2009 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner's Manual - Page 462

460 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 5. Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot or warm. Hot fluid is approximately 180°F (82°C), which is the normal operating temperature after the vehicle has been driven at least 15 miles (24 km). The fluid cannot be comfortably held between the fingertips. Cold is when the fluid is below 80°F (27°C). 6. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated. Remove the dipstick and note reading. a. If the fluid is hot, the reading should be in the crosshatched area marked "HOT" (between the upper two holes in the dipstick). b. If the fluid is cold, the fluid level should be between the lower two holes in the area marked "COLD". If the fluid level indicates that it is low, add sufficient fluid to bring it to the proper level. CAUTION! Do not overfill. Dirt and water in the transaxle can cause serious damage. To prevent dirt and water from entering the transaxle after checking or replenishing fluid, make certain that the dipstick cap is reseated properly. Fluid and Filter Changes Refer to the "Maintenance Schedule" in Section 8 for the proper maintenance intervals. If the transaxle is disassembled for any reason, the fluid and filter should be changed. Special Additives Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered product and its performance may be impaired by supplemental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid additives to the transaxle. The only exception to this policy is