2012 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY check transmission fluid

CAUTION!
•Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or per-
form repairs and service when necessary could
result in more costly repairs, damage to other
components or negatively impact vehicle perfor-
mance. Immediately have potential malfunctions
examined by an authorized Chrysler Group LLC
dealership or qualified repair center.
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended maintenance
intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in these
components as the chemicals can damage your
engine, transmission, power steering or air condi-
tioning. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed
because of component malfunction, use only the
specified fluid for the flushing procedure.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to
check the engine oil level is about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut OFF or before starting the
engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level between the MIN and MAX markings on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the MIN mark will result in a MAX reading on these
engines.
558 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)
•To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that
has been in a tightly closed container. Keep the
master cylinder reservoir cap secured at all times.
Brake fluid in a open container absorbs moisture
from the air resulting in a lower boiling point.
This may cause it to boil unexpectedly during hard
or prolonged braking, resulting in sudden brake
failure. This could result in a collision.
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contami-
nate the brake fluid. Brake seal components could
be damaged, causing partial or complete brake
failure. This could result in a collision.
Automatic Transmission
The automatic transmission and differential assembly are
contained within a single housing.
The fluid level in the automatic transmission should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transmission and the fluid.
The six–speed transmission is equipped with a capped
dipstick tube. It is sealed and should not be tampered
with. Your authorized dealer has the necessary tools to
ensure that the fluid level is set properly.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 577

CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission as
the chemicals can damage your transmission compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Fluid Level Check
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 the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
If the transmission is disassembled for any reason, the
fluid and filter should be changed.
Appearance Care And Protection From Corrosion
Protection Of Body And Paint From Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice, and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of
paint and protective coatings from your vehicle.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 579

Automatic Headlights.................... 205
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 406
Automatic Transaxle Selection Of Lubricant ................. 601
Automatic Transmission ................431,577
Adding Fluid ....................... 579
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 579
Fluid Change ....................... 579
Fluid Level Check .................... 579
Fluid Type ...................... 578,601
Gear Ranges ........................ 435
Special Additives ..................... 578
B-Pillar Location ........................ 466
Battery ............................... 564
Jump Starting ....................... 540
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 27
Saving Feature (Protection) .............. 207
Belts, Seat ............................. 105 Blind Spot Monitoring
.................... 121
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 568
Brake Assist System ...................... 453
Brake Control System, Electronic ............. 452
Brake Fluid ............................ 601
Brake System ........................... 575
Fluid Check ........................ 575
Parking ........................... 447
Warning Light ....................... 298
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 433
Brakes ............................... 575
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ....... 103
Bulb Replacement ....................... 594
Bulbs, Light ......................... 107,593
Calibration, Compass ..................... 319
Camera, Rear ........................... 229
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 599
10
INDEX 631

Fuel Requirements................. 495,496
Maintenance ........................ 498
Replacement Parts .................... 498
Starting ........................... 498
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 429
Floor Console .......................... 265
Fluid Capacities ......................... 599
Fluid Leaks ............................ 107
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ................ 579
Brake ............................. 575
Power Steering ...................... 447
Fluids ................................ 600
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 600
Fog Light Service ........................ 596
Fog Lights ....................... 207,290,596
Fold in Floor (Stow n Go) Seating........... 176
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 544 Fuel
................................. 491
Adding ........................... 499
Additives .......................... 493
Clean Air .......................... 491
Conserving ......................... 314
Economy Mode ...................... 433
Ethanol ........................... 492
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............297,499
Filler Door (Gas Cap) .................. 297
Gasoline ........................... 491
Gauge ............................ 297
Light .......................... 301,310
Materials Added ..................... 493
Methanol .......................... 492
Octane Rating ....................... 600
Requirements .................... 491,599
Saver Mode ........................ 314
Tank Capacity ....................... 599
Fuel Optimizer ......................... 314
636 INDEX