2009 DODGE JOURNEY brake fluid

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check Turn Signal and High
Beam Indicator Lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 81
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26. Brake System Warning LightThis light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the light turns on, it may indi-
cate that the parking brake is applied, that the
brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with the
ABS.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity to a portion of the hydraulic system in the event of a
failure. Failure of either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake System Warning Light, which will
turn on when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder
drops below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE: The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers due to a change in fluid level. If so,
the vehicle should have service performed and the brake
fluid level checked. Immediate repair is necessary if brake failure is indicated.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the Brake System Warning
Light on is dangerous. A significant decrease in
braking performance or vehicle stability during
braking may occur. It will take you longer to stop the
vehicle or will make your vehicle harder to control.
You could have an accident. Have the vehicle checked
immediately.
Vehicles equipped with ABS are also equipped with
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). Both the Brake
Warning Light and the ABS Light will turn on in the
event of an EBD failure. Immediate repair of the ABS is
required in the event of an EBD failure.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 217
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BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic
brake systems. If either of the two hydraulic
systems loses normal capability, the remaining
system will still function. However, there will
be some loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be
evident by increased pedal travel during application and
greater pedal force required to slow or stop the vehicle. In
addition, if the malfunction is caused by a leak in the
hydraulic system, the Brake System Warning Light will
turn on as the brake fluid level drops in the master
cylinder.
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (i.e.,
repeated brake applications with the engine OFF) the
brakes will still function. However, the effort required to
brake the vehicle will be much greater than that required
with the power system operating.WARNING!
•Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot rest-
ing or riding on the brake pedal can result in
abnormally high brake temperatures, excessive
lining wear, and possible brake damage. You
wouldn’t have your full braking capacity in an
emergency.
•Driving a vehicle with the Brake System Warning
Light on is dangerous. A significant decrease in
braking performance or vehicle stability during
braking may occur. It will take you longer to stop
the vehicle or will make your vehicle harder to
control. You could have an accident. Have the
vehicle checked immediately.
326 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫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

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

Ensure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
Inspect all hose clamps and couplings to make sure they
are secure and no leaks are present.
NOTE:
•Often, fluids such as oil, power steering fluid, and
brake fluid are used during assembly plant operations
to ease the assembly of hoses to couplings. Therefore,
oil wetness at the hose-coupling area is not necessarily
an indication of leakage. Actual dripping of hot fluid
when systems are under pressure (during vehicle
operation) should be noted before a hose is replaced
based on leakage.
•Inspect the brake hoses whenever the brake system is
serviced and at every engine oil change. Inspect hy-
draulic brake hoses for surface cracking, scuffing, or
worn spots. If there is any evidence of cracking,
scuffing, or worn spots, the hose should be replacedimmediately. Eventual deterioration of the hose can
take place, resulting in a possibility of a burst failure.
WARNING!
Worn brake hoses can burst and cause brake failure.
You could have an accident. If you see any signs of
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, have the brake
hoses replaced immediately.
Master Cylinder - Brake Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder immediately
if the Brake System Warning Light indicates system
failure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when per-
forming underhood services.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 447
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Clean the top of the master cylinder area before removing
the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the fluid level up
to the requirements described on the brake fluid reser-
voir.
Overfilling of fluid is not recommended because it may
cause leaking in the system.
Fluid level can be expected to fall as the brake pads wear.
Brake fluid level should be checked when pads are
replaced. However, low fluid level may be caused by a
leak and a checkup may be needed.
Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid. Re-
fer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this
section for the correct fluid type.WARNING!
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
•Use of a brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point, or is unidentified as to specification,
may result in sudden brake failure during hard
prolonged braking. You could have an accident.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture.
448 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE