cooling DODGE CHARGER 2012 7.G User Guide

To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
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. The fan is tempera-
ture controlled and can start at any time the
ignition switch is in the ON position.
•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 is hot.
508 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 509

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.
•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 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.
510 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 511

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.
512 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 513

FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
All Engines 19 Gallons72 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
3.6 Liter Engine (SAE 5W-30, API Certified) 6 Quarts5.6 Liters
5.7 Liter Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 7 Quarts6.6 Liters
Cooling System *
3.6 Liter Engine (MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile
Formula or equivalent) 10 Quarts
9.5 Liters
5.7 Liter Engine without Severe Duty II Cooling System (MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 14.5 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 Quarts
14.3 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
538 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Console, Floor.......................... 279
Console, Overhead ....................... 256
Contract, Service ........................ 563
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 511
Cooling System ......................... 508
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 510
Coolant Capacity ..................... 538
Coolant Level .................... 509,512
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 512
Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 509
Inspection .......................... 512
Points to Remember .................. 513
Pressure Cap ........................ 511
Radiator Cap ........................ 511
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....509,538,539
Corrosion Protection ..................... 519
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 222
Cupholders ......................... 275,524
Customer Assistance ..................... 561 Data Recorder, Event
...................... 69
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights ........... 209
Daytime Running Lights ................... 202
Dealer Service .......................... 493
Deck Lid, Emergency Release ................ 41
Deck Lid, Power Release ................... 39
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 282
Defroster, Windshield ................... 84,352
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 210
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 491
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................. 205
Dipsticks Oil (Engine) ........................ 495
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 484
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 512
Engine Oil ......................... 498
Door Locks ............................. 28
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 30
10
INDEX 573

Coolant (Antifreeze)................ 509,539
Cooling ........................... 508
Exhaust Gas Caution ................82,440
Fails to Start ........................ 367
Flooded, Starting ..................... 367
Fuel Requirements .................... 436
Jump Starting ....................... 475
Multi-Displacement ................... 391
Oil ......................... 495,538,539
Oil Change Interval ................ 308,496
Oil Filler Cap .................... 496,497
Oil Filter ........................... 498
Oil Filter Disposal .................... 498
Oil Selection ..................... 496,538
Oil Synthetic ........................ 497
Overheating ........................ 464
Starting ........................... 364
Temperature Gauge ................... 298 Engine Oil Viscosity
................... 496,497
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 66
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 437
Event Data Recorder ...................... 69
Exhaust Gas Caution ................... 82,440
Exhaust System ....................... 82,506
Exterior Folding Mirrors ................... 96
Exterior Lighting ........................ 199
Exterior Lights .......................... 85
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 294
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 498
Air Conditioning .................. 356,502
Engine Oil ....................... 498,539
Engine Oil Disposal ................... 498
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 205
10
INDEX 575

FlashersHazard Warning ..................... 464
Turn Signal .................... 85,204,290
Flat Tire Changing ....................... 465
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ...................... 443
Engine Oil ......................... 442
Fuel Requirements ................. 440,441
Maintenance ........................ 443
Replacement Parts .................... 443
Starting ........................... 443
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 367
Floor Console .......................... 279
Fluid Capacities ......................... 538
Fluid Leaks ............................. 85
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ................ 517
Brake ............................. 514
Cooling System ...................... 509 Engine Oil
......................... 495
Transfer Case ....................... 518
Fluid, Brake ........................... 540
Fluids ................................ 539
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 539
Fog Lights .......................... 203,290
Folding Rear Seat ........................ 191
Forward Collision Warning ..............243,304
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 479
Fuel ................................. 436
Additives .......................... 439
Clean Air .......................... 437
Conserving ......................... 310
Ethanol ........................... 437
Filler Door (Gas Cap) .................. 294
Gasoline ........................... 436
Gauge ............................ 294
Light ............................. 304
Materials Added ..................... 439
576 INDEX