check engine DODGE CHALLENGER 2011 3.G Owner's Manual

hood latching components to ensure 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
amount of a high quality lubricant, such as MOPAR
Lock Cylinder Lubricant or equivalent directly into the
lock cylinder.
Windshield Wiper Blades
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and the
windshield periodically with a sponge or soft cloth and a
mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will remove accumula-
tions of salt or road film.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always use
washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt
from a dry windshield. Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice from
the windshield. Keep the blade rubber out of contact with
petroleum products such as engine oil, gasoline, etc.
NOTE:
Life expectancy of wiper blades varies depend-
ing on geographical area and frequency of use. Poor
performance of blades may be present with chattering,
marks, water lines or wet spots. If any of these conditions
are present, clean the wiper blades or replace as
necessary.
Adding Washer Fluid
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located in the
front of the engine compartment. Be sure to check the
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.
398 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position (OFF position for
Keyless Enter-N-Go). The fan is temperature con-
trolled and can start at any time the ignition switch
is in the ON position (RUN position for Keyless
Enter-N-Go).
•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, do not 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 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 radiator 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 cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
coolant from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing
properly, the engine coolant (antifreeze) will begin to
402 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent 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 precaution.
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 pres-
sure cap while the system is hot or under pressure.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal Of Used Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child
or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up
any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the engine coolant (antifreeze) level is
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 405

adequate. With the engine OFF and cold, the level of the
engine coolant (antifreeze) in the bottle should be be-
tween 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
engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing en-
gine coolant (antifreeze). 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 engine coolant (antifreeze) 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
(kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor coming from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally 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
406 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transmission. The only exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid
leaks. In addition, avoid using transmission sealers as
they may adversely affect seals.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission as
the chemicals can damage your transmission compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Fluid Level Check
Regular automatic transmission fluid level checks are not
required. For this reason, the dipstick is omitted.
If you notice fluid loss or gear shift malfunction, have
your authorized dealer check the transmission fluid level.
CAUTION!
•Using a transmission fluid other than the manu-
facturer’s recommended fluid may cause deterio-
ration in transmission shift quality and/or torque
converter shudder. Using a transmission fluid
other than that recommended by the manufacturer
will result in more frequent fluid and filter
changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information.(Continued)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 411

•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 8,000 miles (13,000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” or under “In-
strument Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
At Each Stop For Fuel
•Check the engine oil level. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures/Engine Oil” in “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle” for further information.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 439

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 the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and power steering, and add as
needed.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
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S440 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Brightness, Interior Lights.................. 145
Bulb Replacement ..................... 426,427
Bulbs, Light .......................... 84,426
Calibration, Compass ..................... 197
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 433
Caps, Filler Fuel .............................. 330
Oil (Engine) ........................ 392
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 405
Car Washes ............................ 413
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............80,325
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 332
Cellular Phone ........................ 94,238
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 431
Certification Label ....................... 332
Chains, Tire ............................ 309
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 360
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 292 Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)
............... 387
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 80
Checks, Safety ........................... 80
Child Restraint .................. 70,71,72,75,77
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............73,75
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 322
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 415
Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 398
Clock ............................. 205,214
Cold Weather Operation ................... 257
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 237
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 304
Compass .............................. 197
Compass Calibration ..................... 197
Compass Variance ....................... 198
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 193
468 INDEX

Checking Oil Level................... 390
Compartment .................... 384,385
Compartment Identification ............. 384
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................ 402,434
Cooling ........................... 402
Exhaust Gas Caution ................80,325
Fails to Start ........................ 258
Flooded, Starting ..................... 258
Fuel Requirements .................... 321
Jump Starting ....................... 370
Oil ......................... 390,433,434
Oil Change Interval ................ 182,391
Oil Filler Cap ....................... 392
Oil Filter ........................... 393
Oil Filter Disposal .................... 393
Oil Selection ..................... 391,433
Oil Synthetic ........................ 393
Overheating ........................ 349
Starting ........................... 252 Temperature Gauge
................... 177
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 392
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ................. 392
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 66
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 322
Event Data Recorder ...................... 69
Exhaust Gas Caution ................... 80,325
Exhaust System ....................... 80,399
Exterior Folding Mirrors ................... 91
Exterior Lighting ........................ 139
Exterior Lights .......................... 84
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 330
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 393
Air Conditioning ..................... 245
Engine Oil ....................... 393,434
Engine Oil Disposal ................... 393
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INDEX 471

Flash-To-Pass........................... 144
Flashers Hazard Warning ..................... 349
Turn Signal .................... 84,143,178
Flat Tire Changing ....................... 360
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ...................... 329
Engine Oil ......................... 328
Fuel Requirements ................. 326,327
Maintenance ........................ 329
Replacement Parts .................... 329
Starting ........................... 329
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 258
Fluid Capacities ......................... 433
Fluid Leaks ............................. 84
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ................ 411
Brake ............................. 408
Cooling System ...................... 402 Engine Oil
......................... 390
Fluid, Brake ........................... 435
Fluids ................................ 434
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 434
Fog Lights .......................... 142,181
Folding Rear Seat ........................ 136
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 374
Fuel ................................. 321
Adding ........................... 330
Additives .......................... 324
Clean Air .......................... 322
Conserving ......................... 193
Ethanol ........................... 322
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................. 330
Gasoline ........................... 321
Gauge ............................ 176
Materials Added ..................... 324
Methanol .......................... 322
Octane Rating .................... 321,434
472 INDEX