check engine CHRYSLER SEBRING SEDAN 2008 3.G Owner's Manual

Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for your
community. To prevent ingestion by animals 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, contact a physician
immediately. Clean up any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
4 Cylinder Engines —the coolant bottle provides a quick
visual method for determining that the coolant level is
adequate. 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.6 Cylinder Engines —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 coolant. Advise your
service attendant of this. As long as the engine operating
temperature is satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only
be checked once a month. When additional coolant 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
398 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot coolant 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 recovery bottle.
•Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, contents of coolant recovery bottle must also be
protected against freezing.
•If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop when
the engine cools, the cooling system should be pres-
sure tested for leaks.
•Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled water for proper
corrosion protection of your engine, which contains
aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
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, also.
•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 coolant performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 399
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WARNING!
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
•Use of a brake fluid that has a lower initial boiling
point than the recommended MOPARDOT 3
product or a brake fluid that is unidentified as to
FMVSS specification may result in sudden brake
failure during hard prolonged braking. You could
have an accident.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture.
CAUTION!
Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid, all brake seal components could be
damaged causing partial or complete brake failure.
Automatic Transaxle
The automatic transaxle and differential assembly are
contained within a single housing.
The fluid level in the automatic transaxle should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transaxle and the fluid.
Fluid Level Check — Vehicles with 3.5L Engine
The automatic transaxle has no dipstick and is dealer
serviced only.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 403
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Fluid Level Check — Vehicles with 2.4L and 2.7L
Engines
Use the following procedure to check the automatic
transaxle fluid level properly:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Run the engine at curb idle speed for a minimum of 60
seconds.
3. Apply the parking brake fully.
4. Place the gear selector momentarily in each gear
position ending with the lever in “P” (Park).
5. Wipe the area around the dipstick clean to eliminate
the possibility of dirt entering the transaxle.
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 isdriven at least 15 miles (24 km). Hot fluid cannot be held
comfortably between the fingertips. Cold fluid is at a
temperature below 80°F (27°C).
7. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated. Then,
remove dipstick and note the 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 is low, add sufficient fluid through the
filler (dipstick) tube to bring it to the proper level. Do not
overfill.
404 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
•Using a transmission fluid other than the manu-
facturer’s recommended fluid may cause deterio-
ration in transmission shift quality and/or torque
converter shudder. Using a transmission fluid
other than that recommended by the manufacturer
will result in more frequent fluid and filter
changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” for the correct fluid type.
•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 re-seated
properly.
Fluid and Filter Changes
Change the automatic transaxle fluid and filter at the
intervals shown in the “Maintenance Schedule” in this
manual.
In addition, change the fluid and filter if the transaxle is
disassembled for any reason.
Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transaxle. The only exception to this policy is
the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid leaks. In
addition, avoid using transmission sealers as they may
adversely affect seals.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 405
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NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicles oil if
it has been six months since your last oil change even if
the oil change indicator message is NOT illuminated.
•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 mi (10 000 km) or six months, whichever
comes first.
Your dealer will reset the oil change indicator message after
completing the scheduled oil change. If a scheduled oil
change is performed by someone other than your dealer,
the message can be reset by referring to the steps described
under “Oil Change Required” under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)” in Section 3 of this manual or
under “Odometer/Trip Odometer” under “Instrument
Cluster Descriptions” in Section 3 of this manual.
At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the SAFE or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering, and automatic trans-
axle, and add fluid as needed.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 435
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NOTE:Six speed AutoStickTransaxle — if equipped is
sealed, therefore checking the fluid level can only be
done by a certified dealership service center.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
436 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 78
Bulb Replacement.....................417,418
Bulbs,Light ............................ 417
Calibration, Compass..................... 188
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)......... 20
Capacities, Fluid........................ 429
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 332
Oil (Engine)..................374,375,376,383
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 397
Car Washes............................ 407
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 327
Cargo Area Features...................... 162
Cargo Compartment...................... 162
Cargo Load Floor........................ 162
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 162
Catalytic Converter...................... 385
Caution, Exhaust Gas...................... 78CD (Compact Disc) Player...............222,225
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance........ 242
Cellular Phone.................. 89,225,227,242
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 428
Chains, Tire............................ 312
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 356
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 296
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)............... 378
Child Restraint.................... 67,69,73,76
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 71,73
Child Safety Locks........................ 33
Cigar Lighter........................... 156
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 324
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 408
Windshield Wiper Blades................. 392
Climate Control......................... 243
Clock .....................193,196,208,224,227
454 INDEX

Delay (Intermittent) Wipers............... 29,138
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 377
Digital Video Disc (DVD) Player..........222,225
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 136
Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle.................403,404
Oil (Engine).......................... 380
Disabled Vehicle Towing................... 368
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 398
Engine Oil........................... 384
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 31
Door Opener, Garage..................... 144
DriveBelts ............................ 384
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 291
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water................................ 292
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System)...... 240E-85 Fuel............................. 328
Electric Rear Window Defrost............... 258
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 87
Electrical Power Outlets................... 154
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 141
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 287
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 183
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 356
Jump Starting......................... 364
Towing ............................. 368
Emergency Trunk Release................. 39,40
Emission Control System Maintenance......378,434
Engine........................ 78,374,375,376
Air Cleaner.......................... 385
Block Heater......................... 269
Break-In Recommendations................ 78
Checking Oil Level..................... 380
Coolant (Antifreeze).................395,430
456 INDEX

Fuel Requirements..................328,329
Maintenance.......................328,331
Replacement Parts..................... 331
Starting............................. 331
Flooded Engine Starting................... 266
Floor Console.......................... 157
Fluid Capacities......................... 429
Fluid Leaks............................. 80
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle.................403,404
Brake............................402,432
Cooling System....................... 395
Engine Oil........................... 380
Power Steering.....................391,432
Fluids ................................ 430
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 430
Fog Light Service........................ 422
Fog Lights.......................134,179,422
Folding Rear Seat.....................128,129Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 367
Front Wheel Bearings..................... 406
Fuel................................. 323
Adding............................. 332
Additives............................ 326
CleanAir ............................ 324
Ethanol............................. 324
Filler Cap (Gas Cap).................172,332
Filler Door (Gas Cap)................... 172
Gasoline............................ 323
Gauge.............................. 172
Hoses.............................. 400
Light ............................... 173
Materials Added....................... 326
Methanol............................ 324
Octane Rating......................323,430
Requirements......................323,429
Tank Capacity........................ 429
Fuel, Flexible.............See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
458 INDEX