2007 DODGE CARAVAN coolant temperature

15. Vehicle Theft Alarm Light — If Equipped This light will flash for approximately 15 sec-
onds when the vehicle theft alarm is arming.
16. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.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.
216 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Rear Mode Control
The Rear Mode Control, located in
the headliner near the center of
the vehicle can be used to select
between Auto, Headliner, Bi-
Level and Floor modes.
Auto Mode
The rear system automatically maintains the correct
mode and comfort level desired by the rear seat occu-
pants.
Floor Mode Air comes from the floor outlets. Bi-Level Mode
Air comes from both the headliner outlets and the
floor outlets.
NOTE: In many temperature positions, the bi-level
mode is designed to provide cooler air out of the head-
liner outlets and warmer air from the floor outlets.
Headliner Mode Air comes from the outlets in the headliner. Each of
these outlets can be individually adjusted to direct
the flow of air. Moving the air vane knob on the outlets to
one side will shut off the air flow.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A 50% solution of ethylene
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 299
4

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, 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 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.
434 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.
436 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do
not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE: When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles (a
few kilometers) 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 accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot coolant to
enter the radiator. 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.
•Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
•Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, contents of coolant recovery bottle must also be
protected against freezing.
•If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop when
the engine cools, the cooling system should be pres-
sure tested for leaks.
•Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled water for proper
corrosion protection of your engine which contains
aluminum components.
438 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adding Fuel........................... 357
Adding Washer Fluid .................. 303,432
Additives, Fuel ......................... 355
Adjustable Pedals ....................... 163
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 428
Air Conditioning ..................... 278,284
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 278
Air Conditioning Filter .................301,429
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 301
Air Conditioning, Rear Zone .............286,296
Air Conditioning Refrigerant ............... 428
Air Conditioning System ..........278,284,289,428
Air Conditioning System, Zone Control ........ 279
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 337
Airbag ................................ 57
Airbag Deployment ....................... 69
Airbag Light ................... 62,63,72,90,214
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 71
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ............... 58 Alarm Light
........................... 216
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................... 18
Alignment and Balance ................... 344
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 274
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........435,436,461
Disposal ............................ 437
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............. 321
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 214
Anti-Theft System ........................ 18
Appearance Care ........................ 446
Ashtray ............................... 188
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 33
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 96
Automatic Door Locks ................... 29,30
Automatic Headlights .................... 153
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 289
Automatic Transaxle .................... 12,315
Interlock System ..................... 15,316
496 INDEX

Fold in Floor (Stown Go) Seating........... 129
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 407
Fuel ................................. 353
Adding ............................. 357
Additives ............................ 355
Clean Air ............................ 354
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................... 357
Gasoline ............................ 353
Gauge .............................. 211
Hoses .............................. 442
Light ............................... 212
Octane Rating ...................... 353,462
Requirements ...................... 353,461
Tank Capacity ........................ 461
Fuel, Flexible ............. See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fuel System Caution ..................... 356
Fueling ............................... 357
Fuses ................................ 452 Garage Door Opener (HomeLink
) ........... 177
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............357,359,416
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 354
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 353
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 354
Gauges Coolant Temperature .................... 216
Fuel ................................ 211
Speedometer ......................... 213
Tachometer .......................... 215
Gearshift .............................. 317
General Information ...............18,25,123,353
Glass Cleaning .......................... 449
Grocery Bag Retainer ..................... 144
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............364,368
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............364,368
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect™) ............. 100
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 384
502 INDEX

Wheel Lock........................... 14
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls .............................. 275
Storage ............................ 190,455
Storage Bin ............................ 190
Storage, Vehicle ...................... 300,455
Storing Your Vehicle ...................... 455
Stow n Go (Fold in Floor) Seats ............. 129
Sun Roof .............................. 183
Sun Visor Extension ....................... 99
Sunglasses Storage ....................... 168
Sunroof Maintenance ..................... 185
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag ........ 57
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 423
System, Navigation ...................... 257
Tachometer ............................ 215
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ........ 289
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......216,385 Tether Anchor, Child Restraint
............... 79
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 158
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 332
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 330
Tire Markings .......................... 327
Tire Safety Information .................... 327
Tires ............................ 90,336,491
Aging (Life of Tires) .................... 343
Air Pressure .......................... 336
Alignment ........................... 344
Chains .............................. 345
Changing ............................ 386
Compact Spare ........................ 340
Flat Changing ........................ 395
General Information .................... 336
High Speed .......................... 339
Inflation Pressures ..................... 337
Jacking ........................ 386,387,399
Life of Tires .......................... 343
INDEX 511
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