radiator cap CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 2005 4.G Owners Manual

vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, 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 lubrication or oil change. 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, fol-
low the preceding safety tips.
Cooling System
Inspection
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, turn
the ignition key to the OFF position. The fan is
temperature controlled and can start at any time
when the ignition key 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.
394 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Coolant Checks
Check 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.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the coolant pressure cap for proper
vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of coolant
from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing prop-
erly, the coolant will begin to drain from the coolantrecovery bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT
PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS
HOT.
Cooling System—Drain, Flush and Refill
At the intervals shown in the maintenance schedules, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled.
If the solution is dirty or contains a considerable amount
of sediment, clean and flush with a reliable cooling
system cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing to remove
all deposits and chemicals. Properly dispose of old
antifreeze solution.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturers recommended coolant, refer
to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
for correct coolant type.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 395
7

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.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 children
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 397
7

do 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 recovery bottle provides a quick visual
method for determining that the coolant level is ad-
equate. With the engine cold, the level of the coolant in
the coolant recovery bottle should be between the
“MAX”and“MIN”marks. The radiator normally re-
mains completely full, so there is no need to remove the
radiator cap except for checking coolant freeze point or
replacement with new antifreeze coolant. Your service
attendant should be advised of this. So long as the engine
operating temperature is satisfactory, the coolant recov-
ery 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 recovery
bottle. Do not overfill.
Points to Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles 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 accumulat-
ing on the radiator and being vaporized when the
thermostat opens, allowing hot water to enter the radia-
tor.
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.
398 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 336
Oil (Engine).......................... 383
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 397
Car Washes............................ 407
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 335
Cargo Compartment
Luggage Carrier....................... 185
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 184
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 264
Cassette Tape Player................209,219,224
Catalytic Converter...................... 385
Caution, Exhaust Gas.................38,83,335
CD Changer.............218,227,240,241,244,246
CD Player.........215,219,226,229,232,236,239,246
CD Player Maintenance................... 265
Cellular Phone........................96,265
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 421
Center Lap Belts......................... 51Chains, Tire............................ 330
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 348
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 311
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light).............205,378
Child Restraint.......................... 69
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 74
Child Safety Locks........................ 34
Child Seat............................69,76
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 333
Climate Control......................... 266
Clock................................ 207
Compact Disc Changer.................... 244
Compact Disc Maintenance................. 265
Compact Disc Player..................209,215
Compact Spare Tire...................... 322
Compass.............................. 155
Compass Calibration..................... 156
Compass Variance....................... 156
456 INDEX

Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 158
Console, Overhead....................... 154
Console, Removable...................179,180
Contract, Service........................ 446
Coolant Pressure Cap..................... 397
Cooling System......................... 394
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 396
Coolant Capacity...................... 422
Coolant Level......................395,398
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 397
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 395
Inspection........................... 394
Points to Remember.................... 398
Pressure Cap......................... 397
Radiator Cap......................... 397
Selection of Coolant...............395,422,423
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 151
Cruise Light........................... 207
Cup Holder.........................174,411Customer Assistance..................... 445
Daytime Running Lights................... 141
Dealer Service.......................... 379
Defroster, Rear Window................... 291
Defroster, Windshield................84,271,282
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 377
Digital Video Disc Player.................. 246
Dimmer Control........................ 139
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission................. 404
Oil (Engine).......................... 380
Disarming, Theft System................... 28
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 397
Engine Oil........................... 384
Domelight............................. 139
Door Ajar Light......................... 200
Door Locks............................. 17
INDEX 457
10

Parking On Hill......................... 303
Passing Light........................... 143
Pedals, Adjustable....................... 150
Pets, Transporting........................ 78
Phone, Cellular.......................... 96
Phone, Hands-Free....................... 96
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 315
Power
Brakes.............................. 304
Distribution Center..................... 412
Door Locks........................... 18
Lift Gate............................. 36
Mirrors.............................. 94
Outlet.............................. 172
Seats............................... 109
Sliding Door.......................... 31
Steering............................. 307
Steering, Checking..................... 390
Sunroof............................. 169Windows............................. 40
Power Steering Fluid..................... 424
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 53
Preparation for Jacking.................349,361
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 51
Programmable Electronic Features......160,164,168
Programming Transmitters............23,164,168
Radial Ply Tires......................... 322
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......395,397
Radio Broadcast Signals................... 208
Radio Operation...................220,237,265
Radio Remote Controls.................250,262
Radio, Satellite.......................... 258
Radio (Sound Systems)...........209,219,229,236
Rear Air Conditioning.................274,283
Rear Cup Holder........................ 175
Rear Heater............................ 274
INDEX 465
10