radiator cap CHRYSLER 300 SRT 2005 1.G Owners Manual

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — Slow down.
•In city traffic — While stopped, put transmission in
neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
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.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”, 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”, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 225
6

Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at any time the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
•You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant
or steam from your radiator. If you see or hear
steam coming from under the hood, don’t open
the hood until the radiator has had time to cool.
Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap
when the radiator is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
coolant. Check the front of the A/C condenser for anyaccumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection at the
bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
coolant from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing
properly, the engine coolant (antifreeze) will begin to
drain from the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT RE-
MOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System — Drain, Flush and Refill
At the intervals shown on the Maintenance Schedules,
the system should be drained, flushed and refilled.
If the solution is dirty or contains a considerable amount
of sediment, clean and flush with a reliable cooling
system cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing to remove
all deposits and chemicals. Properly dispose of old
antifreeze solution.
252 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
coolant, and to insure that coolant 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.
WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add coolant 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
engine damage may result.
254 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine off and cold, the level of the coolant in the bottle
should be between the ranges indicated on the bottle.
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 (a
few kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor
coming from the front of the engine compartment. This is
normally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 255
7

Bearings.............................. 260
Belts, Drive........................... 244
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 250
B-Pillar Location....................... 201
Brake Assist System..................... 108
Brake, Parking......................... 191
Brake System.......................193,257
Anti-Lock........................... 193
Fluid Check......................258,276
Hoses.............................. 257
Warning Light....................... 136
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 190
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 56
Bulb Replacement...................... 270
Bulbs, Light........................... 269
Calibration, Compass.................... 143
Capacities, Fluid....................... 275
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 218
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 254
Car Washes........................... 261
Carbon Monoxide Warning.............56,217Cargo Tie-Downs....................... 126
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 169
Catalytic Converter..................... 245
CD Player............................ 151
Cellular Phone.......................... 66
Chains, Tire........................... 211
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 198
Child Restraint...................49,51,53,54
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 53
Child Safety Locks....................... 18
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 215
Climate Control........................ 171
Clock.............................151,152
Compact Disc Maintenance............... 170
Compass............................. 143
Compass Calibration.................... 143
Compass Variance...................... 144
Computer, Trip/Travel................... 142
Console.............................. 126
Console, Floor......................... 126
Console, Overhead...................... 114
Contract, Service....................... 296
Coolant Pressure Cap.................... 254
INDEX 305
10

Cooling System........................ 252
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 253
Coolant Capacity..................... 275
Coolant Level.....................252,255
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 255
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 252
Inspection........................... 255
Points to Remember................... 255
Pressure Cap........................ 254
Radiator Cap........................ 254
Selection of Coolant.............253,275,276
Cruise Control (Speed Control)............. 111
Cup Holder........................125,264
Customer Assistance.................... 294
Data Recorder, Event..................... 47
Dealer Service......................... 240
Defroster, Windshield..................57,175
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers............... 104
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 238
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................ 101
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............. 255Door Locks............................ 15
Door Locks, Automatic................... 17
Door Opener, Garage.................... 115
Drive Belts............................ 244
Driver’s Seat Glide Feature................ 91
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 231
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 64
Electrical Power Outlets.................. 123
Electronic Speed Control.................. 111
Electronic Stability Program............... 109
Electronic Vehicle Information Center........ 140
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 232
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 224
Jump Starting........................ 229
Overheating......................... 225
Towing............................. 233
Emission Control System Maintenance....239,278
Engine............................... 237
Air Cleaner.......................... 245
Air Cleaner Filter..................... 244
306 INDEX

Pregnant Women and Seat Belts............. 34
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................ 33
Programmable Electronic Features..... 115,119,147
Programming Transmitters............. 115,119
Radial Ply Tires........................ 208
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap)........ 254
Radio Broadcast Signals.................. 168
Radio Operation.....................151,171
Radio Remote Controls.................. 166
Radio, Satellite......................... 163
Radio (Sound Systems)................... 151
Rain Sensitive Wiper System.............. 103
Rear Park Assist System................... 85
Rear Seat, Folding....................... 93
Reclining Front Seats..................... 88
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts............................... 276
Recorder, Event Data..................... 47
Recreational Towing..................... 222
Refrigerant............................ 249
Reminder, Seat Belt...................... 33Remote Keyless Entry.................... 19
Remote Sound System Controls............ 166
Remote Trunk Release.................... 26
Replacement Tires...................... 209
Reporting Safety Defects................. 299
Restraint, Head......................... 92
Restraints, Occupant..................... 28
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck.............. 232
Rotation, Tires......................... 212
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle............... 57
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle.............. 57
Safety Defects, Reporting................. 299
Safety Information, Tire.................. 197
Safety Tips............................. 56
Satellite Radio......................... 163
Satellite Radio Antenna.................. 165
Schedule, Maintenance................... 278
Seat Belt Maintenance................... 263
Seat Belt Reminder...................... 33
Seat Belts.............................. 29
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage...... 32
And Pregnant Women.................. 34
312 INDEX