2012 DODGE CARAVAN check transmission fluid

Shallow Standing Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through
shallow standing water, consider the following Caution
and Warning before doing so.
CAUTION!
•Always check the depth of the standing water
before driving through it. Never drive through
standing water that is deeper than the bottom of
the tire rims mounted on the vehicle.
•Determine the condition of the road or the path
that is under water and if there are any obstacles in
the way before driving through the standing wa-
ter.
•Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving
through standing water. This will minimize wave
effects.(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Driving through standing water may cause dam-
age to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil,
transmission, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination
(i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance)
after driving through standing water. Do not con-
tinue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears
contaminated, as this may result in further dam-
age. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
436 STARTING AND OPERATING
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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.
550 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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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 569
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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 571
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Automatic Headlights.................... 199
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 400
Automatic Transaxle Selection Of Lubricant ................. 591
Automatic Transmission ................422,569
Adding Fluid ....................... 571
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 571
Fluid Change ....................... 571
Fluid Level Check .................... 571
Fluid Type ...................... 570,591
Gear Ranges ........................ 427
Special Additives ..................... 570
B-Pillar Location ........................ 457
Battery ............................... 556
Jump Starting ....................... 532
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 26
Saving Feature (Protection) .............. 204
Belts, Seat ............................. 101 Blind Spot Monitoring
.................... 117
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 560
Brake Assist System ...................... 444
Brake Control System, Electronic ............. 443
Brake Fluid ............................ 591
Brake System ........................... 567
Fluid Check ........................ 568
Parking ........................... 439
Warning Light ....................... 294
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 424
Brakes ............................... 567
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 98
Bulb Replacement ....................... 586
Bulbs, Light ......................... 103,585
Calibration, Compass ..................... 314
Camera, Rear ........................... 224
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 589
10
INDEX 621
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Replacement Parts.................... 490
Starting ........................... 489
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 420
Floor Console .......................... 261
Fluid Capacities ......................... 589
Fluid Leaks ............................ 103
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ................ 571
Brake ............................. 568
Power Steering ...................... 438
Fluids ................................ 590
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 590
Fog Light Service ........................ 587
Fog Lights ....................... 200,286,587
Fold in Floor (Stow n Go) Seating........... 172
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 536
Fuel ................................. 482
Adding ........................... 490
Additives .......................... 484 Clean Air
.......................... 482
Conserving ......................... 310
Economy Mode ...................... 425
Ethanol ........................... 483
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............293,490
Filler Door (Gas Cap) .................. 293
Gasoline ........................... 482
Gauge ............................ 293
Light .......................... 297,306
Materials Added ..................... 484
Methanol .......................... 483
Octane Rating ....................... 590
Requirements .................... 482,589
Saver Mode ........................ 310
Tank Capacity ....................... 589
Fuel Optimizer ......................... 310
Fuel Saver ............................. 310
Fuel, Flexible ........................... 486
Fueling ............................... 490
626 INDEX
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