2010 DODGE CARAVAN radiator cap

•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower 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!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never get any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
center where it can be raised on a lift.(Continued)
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 407
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Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at anytime the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
•You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the
hood, do not open the hood until the radiator has
had time to cool. Never try to open a cooling
system pressure cap when the radiator is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty orrusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh coolant. Check the front of
the A/C condenser for any accumulation of bugs, leaves,
etc. If dirty, clean by gently spraying water from a garden
hose vertically down the face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.
If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant (anti-
freeze) will begin to drain from the coolant recovery
bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE
CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 449
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Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant (antifreeze) that allows extended maintenance
intervals. This engine coolant (antifreeze) can be used up
to five years or 102,000 miles (170 000 km) before replace-
ment. To prevent reducing this extended maintenance
period, it is important that you use the same engine
coolant (antifreeze) throughout the life of your vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolant
(antifreeze). When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•The manufacturer recommends using MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT
(Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) or equivalent.
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below34°F (37°C) are
anticipated.
•Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
(antifreeze) solution. The use of lower quality water
will reduce the amount of corrosion protection in the
engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE: Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent coolant changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent the loss of
engine coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine
coolant (antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the
coolant recovery bottle.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 451
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The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze)
when the engine is overheated. Do not loosen or
remove the cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat
causes pressure to build up in the cooling system.
To prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the
pressure cap while the system is hot or under
pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal of Used Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child
or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up
any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine cold, the level of the engine coolant (antifreeze) in
the coolant recovery bottle should be between the ranges
indicated on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
452 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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•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, also keep the front of
the condenser clean.
•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.
Brakes
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper mainte-
nance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Master Cylinder – Brake Fluid Level Check
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
when performing underhood services, or immediately if
the “Brake System Warning Light” indicates system
failure.
Clean the top of the master cylinder area before removing
the cap. Add fluid to bring the level up to the top of the
“FULL” mark on the side of the master cylinder reservoir.
Overfilling of fluid is not recommended because it may
cause leaking in the system.
454 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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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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ConnectorUCI ................................ 283
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ......... 283
Console .............................. 208
Console, Floor .......................... 208
Console, Overhead ....................... 183
Console, Removable ...................... 212
Contract, Service ........................ 503
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 451
Cooling System ......................... 449
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 451
Coolant Capacity ...................... 477
Coolant Level ...................... 449,452
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 452
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 450
Inspection ........................... 452
Points to Remember .................... 453
Pressure Cap ......................... 451
Radiator Cap ......................... 451 Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)
......450,477,478
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 168
Cupholders ......................... 199,464
Customer Assistance ..................... 501
Daytime Running Lights ................... 159
Dealer Service .......................... 436
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 213
Defroster, Windshield ...............102,300,310
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 433
Dimmer Control ........................ 156
Dipsticks Automatic Transaxle .................... 458
Automatic Transmission ................. 457
Oil (Engine) .......................... 437
Power Steering ........................ 335
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 426
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INDEX 513
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Personal Settings........................ 252
Pets, Transporting ........................ 95
Phone, Cellular ......................... 122
Phone, Hands-Free (Uconnect™) ............. 122
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 351
Power Door Locks ........................... 32
Lift Gate ............................. 49
Mirrors ............................. 112
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .......... 195
Seats ............................... 126
Sliding Door .......................... 42
Steering ............................. 335
Sunroof ............................. 192
Windows ............................. 36
Windows, Express Down ................. 22
Power Steering Fluid ..................... 479
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 67
Preparation for Jacking .................... 410 Pretensioners
Seat Belts ............................ 61
Programmable Electronic Features ............ 252
Radial Ply Tires ......................... 358
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .......449,451
Radio Operation ........................ 297
Radio Remote Controls .................... 295
Radio, Satellite (Uconnect studios)........ 288,293
Rear Air Conditioning .................. 304,311
Rear Camera ........................... 181
Rear Cross Path ......................... 120
Rear Heater ............................ 304
Rear Park Sense System ................... 171
Rear Window Defroster ................... 213
Rearview Mirrors ........................ 110
Reclining Front Seats ..................... 124
Recreational Towing ................... 403,427
Reminder, Seat Belt ..................... 65,66
522 INDEX
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