coolant temperature CHRYSLER 200 2011 1.G Owners Manual

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading below the red area of the gauge shows
that the engine cooling system is operating properly. The
gauge pointer may show a higher than normal tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades, in
heavy stop and go traffic, or when towing a trailer.
If the pointer rises to theH(red) mark, the instrument
cluster will sound a chime. Pull over and stop the vehicle.
Idle the vehicle with the air conditioner turned off until
the pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on the H(red) mark, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service.
There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning is
on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to Floor and
the Fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
2. Fuel Door Reminder
This is a reminder that the Fuel Filler Door is
located on the left side of the vehicle.
3. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank.
4. Speedometer
Indicates the vehicle speed in miles per hour (MPH) and
kilometers per hour (km/h).
188 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
•If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
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.
Engine Oil Overheating (2.4L Engine Only) —
If Equipped
During sustained high-speed driving or trailer tow up
long grades on a hot day, the engine oil temperature may
become too hot. If this happens, the “HOTOIL” message
flashes in the odometer and the vehicle speed will be
reduced to 53 mph (85 km/h) until the engine oil
temperature is reduced.
NOTE: The vehicle speed is reduced to a maximum of
53 mph (85 km/h). You may of course, reduce your
vehicle speed further if needed.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 373

Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolant
(antifreeze). When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•The manufacturer recommends using MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) or
equivalent.
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below34°F (37°C) are
anticipated.
•Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
(antifreeze) solution. The use of lower quality water
will reduce the amount of corrosion protection in the
engine cooling system. Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:
Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent coolant changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that the 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.
414 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze)
when the engine 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.
•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 disposalrules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol based
engine coolant (antifreeze) 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.
Coolant Level
Four-Cylinder Engines –
the coolant bottle provides a
quick visual method for determining that the engine
coolant (antifreeze) level is adequate. With the engine
idling and warm to normal operating temperature, the
level of the engine coolant (antifreeze) in the bottle
should be between the “ADD” and “FULL” lines, shown
on the bottle.
Six-Cylinder Engines – the level of the engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the pressurized coolant bottle should be
between the “COLD” and “FULL” range on the bottle
when the engine is cold.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 415

The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing cool-
ant. 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 addi-
tional 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 recovery bottle.
•Check engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in the
radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If engine
coolant (antifreeze) needs to be added, the contents of
the coolant recovery bottle must also be protected
against freezing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum)
and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of
your engine, which contains aluminum components.
416 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•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.
•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 cooling 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.
Master Cylinder – Brake Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder immediately
if the brake system warning light indicates system fail-
ure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when per-
forming underhood services.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 417

Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)......... 273
Automatic Transaxle ..............12,288,292,419
Adding Fluid .................. 421,422,440
Filter ............................. 422
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 422
Fluid Level Check ................. 421,422
Interlock System .................. 293,294
Reset Mode ......................... 297
Selection Of Lubricant ................. 440
Shifting ........................... 292
Automatic Transmission Fluid Type ......................... 420
Special Additives ..................... 420
Autostick ............................. 298
B-Pillar Location ........................ 322
Battery ............................... 403
Jump Starting ........................ 30
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 25Location
........................... 403
Belts, Seat .............................. 85
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 407
Brake Assist System ...................... 310
Brake System ........................... 417
Anti-Lock (ABS) ..................... 307
Fluid Check ..................... 417,440
Master Cylinder ..................... 417
Parking ........................... 304
Warning Light ....................... 190
Brake, Parking .......................... 304
Brake/Transaxle Interlock .................. 294
Brakes ............................... 417
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 83
Bulb Replacement ....................... 434
Bulbs, Light .......................... 87,434
Calibration, Compass ..................... 210
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ......... 20
10
INDEX 469

Gasoline, Clean Air...................... 346
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 346
Gauges Coolant Temperature .................. 188
Fuel .............................. 188
Odometer .......................... 192
Tachometer ......................... 192
Gear Ranges ........................... 294
Gear Select Lever Override ................. 387
Gearshift .............................. 294
General Information ................. 17,127,345
General Maintenance ..................... 398
Glass Cleaning .......................... 427
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............357,360
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............357,359
GVWR ............................... 357 Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect™)
.............. 97
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 301
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 372
Head Restraints ......................... 138
Headlights ............................ 434
Cleaning ........................... 425
High Beam ...................... 149,201
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...... 149
On With Wipers ..................... 156
Passing ............................ 149
Switch ............................ 147
Heated Seats ........................... 134
Heater ............................... 268
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 291
10
INDEX 475

Starting............................... 288
Engine Fails to Start .................. 289
Starting and Operating .................... 288
Starting Procedures ...................... 288
Steering Power .......................... 303,304
Tilt Column ........................ 156
Wheel, Tilt ......................... 156
Steering Wheel Audio Controls .............. 266
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound
System Controls ......................... 266
Storage ............................ 176,433
Storage, Vehicle ......................... 279
Stuck, Freeing .......................... 386
Sun Roof .............................. 167
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag ........ 57
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 402 Tachometer
............................ 192
Taillights .............................. 436
Telescoping Steering Column ............... 156
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ........ 273
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......188,372
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............... 76
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ................ 18
Theft System (Security Alarm) ............... 18
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 156
Time Delay, Headlight .................... 148
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 322
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 320
Tire Markings .......................... 316
Tire Safety Information .................... 316
Tires ............................ 87,326,465
Aging (Life of Tires) .................. 333
Air Pressure ........................ 326
Chains ............................ 335
Changing .......................... 374
10
INDEX 483