brake fluid CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 2008 1.G Owners Manual

The red markings on the tachometer indicate excessive
engine speed. Ease off on the accelerator before reaching
the red area.
10. Brake System Warning Light
The dual brake system provides a reserve brak-
ing capability if a failure occurs in a portion of
the hydraulic system.
This light monitors both the brake fluid level and the
parking brake. If the light comes on, it indicates either
that the parking brake is on or there is a low fluid level in
the brake master cylinder. Since this vehicle is equipped
with Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), the brake light may also
indicate reduced braking performance due to the loss of
electronic brake proportioning. If the parking brake is off
and the light remains on, have the brake system in-
spected as soon as possible.The warning light should be checked frequently to assure
that it is operating properly. This can be done by turning
the ignition switch to START. The light should come on.
If the red brake light does not come on when the ignition
is turned to the ON/RUN position, have the brake
warning light repaired promptly.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It will
take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an
accident. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
on. It does not show the degree of brake application.
The brake warning light will come on if the ABS light is
not functioning and there is an ABS system malfunction.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 133
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CAUTION!
²Driving through standing water may cause dam-
age to your vehicle's drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle's fluids (i.e., engine oil,
transmission, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination
(i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance)
after driving through standing water. Do not con-
tinue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears
contaminated, as this may result in further dam-
age. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
²Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
²Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle's traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8
km/h) when driving through standing water.
²Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle's braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
²Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and leave you
stranded.
²Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
184 STARTING AND OPERATING

Brakes
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Suggested service intervals can be found in the Mainte-
nance section.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. 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 wouldn't have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake and Power Steering System Hoses
When servicing the vehicle for scheduled maintenance,
inspect surface of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence of
heat and mechanical damage. Hard and brittle rubber,cracking, checking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and excessive
swelling suggest deterioration of the rubber. Particular
attention should be made to examining those hose sur-
faces nearest to high heat sources, such as the exhaust
manifold.
Inspect all hose clamps and couplings to make sure they
are secure and no leaks are present.
Ensure the nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
NOTE:Often, fluids such as oil, power steering fluid,
and brake fluid are used during assembly plant opera-
tions to ease the assembly of hoses to couplings. There-
fore, oil wetness at the hose-coupling area is not neces-
sarily an indication of leakage. Actual dripping of hot
fluid when systems are under pressure (during vehicle
operation) should be noted before a hose is replaced
based on leakage.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 285
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NOTE:Inspection of brake hoses should be done when-
ever the brake system is serviced and at every engine oil
change.
WARNING!
Worn brake hoses can burst and cause brake failure.
You could have an accident. If you see any signs of
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, have the brake
hoses replaced immediately.
Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under hood services, or immediately if
the brake system warning light is on.Be sure to clean the top of the master cylinder area before
removing the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the
fluid level up to the requirements described on the brake
fluid reservoir. Fluid level can be expected to fall as the
brake pads wear. Brake fluid level should be checked
when pads are replaced. However, low fluid level may be
caused by a leak and a checkup may be needed.
286 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Use brake fluid approved to MB 331.0, or a DOT 4 brake
fluid with: minimum dry boiling point (ERBP) 500ÉF,
minimum wet boiling point (WERBP) 356ÉF, maximum
viscosity 1500 mm
2/s, conforming to FMVSS 116 and
ISO 4925.
WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point or unidentified as to specification, may
result in sudden brake failure during hard prolonged
braking. You could have an accident.
WARNING!
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign mat-
ter. Use of contaminated fluid may result in reduced
brake performance or a sudden brake failure. You
could have an accident.
CAUTION!
Do not allow petroleum-based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid as seal damage will result!
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 287
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FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)15.8 Gal 60.0 L
Fuel Tank Reserve2 Gal 7.5 L
Engine Oil (with filter)
3.2 L Engine 8.5 Qt 8.0 L
Cooling System *
3.2 L Engine 11.8 Qt 11.2 L
Manual Transmission1.9 Qt 1.8 L
Automatic Transmission8.5 Qt 8.0 L
Rear Axle1.4 Qt 1.3 L
Power Steering Reservoir1.1 Qt 1.0 L
Brake Reservoir.5 Qt .5 L
Windshield Washer Reservoir(MAX fill when empty) 7.4 Qt 7.0 L
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 315
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Chassis
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
Automatic Transmission Only use ATF approved to MB 236.10, MB 236.12. Synthetic Dexron IIItTransmis-
sion Fluid may be substituted.
