cooling DODGE CHARGER 2010 7.G User Guide

Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) 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
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant (anti-
freeze) will begin to drain from the coolant recovery
bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE
CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System – Drain, Flush, and Refill
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) 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 the old engine coolant (antifreeze) solution.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
Selection of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended engine cool-
ant (antifreeze). Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
394 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
•Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze), may
result in engine damage and may decrease corro-
sion protection. If a non-HOAT engine coolant
(antifreeze) is introduced into the cooling system
in an emergency, it should be replaced with the
specified engine coolant (antifreeze) as soon as
possible.
•Do not use water alone or alcohol-based engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use addi-
tional rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they
may not be compatible with the radiator engine
coolant (antifreeze) and may plug the radiator.(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•This vehicle has not been designed for use with
propylene glycol-based engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Use of propylene glycol-based engine
coolant (antifreeze) is not recommended.
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 102,000 miles (170 000 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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 395

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 below34°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.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
coolant, 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.
396 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
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 disposalrules 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 coolant level is adequate. With the
engine OFF and cold, the level of the engine coolant
(antifreeze) 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
engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing cool-
ant. 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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 397

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
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain coolant 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.
398 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

U.S.Metric
Cooling System *
2.7 Liter Engine (MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile
Formula or equivalent) 9.9 Quarts
9.4 Liters
3.5 Liter Engine without All Wheel Drive (MOPAR Antifreeze/
Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 11.1 Quarts 10.5 Liters
3.5 Liter Engine with All Wheel Drive (MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant
5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 11.4 Quarts 10.8 Liters
5.7 Liter Engine without Severe Duty II Cooling System (MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 14.7 Quarts 13.9 Liters
5.7 Liter Engine with Severe Duty II Cooling System (MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 15.1 Quarts 14.3 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 427

Coin Holder........................... 162
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 246
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 309
Compass .............................. 195
Compass Calibration ..................... 195
Compass Variance ....................... 196
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 190
Connector UCI ................................ 230
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ......... 230
Conserving Fuel ........................ 190
Console, Floor .......................... 162
Console, Overhead ....................... 148
Contract, Service ........................ 455
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 396
Cooling System ......................... 393
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 395
Coolant Capacity ...................... 426
Coolant Level ...................... 394,397Disposal of Used Coolant
................ 397
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 394
Inspection ........................... 397
Points to Remember .................... 398
Pressure Cap ......................... 396
Radiator Cap ......................... 396
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......394,426,428
Corrosion Protection ..................... 404
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 144
Cruise Light ........................... 173
Cupholders ......................... 161,409
Customer Assistance ..................... 453
Customer Programmable Features ............ 197
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights ........... 139
Daytime Running Lights ................... 136
Dealer Service .......................... 378
Deck Lid, Emergency Release ................ 40
Deck Lid, Power Release ................... 39
10
INDEX 465

Jacking............................. 351
Jump Starting ......................... 362
Overheating .......................... 350
Towing ............................. 367
Emergency Trunk Release ................... 40
Emission Control System Maintenance ......377,432
Engine .......................... 373,374,375
Air Cleaner .......................... 384
Block Heater ......................... 265
Break-In Recommendations ................ 77
Checking Oil Level ..................... 380
Compartment ................... 373,374,375
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................. 394,428
Cooling ............................. 393
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 78,330
Fails to Start .......................... 264
Flooded, Starting ...................... 264
Fuel Requirements ..................... 326
Jump Starting ......................... 362 Multi-Displacement
.................... 287
Oil ........................... 380,426,428
Oil Change Interval ...............180,189,381
Oil Filler Cap ......................... 382
Oil Filter ............................ 383
Oil Filter Disposal ..................... 383
Oil Selection ....................... 381,426
Oil Synthetic ......................... 383
Overheating .......................... 350
Temperature Gauge .................... 174
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 382
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 62
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 19
Ethanol ............................... 327
Exhaust Gas Caution ................... 78,330
Exhaust System ....................... 78,391
Exterior Folding Mirrors ................... 89
Exterior Lighting ........................ 134
Exterior Lights .......................... 81
10
INDEX 467

Filler Location Fuel...................... 330
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 384
Air Conditioning .................... 256,387
Engine Oil ........................ 383,428
Engine Oil Disposal .................... 383
Flashers Hazard Warning ....................... 350
Turn Signal ...................... 81,137,175
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 138
Flat Tire Changing ....................... 351
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 264
Floor Console .......................... 162
Fluid, Brake ........................... 429
Fluid Capacities ......................... 426
Fluid Leaks ............................. 82
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ................. 401
Brake .............................. 399 Cooling System
....................... 394
Engine Oil ........................... 380
Power Steering ........................ 286
Transfer Case ......................... 403
Fluids ................................ 428
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 428
Fog Lights .......................... 136,178
Folding Rear Seat ........................ 131
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 366
Fuel ................................. 326
Adding ............................. 330
Additives ............................ 329
Clean Air ............................ 327
Conserving .......................... 190
Ethanol ............................. 327
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................... 330
Gasoline ............................ 326
Gauge .............................. 173
Materials Added ....................... 329
468 INDEX

Safety........................... 297,306
Self-Sealing .......................... 314
Sizes ............................... 298
Snow Tires ........................... 314
Spare Tire ........................... 352
Spinning ............................ 311
Trailer Towing ........................ 343
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 312
To Open Hood .......................... 132
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 340
Torque Converter Clutch .................. 274
Towing ............................... 335
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............... 105
Behind a Motor Home .................. 348
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 367
Guide .............................. 339
Recreational .......................... 348
Weight .............................. 339
Towing Assistance ....................... 105 Towing Vehicle Behind a Motor Home
......... 348
Traction Control ......................... 292
Trailer Towing .......................... 335
Cooling System Tips .................... 347
Hitches ............................. 338
Minimum Requirements ................. 341
Tips ................................ 346
Trailer and Tongue Weight ............... 340
Wiring .............................. 344
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 339
Trailer Weight .......................... 339
Transfer Case ........................... 403
Fluid ............................ 403,429
Maintenance ......................... 403
Transmission ........................... 401
Automatic ................... 266,270,276,401
Fluid ............................... 429
Range Indicator .................... 271,276
Shifting ............................. 266
480 INDEX