2010 DODGE CARAVAN check engine

6. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated.
Remove the dipstick and note reading.a. If the fluid is hot, the reading should be in the
crosshatched area marked “HOT” (between the upper
two holes in the dipstick).
b. If the fluid is cold, the fluid level should be between
the lower two holes in the area marked “COLD”.
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 transmission
can cause serious damage. To prevent dirt and water
from entering the transmission after checking or
replenishing fluid, make certain that the dipstick cap
is reseated properly.
Fluid Level Check (3.8L and 4.0L Engines with
Six-Speed Automatic Transmission) – If Equipped
The six-speed automatic transmission is a sealed unit and
has no dipstick. See your authorized dealer to have the
transmission fluid checked or serviced.
Fluid and Filter Changes
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper mainte-
nance intervals.
If the transmission 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 transmission. The only exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid
leaks. In addition, avoid using transmission sealers as
they may adversely affect seals.
458 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicle’s
oil if it has been six months since your last oil change,
even if the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” or under “In-
strument Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
At Each Stop For Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut OFF. Checking the oil
level while the vehicle is on level ground will improve
the accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only
when the level is at or below the ADD, SAFE or MIN
mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 483
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Once A Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, the
brake master cylinder, the power steering and the
transmission and add as needed.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
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S484 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Caps, FillerFuel ............................... 381
Oil (Engine) .......................... 439
Power Steering ........................ 335
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 451
Car Washes ............................ 460
Carbon Monoxide Warning ..............100,377
Cargo Compartment Luggage Carrier ....................... 215
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 208
Caution, Exhaust Gas ................... 51,377
Cellular Phone ....................... 122,297
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 476
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 407
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 347
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............234,434
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............ 100
Checks, Safety .......................... 100 Child Restraint
...................... 86,88,89
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 92
Child Safety Locks ........................ 46
Child Seat .............................. 91
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 373
Cleaning Wheels ............................. 461
Climate Control ......................... 297
Clock ........................ 258,260,263,272
Coat Hook ............................ 207
Coin Holder ........................... 208
Cold Weather Operation ................... 322
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 296
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 358
Compass ........................ 241,244,250
Compass Calibration .................. 244,250
Compass Variance .................... 243,251
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 248
512 INDEX
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DisposalAntifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............... 452
Engine Oil ........................... 440
Domelight ............................. 156
Door Locks ............................. 30
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 33
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 186
Driving On Slippery Surfaces ................... 332
Through Flowing, Rising,
or Shallow Standing Water ............... 333
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System™) .... 293
E-85 Fuel ............................. 377
Electric Remote Mirrors ................... 112
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 195
Electronic Brake Control System ............. 341
Brake Assist System .................... 342
Electronic Stability Program ............... 343Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)
...... 168
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ............ 343
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) ............................. 181,244
Emergency, In Case of Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 406
Jacking ........................... 407,410
Jump Starting ......................... 421
Overheating .......................... 406
Emission Control System Maintenance ......434,482
Engine ............................ 431,432
Air Cleaner .......................... 440
Block Heater ......................... 323
Break-In Recommendations ................ 99
Checking Oil Level ..................... 437
Compartment ...................... 431,432
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................... 478
Cooling ............................. 449
Exhaust Gas Caution ...............51,100,377
514 INDEX
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Flooded Engine Starting................... 322
Floor Console .......................... 208
Fluid Capacities ......................... 477
Fluid Leaks ............................ 104
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transaxle .................... 458
Automatic Transmission ................. 457
Brake .............................. 454
Power Steering ........................ 335
Fluids ................................ 478
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 478
Fog Light Service ........................ 474
Fog Lights ....................... 160,236,474
Fold in Floor (Stow \bn Go) Seating........... 132
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 425
Fuel ................................. 372
Adding ............................. 381
Additives ............................ 375
Clean Air ............................ 373 Filler Cap (Gas Cap)
................. 227,381
Filler Door (Gas Cap) ................... 227
Gasoline ............................ 372
Gauge .............................. 227
Light ............................... 237
Octane Rating ........................ 478
Requirements ...................... 372,477
Tank Capacity ........................ 477
Fuel, Flexible ............. See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fuel System Caution ..................... 376
Fueling ............................... 381
Fuses ................................ 465
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 186
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............381,383,433
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 373
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 372
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 374
516 INDEX
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Light Bulbs............................ 104
Lights ............................. 104,155
Airbag ....................... 76,81,102,237
Alarm .............................. 236
Anti-Lock ........................... 228
Automatic Headlights ................... 157
Back-Up ............................ 475
Battery Saver ......................... 160
Brake Assist Warning ................... 344
Brake Warning ........................ 229
Bulb Replacement ................... 473,474
Center Mounted Stop ................... 476
Daytime Running ...................... 159
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ............... 156
Engine Temperature Warning .............. 235
Exterior ............................. 104
Fog .......................... 160,236,474
Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 406
Headlight Switch ...................... 157 Headlights
........................... 474
Headlights On Reminder ................. 159
High Beam Indicator .................... 228
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............. 161
Illuminated Entry ....................... 18
Interior .......................... 155,156
License ............................. 476
Lights On Reminder .................... 159
Low Fuel ............................ 237
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ........ 234
Oil Pressure .......................... 236
Park ............................ 157,474
Passing ............................. 162
Reading ............................. 184
Rear Servicing ........................ 475
Rear Tail ............................ 475
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... 236
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) .............. 236
Service ........................... 473,474
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Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . . 234
Side Marker.......................... 475
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) .............. 236
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ........... 237
Turn Signal ..................... 104,474,475
Voltage ............................. 237
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ..... 227
Load Leveling System .................... 214
Loading Vehicle ................... 208,383,385
Capacities ........................... 385
Tires ............................... 351
Locks Door ................................ 30
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH) .............................. 92
Lubrication, Body ....................... 447
Luggage Rack (Roof Rack) ................. 215
Lumbar Support ........................ 126 Maintenance Free Battery
.................. 443
Maintenance Procedures ................... 436
Maintenance Schedule .................... 482
Maintenance, Sunroof ..................... 195
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 234,434
Manual, Service ......................... 505
Map/Reading Lights ..................... 184
Memory Feature (Memory Seat) ............. 149
Memory Seat ........................ 1 13,149
Mini-Trip Computer ................... 241,248
Mirrors ............................... 110
Automatic Dimming .................... 110
Electric Remote ....................... 112
Exterior Folding ....................... 112
Heated ............................. 113
Memory ............................ 149
Outside ............................. 111
Rearview ............................ 110
Vanity .............................. 114
520 INDEX
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