engine coolant CHRYSLER ASPEN 2009 2.G User Guide

Cooling System
WARNING!
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, 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
is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the 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 and
radiator for any accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty,
clean by gently spraying water from a garden hose
vertically down the face of the condenser and radiator.Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, 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 Ð Drain, Flush and Refill
At the intervals shown on the Maintenance Schedule, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled. Refer to
Section 8 of this manual.
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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.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer's recommended coolant; for
correct coolant type, refer to ªEngine Coolantº under
ªFluids, Lubricants and Genuine Partsº in this section.
CAUTION!
²Mixing of coolants other than specified HOAT
engine coolants may result in engine damage and
may decrease corrosion protection. If a non-HOAT
coolant is introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the speci-
fied coolant as soon as possible.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
²Do not use plain water alone or alcohol-based
engine coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use
additional rust inhibitors or antirust products, as
they may not be compatible with the radiator
engine coolant and may plug the radiator.
²This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based coolants. Use of Propy-
lene Glycol based coolants is not recommended.
Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
coolant can be used up to 5 Years or 102,000 miles (170
000 km) before replacement. To prevent reducing this
extended maintenance period, it is important that you
use the same coolant throughout the life of your vehicle.
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Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) coolant. When
adding coolant:
²The manufacturer recommends using MOPARt
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology)
²Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below -34ÉF (-37ÉC) are
anticipated.
²Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
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 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 ensure 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.
402 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
²The warning words ªDO NOT OPEN HOTº 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 scald-
ing or injury, do not remove the pressure cap while
the system is hot or under pressure.
²Do 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 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 childrendo 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 cold, the level of the coolant in the coolant
recovery bottle should be between the ranges indicated
on the bottle dipstick.
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.
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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
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.
²Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
²Check 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.
²If 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.
²Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled/deionized water for
proper corrosion protection of your engine, which
contains aluminum components.
²Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
²Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean, also.
404 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

²Do 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.
Brake System
Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
whenever the vehicle is serviced, or immediately if the
brake system warning light is on. If necessary, add fluid
to bring level to the full mark on the side of the reservoir
of the brake master cylinder. Be sure to clean the top of
the master cylinder area before removing the cap. With
disc brakes, fluid level can be expected to fall as the brake
pads wear. Brake fluid level should be checked when
pads are replaced. If the brake fluid level is abnormally
low, check system for leaks.For correct fluid type, refer to ºBrake Master Cylinderº
under ªFluids, Lubricants and Genuine Partsº in this
section.
WARNING!
²Use of brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point, or is unidentified as to specifica-
tions may result in sudden brake failure during
hard prolonged braking. You could have an acci-
dent.
²Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching on fire.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture.
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FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)27 Gallons 102 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
4.7L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 6 Quarts 5.7 Liters
5.7L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 7 Quarts 6.6 Liters
Cooling System (Includes 2.1 Quarts/2 Liters for Cool-
ant Bottle)
4.7L Engine (MOPARtAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/
100,000 Mile Formula)14.2 Quarts 13.5 Liters
5.7L Engine (MOPARtAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/
100,000 Mile Formula)16.6 Quarts 15.8 Liters
NOTE:All fluid capacities are approximate.
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FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Coolant MOPARtAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology).
Engine Oil (4.7L/5.7L Engines) Use API Certified SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil, meeting the requirements of
Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for
correct SAE grade.NOTE:Vehicles equipped with a 5.7L engine must use
SAE 5W-20 oil. Failure to do so may result in improper operation of the
Multi-Displacement System (MDS).
Engine Oil Filter MOPARtEngine Oil Filter, P/N 5281090 or equivalent.
Spark Plugs (4.7L Engine) Upper Bank Ð FR8TE2 (Gap 0.039 in [.99 mm]) Lower Bank Ð FR8T1332
(Gap 0.051 in [1.30 mm])
Spark Plugs (5.7L Engine) REC14MCC4 (Gap 0.043 in [1.09 mm])
Fuel Selection (4.7L Engine) 87 Octane
Fuel Selection (5.7L Engine) 87 Octane Acceptable - 89 Octane Recommended
432 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
²Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
²Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
NOTE:** Vehicles built with the 4.7L engine are
equipped with 16 spark plugs; one set is located on the
top of the engine under the coils and the second set is
located on the side of the engine.
The spark plugs located under the coils are a standard
plug and must be changed every 30,000 miles (50 000
km).
The spark plugs located on the side of the engine are a
premium plug and must be changed every 102,000 miles
(170 000 km).
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54,000 Miles (90,000 km) or
54 Months Maintenance
Service Schedule
oChange the engine oil and engine oil
filter.
oRotate tires.
oInspect the front and rear axle fluid;
change if using your vehicle for police,
taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent trailer
towing.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
60,000 Miles (100,000 km) or 60 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule
oChange the engine oil and engine oil filter.
oRotate tires.
oReplace the engine air cleaner filter.
oReplace the top row of spark plugs on 4.7L engines. **
oReplace the spark plugs on 5.7L engines.
oInspect the brake linings; replace if necessary.
oChange the automatic transmission fluid and filter if using your vehicle for any of the
following: police, taxi, fleet or frequent trailer towing.
oInspect the transfer case fluid.
oChange the transfer case fluid if using your vehicle for any of the following: police, taxi,
fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing.
oFlush and replace the engine coolant at 60 months if not done at 102,000 miles (170 000
km).
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
442 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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