coolant level CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 2005 1.G Owners Manual

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, refer to Section 7, Maintenance, of
this manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never put any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start
or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If
you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
•The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
248 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 100,000 miles before
replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance period, it is important that you use the same
coolant throughout the life of your vehicle. Please review
these recommendations for using Hybrid Organic Addi-
tive Technology (HOAT) coolant.
When adding coolant, a minimum solution of 50% rec-
ommended Mopar Antifreeze/ Coolant 5 Year/100,000
Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technol-
ogy), or equivalent, in water should be used. Use higher
concentrations (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below

34°F (
37°C ) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
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 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.
286 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
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 idling, and warm to normal operating tempera-
ture, 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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 287
7

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.
•If 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.
•Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled water for proper
corrosion protection of your engine which contains
aluminum components.
•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, also.
288 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)15 Gallons 56.7 Liters
Engine Oil-With Filter
2.4 Liter Engines (Use API Certified SAE 5W-30 Engine Oil.
Refer to your engine oil filler cap for correct SAE grade meet-
ing DaimlerChrysler Material Standard MS-6395.)5.0 qts 4.7 Liters
Cooling System *
2.4 Liter Engines (MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000
Miles Formula)6.5 qts 6.2 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 311
7

At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder and transaxle and add as needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
•Check rubber seals on each side of the radiator for
proper fit.
At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•Inspect the brake hoses.
•Inspect the CV joints and front suspension compo-
nents.
•Check the automatic transaxle fluid level.
•Check the manual transaxle fluid level and fill plug
condition.
•Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
318 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) System.............. 212
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).......... 286
Adding Fuel........................... 239
Adding Washer Fluid..................... 192
Additives, Fuel......................... 237
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 276
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 279
Air Conditioning Controls................. 183
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips............ 188
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............279,280
Air Conditioning System................183,279
Air Pressure, Tires....................... 225
Airbag................................ 43
Airbag Deployment....................... 50
Airbag Light.....................47,52,62,142
Airbag Maintenance....................... 51
Airbag, Side............................ 49
Alarm, Panic............................ 23
Alarm System........................26,137Alignment and Balance................... 232
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 181
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...........285,311,312
Capacities........................... 311
Disposal............................ 287
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).............. 212
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 139
Anti-Theft Security Alarm.................. 26
Appearance Care........................ 297
Auto Down Power Windows................ 32
Automatic Door Locks..................... 20
Automatic Transaxle..............12,196,199,293
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 295
Fluid Level Check...................... 294
Interlock System.....................18,200
Reset Mode.......................... 201
Selection Of Lubricant................... 293
Shifting............................. 201
350 INDEX

Caution, Exhaust Gas...................... 61
CD Changer......................150,161,167
CD Player..................159,163,165,169,172
CD Player Maintenance................... 182
Cellular Phone........................70,183
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 310
Central Door Locks....................... 20
Chains, Tire............................ 233
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 248
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 217
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . 267
Child Restraint.......................... 52
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 57
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts........... 56
Child Safety Locks........................ 21
Child Seat.............................. 58
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 236
Climate Control......................... 183
Clock................................ 144Clutch............................... 291
Clutch Fluid........................... 291
Coin Holder........................... 120
Compact Disc Maintenance................. 182
Compact Disc Player..................152,159
Compact Spare Tire...................... 228
Compass.............................. 112
Compass Calibration..................... 114
Compass Variance....................... 113
Console.............................. 120
Console, Overhead....................... 111
Contract, Service........................ 342
Cool Down, Turbo....................... 198
Coolant............................ 311,312
Cooling System......................... 284
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 286
Coolant Level......................284,287
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 287
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 285
352 INDEX