Entry....................... 14
Immobilizer............................. 9
Infant Restraint......................... 41
242 INDEX

Service Engine Soon Light................ 169
Service Manuals........................ 233
Setting the Clock........................ 93
Shoulder Belts.......................... 31
Side Airbag............................ 38
Side View Mirror Adjustment............... 54
Side Window Demisters.................. 122
Signals, Turn........................... 64
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 161
Snow Chains.......................... 140
Snow Tires............................ 140
Spare Tire............................ 139
Spark Plugs........................... 178
Specifications.......................... 208
Engine............................. 208
Speed Control........................67,89
Speedometer........................... 89
Starting.............................. 127
Steering
Linkage............................ 184
Power...........................135,183
Tilt Column.......................... 65
Stuck, Freeing......................... 162Sulfur in Gasoline...................... 145
Sun Roof............................76,77
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 33
Synthetic Engine Oil..................... 177
Tachometer............................ 88
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant......... 153
Theft Alarm............................ 23
Theft System........................... 23
Tilt Steering Column..................... 65
Time Delay, Headlight.................... 62
Timing Belt........................... 180
Tires ...........................48,136,235
Air Pressure......................136,137
Alignment.......................... 143
Balancing........................... 143
Chains............................. 140
Changing........................153,154
Flat Changing........................ 153
High Speed......................... 138
Jacking............................. 154
Pressure Label....................... 137
Quality Grading...................... 235
INDEX 247
10