2011 Dodge Journey Owner Manual - Page 479

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 477 humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor- • Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine 50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum) coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator. and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of your engine, which contains aluminum components. If an examination of your engine compartment shows no evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be • Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed. safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate. • Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle. • Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the • Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in condenser clean. the radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If engine coolant (antifreeze) needs to be added, the • Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install contents of coolant recovery bottle must also be proONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may tected against freezing. result in unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze) • If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are performance, poor gas mileage, and increased required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle emissions. does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling system should be pressure tested for leaks. 7