2013 DODGE JOURNEY oil level

EVIC Red Indicators
This area will show reconfigurable red telltales. These
telltales include:
•Door Ajar
This light will turn on to indicate that one or
more doors may be ajar.
NOTE:If the vehicle is moving there will also be a single
chime.
•Liftgate Ajar
This indicator will turn when the liftgate is ajar.
NOTE:If the vehicle is moving there will also be a single
chime.•Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates low engine oil pressure. If the
light turns on while driving, stop the vehicle and
shut off the engine as soon as possible. A chime will
sound for four minutes when this light turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
•Charging System Light
This light shows the status of the electrical charging
system. The light should come on when the ignition
switch is first turned ON/RUN and remain on briefly as a
bulb check. If the light stays on or comes on while driving,
turn off some of the vehicle’s non-essential electrical devices
or increase engine speed (if at idle). If the charging system
light remains on, it means that the vehicle is experiencing a
problem with the charging system. Obtain SERVICE IMME-
DIATELY. See an authorized dealer.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 309

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

WARNING!(Continued)
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 pro-
longed 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.
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid. Brake seal components could be
damaged, causing partial or complete brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
Automatic Transmission
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important to use the proper transmission fluid to
ensure optimum transmission performance and life. Use
only the manufacturer ’s recommended transmission
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fluid specifications. It is
important to maintain the transmission fluid at the
correct level using the recommended fluid. No chemical
flushes should be used in any transmission; only the
approved lubricant should be used.
554 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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

Fluid And Filter Changes
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
In addition, change the fluid and filter if the transmission
is disassembled for any reason.
Rear Drive Assembly (RDA) – 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.
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.
558 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
•Check engine oil level
•Check windshield washer fluid level
•Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual
wear or damage
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission as
needed
•Check function of all interior and exterior lights
Required Maintenance Intervals.
Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following
page for the required maintenance intervals.At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By
Oil Change Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter.
•Rotate the tires.Rotate at the first sign of irregu-
lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
•Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required.
•Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped
with dipstick.
•Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses
and park brake.
•Inspect engine cooling system protection and
hoses.
•Inspect exhaust system.
•Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions.
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 587

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

Filters
Air Cleaner...........................534
Air Conditioning.......................384
Engine Oil............................534
Engine Oil Disposal.....................534
Flashers
Hazard Warning........................498
Turn Signal...........................108
Flash-To-Pass............................225
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Cruising Range.........................476
Engine Oil............................475
Fuel Requirements......................473
Maintenance...........................476
Replacement Parts.......................476
Starting..............................476
Flooded Engine Starting....................395
Floor Console............................271
Fluid, Brake.............................583Fluid Capacities..........................580
Fluid Leaks.............................108
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission..................555
Brake................................553
Cooling System.........................547
Engine Oil............................531
Power Steering.........................421
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts...........582
Fog Lights..............................223
Fog Light Service.........................575
Folding Rear Seat.........................209
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.....................517
Fuel...................................468
Adding..............................477
Additives.............................471
Clean Air.............................469
Conserving
............................312
Ethanol..............................469
612 INDEX