cooling CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 2009 1.G User Guide

Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing,
according to the temperatures occurring in the area
where the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent coolant changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent the loss of
engine coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine
coolant (antifreeze) 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.
WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze)
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 en-
gine damage may result.
326 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 engine
coolant (antifreeze) 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 engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in the
radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If engine
coolant (antifreeze) needs to be added, contents of
coolant recovery bottle must also be protected against
freezing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (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.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze) per-
formance, poor gas mileage, and increased emissions.
328 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate) 15 Gallons56.7 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
2.4 Liter/2.4L Turbo Engines (SAE 5W-30, API Certified) 5 Quarts4.7 Liters
Cooling System *
2.4 Liter/2.4L Turbo Engines (MOPAR Antifreeze/Engine
Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula) 6.5 Quarts
6.2 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 349

Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light).............168,309
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 71
Checks, Safety ........................... 71
Child Restraint .......................... 62
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 66
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts ........... 65
Child Safety Locks ........................ 30
Child Seat .............................. 68
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 270
Cleaning Wheels ............................. 337
Climate Control ......................... 213
Clock ........................... 187,189,203
Clutch ............................... 329
Clutch Fluid ........................... 329
Coin Holder ........................... 148
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 212
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 259 Compass
..................... 173,174,176,185
Compass Calibration .................. 176,185
Compass Variance ....................... 175
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 173
Console .............................. 148
Contract, Service ........................ 383
Cool Down, Turbo ....................... 226
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................... 349,350
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 326
Cooling System ......................... 323
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 325
Coolant Level ...................... 323,327
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 327
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 324
Inspection ........................... 327
Points to Remember .................... 328
Pressure Cap ......................... 326
Radiator Cap ......................... 326
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ........... 324
392 INDEX

Emission Control System Maintenance......309,354
Engine ............................ 307,308
Break-In Recommendations ................ 70
Checking Oil Level ..................... 312
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................... 323
Cooling ............................. 323
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 71,273
Fuel Requirements ..................... 270
Jump Starting ......................... 300
Oil ........................... 312,349,350
Oil Change Interval .................... 313
Oil Filler Cap ................... 307,308,315
Oil Filter ............................ 350
Oil Selection .......................... 314
Oil Synthetic ......................... 315
Overheating .......................... 292
Temperature Gauge .................... 164
Ethanol ............................... 270
Event Data Recorder ...................... 60 Exhaust Gas Caution
..............34,71,273,321
Exhaust System ....................... 71,321
Exterior Lights .......................... 73
Fabric Care ............................ 338
Filler Location Fuel .................... 164,274
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 316
Automatic Transaxle .................... 333
Engine Oil ........................ 316,350
Flashers .............................. 292
Hazard Warning ....................... 292
Turn Signal ........................ 73,169
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 225
Fluid Capacities ......................... 349
Fluid Leaks ............................. 73
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transaxle .................... 331
Brake .............................. 329
394 INDEX

Cooling System....................... 323
Power Steering ........................ 241
Fluids ................................ 350
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 350
Fog Light Service ........................ 347
Fog Lights .......................... 128,172
Folding Front Passenger Seat ................ 113
Folding Rear Seat ........................ 116
Folding Rear Seat (Sedan) .................. 116
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 302
Fuel .............................. 270,350
Adding ............................. 274
Additives ............................ 272
Capacity ............................ 349
Clean Air ............................ 270
Ethanol ............................. 270
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ................. 164,274
Filler Door (Gas Cap) ................... 164
Gasoline ............................ 270 Gauge
.............................. 164
Light ............................... 172
Materials Added ....................... 272
Methanol ............................ 270
Octane Rating ........................ 270
Requirements ......................... 270
Tank Capacity ........................ 349
Fuel System Caution ..................... 275
Fueling ............................... 274
Fuses ................................ 340
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 136
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............274,276,309
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 270
Gasoline (Fuel) ....................... 270,349
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 270
Gauges Coolant Temperature ................... 164
Fuel ............................... 164
10
INDEX 395

Compact Spare........................ 259
General Information .................... 256
High Speed .......................... 259
Inflation Pressures ..................... 257
Jacking ............................. 294
Life of Tires .......................... 262
Load Capacity ..................... 252,253
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ........... 265
Pressure Warning Light .................. 165
Quality Grading ....................... 387
Radial .............................. 259
Replacement ......................... 262
Rotation ............................ 264
Safety ........................... 248,256
Sizes ............................... 249
Snow Tires ........................... 264
Spare Tire ........................... 295
Spinning ............................ 260
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 261 Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight
.............. 282
Towing ............................... 278
24-Hour Towing Assistance ................ 96
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 303
Guide .............................. 282
Recreational .......................... 290
Weight .............................. 282
Towing Assistance ........................ 96
Traction .............................. 237
Traction Control ......................... 246
Traction Control Switch ................... 246
Trailer Towing .......................... 278
Cooling System Tips .................... 290
Hitches ............................. 281
Minimum Requirements ................. 283
Trailer and Tongue Weight ............... 282
Wiring .............................. 287
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 282
Trailer Weight .......................... 282
404 INDEX