oil temperature DODGE NEON SRT 2004 2.G Owners Manual

the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads over 250
degrees (in the red zone), 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 above 250
degrees (in the red zone), turn the engine off imme-
diately, 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, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 121
6

Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to decide if any apply to you.
²Day and night temperatures are below 32ÉF (0ÉC)
²Stop and Go driving
²Extensive engine idling
²Driving in dusty conditions
²Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
²More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90ÉF (32ÉC)
²Trailer towing
²Taxi, Police, or delivery service (commercial service)
²Off-road or desert operation
²If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol) fuel
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,whichever comes first and follow schedule ªBº of the
9Maintenance Schedules9section of this manual.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown on schedule9A9of the9Mainte-
nance Schedules9section of this manual.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacture only
recommends engine oils that are API certified and meet
138 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

the requirements of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard
MS-6395. Use Mopar or an equivalent oil meeting the
specification MS-6395.
The manufacturer recommends the use of Mobil 1t
10W30 synthetic engine oil.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacture only recommends
API Certified engine oils that
meet the requirements of
DaimlerChrysler Material Stan-
dard MS-6395. Use Mopar or an
equivalent oil meeting the specifi-
cation MS-6395.
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart
The proper SAE viscosity grade of engine oil should be
selected based on the following recommendation and be
within the operating temperature shown in the engine oil
viscosity chart.
Synthetic Engine Oils
There are a number of engine oils being promoted as
either synthetic or semi-synthetic. If you chose to use
such a product, useonlythose oils that meet the Ameri-
can Petroleum Institute (API) and SAE viscosity stan-
dard. Follow the service schedule that describes your
driving type.
Materials Added To Engine Oils
The manufacture strongly recommends against the addi-
tion of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 139
7

Cooling System
WARNING!
²When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition key
to the OFF position. The fan is temperature con-
trolled and can start at any time the ignition key is
in the ON position.
²You 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.
Coolant Checks
Check coolant 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 an accumulation of
bugs, leaves, etc. Clean the radiator by gently spraying
water from a garden hose at the back of the core.
Check the recovery bottle tank tubing for condition and
tightness of 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 coolant will begin to drain from the reserve
tank. Do not remove the cap when the cooling system is
hot.
Cooling System Ð 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 and 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. Discard oil antifreeze
solution.
148 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Suggested service intervals can be found in the Mainte-
nance Section.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. 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 wouldn't have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake and Power Steering System Hoses
When servicing the vehicle for scheduled maintenance,
inspect surface of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence of
heat and mechanical damage. Hard and brittle rubber,
cracking, checking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and excessive
swelling suggest deterioration of the rubber. Particularattention should be made to examining those hose sur-
faces nearest to high heat sources, such as the exhaust
manifold.
Inspect all hose clamps and couplings to make sure they
are secure and no leaks are present.
Insure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
NOTE:Often, fluids such as oil, power steering fluid,
and brake fluid are used during assembly plant opera-
tions to ease the assembly of hoses to couplings. There-
fore, oil wetness at the hose-coupling area is not neces-
sarily an indication of leakage. Actual dripping of hot
fluid when systems are under pressure (during vehicle
operation) should be noted before hose is replaced based
on leakage.
NOTE:Inspection of brake hoses should be done
whenever the brake system is serviced and every engine
oil change.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 153
7

SCHEDULE ªBº
Follow schedule ªBº If you usually operate your vehicle
under one or more of the following conditions.
Change the manual transaxle fluid every 48,000 miles (77
000 km) if the vehicle is usually operated under one or
more of the conditions marked with an ².
²Day or night temperatures are below 32É F (0É C ).
²Stop and go driving.
²Extensive engine idling.
²Driving in dusty conditions.
²Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km).
²More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90É F (32É C).
²Trailer towing.²
²Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial service).²
²Off-road or desert operation.
²If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule ªBº of the
9Maintenance Schedules9section of this manual.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown on schedule9A9of the9Mainte-
nance Schedules9section of this manual.
SCHEDULE ªBº 171
8
M
A
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T
E
N
A
N
C
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S
C
H
E
D
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S

Downshifting........................... 92
Drive Belts............................ 140
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 128
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 48
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 122
Jump Starting........................ 125
Towing............................. 130
Emergency Trunk Release................. 15
Emission Control System Maintenance....... 168
Engine
Break-In Recommendations............... 42
Checking Oil Level.................... 137
Jump Starting........................ 125
Oil ..........................137,165,166
Oil Change Interval................... 138
Oil Filter............................ 166
Oil Selection......................... 138
Oil Synthetic......................... 139
Overheating......................... 120
Temperature Gauge.................... 67Timing Belt.......................... 142
Exhaust Gas Caution..................... 43
Exhaust System........................ 147
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 142
Engine Fuel......................... 142
Engine Oil.......................140,166
Flooded Engine Starting................... 88
Fluid, Brake........................... 166
Fluid Capacities........................ 165
Fluid Leaks............................ 44
Fluid Level Checks
Manual Transaxle..................... 155
Fog Lights...........................54,63
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 129
Fuel.............................. 113,166
Adding............................. 116
Filler Cap........................... 116
Filter.............................. 142
Gauge.............................. 65
Light............................... 65
Octane Rating........................ 113
194 INDEX

Security Alarm......................... 65
Sentry Key............................. 9
Service Assistance...................... 184
Service Contract........................ 186
Service Manuals........................ 188
Setting the Clock........................ 68
Shift Speeds............................ 91
Shift Speeds, Manual Transaxle............. 91
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage............. 24
Side Airbag............................ 34
Side Window Demisters................... 82
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 128
Snow Chains.......................... 111
Snow Tires............................ 111
Spark Plugs........................... 140
Speedometer........................... 64
Starting............................... 87
Engine Fails to Start.................... 88
Steering
Power.............................. 95
Tilt Column.......................... 57
Wheel Lock.......................... 12
Storage, Vehicle........................ 161Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 27
Synthetic Engine Oil..................... 139
Tachometer............................ 64
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......67,121
Tilt Steering Column..................... 57
Tire and Loading Information Placard....... 100
Tire Markings.......................... 96
Tire Safety Information................... 96
Tires ...........................44,104,189
Alignment.......................... 110
Chains............................. 111
Changing........................... 122
Compact Spare....................... 107
High Speed......................... 106
Inflation Pressures.................... 105
Jacking............................. 122
Load Capacity....................100,101
Quality Grading...................... 189
Radial............................. 107
Replacement......................... 109
Rotation............................ 112
Safety.............................. 104
INDEX 199
10