radiator cap CHRYSLER ASPEN 2009 2.G Owners Manual

ENGINE BLOCK HEATER ± IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three wire extension cord.
Use the heater when temperatures below 0ÉF (-18ÉC) are
expected to last for several days.
The block heater must be plugged in at least one hour to
have an adequate warming effect on the coolant.
The engine block heater cord is located:
²4.7L Engine Ð at the front of the engine compartment
near the radiator cap.
²5.7L Engine Ð on the left side of the engine compart-
ment and rearward of the power distribution center.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
²Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
²Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
(Continued)
278 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
400 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 403
7

Axle Fluid............................. 433
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid)............... 409
Battery..........................385,386,393
Charging............................ 377
Emergency Starting..................... 377
Gas Caution.......................... 377
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)....... 27
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 145
Belts, Seat.............................. 41
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 396
B-Pillar Location........................ 312
Brake Assist System...................... 300
Brake Control System, Electronic............. 299
Brake Fluid............................ 433
Brake System........................... 405
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................296,299
Fluid Check.......................... 405
Master Cylinder....................... 405Parking............................. 294
Warning Light.....................206,210
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 279
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 74
Bulb Replacement....................... 424
Bulbs, Light............................ 423
Calibration, Compass..................... 174
Camera, Rear........................... 163
Capacities, Fluid........................ 431
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 344
Oil (Engine).......................... 391
Power Steering........................ 294
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 402
Car Washes............................ 410
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............75,340
Cargo Management System................. 193
Cargo Organizer....................... 193
INDEX 461
10

Cargo Organizer........................ 193
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 346
Cellular Phone........................88,254
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 428
Certification Label....................... 346
Charging.............................. 377
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 309
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light). . 388
Child Restraint........................65,66
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............68,73
Child Seat.............................. 70
Circuit Breakers......................... 415
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 412
Climate Control......................... 255
Climate Control, Rear Zone..............259,265
Clock........................216,218,221,231
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 253
Compact Spare Tire...................... 319Compass Calibration..................... 174
Compass Variance....................... 174
Connector
UCI ................................ 241
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI)......... 241
Console, Floor.......................189,192
Console, Overhead....................165,166
Contract, Service........................ 453
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap)....385,386,402
Cooling System......................... 400
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 401
Coolant Capacity...................... 431
Coolant Level......................400,403
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 403
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 400
Inspection........................... 403
Points to Remember.................... 404
Pressure Cap......................... 402
Radiator Cap......................... 402
462 INDEX

Pedals, Adjustable....................... 153
Personal Settings........................ 170
Pets.................................. 74
Pets, Transporting........................ 74
Phone, Cellular.......................... 88
Phone, Hands-Free (UConnectŸ)............. 88
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 312
Power
Distribution Center (Fuses)..........385,386,417
Door Locks.........................20,30
Lift Gate............................. 38
Mirrors.............................. 85
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet).......185,188
Steering..........................293,294
Steering Filler Cap..................385,386
Sunroof............................. 183
Windows............................. 34
Power Steering Fluid..................... 433
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 53Preparation for Jacking.................... 372
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 51
Programmable Electronic Features............ 170
Programming Transmitters (Remote Keyless Entry).. 25
Radial Ply Tires......................... 319
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......400,402
Radio Operation........................ 254
Radio, Satellite.......................246,251
Rear Axle (Differential).................... 409
Rear Camera........................... 163
Rear Cup Holder........................ 192
Rear Liftgate............................ 37
Rear Park Sense System................... 158
Rear Window Defroster................... 196
Rear Window Features.................... 195
Rear Wiper/Washer...................... 195
Rearview Mirrors........................ 84
INDEX 471
10