Brake Master Cylinder Use brake fluid approved to MB 331.0, or a DOT 4 brake fluid with: minimum dry
boiling point (ERBP) 500ÉF (260ÉC), minimum wet boiling point (WERBP) 356ÉF
(180ÉC), maximum viscosity 1500 mm
2/s, conforming to FMVSS 116 and ISO 4925.
Clutch Fluid Use brake fluid approved to MB 331.0, or a DOT 4 brake fluid with: minimum dry
boiling point (ERBP) 500ÉF (260ÉC), minimum wet boiling point (WERBP) 356ÉF
(180ÉC), maximum viscosity 1500 mm
2/s, conforming to FMVSS 116 and ISO 4925.
Manual Transmission Fluid No fluid service required. Only use fluid approved to MB 236.2. SAE 5W-20 engine
oil, meeting API SL or GF-3, may be substituted.
Power Steering Reservoir No fluid service required. Filled at the factory with Pentosin CHF 11S. Steering
noise and reduced component life may result if an unapproved fluid is used.
Rear Axle Fluid Only use synthetic SAE 75W-85 axle lubricant that meets MB 231.1. Reduced axle
durability may result if an unapproved product is used.
Tire Pressure Refer to label on driver's door frame.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 317
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²Check tires for damage and general condition
²Check tire inflation pressures and correct if necessary
Fluid Levels
Check fluid levels for the following systems and correct if
necessary. Should there be a loss of fluid that cannot be
explained by regular use, trace and eliminate the cause.
²Engine cooling system (check corrosion inhibitor/
antifreeze)
²Hydraulic brake system
²Power steering system
²Windshield washer system
SCOPE OF WORK FOR ªBº SCHEDULE
MAINTENANCE SERVICE
Oil Change
²Change oil and replace filter
Maintenance
²Rotate tires
²Replace dust filter (if equipped)
²Lubricate hood hinges, latch, and secondary latch
²Reset FSS Display
Function Check
²Horn, hazard warning flashers, turn signals, and indi-
cator lamps
²Headlamps and exterior lighting
²Windshield wipers and washer system
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²Check seat belts for damage and proper function
²Test hydraulic brakes and check parking brake func-
tion
Inspection
²Check front and rear brake pads for lining thickness
²Check condition of front and rear brake discs
²Check tires for damage and general condition
²Check tire inflation pressures and correct if necessary
²Check major underbody components for leakage or
damage (if there are signs of leakage, determine cause
and repair)
²Check condition of front axle ball joints and rubber
boots
²Check condition of steering components and rubber
boots
²Check underhood components for leakage or damage
(if there are signs of leakage determine cause and
repair)
²Check condition of accessory drive belt
²Check headlamp aiming, adjust if necessary
²Check windshield wiper blades, replace if necessary
Fluid Levels
Check fluid levels for the following systems and correct if
necessary. Should there be a loss of fluid that cannot be
explained by regular use, trace and eliminate the cause.
²Engine cooling system (check corrosion inhibitor/
antifreeze)
²Hydraulic brake system
²Power steering system
²Windshield washer system
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At Each Stop for Fuel
²Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. See the procedure
described in Checking Your Engine Oil in the Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel section or under En-
gine Oil in the Maintaining Your Vehicle section. Add
oil only when the level is at or below the ADD or MIN
mark.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
²Inspect wiper blade condition.
²Check operation of lighting systems.
²Inspect tires for unusual wear, damage, and pressure
(at least every 14 days).
²Mechanical assemblies (e.g., engine, transmission, etc.)
- check for leaks.
Once a Month
²Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder and power steering and add as
needed.
²Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
Additional Periodic Maintenance
The following maintenance items should be performed
during the scheduled maintenance nearest the time
elapsed and/or distance shown. Follow the interval that
occurs first.
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