2009 DODGE JOURNEY air conditioning

Towing Tips — Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transaxle overheating,
take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods, put transaxle in NEU-
TRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
Refer to “Cooling System” under “Maintenance Pro-
cedures” in Section 7.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE (Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On
The Ground)
Recreational towing for this vehicle is not recommended.
NOTE: If the vehicle requires towing, make sure all four
wheels are off the ground.
392 STARTING AND OPERATING

Air Conditioner Maintenance
For best possible performance, your air conditioner
should be checked and serviced by an authorized dealer
at the start of each warm season. This service should
include cleaning of the condenser fins and a performance
test. Drive belt tension should also be checked at this
time.WARNING!
•Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer to
Section 3 of the Warranty Information book for
further warranty information.
•The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced technician.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 433
7

Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluoro-
carbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental
Protection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by authorized dealers or other
service facilities using recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE:Use only manufacturer approved A/C system
sealers, stop leak products, seal conditioners, compressor
oil, and refrigerants.
A/C Air Filter — If Equipped
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule in Section 8 for A/C
air filter service intervals.
WARNING!
Do not remove the A/C air filter while the blower is
operating or personal injury may result.
The A/C air filter is located in the fresh air inlet behind
the glove box. Perform the following steps to replace the
filter:
1. Open the glove box and remove all contents.
2. Push the retaining tab on each side of the glove box
inward while gently pulling the glove box door outward
until both tabs clear the door opening in the instrument
panel.
434 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled water for proper
corrosion protection of your engine, which contains
aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean, also.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory coolant performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
Hoses and Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses
Inspect surfaces of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence
of heat and mechanical damage. Hard or soft spots,
brittle rubber, cracking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and exces-
sive swelling indicate deterioration of the rubber
Pay particular attention to the hoses nearest to high heat
sources such as the exhaust manifold. Inspect hose rout-
ing to be sure hoses do not touch any heat source or
moving component that may cause heat damage or
mechanical wear.
Ensure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed
Inspect all hose connections such as clamps and cou-
plings to make sure they are secure and no leaks are
present.
Components should be replaced immediately if there is
any evidence of wear or damage that could cause failure.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 445
7

Required Maintenance Intervals
Perform Maintenance Every(Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items MilesKilometers or Months
Change the engine oil and engine oil filter. 6,00010 000 6
Rotate the tires. 6,00010 000 6
If using your vehicle in dusty or off-road conditions,
inspect the engine air cleaner filter, and replace if nec-
essary. 12,000
20 000 12
Inspect the brake linings, and replace if necessary. 12,00020 000 12
Replace the air conditioning filter (if equipped). 12,00020 000 12
Inspect the CV Joints. Perform the first inspection at
12,000 mi (20 000 km) or 12 months. 24,000
40 000 24
Inspect the exhaust system. Perform the first inspec-
tion at 12,000 mi (20 000 km) or 12 months. 24,000
40 000 24
Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot
seals, and replace if necessary. 24,000
40 000 24
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. 30,00050 000 30
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 481
8
M
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About Your Brakes.................... 323,326
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) .........215,327,328
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 442
Adding Fuel ........................... 372
Adding Rear Washer Fluid ................. 194
Adding Washer Fluid ...............157,194,438
Additives, Fuel ......................... 371
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 429
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 433
Air Conditioning ..................... 288,289
Air Conditioning Controls ...............288,289
Air Conditioning Filter .................301,434
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 302
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............433,434
Air Conditioning System ..........288,289,293,433
Air Pressure, Tires .................... 213,346
Airbag ................................ 50
Airbag Deployment ..................... 56,60
Airbag Light ..................... 57,63,80,218Airbag Maintenance
....................... 62
Airbag, Side .......................... 52,58
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) .............52,58
Alarm, Panic ............................ 24
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................18,208
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............... 18
Alignment and Balance ................... 354
All Wheel Drive (AWD) ................... 319
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 272
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........441,442,472
Disposal ............................ 443
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............327,328
Anti-Lock Warning Light .............215,328,329
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 18
Anti-Theft System ....................... 208
Appearance Care ........................ 452
Arming Theft System (Security Alarm) ......... 18
Assistance Towing ....................... 106
496 INDEX

FiltersAir Cleaner .......................... 429
Air Conditioning .................... 301,434
Automatic Transaxle .................... 451
Engine Oil ........................ 428,474
Engine Oil Disposal .................... 428
Flashers Hazard Warning ....................... 394
Turn Signal ...................... 81,149,207
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 150
Flexible Fuel Vehicles ..................... 364
Cruising Range ........................ 367
Engine Oil ........................... 366
Fuel Requirements .................. 364,365
Maintenance ....................... 364,367
Replacement Parts ..................... 367
Starting ............................. 367
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 310
Floor Console .......................... 183 Fluid, Brake
........................... 476
Fluid Capacities ......................... 472
Fluid Leaks ............................. 81
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transaxle .................... 449
Brake ............................ 447,476
Cooling System ....................... 440
Engine Oil ........................... 424
Power Steering ..................... 436,476
Fluids ................................ 474
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 474
Fog Light Service ........................ 467
Fog Lights .................... 146,148,207,467
Folding Front Passenger Seat ............... 128
Folding Rear Seat ..................... 141,134
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 410
Front Wheel Bearings ..................... 451
Fuel ................................. 368
Adding ............................. 372
INDEX 503
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