2008 DODGE CARAVAN radiator cap

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 ªHº, 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
ªHº, 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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 411
6

COOLING SYSTEM
WARNING!
²When 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 anytime the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
²You 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 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
456 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

drain from the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT RE-
MOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System Ð Drain, Flush and Refill
The system should be drained, flushed, and refilled at the
intervals shown in the ªMaintenance Scheduleº in Sec-
tion 8 of this manual.
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 manufacturer's recommended coolant, refer
to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct
coolant type.
CAUTION!
Mixing of coolants other than specified Hybrid Or-
ganic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolants,
may result in engine damage and may decrease
corrosion protection. If a non-HOAT coolant is intro-
duced into the cooling system in an emergency, it
should be replaced with the specified 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 anti-rust 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 Propylene
Glycol based coolants is not recommended.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 457
7

Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
coolant can be used up to five years or 102,000 mi (170
000 km) before replacement. To prevent reducing this
extended maintenance period, it is important that you
use the same coolant throughout the life of your vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) coolant.
When adding coolant, a minimum solution of 50% rec-
ommended MopartAntifreeze/ Coolant Five Year/
100,000 mi (160 934 km) Formula HOAT (Hybrid Organic
Additive Technology), or equivalent, in water should be
used. Use higher concentrations (not to exceed 70%) if
temperatures below234ÉF (237ÉC ) 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 ensure 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.
458 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
²The warning words ªDO NOT OPEN HOTº 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 scald-
ing or injury, do not remove the pressure cap while
the system is hot or under pressure.
²Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal of Used 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 yourcommunity. To prevent ingestion by animals or children
do 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 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 459
7

Brakes.............................337,462
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 328
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 93
Bulb Replacement....................... 482
Bulbs, Light............................ 481
Calibration, Compass..................240,246
Capacities, Fluid........................ 486
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 382
Oil (Engine).......................434,443
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 458
Car Washes............................ 468
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 381
Cargo Compartment
Luggage Carrier....................... 215
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 214
Catalytic Converter...................... 446
Caution, Exhaust Gas.................51,95,381CD (Compact Disc) Player...............280,283
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance........ 300
Cellular Phone.................104,283,284,299
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 485
Chains, Tire............................ 367
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 412
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 350
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light).............232,438
Child Restraint........................81,83
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 86
Child Safety Locks........................ 46
Child Seat.............................. 88
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 378
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 470
Climate Control......................... 301
Clock........................254,269,281,285
Coat Hook............................ 214
510 INDEX

Coin Holder........................... 201
Cold Weather Operation................... 325
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 300
Compact Spare Tire...................... 361
Compass........................238,240,246
Compass Calibration..................240,246
Compass Variance....................240,247
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 244
Connector
UCI ................................ 292
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI)......... 292
Console.............................. 201
Console, Floor.......................... 201
Console, Overhead....................... 182
Console, Removable...................207,211
Contract, Service........................ 501
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 458
Cooling System......................... 456
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 458Coolant Capacity...................... 486
Coolant Level......................456,459
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 459
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 457
Inspection........................... 459
Points to Remember.................... 460
Pressure Cap......................... 458
Radiator Cap......................... 458
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......457,486,487
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 179
Cup Holder.........................200,473
Customer Assistance..................... 499
Data Recorder, Event...................... 78
Daytime Running Lights................... 163
Dealer Service.......................... 440
Defroster, Rear Window................... 320
Defroster, Windshield................94,303,313
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 437
INDEX 511
10

Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 64
Programmable Electronic Features............ 248
Radial Ply Tires......................... 361
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......457,458
Radio Broadcast Signals................... 251
Radio, Navigation....................... 283
Radio Operation...................281,284,299
Radio Remote Controls.................... 299
Radio, Satellite............280,281,283,284,287,297
Radio (Sound Systems).................280,283
Rear Air Conditioning.................307,314
Rear Heater............................ 307
Rear Park Sense System................... 171
Rear Window Defroster................... 320
Rearview Mirrors........................ 100
Reclining Front Seats..................... 136
Recorder, Event Data...................... 78Recreational Towing...................407,429
Reminder, Seat Belt....................... 64
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)................. 21
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls........ 299
Remote Starting System.................... 28
Removable Floor Console...............207,211
Replacement Keys........................ 16
Replacement Parts....................... 440
Replacement Tires....................... 365
Reporting Safety Defects................... 503
Resetting Oil Change Indicator.........230,237,243
Restraint, Head......................... 134
Restraints, Child.......................81,88
Restraints, Infant......................... 81
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck................ 427
Roof Rack (Luggage Rack)................. 215
Rotation, Tires.......................... 368
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle................. 93
INDEX 521
10