2009 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY oil temperature

vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A
chime will sound for four minutes when this light turns
on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not indicate how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
7. Engine Temperature Warning LightThis light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. As temperatures rise and the gauge ap-
proaches H, this indicator will illuminate and a
single chime will sound after reaching a set threshold.
Further overheating will cause the temperature gauge to
pass H, the indicator will continuously flash and a
continuous chime will occur until the engine is allowed
to cool.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and
stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the ve-
hicle. If the temperature reading does not return to
normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service. Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in Section 6
for more information.
8. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
9. Turn Signal Indicators
The arrow will flash with the exterior turn signal
when the turn signal lever is operated.
If the vehicle electronics sense that the vehicle has
traveled about 1 mile (1.6 km) with the turn signals on, a
continuous chime will sound to alert you to turn the
signals off. If either indicator flashes at a rapid rate, check
for a defective outside light bulb.
248 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

24. Message Display Area
When the appropriate conditions exist, the following
odometer messages will display:
CHAngE OIL............... Oil Change Required
HOTOIL ............... Tr ansaxle Oil Temperature
Exceeds Safe Threshold
door ............................. Door Ajar
gATE ........................... Liftgate Ajar
gASCAP ....................... Fuel Cap Fault
hood ............................ Hood Ajar
noFUSE .......................... Fuse Fault
LoCOOL ........................ Low Coolant
LoWASH .................... LowW asher Fluid
LoW tirE ..................... LowTirePr essure
NOTE: Some of the above warnings will be displayed in
the Compass Mini-Trip Computer / Electronic Vehicle
Information Center Display Area located in the instru-
ment cluster. Refer to ”Compass Mini-Trip Computer (CMTC)
Display— If Equipped” / ”Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC) Display — If Equipped” later in this
section, for more information.
LoW tirE
When the appropriate condition exists, the odometer
display will toggle between LoW and tirE for three
cycles.
HOTOIL
When this message is displayed there is a transaxle
over-temperature condition. When this condition occurs,
the “HOTOIL” message will be displayed in the odom-
eter along with a chime.
If this message appears, stop the vehicle and run the
engine at idle or faster, with the transmission in NEU-
TRAL, until the light goes off.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 255

For best results, a refueling pattern that avoids alternat-
ing between E-85 and unleaded gasoline is recom-
mended.
When you do switch fuel types, it is recommended that:
•you do not add less than 5 gal (19 L) when refueling
•you drive the vehicle immediately after refueling for at
least 5 miles (8 km)
Observing these precautions will avoid possible hard
starting and/or significant deterioration in driveability
during warm up.
NOTE:
•Use seasonally adjusted E-85 fuel (ASTM D5798). With
non-seasonally adjusted E-85 fuel, you may experience
hard starting and rough idle following start-up, even if
the above recommendations are followed, especially
when the ambient temperature is below 32°F (0°C).
•Some additives used in regular gasoline are not fully
compatible with E–85 and may form deposits in your
engine. To eliminate driveability issues that may be
caused by these deposits, a supplemental gasoline
additive, such as MOPAR Injector Cleanup or
Techron may be used.
Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
E-85 and Gasoline Vehicles
FFV vehicles operated on E–85 require specially formu-
lated engine oils. These special requirements are included
in MOPAR engine oils, and in equivalent oils meeting
Chrysler Specification MS-6395. The manufacturer only
recommends engine oils that are API Certified and meet
the requirements of Material Standard MS-6395. MS-6395
contains additional requirements, developed during ex-
tensive fleet testing, to provide additional protection to
Chrysler LLC engines. Use MOPAR or an equivalent oil
meeting the specification MS-6395.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 391

•You can also turn the Temperature Control to maxi-
mum heat, the Mode Control to floor and 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 “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”, 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.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 417

Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade) — 3.3L & 3.8L
Gasoline Engines
SAE 5W-20engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy. Your engine oil filler
cap also shows the recommended engine oil viscosity for
your vehicle.
For information on engine oil filler cap location, refer to
“Engine Compartment” in this section.
Lubricants that do not have both the engine oil certifica-
tion mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade number,
should not be used.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade) — 4.0L Gasoline
Engines
SAE 10W-30 engine oil is preferred for all operating
temperatures. Your engine oil filler cap also shows the
recommended engine oil viscosity for your vehicle. For information on engine oil filler cap location, refer to
“Engine Compartment” in this section.
Lubricants that do not have both the engine oil certifica-
tion mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade number,
should not be used.
Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils provided the recom-
mended oil quality requirements are met, and the recom-
mended maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes
are followed.
Materials Added to Engine Oil
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
the engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and its
performance may be impaired by supplemental
additives.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 447

Cooling............................. 457
Exhaust Gas Caution ................ 51,94,388
Flooded, Starting ...................... 335
Fuel Requirements .................. 384,488
Oil ........................... 445,488,489
Oil Change Interval .................... 446
Oil Disposal .......................... 448
Oil Filler Cap ......................... 447
Oil Filter Disposal ..................... 448
Oil Selection ....................... 446,488
Oil Synthetic ......................... 447
Overheating .......................... 416
Starting ............................. 334
Temperature Gauge .................... 253
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 70
Event Data Recorder ...................... 74
Exhaust Gas Caution ..............51,94,388,449
Exhaust System ....................... 94,449
Express Down Windows ................... 22 Extender, Seat Belt
........................ 63
Exterior Folding Mirrors ................... 104
Exterior Lights .......................... 96
Fabric Care ............................ 471
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 257
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 448
Air Conditioning .................... 330,453
Engine Oil ........................ 448,489
Engine Oil Disposal .................... 448
Flashers Hazard Warning ....................... 416
Turn Signal ........................ 96,248
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 186
Flat Tire Stowage ........................ 427
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ....................... 392
Engine Oil ........................... 391
10
INDEX 525

Liftgate................................ 48
Light Bulbs ............................. 96
Lights .............................. 96,179
Airbag ...................... 65,69,73,95,253
Alarm .............................. 251
Anti-Lock ........................... 251
Automatic Headlights ................... 181
Back-Up ............................ 486
Battery Saver ......................... 184
Brake Assist Warning ................... 356
Brake Warning ........................ 249
Bulb Replacement ................... 482,483
Center Mounted Stop ................... 487
Daytime Running ...................... 183
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ............... 180
Engine Temperature Warning .............. 248
Exterior .............................. 96
Fog .......................... 183,252,485
Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 416 Headlight Switch
...................... 181
Headlights On Reminder ................. 183
High Beam Indicator .................... 252
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............. 185
Illuminated Entry ....................... 19
Interior .......................... 179,180
License ............................. 487
Lights On Reminder .................... 183
Low Fuel ............................ 245
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ........ 252
Oil Pressure .......................... 247
Park ............................ 181,484
Passing ............................. 186
Reading ............................. 205
Rear Servicing ........................ 486
Rear Tail ............................ 486
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... 252
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) .............. 251
Service ........................... 482,483
10
INDEX 529

Engine Fails to Start.................... 335
Remote .............................. 27
Starting and Operating .................... 334
Starting Procedures ...................... 334
Steering Power ........................... 347,348
Tilt Column .......................... 191
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound
System Controls ......................... 309
Storage ............................ 223,482
Storage Bin ............................ 223
Storage, Vehicle ...................... 328,482
Storing Your Vehicle ...................... 482
Stow n Go (Fold in Floor) Seats ............. 155
Sun Roof .............................. 213
Sunglasses Storage ....................... 205
Sunroof Maintenance ..................... 216
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag ........ 64
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 447 System, Remote Starting
.................... 27
Tachometer ............................ 251
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ........ 319
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......253,417
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............... 84
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 191
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 362
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 361
Tire Markings .......................... 357
Tire Safety Information .................... 357
Tires ............................ 96,366,516
Aging (Life of Tires) .................... 372
Air Pressure .......................... 366
Chains .............................. 373
Changing ............................ 418
Compact Spare ........................ 369
Flat Changing ........................ 427
General Information .................... 366
10
INDEX 535