2006 DODGE CARAVAN radiator cap

Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at any time the ignition
switch 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.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, whereapplicable). 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 cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
coolant from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing
properly, the engine coolant (antifreeze) will begin to
drain from the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT RE-
MOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
416 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adding Engine Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
coolant can be used up to 5 Years or 100,000 miles before
replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance period, it is important that you use the same
coolant throughout the life of your vehicle. Please review
these recommendations for using Hybrid Organic Addi-
tive Technology (HOAT) coolant.
When adding coolant, a minimum solution of 50% rec-
ommended Mopar Antifreeze/ Coolant 5 Year/100,000
Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technol-
ogy), or equivalent, in 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.
418 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.
Engine Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine cold, the level of the coolant in the coolant
recovery bottle should be between the ranges indicated
on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
coolant freeze point or replacing coolant. Advise your
service attendant of this. As long as the engine operating
temperature is satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only
be checked once a month.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 419
7

Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 346
Oil (Engine).......................... 404
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 418
Car Washes............................ 429
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 345
Cargo Compartment
Luggage Carrier....................... 190
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 189
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 272
Cassette Tape Player................214,234,238
Catalytic Converter...................... 407
Caution, Exhaust Gas..............37,83,345,415
CD (Compact Disc) Changer.....223,230,242,255,256
CD (Compact Disc)
Player..........220,224,228,234,240,244,247,251,254
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance........ 273
Cellular Phone........................94,274
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 442Center Lap Belts......................... 51
Chains, Tire............................ 339
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 368
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 321
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light).............210,399
Child Restraint.......................... 69
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 74
Child Safety Locks........................ 33
Child Seat............................69,76
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 342
Climate Control......................... 274
Clock................................ 212
Coat Hook............................ 189
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 273
Compact Disc (CD) Player...............214,220
Compact Spare Tire...................... 332
Compass.............................. 159
Compass Calibration..................... 159
484 INDEX

Compass Variance....................... 160
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 162
Console, Overhead....................... 158
Console, Removable...................184,185
Contract, Service........................ 476
Coolant Pressure Cap..................... 418
Cooling System......................... 416
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 418
Coolant Capacity...................... 443
Coolant Level......................416,419
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 419
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 417
Inspection........................... 419
Points to Remember.................... 420
Pressure Cap......................... 418
Radiator Cap......................... 418
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......417,443,444
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 155
Cruise Light........................... 211Cup Holder.........................177,432
Customer Assistance..................... 474
Daytime Running Lights................... 145
Dealer Service.......................... 400
Defroster, Rear Window................... 300
Defroster, Windshield................84,279,290
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 398
Dimmer Control........................ 144
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission................. 426
Oil (Engine).......................... 401
Disabled Vehicle Towing................... 391
Disarming, Theft System................... 27
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 419
Engine Oil........................... 405
Domelight............................. 144
Door Ajar Light......................... 205
INDEX 485
10

Panic Alarm............................ 23
Parking Brake.......................... 313
Parking On Hill......................... 313
Passing Light........................... 148
Pedals, Adjustable....................... 153
Pets, Transporting........................ 78
Phone, Cellular.......................... 94
Phone, Hands-Free (UConnect™) ............. 94
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 324
Power
Brakes.............................. 314
Distribution Center..................... 434
Door Locks........................... 18
Lift Gate............................. 35
Mirrors.............................. 92
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet).......... 175
Seats............................... 118
Sliding Door.......................... 30
Steering............................. 317Steering, Checking..................... 412
Sunroof............................. 173
Windows............................. 41
Power Steering Fluid..................... 445
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 53
Preparation for Jacking.................369,381
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 51
Programmable Electronic Features......164,169,172
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry)...............23,169,172
Radial Ply Tires......................... 331
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......416,418
Radio Broadcast Signals................... 212
Radio Operation...................234,252,274
Radio Remote Controls.................258,270
Radio, Satellite.......................... 266
Radio (Sound Systems).........214,224,234,244,251
INDEX 493
10