2005 DODGE CARAVAN radiator cap

Cooling System
Inspection
WARNING!
•When 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.
•You 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
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before 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 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
from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing prop-
erly, the coolant will begin to drain from the coolant
394 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

recovery bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT
PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS
HOT.
Cooling System—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!
•Mixing of coolants other than specified engine
coolant, may result in engine damage, and de-
crease corrosion protection. If a non-HOAT cool-
ant is introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the speci-
fied coolant as soon as possible.
•Do not use plain water alone or alcohol base
engine coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use
additional rust inhibitors or antirust products, as
they may not be compatible with the radiator
engine coolant and may plug the radiator.
•This 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 395
7

Adding Coolant
When adding coolant, or refilling the system, a minimum
solution of 50% recommended HOAT ethylene glycol
engine coolant (antifreeze) and distilled water should be
used. Use higher concentrations (not to exceed 70%) if
temperatures below
34°F(
37°C) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/engine coolant 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.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The 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 cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
396 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•The warning words“DO NOT OPEN HOT”on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add coolant when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to
cool an overheated engine. Heat causes pressure
to build up in the cooling system. To prevent
scalding or injury, do not remove the pressure cap
while the system is hot or under pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or
engine damage may result.
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 childrendo 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
“MAX”and“MIN”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 engine
operating temperature is satisfactory, the coolant recov-
ery bottle need only be checked once a month.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 397
7

Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 334
Oil (Engine).......................... 382
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 396
Car Washes............................ 407
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 333
Cargo Compartment
Luggage Carrier....................... 182
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 181
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 260
Cassette Tape Player................206,216,221
Catalytic Converter...................... 385
Caution, Exhaust Gas..............38,83,333,393
CD Changer................215,224,238,240,243
CD Player.........212,216,223,226,229,233,236,243
CD Player Maintenance................... 261
Cellular Phone........................96,261
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 420
Center Lap Belts......................... 50Chains, Tire............................ 327
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 346
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 309
Check Engine Light (Malfunction
Indicator Light)......................202,377
Child Restraint.......................... 69
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 74
Child Safety Locks........................ 33
Child Seat............................68,76
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 331
Climate Control......................... 262
Clock................................ 204
Compact Disc Changer.................... 240
Compact Disc Maintenance................. 261
Compact Disc Player..................206,212
Compact Spare Tire...................... 320
Compass.............................. 151
Compass Calibration..................... 152
Compass Variance....................... 152
460 INDEX

Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 154
Console, Overhead....................... 150
Console, Removable...................176,178
Contract, Service........................ 450
Coolant Pressure Cap..................... 396
Cooling System......................... 394
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 396
Coolant Capacity...................... 421
Coolant Level......................394,397
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 397
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 395
Inspection........................... 394
Points to Remember.................... 398
Pressure Cap......................... 396
Radiator Cap......................... 396
Selection of Coolant...............395,421,422
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 147
Cruise Light........................... 204
Cup Holder.........................170,410Customer Assistance..................... 449
Daytime Running Lights................... 137
Dealer Service.......................... 378
Defroster, Rear Window................... 287
Defroster, Windshield................84,267,278
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 376
Digital Video Disc Player.................. 243
Dimmer Control........................ 135
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission................. 404
Oil (Engine).......................... 379
Disarming, Theft System................... 28
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 397
Engine Oil........................... 383
Domelight............................. 135
Door Ajar Light......................... 197
Door Locks............................. 17
INDEX 461
10

Phone, Cellular.......................... 96
Phone, Hands-Free....................... 96
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 313
Power
Brakes.............................. 302
Distribution Center..................... 412
Door Locks........................... 18
Lift Gate............................. 36
Mirrors.............................. 94
Outlet.............................. 168
Seats............................... 108
Sliding Door.......................... 31
Steering............................. 305
Steering, Checking..................... 390
Sunroof............................. 165
Windows............................. 39
Power Steering Fluid..................... 423
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 52
Preparation for Jacking.................347,359Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 50
Programmable Electronic Features......156,160,164
Programming Transmitters............23,160,164
Radial Ply Tires......................... 320
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......395,396
Radio Broadcast Signals................... 205
Radio Operation...................217,234,261
Radio Remote Controls.................246,258
Radio, Satellite.......................... 254
Radio (Sound Systems)...........206,216,226,233
Rear Air Conditioning.................270,279
Rear Cup Holder........................ 172
Rear Heater............................ 270
Rear Seat Removal....................124,126
Rear Seating Flexibility.................128,130
Rear Window Defroster................... 287
Rear Window Features.................... 284
INDEX 469
10