coolant temperature CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 2008 1.G Owners Manual

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS1. Fuel GaugeWhen the ignition switch is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in the
fuel tank.
2. Fuel Door Reminder
This is a reminder that the Fuel Filler Door is located on
the front passenger’s (right) side of the vehicle.
3. Temperature Gauge The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading below the red area of the
gauge shows that the engine cooling system is
operating properly. The gauge pointer may show a
higher than normal temperature when driving in hot
weather, up mountain grades, in heavy stop and go
traffic, or when towing a trailer. If the pointer rises to the
H(red) mark, the instrument
cluster will sound a chime. 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(red) mark, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service.
There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning 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.
4. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.226 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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 ChecksCheck 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 any
accumulation 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 rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
398 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adding CoolantYour vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
coolant can be used up to five Years or 100,000 miles
before replacement. To prevent reducing this extended
maintenance 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:•
The manufacturer recommends using Mopar
Antifreeze/Coolant five Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology).
•
Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below34°F(37° C)
are anticipated.
•
Use 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 CapThe 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.
400 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 RememberNOTE: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.
402 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Door Opener, Garage..................... 197
Downshifting .......................... 304
Drive Belts ............................ 388
Driver’s Seat Back Tilt .................... 167
Driving On Slippery Surfaces .................... 369
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 217
Electric Remote Mirrors ................... 137
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 206
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 194
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) .......................... 234,235,240
Emergency Deck Lid Release Latch (Convertible) . . 41
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................. 360
Jump Starting ......................... 367
Towing ............................. 371
Emergency Seat Back Release (Sedan) .......... 40Emission Control System Maintenance
......381,434
Engine .......................... 1 15,378,379
Break-In Recommendations ............... 115
Checking Oil Level ..................... 384
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................... 398
Cooling ............................. 398
Exhaust Gas Caution .................... 339
Fuel Requirements ..................... 337
Jump Starting ......................... 367
Oil ........................... 384,429,430
Oil Change Interval .................... 385
Oil Filler Cap ................... 378,379,387
Oil Filter ............................ 430
Oil Selection .......................... 386
Oil Synthetic ......................... 387
Operation ............................ 115
Overheating .......................... 358
Temperature Gauge ..................... 226
Timing Belt .......................... 390474 INDEX

Ethanol............................. 337
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ................. 226,340
Filler Door (Gas Cap) ................... 226
Filter ............................... 391
Gasoline ............................ 337
Gauge .............................. 226
Hoses .............................. 404
Light ............................... 233
Materials Added ....................... 338
Methanol ............................ 337
Octane Rating ........................ 337
Requirements ......................... 337
Tank Capacity ........................ 429
Fuel System Caution ..................... 341
Fueling ............................... 340
Fuses ................................ 419
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 197
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............340,342,381Gasoline, Clean Air
...................... 337
Gasoline (Fuel) ....................... 337,429
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 337
Gauges Coolant Temperature .................... 226
Fuel ................................ 226
Odometer ........................... 229
Tachometer .......................... 227
Gearshift .............................. 297
General Information ................. 18,163,336
General Maintenance ..................... 384
Glass Cleaning .......................... 415
Gross Axle Weight Rating .................. 344
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ................ 343
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect™) ............. 138
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 358
Head Restraints ......................... 169476 INDEX

Severe Service.......................... 437
Shift Speeds, Manual Transaxle .............. 304
Shoulder Belts ......................... 45,82
Side Airbag .......................... 64,100
Side Window Demisters (Defrosters) .......... 285
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On ............... 369
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ................. 330
Snow Tires ............................ 330
Spare Tire .......................... 325,361
Spark Plugs ............................ 388
Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...........194,229
Speedometer ........................... 226
Speedometer and Odometer ................ 223
Starting ............................ 291,292
Automatic Transmission ................. 291
Engine Fails to Start .................... 293
Manual Transmission ................... 292
Starting and Operating .................291,292
Starting Procedures ...................... 291 Steering
Linkage ............................. 395
Power ........................... 310,394
Tilt Column .......................... 193
Wheel Lock ........................... 18
Storage ............................ 209,423
Stuck, Freeing .......................... 370
Sun Roof .............................. 204
Sun Visor Extension ...................... 138
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag ......55,90
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 387
Tachometer ............................ 227
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......226,359
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint .............77,111
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ................ 36
Theft System (Security Alarm) ............... 36
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 193
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 317484 INDEX