coolant temperature DODGE CHALLENGER 2012 3.G Owners Manual

it means that the charging system is experiencing a
problem. See your local authorized dealer to obtain
service immediately.
If jump starting is required, refer to “Jump Starting
Procedures” in “What To Do In Emergencies”.
7. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning LightThis light will turn on briefly as a bulb check
when the ignition switch is placed in the ON/
RUN position. This light will also turn on while
the engine is running if there is a problem with
the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system.
If the light comes on while the engine is running, safely
bring the vehicle to a complete stop as soon as possible,
place the shift lever in PARK, and cycle the ignition key.
The light should turn off. If the light remains lit with the
engine running, your vehicle will usually be drivable.
However, see an authorized dealer for service as soon as
possible. If the light is flashing when the engine is running,
immediate service is required. In this case, you may
experience reduced performance, an elevated/rough idle
or engine stall, and your vehicle may require towing.
Also, have the system checked by an authorized dealer if
the light does not come on during starting.
8. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 177

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads
“H,” 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,” and you hear a chime, turn the
engine OFF immediately and call for service.
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 “Maintaining Your Vehicle”
and follow the warnings under the Cooling System
Pressure Cap paragraph.9. Turn Signal Indicators
The arrow will flash with the exterior turn signal
when the turn signal lever is operated.
NOTE:
•A continuous chime will sound if the vehicle is driven
more than 1 mile (1.6 km) with either turn signal on.
•Check for an inoperative outside light bulb if either
indicator flashes at a rapid rate.
10. Air Bag Warning Light This light will turn on for four to eight seconds
as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned to the ON/RUN position. If the light is
either not on during starting, stays on, or turns
on while driving, have the system inspected at an autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible. Refer to “Occupant
Restraints” in “Things To Know Before Starting Your
Vehicle” for further information.
178 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads 240°F
(116 °C) or greater pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle
the vehicle with the air conditioner turned off until
the pointer drops back into the normal range 200–
230°F (93–110°C). If the pointer remains at 240°F
(116°C) or greater and you hear a chime, turn the
engine off immediately and call for service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) 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 or coolant bottle is hot.
TIREFIT KIT — IF EQUIPPED
Small punctures up to14in (6 mm) in the tire tread can be
sealed with TIREFIT. Foreign objects (e.g., screws or
nails) should not be removed from the tire. TIREFIT can
be used in outside temperatures down to approximately
-4°F (-20°C).
This kit will provide a temporary tire seal, allowing you
to drive your vehicle up to 100 miles (160 km) with a
maximum speed of 55 mph (88 km/h).
354 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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
408 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant (antifreeze) that allows extended maintenance
intervals. This engine coolant (antifreeze) can be used up
to five years or 104,000 miles (169 000 km) before
replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance period, it is important that you use the same
engine coolant (antifreeze) throughout the life of your
vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolant
(antifreeze). When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•The manufacturer recommends using MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) or
equivalent.
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below 34°F (37°C) are
anticipated.
•Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
(antifreeze) 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 engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent coolant changes.
410 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the engine coolant (antifreeze) level is
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.
412 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•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.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs mayresult in unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze)
performance, poor gas mileage, and increased
emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting or
riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 413

Compartment.................... 388,389
Compartment Identification ............. 388
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................ 408,439
Cooling ........................... 408
Exhaust Gas Caution ................79,331
Fails to Start ........................ 258
Flooded, Starting ..................... 258
Fuel Requirements .................... 327
Jump Starting ....................... 374
Oil ......................... 394,438,439
Oil Change Interval ................... 395
Oil Filler Cap ....................... 396
Oil Filter ........................... 397
Oil Filter Disposal .................... 397
Oil Selection ..................... 395,438
Oil Synthetic ........................ 397
Overheating ........................ 353
Starting ........................... 252
Temperature Gauge ................... 177 Engine Oil Viscosity
...................... 396
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ................. 396
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 64
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 21
Ethanol ............................... 328
Event Data Recorder ...................... 67
Exhaust Gas Caution ................... 79,331
Exhaust System ....................... 79,405
Exterior Folding Mirrors ................... 89
Exterior Lighting ........................ 138
Exterior Lights .......................... 82
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 332
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 397
Air Conditioning .................. 244,401
Engine Oil ....................... 397,439
Engine Oil Disposal ................... 397
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 143
10
INDEX 475

Fueling............................... 332
Fuses ................................ 424
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) ........... 152
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...............332,390
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 327
Conserving ......................... 191
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 328
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 328
Gauges Coolant Temperature .................. 177
Fuel .............................. 176
Odometer .......................... 181
Speedometer ........................ 176
Tachometer ......................... 176
Gear Ranges ........................... 267
Gear Select Lever Override ................. 379
General Information ...............18,27,121,326
General Maintenance ..................... 393 Glass Cleaning
.......................... 423
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............335,337
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............335,337
GVWR ............................... 335
Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect™) .............. 92
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 278
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 353
Head Restraints ......................... 132
Headlights ............................ 433
Automatic ......................... 139
Bulb Replacement .................... 433
Cleaning ........................... 422
Delay ............................. 139
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...... 143
Lights On Reminder .................. 141
On With Wipers ................... 139,147
10
INDEX 477

System, Remote Starting.................... 27
Tachometer ............................ 176
Telescoping Steering Column ............... 147
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ........ 238
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......177,354
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............... 72
Text Messaging ......................... 113
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ................ 18
Theft System (Security Alarm) ............... 18
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 147
Time Delay, Headlight .................... 139
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 301
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 299
Tire Markings .......................... 296
Tire Safety Information .................... 296
TIREFIT .............................. 354
Tires ............................ 82,305,467
Aging (Life of Tires) .................. 312 Air Pressure
........................ 305
Chains ............................ 314
Changing ....................... 365,368
Compact Spare ...................... 309
Flat Changing ....................... 365
General Information .................. 305
High Speed ......................... 308
Inflation Pressures .................... 306
Jacking ......................... 367,368
Life of Tires ........................ 312
Load Capacity ....................... 301
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ......... 317
Pressure Warning Light ................ 183
Quality Grading ..................... 467
Radial ............................ 308
Replacement ........................ 313
Rotation ........................... 316
Safety .......................... 296,305
Sizes ............................. 297
10
INDEX 487