2013 DODGE JOURNEY checking oil

CAUTION!(Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of your
vehicle and also allow extended maintenance inter-
vals. Do not use chemical flushes in these compo-
nents as the chemicals can damage your engine,
transmission, power steering or air conditioning.
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 tocheck the engine oil level is about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not check oil level
before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking engine oil level when the engine is cold will
give you an incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. Either the range mark-
ings consist of a crosshatch zone marked SAFE or a
crosshatch zone marked with MIN at the low end of the
range and MAX at the high end of the range. Adding
1.0 qt (1.0 l) of oil when the reading is at the low end of
the range marking will raise the oil level to the high end
of the range marking.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 531

4.Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear position
(allowing time for the transmission to fully engage in
each position), ending with the shift lever in PARK.
5. Wipe the area around the dipstick clean to prevent dirt
from entering the transmission.
6.
Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot or
cold. Hot fluid is approximately 180°F (82°C), which is
the normal operating temperature after the vehicle is
driven at least 15 miles (24 km). Hot fluid cannot be held
comfortably between the fingertips. Cold fluid is at a
temperature of approximately 80°F (27°C).
7. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert it until seated.
Then, remove the dipstick and note the reading.
•If the fluid is hot, the reading should be in the
crosshatched area marked “HOT” (between the up-
per two holes in the dipstick).
•If the fluid is cold, the fluid level should be between
the lower two holes in the area marked “COLD.”If the fluid level is low, add fluid through the dipstick
tube to bring it to the proper level. Do not overfill. After
adding any quantity of oil through the dipstick tube, wait
at least two minutes for the oil to fully drain into the
transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
NOTE:If it is necessary to check the transmission below
the operating temperature, the fluid level should be
between the two COLD (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at approximately 80°F (27°C). If the fluid
level is correctly established at 80°F (27°C), it should be
between the HOT (upper) reference holes when the
transmission reaches 180°F (82°C). Remember it is best to
check the level at the normal operating temperature.
8. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake.
556 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Bulb Replacement.........................572
Bulbs, Light.............................108
Camera, Rear............................245
Capacities, Fluid..........................580
Caps, Filler
Fuel.................................477
Oil (Engine)...........................525
Power Steering.........................421
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)................550
Carbon Monoxide Warning..................105
Cargo Area Cover.........................280
Cargo Area Features.......................277
Cargo Compartment.......................277
Light................................277
Luggage Carrier........................286
Cargo Load Floor.........................278Cargo Management System..................278
Rollaway Tonneau Cover..................280
Tri-Fold Load Floor......................278
Cargo Tie-Downs.........................279
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)....................278
Car Washes.............................560
Cellular Phone...........................368
Certification Label.........................479
Chains, Tire.............................456
Changing A Flat Tire.......................500
Chart, Tire Sizing.........................436
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .294
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety..............104
Checks, Safety...........................104
Child Restraint............................79
Child Safety Locks.........................33
Clean Air Gasoline........................469
608 INDEX

Engine.................................103
Air Cleaner...........................534
Block Heater..........................396
Break-In Recommendations................103
Checking Oil Level......................531
Compartment..........................525
Compartment Identification................526
Coolant (Antifreeze).....................547
Cooling..............................546
Exhaust Gas Caution.....................45
Fails to Start...........................395
Flooded, Starting.......................395
Fuel Requirements......................468
Jump Starting..........................512
Oil..................................531
Oil Change Interval......................311
Oil Filler Cap..........................525
Oil Selection...........................532
Oil Synthetic..........................533Operation.............................103
Overheating...........................498
Starting..............................392
Temperature Gauge......................301
Engine Oil Viscosity.......................533
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart...................533
Enhanced Accident Response Feature............74
Entry System, Illuminated....................21
Ethanol................................469
Event Data Recorder........................77
Exhaust Gas Caution........................45
Exhaust System...........................105
Exterior Folding Mirrors....................118
Exterior Lighting..........................220
Exterior Lights...........................108
Fabric Care..............................562
Filler Location Fuel........................301
10
INDEX 611

Exterior Folding........................118
Heated...............................118
Outside..............................116
Rearview.............................115
Vanity...............................119
Mode
Fuel Saver............................312
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle...............7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System................459
Mopar Parts.............................529
MTBE/ETBE............................469
Multi-Function Control Lever.................224
New Vehicle Break-In Period.................103
Occupant Restraints........................45
Occupant Restraints (Sedan)..................66
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel)................468
Odometer...............................296Oil Change Indicator.......................297
Oil Change Indicator, Reset..................297
Oil, Engine..............................531
Capacity.............................580
Change Interval........................311
Checking.............................531
Dipstick..............................531
Disposal..............................534
Filter................................534
Filter Disposal.........................534
Identification Logo......................532
Materials Added to......................534
Recommendation.......................532
Synthetic.............................533
Viscosity.............................533
Oil Filter, Selection........................534
Onboard Diagnostic System..................527
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®)............250
Operating Precautions......................527
618 INDEX