2020 DODGE JOURNEY engine oil

188 STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
Shallow Standing Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving
through shallow standing water, consider the
following Cautions and Warnings before doing
so.
WARNING!
Driving through standing water limits your
vehicle’s traction capabilities. Do not
exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving
t h

rough standing water.
Driving through standing water limits your
vehicle’s braking capabilities, which
increases stopping distances. Therefore,
after driving through standing water, drive
slowly and lightly press on the brake pedal
several times to dry the brakes.
Failure to follow these warnings may result
in injuries that are serious or fatal to you,
your passengers, and others around you.
CAUTION!
Always check the depth of the standing
water before driving through it. Never drive
through standing water that is deeper than
the bottom of the tire rims mounted on the
vehicle.
Determine the condition of the road or the
path that is under water and if there are any
obstacles in the way before driving through
the standing water.
Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when
dr
iving through standing water. This will
minimize wave effects.
Driving through standing water may cause
damage to your vehicle’s drivetrain compo -
nents. Always inspect your vehicle’s fluids
( i

.e., engine oil, transmission, axle, etc.) for
signs of contamination (i.e., fluid that is
milky or foamy in appearance) after driving
through standing water. Do not continue to
operate the vehicle if any fluid appears
contaminated, as this may result in further
damage. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine
can cause it to lock up and stall out, and
cause serious internal damage to the
engine. Such damage is not covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
CAUTION! (Continued)

210 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
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 message will flash in
the odometer and the vehicle speed will be
reduced to 48
mph (77 km/h) maximum until
t h

e engine oil temperature is reduced.
NOTE:
The maximum vehicle speed is reduced to
4 8

mph (77 km/h), you may reduce vehicle
s p

eed further as needed. Once the engine oil
temperature is reduced, you may continue to
drive normally.
GEAR SELECTOR OVERRIDE
If a malfunction occurs and the gear selector
cannot be moved out of the PARK position, you
can use the following procedure to temporarily
move the gear selector:

1. Turn the engine off.

2

. F irmly apply the parking brake.
3
. O pen the center console and remove the
g
ear selector override access cover (located
in the front lower right corner of the console
storage bin).

Gear Selector Override Access Cover

4. P ress and maintain firm pressure on the
b
rake pedal. 5. I
nsert a screwdriver or similar small tool into
t
he access port, and push and hold the
override release lever forward.

Gear Selector Override Access Cover Removal

6. M ove the gear selector to the NEUTRAL
p
osition.
7. T he vehicle may then be started in
N
EUTRAL.
8. R einstall the gear selector override access
c
over.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature
gauge reads HOT (H), pull over and stop

the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air
c o

nditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on HOT (H), and you hear continuous
chimes, turn the engine off immediately and
call for service.

216
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
oil change indicator system. The oil change
i n

dicator system will remind you that it is time to
take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.

Based on engine operation conditions, the
oil change indicator message will illuminate.
This means that service is required for your
v e

hicle. Operating conditions such as frequent
short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or cold
ambient temperatures, and E-85 fuel usage will
influence when the “Change Oil” or “Oil Change
Required” message is displayed. Severe
operating conditions can cause the change oil
message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles
(5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle
s e

rviced as soon as possible, within the next
500 miles (805 km).
An authorized dealer will reset the oil change
i
n

dicator message after completing the
scheduled oil change. If a scheduled oil change
is performed by someone other than an
authorized dealer, the message can be reset
by referring to the steps described under
“ I

nstrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To
Know Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change
i n

tervals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km),
1 2

months or 350 hours of engine run time,
w h

ichever comes first. The 350 hours of engine
run or idle time is generally only a concern for
fleet customers.
Severe Duty All Models
Change engine oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) or
3 5

0 hours of engine run time if the vehicle is
operated in a dusty and off road environment or
is operated predominately at idle or only very
low engine RPM. This type of vehicle use is
considered Severe Duty. Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
Check engine oil level.
Check windshield washer fluid level.
Check tire pressure and look for unusual
wear or damage. Rotate tires at the first sign
of irregular wear, even if it occurs before the
oil indicator system turns on.
Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir,
brake master cylinder, power steering, and
transmission (4-speed only) and fill as
needed.
Check function of all interior and exterior
lights.

