2009 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY check transmission fluid

CAUTION!
•Always check the depth of the standing water
before driving through it. Never drive through
standing water that is deeper than the bottom of
the tire rims mounted on the vehicle.
•Determine the condition of the road or the path
that is under water and if there are any obstacles in
the way before driving through the standing wa-
ter.
•Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving
through standing water. This will minimize wave
effects.(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Driving through standing water may cause dam-
age to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil,
transmission/transaxle, axle, etc.) for signs of con-
tamination (i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in
appearance) after driving through standing water.
Do not continue to operate the vehicle if any fluid
appears contaminated, as this may result in further
damage. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
346 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended maintenance
intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in these
components as the chemicals can damage your
engine, transmission, power steering or air condi-
tioning. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed
because of component malfunction, use only the
specified fluid for the flushing procedure.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time tocheck the engine oil level is about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut OFF or before starting the
engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level between the MIN and MAX markings on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the MIN mark will result in a MAX reading on these
engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause oil aeration, or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 445

Automatic Transaxle
The automatic transaxle and differential assembly are
contained within a single housing.
The fluid level in the automatic transaxle should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transaxle and the fluid.
All four–speed transaxles are equipped with a conven-
tional filler tube and dipstick. If fluid is added, it should
be added through the filler tube.
All six–speed transaxles are equipped with a capped
dipstick tube. It is sealed and should not be tampered
with. Your authorized dealer has the necessary tools to
ensure that the fluid level is set properly.
Selection of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transaxle to assure optimum transaxle performance. Useonly the manufacturer’s recommended transmission
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts” in
this section for the correct fluid type. It is important that
the transmission fluid be maintained at the prescribed
level using the recommended fluid. No chemical flushes
should be used in any transaxle; only the approved
lubricant may be used.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transaxle shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder. Using a transmission fluid other than the
manufacturer’s recommended fluid will result in
more frequent fluid and filter changes. Refer to
“Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts” in this sec-
tion for the correct fluid type.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 465

If the fluid level indicates that it is low, add sufficient
fluid to bring it to the proper level.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill. Dirt and water in the transaxle can
cause serious damage. To prevent dirt and water from
entering the transaxle after checking or replenishing
fluid, make certain that the dipstick cap is reseated
properly.
Fluid and Filter Changes
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 for the
proper maintenance intervals.
If the transaxle is disassembled for any reason, the fluid
and filter should be changed.
Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transaxle. The only exception to this policy is
the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid leaks. In
addition, avoid using transaxle sealers as they may
adversely affect seals.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission as
the chemicals can damage your transmission compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 467

Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)......... 319
Automatic Transaxle ...................... 337
Adding Fluid ......................... 466
Fluid Level Check ..................... 466
Interlock System ....................... 338
Selection Of Lubricant ................465,490
Shifting ............................. 339
Special Additives ...................... 467
Automatic Transmission ................465,467
Adding Fluid ...................... 466,467
Fluid and Filter Changes ................. 467
Fluid Change ......................... 467
Fluid Level Check ..................... 466
Fluid Type ........................ 465,490
Battery ............................... 451
Gas Caution .......................... 451
Jump Starting ......................... 430
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ....... 26Saving Feature (Protection)
............... 184
Belts, Seat .............................. 95
Blind Spot Monitoring .................... 106
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 455
B-Pillar Location ........................ 362
Brake Assist System ...................... 354
Brake Control System, Electronic ............. 353
Brake Fluid ............................ 490
Brake, Parking .......................... 349
Brake System ........................... 462
Fluid Check .......................... 463
Warning Light ........................ 249
Brakes ............................... 462
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 337
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 93
Bulb Replacement ....................... 483
Bulbs, Light .......................... 96,482
Calibration, Compass .................. 260,267
10
INDEX 521

Fuel Requirements.................. 389,390
Maintenance ......................... 392
Replacement Parts ..................... 392
Starting ............................. 392
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 335
Floor Console .......................... 228
Fluid Capacities ......................... 488
Fluid Leaks ............................. 96
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transaxle .................... 466
Automatic Transmission ................. 466
Brake .............................. 463
Power Steering ........................ 348
Fluids ................................ 489
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 489
Fog Light Service ........................ 485
Fog Lights ....................... 183,252,485
Fold in Floor (Stow n Go) Seating........... 155
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 432 Fuel
................................. 384
Adding ............................. 393
Additives ............................ 387
Clean Air ............................ 385
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ................. 257,393
Filler Door (Gas Cap) ................... 257
Gasoline ............................ 384
Gauge .............................. 245
Light ............................... 245
Octane Rating ........................ 489
Requirements ...................... 384,488
Tank Capacity ........................ 488
Fuel, Flexible ............. See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fuel System Caution ..................... 387
Fueling ............................... 393
Fuses ................................ 473
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 207
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...............393,394
526 INDEX