cooling DODGE CHARGER 2006 6.G User Guide

▫Body Lubrication.....................296
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................296
▫Windshield Washers...................297
▫Exhaust System......................297
▫Cooling System.......................298
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......303
▫Brakes.............................303
▫Brake Fluid Level Check................304
▫Fuel System Hoses....................305
▫Automatic Transmission................306
▫Front And Rear Wheel Bearings...........307
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................307
▫Cleaning The Center Console Cup Holders . . . 310

Power Distribution Centers...............311▫Front Power Distribution Center...........311
▫Rear Power Distribution Center...........313

Vehicle Storage........................317

Replacement Light Bulbs................317

Bulb Replacement......................318
▫Low Beam Headlight, High Beam Headlight,
Park/Turn Light, And Front Sidemarker
Light..............................318
▫Backup Light, Side Marker Light, Tail/Turn
Light, And Tail/Stop Light...............320
▫License Light........................322

Fluids And Capacities...................323

Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts.......324
▫Engine.............................324
▫Chassis............................325
278 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at any time the ignition
switch 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.
298 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 radiator for any accumu-
lation 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
drain from the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT RE-
MOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System—Drain, Flush and Refill
At the intervals shown on 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 manufacturer’s recommended coolant, refer
to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct
coolant type.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 299
7

CAUTION!
Mixing of coolants other than specified HOAT en-
gine coolants, may result in engine damage and may
decrease corrosion protection. If a non-HOAT cool-
ant is introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the specified
coolant as soon as possible.
Do not use plain water alone or alcohol base engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use additional
rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not
be compatible with the radiator engine coolant and
may plug the radiator.
This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based coolants. Use of Propylene
Glycol based coolants is not recommended.
Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
coolant can be used up to 5 Years or 100,000 miles (160
000 km) before replacement. To prevent reducing thisextended maintenance period, it is important that you
use the same coolant throughout the life of your vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) coolant.
When adding coolant, a minimum solution of 50% rec-
ommended MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000
Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technol-
ogy), or equivalent, in water should be used. 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 deionized
water when mixing the water/engine coolant 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 coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
300 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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
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 bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine off and cold, the level of the coolant in the bottle
should be between 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
coolant freeze point or replacing coolant. 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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 301
7

When additional coolant 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 coolant 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 coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, contents of coolant recovery bottle must also be
protected against freezing.
•If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop when
the engine cools, the cooling system should be pres-
sure tested for leaks.
•Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (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 coolant performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
302 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (approximate)
2.7 Liter Engines (87 Octane) 18 gallons 68 liters
3.5 Liter Engines (87 to 89 Octane) 18 gallons 68 liters
5.7 Liter Engines (87 to 89 Octane) 19 gallons 72 liters
Engine Oil-With Filter
2.7 Liter Engines (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 6.0 qts. 5.7 liters
3.5 Liter Engines (SAE 10W-30, API Certified) 6.0 qts. 5.7 liters
5.7 Liter Engines (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 7.0 qts. 6.6 liters
Cooling System *
2.7 Liter Engines (MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile
Formula) or equivalent.9.7 qts 9.2 liters
3.5 Liter Engines (MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile
Formula) or equivalent.10.6 qts 10.0 liters
5.7 Liter Engines (MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile
Formula) or equivalent.14.6 qts 13.8 liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 323
7

Compass Variance...................... 147
Computer, Trip/Travel................... 144
Console.............................. 127
Console, Floor......................... 127
Console, Overhead...................... 114
Contract, Service....................... 346
Coolant Pressure Cap.................... 301
Cooling System........................ 298
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 300
Coolant Capacity..................... 323
Coolant Level.....................299,301
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 301
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 299
Inspection........................... 301
Points to Remember................... 302
Pressure Cap........................ 301
Radiator Cap........................ 301
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)....299,323,324
Cruise Control (Speed Control)............. 111
Cup Holder........................125,310
Customer Assistance.................... 344
Data Recorder, Event..................... 50Dealer Service......................... 284
Defroster, Rear Window.................. 182
Defroster, Windshield...............60,183,188
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers............... 105
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 282
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................ 103
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............. 301
Door Locks............................ 16
Door Locks, Automatic................... 17
Door Opener, Garage.................... 115
Drive Belts............................ 290
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 272
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System).... 176
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 69
Electrical Power Outlets.................. 123
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)..... 111
Electronic Stability Program (ESP).......... 109
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) . . 142
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 273
354 INDEX

Hazard Warning Flasher................ 262
Jacking............................. 263
Jump Starting........................ 270
Overheating......................... 262
Towing............................. 274
Emission Control System Maintenance....283,328
Engine.........................279,280,281
Air Cleaner.......................... 291
Air Cleaner Filter..................... 290
Block Heater......................... 198
Break-In Recommendations............... 59
Checking Oil Level.................285,286
Compartment..................279,280,281
Coolant (Antifreeze)................299,324
Cooling............................ 298
Exhaust Gas Caution................59,244
Fails to Start......................... 197
Fuel Requirements.................241,323
Oil ..........................285,323,324
Oil Change Interval................... 287
Oil Selection......................287,323
Oil Synthetic......................... 289
Overheating......................... 262Temperature Gauge................... 135
Enhanced Accident Response Feature......... 49
Event Data Recorder..................... 50
Exhaust Gas Caution...............59,244,298
Exhaust System........................ 297
Exterior Folding Mirrors.................. 68
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 290
Air Conditioning..................190,295
Engine Fuel......................... 291
Engine Oil.......................290,324
Engine Oil Disposal................... 289
Flashers
Hazard Warning...................... 262
Turn Signal.......................... 136
Flash-To-Pass.......................... 103
Flat Tire Changing...................... 263
Floor Console.......................... 127
Fluid Capacities........................ 323
Fluid Leaks............................ 61
Fluid Level Checks
Brake.............................. 304
INDEX 355
10

Cooling System....................... 299
Engine Oil.......................285,286
Power Steering....................... 295
Fluids............................... 324
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts........ 324
Fog Lights.........................103,138
Folding Rear Seat....................... 94
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 273
Fuel................................. 241
Adding............................. 244
Additives........................... 243
Clean Air........................... 241
Filler Cap (Gas Cap)................... 244
Filter.............................. 291
Gasoline............................ 241
Gauge............................. 135
Hoses.............................. 305
Octane Rating.....................241,324
Requirements.....................241,323
Tank Capacity........................ 323
Fueling.............................. 244
Fuses................................ 311Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) .......... 115
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)................. 244
Gasoline, Clean Air..................... 241
Gasoline (Fuel)........................ 241
Gasoline, Reformulated.................. 242
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................. 135
Fuel............................... 135
Speedometer......................... 135
Tachometer.......................... 135
Gear Ranges.......................... 199
General Information.................15,24,238
Glass Cleaning......................... 309
Gross Axle Weight Rating..............247,250
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating............247,249
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect™) ............ 70
Hazard Warning Flasher.................. 262
Head Restraints......................... 94
Headlights
High Beam.......................... 103
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch...... 103
On With Wipers...................... 102
356 INDEX