2009 DODGE JOURNEY Owners Manual

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
2.4L Engine Compartment ................418
 2.7L Engine Compartment ................419
 3.5L Engine Compartment ................420
 Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II ........421
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............421
 Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs ............................422
 Replacement Parts ......................423
 Authorized Dealer Service ................424 
Maintenance Procedures ..................424
▫ Engine Oil ..........................424
▫ Engine Oil Filter ......................428
▫ Drive Belts — Check Condition And Tension . . 428
▫ Spark Plugs .........................429
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................429
▫ Catalytic Converter ....................429
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ................431
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance .............433
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▫A/C Air Filter — If Equipped ............434
▫ Power Steering — Fluid Check ............436
▫ Front Suspension Ball Joints ..............437
▫ Steering Linkage ......................437
▫ Body Lubrication .....................437
▫ Wiper Blades ........................437
▫ Windshield Washers/Rear Window Washer . . . 438
▫ Exhaust System ......................439
▫ Cooling System .......................440
▫ Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses .......445
▫ Fuel System .........................446
▫ Brake System ........................446
▫ Automatic Transaxle ...................449 ▫
Front And Rear Wheel Bearings ...........451
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion ...........................452
▫ Cleaning The Cupholders ...............457
 Fuses (Totally Integrated Power Module) ......457
 Vehicle Storage ........................464
 Replacement Bulbs ......................465
 Bulb Replacement ......................466
▫ Low Beam Headlight, High Beam Headlight,
Front Turn Signal/Park Light, Side
Marker Light ........................466
▫ Front Fog Light ......................467
▫ Tail/Stop Light, Rear Turn Signal Light,
Tail Light, Backup Light ................468
416 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

▫License Plate Light ....................470
 Fluids And Capacities ...................472
 Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts ........474▫
Engine .............................474
▫ Chassis ............................476
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 417
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2.4L ENGINE COMPARTMENT
1 — Coolant Bottle8 — Remote Jump-Start Positive Battery Post
2 — Engine Coolant Reservoir 9 — Remote Jump-Start Negative Post
3 — Power Steering Fluid 10 — Fuses (Totally Integrated Power Module [TIPM])
4 — Engine Oil Dipstick 11 — Air Cleaner Filter
5 — Engine Oil Fill 12 — Washer Fluid Bottle
6 — Automatic Transaxle Dipstick 13 — Engine Coolant Cap
7 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
418 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

2.7L ENGINE COMPARTMENT
1 — Coolant Bottle7 — Brake Fluid Reservoir
2 — Coolant Pressure Cap 8 — Remote Jump-Start Positive Battery Post
3 — Power Steering Fluid 9 — Remote Jump-Start Negative Post
4 — Engine Oil Fill 10 — Fuses (Totally Integrated Power Module [TIPM])
5 — Engine Oil Dipstick 11 — Air Cleaner Filter
6 — Automatic Transaxle Dispstick 12 — Washer Fluid Bottle
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 419
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3.5L ENGINE COMPARTMENT
1 — Coolant Bottle7 — Remote Jump-Start Positive Battery Post
2 — Coolant Pressure Cap 8 — Remote Jump-Start Negative Post
3 — Power Steering Fluid 9 — Fuses (Totally Integrated Power Module [TIPM])
4 — Engine Oil Fill 10 — Air Cleaner Filter
5 — Engine Oil Dipstick 11 — Washer Fluid Bottle
6 — Brake Fluid Reservoir
420 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated Onboard
Diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transaxle control systems. When these systems are oper-
ating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent per-
formance and fuel economy, as well as engine emissions
well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emissions control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability.
The vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
•If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap in loose, improperly installed, or damaged, the
word “gASCAP” will display in the odometer. If this
occurs, tighten the fuel filler cap until a “clicking” sound
is heard and press the TRIP ODOMETER button to turn
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 421
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off the message. If the problem persists, the message will
appear the next time the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the MIL.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of this vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) is functioning and is not on
when the engine is running, and that the OBD II system
is ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may notbe ready if the vehicle was recently serviced, recently had a dead battery, or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, the vehicle may fail the test.
This vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if this vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Insert the ignition key into the ignition switch.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
4. As soon as you turn the ignition key to the ON
position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part of
a normal bulb check.
422 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE