2012 DODGE JOURNEY Replace

Towing Requirements – Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires – General Information” in “Starting and Oper-
ating” for proper tire inflation procedures.
Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Starting and Operating” for the
proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting and Operating” for informationon replacement tires and for the proper tire replace-
ment procedures. Replacing tires with a higher load
carrying capacity will not increase the vehicle’s GVWR
and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements – Trailer Brakes

Do
not interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 461

8. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw counter-
clockwise with the jack handle.
9. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the
wrench while at the end of the handle for increased
leverage. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern until each
nut has been tightened twice. The correct tightness of
each lug nut is 95 ft/lbs (130 N·m). If in doubt about the
correct tightness, have them checked with a torque
wrench by you authorized dealer or service station.
10. Lower the jack to its fully closed position.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack, thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided. Have the deflated (flat) tire
repaired or replaced immediately.11. Place the deflated (flat) tire in the cargo area.
Do not
stow the deflated tire in the spare tire stowage location.
Have the deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced as soon
as possible.
12. To stow the winch cable and retainer, fit the as-
sembled jack-handle over the winch drive nut. Rotate the
jack-handle assembly clockwise until you hear the winch
mechanism click three times. It cannot be over tightened.
13. Stow the jack-handle and jack.
14. Check the tire pressure as soon as possible. Adjust the
tire pressure as required.
480 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment — 2.4L ............. 497
 Engine Compartment — 3.6L ............. 498
 Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II ...... 499
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 499
 Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs ............................ 500
 Replacement Parts ..................... 501
 Dealer Service ........................ 501 
Maintenance Procedures ................. 502
▫ Engine Oil ......................... 503
▫ Engine Oil Filter ..................... 506
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............... 506
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .............. 507
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ............ 509
▫ A/C Air Filter – If Equipped ............ 510
▫ Body Lubrication .................... 512
▫ Wiper Blades ....................... 512
7

▫Adding Washer Fluid ................. 515
▫ Exhaust System ..................... 515
▫ Cooling System ..................... 518
▫ Brake System ....................... 523
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 525
▫ Rear Drive Assembly (RDA) – AWD Models
Only ............................. 528
▫ Power Transfer Unit (PTU) – AWD Models
Only ............................. 529
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 529
▫ Cleaning The Cupholders .............. 534
 Fuses .............................. 535
▫ Interior Fuses ....................... 535 ▫
Underhood Fuses
(Power Distribution Center) ............. 537
 Replacement Bulbs .................... 541
 Bulb Replacement ..................... 542
▫ Front Low/High Beam Headlamp, Turn
Signal/Park Lamp, And Side Marker Lamp . . 542
▫ Front Fog Lamp ..................... 543
▫ Rear Turn Signal And Backup Lamp ....... 544
▫ License Plate Lamp ................... 546
 Fluid Capacities ...................... 548
 Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts ....... 549
▫ Engine ............................ 549
▫ Chassis ........................... 550
496 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the MIL.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not
on when the engine is running, and that the OBD II
system is ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may notbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test. Your vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not
crank or start the engine.
2. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
3. As soon as you turn the ignition switch to the ON
position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part of
a normal bulb check.
4. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn OFF
500 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

the ignition or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD II system isnot readyand you should
not proceed to the I/M station.
b. The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn OFF the ignition or start the
engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD II system
is ready and you can proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD II system is not ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD II
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD II system is
ready or not, if the MIL is illuminated during normal
vehicle operation you should have your vehicle serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M station can fail
your vehicle because the MIL is on with the engine
running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine MOPAR
parts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to en-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-MOPAR parts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.
DEALER SERVICE
Your authorized dealer has the qualified service person-
nel, special tools, and equipment to perform all service
operations in an expert manner. Service Manuals are
available which include detailed service information for
your vehicle. Refer to these Service Manuals before
attempting any procedure yourself.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 501

NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems may void your warranty and could result in civil
penalties being assessed against you.
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Only do service work for which you
have the knowledge and the proper equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent me-
chanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain the requiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items specified in the fixed
maintenance schedule, there are other components which
may require servicing or replacement in the future.
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.
(Continued)
502 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine
will cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil
pressure and an increase in oil temperature. This
could damage your engine. Also, be sure the oil fill
cap is replaced and tightened after adding oil.
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for further informa-
tion.
NOTE: Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 8,000 miles (13 000 km) or six months,
whichever occurs first.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends engine oils that are API Certified and meet
the requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
504 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE