2005 DODGE CARAVAN oil temperature

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine 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”, and you hear continuous chimes, 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 of this manual. Follow
the warnings under the Cooling System Pressure
Cap paragraph.
17. Washer Fluid Light
This light turns on when the washer fluid level
falls below approximately 1/4 filled. The light will
remain on until fluid is added.
18. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transaxle gear
selection.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 201
4

Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to see if any apply to you.
•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 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 service).
•Off-Road or desert operation.IfANYof these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown in schedule“B”of the“Mainte-
nance Schedules”section of this manual.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown on schedule“A”of the“Main-
tenance Schedules”section of this manual
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change in-
tervals exceed 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends engine oils that are API certified and meet
the requirements of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard
MS-6395.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 381
7

American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)—2.4 Liter
Engines
SAE 5W-30 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy. Refer to your engine
oil filler cap for the recommended engine oil viscosity for
your vehicle.For information on engine oil filler cap location, refer to
the Engine Compartment illustration in this section.
Lubricants which do not have both, the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)—3.3/3.8 Liter
Engines
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy. Refer to your engine
oil filler cap for the recommended engine oil viscosity for
your vehicle.
For information on engine oil filler cap location, refer to
the Engine Compartment illustration in this section.
Lubricants which do not have both, the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
382 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. 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 wouldn’t have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake And Power Steering Hoses
When the vehicle is serviced for scheduled maintenance,
inspect surface of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence of
heat and mechanical damage. Hard and brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts, abrasion, and excessive swelling
indicate deterioration of the rubber. Particular attention
should be made to examining those hose surfaces nearest
to high heat sources, such as the exhaust manifold.Insure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
Inspect all hose connections such as clamps and cou-
plings to make sure they are secure and no leaks are
present.
NOTE:Often, fluid such as oil, power steering fluid,
and brake fluid are used during assembly plant opera-
tions to facilitate the assembly of hoses to couplings.
Therefore, oil wetness at the hose-coupling area is not
necessarily an indication of leakage. Actual dripping of
hot fluid when systems are under pressure (during
vehicle operation), should be noted before hose is re-
placed based on leakage.
NOTE:Inspection of brake hoses should be performed
whenever the brake system is serviced and every engine
oil change. Inspect hydraulic brake hoses for surface
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots. If there is any evidence
of cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, the hose should be
400 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Temperature Gauge..................... 200
Exhaust Gas Caution..............38,83,333,393
Exhaust System......................... 393
Extender, Seat Belt........................ 52
Exterior Folding Mirrors................... 93
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 384
Air Conditioning....................284,389
Automatic Transaxle.................... 405
Engine Oil........................383,422
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 383
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 344
Turn Signal.....................197,418,419
Flat Tire Stowage........................ 355
Fluid Capacities......................... 421
Fluid Leaks............................. 85Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 404
Brake............................... 401
Power Steering........................ 390
Fog Light Service........................ 419
Fog Lights..........................138,419
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 368
Fuel................................. 330
Adding............................. 334
Additives............................ 332
Clean Air............................ 331
Filler Cap............................ 334
Gasoline............................ 330
Gauge.............................. 196
Hoses.............................. 402
Light............................... 197
Octane Rating......................330,422
Requirements......................330,421
Tank Capacity........................ 421
INDEX 463
10

Liftgate................................ 35
Lights..............................85,134
Airbag........................57,68,84,199
Alarm.............................. 200
Anti-Lock........................... 199
Automatic Headlights................... 136
Back-Up............................. 419
Battery Saver......................... 137
Brake Warning........................ 197
Bulb Replacement...................415,416
Center Mounted Stop................... 420
Cruise.............................. 204
Dimmer Switch, Headlight............... 135
Door Ajar........................... 197
Engine Temperature Warning.............. 200
Fog .............................138,419
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 344
Headlight Switch...................... 135
Headlights........................... 416Headlights On Reminder................. 137
High Beam Indicator.................... 202
High Beam/Low Beam Select............. 139
Illuminated Entry....................... 16
Interior..........................134,135
License............................. 421
Liftgate Ajar.......................... 197
Lights On Reminder.................... 137
Low Fuel............................ 197
Malfunction Indicator................... 202
Oil Pressure.......................... 202
Park.............................135,418
Passing............................. 139
Reading............................. 150
Rear Servicing........................ 419
Rear Tail............................ 419
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 200
Security Alarm........................ 200
Service...........................415,416
466 INDEX

Steering
Column Controls...................... 138
Linkage............................. 391
Power...........................305,390
Shaft Seal............................ 391
Tilt Column.......................... 142
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls............................. 258
Storage............................173,415
Storage Bin............................ 173
Storage, Vehicle......................283,415
Storing Your Vehicle...................... 415
Sun Roof.............................. 165
Sun Visor Extension....................... 95
Sunglass Storage........................ 151
Sunroof Maintenance..................... 167
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag........ 53
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 383
System, Navigation...................... 240Tachometer............................ 199
Tape Player............................ 221
Temperature Control, Automatic............. 272
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......200,345
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 74
Theft Alarm............................ 27
Theft System............................ 27
Theft System Arming...................... 27
Theft System Disarming.................... 28
Tilt Steering Column..................... 142
Tire and Loading Information Placard......312,313
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 311
Tire Markings.......................... 308
Tire Safety Information.................... 308
Tires ............................85,316,455
Air Pressure.......................... 316
Alignment........................... 324
Chains.............................. 327
Changing............................ 346
472 INDEX