2013 DODGE JOURNEY radiator cap

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H,”
safely pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the A/C turned off until the pointer drops back
into the normal range. If the pointer remains on the
“H,” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the en-
gine OFF immediately, and call for service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
2.4L Engine — If Equipped
On hot days the engine oil temperature may become too
hot during sustained high-speed driving or if towing a
trailer up long grades. If this happens, a HOTOIL mes-
sage will flash in the odometer and the vehicle speed will
be reduced to 48 mph (77 km/h) maximum until the
engine oil temperature is reduced.
NOTE:The maximum vehicle speed is reduced to
48 mph (77 km/h), you may reduce vehicle speed further
as needed. Once the engine oil temperature is reduced,
you may continue to drive normally.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 499

4. Install the wiper blade pivot pin into the wiper blade
holder at the end of the wiper arm, and firmly press
the wiper blade until it snaps into place.
5. Lower the wiper blade and snap the pivot cap into
place.
Adding Washer Fluid
The windshield washer and the rear window washer
share the same fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir is
located in the engine compartment. Be sure to check the
fluid level in the reservoir at regular intervals. Fill the
reservoir with windshield washer solvent (not radiator
antifreeze) and operate the system for a few seconds to
flush out the residual water.
When refilling the washer fluid reservoir, apply some
washer fluid to a cloth or towel and wipe the wiper
blades clean. This will help blade performance.To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.
The fluid reservoir will hold nearly 1 gal (4 l) of washer
fluid when the message “LoWASH” appears in the
instrument cluster.
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you.
Care must be exercised when filling or working
around the washer solution.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 543

To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan,
disconnect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position. The fan is tempera-
ture controlled and can start at any time the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
•You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had
time to cool. Never try to open a cooling system
pressure cap when the radiator is hot.
546 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precaution.
Never add engine coolant (antifreeze) when the en-
gine is overheated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to
cool an overheated engine. Heat causes pressure to
build up in the cooling system. To prevent scalding or
injury, do not remove the pressure cap while the
system is hot or under pressure.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal Of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant in open containers or allow it to remain in
puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child or pet, seek
emergency assistance immediately. Clean up any ground
spills immediately.
550 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Coolant Level
2.4L Engine –the coolant bottle provides a quick visual
method for determining that the coolant level is ad-
equate. With the engine idling and warm to normal
operating temperature, the level of the coolant in the
bottle should be between the “ADD” and “FULL” lines,
shown on the bottle.
3.6L Engine –the level of the coolant in the pressurized
coolant bottle should be between the “COLD” and
“FULL” range on the bottle when the engine is cold.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is no
need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for coolant
freeze point or replacing engine coolant (antifreeze). Advise
your service attendant of this. As long as the engine oper-
ating temperature is satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only
be checked once a month. When additional engine coolant
(antifreeze) is needed to maintain the proper level, it should
be added to the coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant expansion bottle.
•
Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant expansion bottle. If engine coolant (antifreeze)
needs to be added, the contents of the coolant expansion
bottle must also be protected against freezing.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 551

•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure tested
for leaks.
•
Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at a
minimum of 50% OAT coolant (conforming to MS-12106)
and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of
your engine which contains aluminum components.
•Make sure that the coolant expansion bottle overflow
hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
•
Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install ONLY
the correct type thermostat. Other designs may result in
unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze) performance,
poor gas mileage, and increased emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting or
riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
552 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

Cleaning
Wheels...............................561
Climate Control..........................368
Coin Holder.............................271
Cold Weather Operation....................395
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance..............367
Compact Spare Tire........................451
Computer, Trip/Travel......................314
Connector
UCI.................................365
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI)..........365
Conserving Fuel..........................312
Console, Floor...........................271
Console, Overhead........................247
Contract, Service..........................598
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap)...........550
Cooling System...........................546
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)...............549
Coolant Capacity.......................580Coolant Level..........................547
Disposal of Used Coolant.................550
Drain, Flush, and Refill...................547
Inspection............................551
Points to Remember.....................551
Pressure Cap..........................550
Radiator Cap..........................550
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze).............547
Corrosion Protection.......................559
Cupholders.............................269
Customer Assistance.......................595
Data Recorder, Event.......................77
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights.............226
Daytime Running Lights....................222
Dealer Service............................530
Defroster, Rear Window.....................285
Defroster, Windshield.....................
.106
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers..................228
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INDEX 609