oil level CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 2008 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!
²Being 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.
²The 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.
360 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
ENGINE OIL
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.The best time to check the engine oil level is about five
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not
check oil level before starting the engine after it has sat
overnight. Checking engine oil level when the engine is
cold will give you an incorrect reading.
Engine Oil Dipstick
384 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground, will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level between the MIN and MAX markings on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the MIN mark will result in a MAX reading on these
engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling the crankcase as indicated by an oil level
above the ªMaxº mark on the engine oil dipstick will
cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil
pressure and an increase in oil temperature. This
could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to decide if any apply to you.
²Day and night temperatures are below 32ÉF (0ÉC).
²Stop and Go driving.
²Extensive engine idling.
²Driving in dusty conditions.
²Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
²More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90ÉF (32ÉC).
²Trailer towing.
²Taxi, Police or delivery service (commercial service).
²Off-Road or desert operation.
²If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or three months,
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 385
7

WARNING!
²Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer to
Section 3 of the Warranty Information book for
further warranty information.
²The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced repairman.
Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluoro-
carbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental
Protection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by dealers or other service facilities
using recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE:Use only manufacturer approved A/C System
Sealers, Stop Leak Products, Seal Conditioners, Compres-
sor Oil, or Refrigerants.
POWER STEERING ± FLUID CHECK
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through a certified
DaimlerChrysler Dealership.
394 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to insure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturers recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts
for correct fluid types.
FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINTS
There are two front suspension lower ball joints that are
permanently lubricated. Inspect these ball joints when-
ever under vehicle service is done. Damaged seals and
their corresponding potentially damaged ball joints must
be replaced.
STEERING LINKAGE
The tie rod end ball joints should be inspected for
external leakage and damage when other maintenance is
performed.
BODY LUBRICATION
Locks and all body pivot points, including such items as
seat tracks, doors, liftgate and hood hinges, should be
lubricated periodically to assure quiet, easy operation
and to protect against rust and wear. Prior to the appli-
cation of any lubricant, the parts concerned should be
wiped clean to remove dust and grit; after lubricating
excess oil and grease should be removed. Particular
attention should also be given to hood latching compo-
nents to insure proper function. When performing other
underhood services, the hood latch, release mechanism
and safety catch should be cleaned and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated twice a
year, preferably in the fall and spring. Apply a small
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 395
7

checked for fluid level at regular intervals. Fill the
reservoir with windshield washer solvent (not radiator
antifreeze) and operate the system for a few seconds to
flush out the residual water.
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around
the washer solution.
EXHAUST SYSTEM
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
If you notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system,
or if exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle, orwhen the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged;
have a competent technician inspect the complete ex-
haust system and adjacent body areas for broken, dam-
aged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams
or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep
into the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the
exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised for an oil
change or lubrication. Replace as required.
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing CO, refer
to Exhaust Gas in the Safety Tips section of this
manual.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 397
7

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
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.)5.0 qts 4.7 Liters
Cooling System *
2.4 Liter Engines (Mopart
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000
Miles Formula), or equivalent.6.5 qts 6.2 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 429
7

At Each Stop for Fuel
²Check 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.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder and transaxle and add as needed.
²Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
²Check rubber seals on each side of the radiator for
proper fit.
At Each Oil Change
²Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the exhaust system.
²Inspect the brake hoses.
²Inspect the CV joints and front suspension compo-
nents.
²Check the automatic transaxle fluid level.
²Check the manual transaxle fluid level and fill plug
condition.
²Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
436 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Convertible Top Maintenance............... 416
Convertible Top Manual Override.........134,373
Cool Down, Turbo....................... 293
Coolant (Antifreeze)...................429,430
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 400
Cooling System......................... 398
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 400
Coolant Level......................398,401
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 401
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 399
Inspection........................... 401
Points to Remember.................... 402
Pressure Cap......................... 400
Radiator Cap......................... 400
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)........... 399
Corrosion Protection...................... 411
Crankcase Emission Control System.......... 390
Cruise Light........................... 229
Cup Holder............................ 208Customer Assistance..................... 461
Data Recorder, Event...................70,105
Dealer Service.......................... 383
Deck Lid (Convertible)..................... 39
Deck Lid, Emergency Release Latch (Convertible) . . 41
Deck Lid, Power Release (Convertible)......... 39
Defroster, Rear Window................... 217
Defroster, Windshield.................. 116,279
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 192
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 380
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 189
Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle.................... 408
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 401
Engine Oil........................... 387
Door Locks............................. 19
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 21
INDEX 473
10

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.......................... 115,378,379
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.......................... 390
474 INDEX