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 217
MAINTENANCE PLAN
Required Maintenance Intervals .
Refer to the maintenance plan on the following pages for the required maintenance intervals.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil Change Indicator System:
Change oil and filter.
Rotate the tires.
NOTE:
Rotate at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator system turns on.
Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as required.
Inspect the CV/Universal joints.
Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped with dipstick.
Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses and parking brake.
Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses.
Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or off-road conditions, replace engine air cleaner filter if necessary.
7

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 219
Heavy Duty Use Of The Vehicle
Change engine oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) or
35
0 hours of engine run time if the vehicle is
operated in a dusty and off road environment or
is operated predominately at idle or only very
low engine RPM. This type of vehicle use is
considered Severe Duty.
Inspect and replace Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve if
ne

cessary. X
1. The spark plug change interval is mileage based only, yearly intervals do not apply.
Mileage or time passed (whichever comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or
around a motor vehicle. Do only service
work for which you have the knowledge and
the right equipment. If you have any doubt
about your ability to perform a service job,
take your vehicle to a competent mechanic.

Failure to properly inspect and maintain your
vehicle could result in a component malfunc -
tion and effect vehicle handling and perfor -
mance. This could cause an accident.

7

220 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
2.4L ENGINE
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir 7 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 8 — Air Cleaner Filter
3 — Engine Oil Fill 9 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick (4–Speed Only – If Equipped)
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir Cap 10 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
5 — Remote Jump Start (Positive Battery Post) 11 — Coolant Pressure Cap
6 — Remote Jump Start (Negative Battery Post) 12 — Engine Oil Dipstick

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 221
CHECKING OIL LEVEL
To ensure 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 to check the
engine oil level is about five minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking engine oil
level when the engine is cold will give you an
incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level
gr

ound 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
markings 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 Quart (1 Liter) 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.
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
s o

me 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
s y

stem 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 Gallon

(4 Liters) of washer fluid when the message
“ Lo

WASH” appears in the instrument cluster.
MAINTENANCE-FREE BATTERY

Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free
battery. You will never have to add water, nor is
periodic maintenance required.

NOTE:
The battery is stored in a compartment that is
lo
cated behind the left front fender and is
accessible through the wheel well. The wheel
and tire assembly do not need to be removed to
access the compartment. Remote battery termi -
nals are located in the engine compartment for
j u

mp starting. Refer to “Jump Starting Proce -
dure” in “In Case Of Emergency” for further
i n

formation.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine with oil. Overfilling
the engine with oil will cause oil aeration,
which can lead to loss of oil pressure and an
increase in oil temperature. This loss of oil
pressure and increased oil temperature could
damage your engine.
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

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 223
ENGINE 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 Plan”
for further information.

NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change
i n

tervals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km),
1 2

months or 350 hours of engine run time,
w h

ichever comes first. The 350 hours of engine
run or idle time is generally only a concern for
fleet customers.
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
FCA 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
I n

stitute (API). The manufacturer only
recommends API Certified engine oils.

This symbol certifies 0W-20, 5W-20, 0W-30,
5 W

-30 and 10W-30 engine oils.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade) —
2.4L Engine
Mopar SAE 5W-20 engine oil or equivalent
Pennzoil or Shell Helix is recommended for
all operating temperatures. This engine oil
i m

proves low temperature starting and vehicle
fuel economy. The engine oil filler cap also shows the
r
e

commended engine oil viscosity for your
engine. For information on the engine oil filler
cap location, refer to “Engine Compartment” in
“Servicing And Maintenance”.
Lubricants that do not have both, the engine oil
ce
rtification mark and the correct SAE viscosity
grade number should not be used.
Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils provided the
recommended oil quality requirements are met,
and the recommended maintenance intervals
for oil and filter changes are followed.
Synthetic engine oils which do not have both the
e n

gine oil certification mark and the correct SAE
viscosity grade number should not be used.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
The manufacturer strongly recommends
against the addition of any additives (other than
leak detection dyes) to the engine oil. Engine oil
is an engineered product and its performance
may be impaired by supplemental additives.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your engine oil
as the chemicals can damage your engine.
Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
7