2012 DODGE JOURNEY check oil

Power Transfer Unit (PTU) – AWD Models Only
Lubricant Selection
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended fluid. Refer
to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Maintain-
ing Your Vehicle” for further information.
Fluid Level Check
Visually inspect the unit at each oil change for leakage. If
leakage is detected, Check the fluid level by removing the
fill plug. The fluid level should be maintained between
the bottom of the fill hole to 1/8 in (4 mm) below the fill
hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
Frequency Of Fluid Change
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
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.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 529

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 8,000 miles (13 000 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 or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 553

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 coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and 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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S554 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Automatic Oil Change Indicator............. 291
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 353
Automatic Transaxle Adding Fluid ....................... 550
Selection Of Lubricant ................. 550
Automatic Transmission ................372,525
Adding Fluid .................... 526,528
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 528
Fluid Level Check ................. 526,528
Fluid Type ......................... 526
Gear Ranges ..................... 375,383
Special Additives ..................... 526
Autostick ............................. 390
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet) ...... 242
Auxiliary Power Outlet ................... 242
B-Pillar Location ........................ 414
Back-Up Lights ......................... 544 Battery
............................... 507
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 24
Location ........................... 507
Belts, Seat ............................ 46,92
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 512
Booster Seat ............................ 78
Brake Assist System ...................... 403
Brake Control System, Electronic ............. 400
Brake Fluid ............................ 550
Brake System ........................ 399,523
Anti-Lock (ABS) ..................... 400
Fluid Check ..................... 524,550
Master Cylinder ..................... 524
Parking ........................... 396
Warning Light ....................... 279
Brake, Parking .......................... 396
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 374
Brakes ............................. 399,523
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 89
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INDEX 579

Brightness, Interior Lights.................. 207
Bulb Replacement ..................... 541,542
Bulbs, Light .......................... 94,541
Camera, Rear ........................... 225
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 548
Caps, Filler Fuel .............................. 447
Oil (Engine) ..................... 497,505
Power Steering ...................... 395
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 521
Car Washes ............................ 530
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............91,443
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................258,449
Cargo Area Cover ....................... 260
Cargo Area Features ...................... 257
Cargo Compartment ...................... 257
Light ............................. 257
Luggage Carrier ..................... 265 Cargo Load Floor
........................ 258
Cargo Management System ................. 258
Rollaway Tonneau Cover ............... 260
Tri-Fold Load Floor ................... 258
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 259
Cellular Phone .......................... 344
Certification Label ....................... 449
Chains, Tire ............................ 427
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 471
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 410
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............274,500
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 90
Checks, Safety ........................... 90
Child Booster Seat ........................ 78
Child Restraint .................. 76,77,80,84,86
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............82,84
Child Safety Locks ........................ 32
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 439
580 INDEX

Jump Starting....................... 483
Overheating ........................ 469
Towing ............................ 490
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 500
Engine ............................. 89,497
Air Cleaner ......................... 506
Block Heater ........................ 372
Break-In Recommendations .............. 89
Checking Oil Level ................... 503
Compartment .................... 497,498
Compartment Identification ............. 498
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................ 518,549
Cooling ........................... 518
Exhaust Gas Caution ..............43,91,443
Fails to Start ........................ 371
Flooded, Starting ..................... 371
Fuel Requirements .................... 439
Jump Starting ....................... 483
Oil ......................... 503,548,549Oil Change Interval
................ 291,504
Oil Filler Cap .................... 497,505
Oil Filter ........................... 506
Oil Filter Disposal .................... 506
Oil Selection ..................... 504,548
Oil Synthetic ........................ 505
Operation ........................... 89
Overheating ........................ 469
Starting ........................... 368
Temperature Gauge ................... 281
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 505
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ................. 505
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 71
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 440
Event Data Recorder ...................... 75
Exhaust Gas Caution ................. 43,91,443
Exhaust System ....................... 91,515
Exterior Folding Mirrors ................... 104
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INDEX 583

Exterior Light Service..................... 542
Exterior Lighting ........................ 202
Exterior Lights ........................ 94,542
Fabric Care ............................ 532
Filler Location Fuel .................... 281,447
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 506
Air Conditioning .................. 360,510
Engine Oil ....................... 506,549
Engine Oil Disposal ................... 506
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 206
Flashers Hazard Warning ..................... 469
Turn Signal .................... 94,205,276
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ...................... 446
Engine Oil ......................... 446
Fuel Requirements ................. 443,445Maintenance
........................ 447
Replacement Parts .................... 447
Starting ........................... 446
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 371
Floor Console .......................... 251
Fluid Capacities ......................... 548
Fluid Leaks ............................. 94
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission .............526,528
Brake .......................... 524,550
Cooling System ...................... 518
Engine Oil ......................... 503
Power Steering ................... 395,550
Fluid, Brake ........................... 550
Fluids ................................ 549
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 549
Fog Light Service ........................ 543
Fog Lights ....................... 204,276,543
Folding Rear Seat ..................... 190,197
584 INDEX

Occupant Restraints................... 43,67,72
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ...........64,65,67,70
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ............439,549
Odometer ............................. 276
Oil Change Indicator .................. 277,291
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ..............277,291
Oil Filter, Change ........................ 506
Oil Filter, Selection ....................... 506
Oil, Engine ......................... 503,549
Capacity ........................... 548
Change Interval ................... 291,504
Checking .......................... 503
Dipstick ........................... 503
Disposal ........................... 506
Filter .......................... 506,549
Filter Disposal ....................... 506
Identification Logo ................... 504
Materials Added to ................... 506
Recommendation .................. 504,548Synthetic
.......................... 505
Viscosity ........................ 505,548
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............499,500
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®) ........... 230
Operating Precautions .................... 499
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 4
Outside Rearview Mirrors .................. 102
Overhead Console ....................... 227
Overheating, Engine ................ 281,469,470
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,573
Paint Care ............................. 529
Panic Alarm ............................ 23
Park Sense System, Rear ................... 216
Parking Brake .......................... 396
Passenger Seat Back Tilt (Easy Entry System) .... 195
Passing Light ........................... 206
Pets .................................. 89
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 414
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INDEX 591