2004 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY radiator cap

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, fol-
low the preceding safety tips.
Cooling System
Inspection
WARNING!
²When working near the radiator cooling fan, turn
the ignition key to the OFF position. The fan is
temperature controlled and can start at any time
when 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.
326 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Coolant Checks
Coolant protection checks should be made every 12
months (prior to 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 A/C condenser for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by
removing the upper grill support and 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 coolant pressure cap for proper
vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of coolantfrom the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing prop-
erly, the coolant will begin to drain from the coolant
recovery bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT
PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS
HOT.
Cooling System Ð Drain, Flush and Refill
At the intervals shown in 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 manufacturers recommended coolant, refer
to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
for correct coolant type.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 327
7

Coolant Pressure Cap
The coolant pressure 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 coolant pressure cap should be inspected and
cleaned if there is any accumulation of foreign material
on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
The warning words ªDO NOT OPEN HOTº on the
coolant pressure cap are a safety precaution. Never add
coolant to the radiator when the engine is overheated.
Do not loosen or remove the coolant pressure 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 coolant pressure cap while the
system is hot or under pressure.
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 recovery bottle provides a quick visual
method for determining that the coolant level is ad-
equate. With the engine cold, the level of the coolant in
the coolant recovery bottle should be between the
ªMAXº and ªMINº marks. The radiator normally re-
mains completely full, so there is no need to remove the
radiator cap except for checking coolant freeze point or
replacement with new antifreeze coolant. Your service
attendant should be advised of this. So long as the engine
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 329
7

Filter............................... 337
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 337
Fluid Level Check...................... 336
Interlock System....................... 242
Reset Mode.......................... 242
Selection Of Lubricant................335,353
Shifting............................. 243
Special Additives...................... 337
Ball Joints............................. 323
Battery............................... 319
Gas Caution.......................... 320
Jump Starting......................... 298
Keyless Transmitter Replacement............ 26
Saving Feature........................ 109
Bearings.............................. 339
Belts, Drive............................ 316
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 324
B-Pillar Location........................ 256Brake, Parking.......................... 245
Brake System........................246,331
Anti-Lock........................... 247
Fluid Check.......................333,353
Hoses.............................. 332
Warning Light........................ 161
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 241
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 72
Bulb Replacement....................... 347
Bulbs, Light............................ 346
Calibration, Compass..................... 122
Capacities, Fluid........................ 351
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 279
Radiator............................ 329
Car Washes............................ 340
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 278
Cargo ................................ 145
INDEX 387
10

Radiator Cap......................... 329
Selection of Coolant..................327,352
Cruise Control.......................... 117
Cruise Light........................... 167
Cup Holder.........................140,343
Customer Assistance..................... 376
Daytime Running Lights................... 109
Dealer Service.......................... 311
Defroster, Rear Window................... 233
Defroster, Windshield................74,213,223
Digital Video Disc Player.................. 197
Dimmer Control........................ 107
Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle.................... 336
Disposal
Antifreeze........................... 329
Domelight............................. 108
Door Ajar Light......................... 161Door Locks............................. 17
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 19
Door Opener, Garage..................... 129
Drive Belts............................ 316
Drive Shaft Universal Joints................ 323
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 299
DVD Player............................ 197
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 84
Electrical Power Outlets................... 138
Electronic Speed Control................... 117
Electronic Vehicle Information Center......... 125
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 292
Overheating.......................... 291
Emission Control System Maintenance......310,356
Engine............................... 308
Air Cleaner.......................... 317
INDEX 389
10

Overheating, Engine...................164,291
Owner's Manual.......................4,380
Panic Alarm............................ 22
Parking Brake.......................... 245
Parking On Hill......................... 245
Passing Light........................... 111
Pedals, Adjustable....................... 116
Pets.................................. 68
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 256
Power
Brakes.............................. 246
Distribution Center..................... 344
Door Locks........................... 18
Lift Gate............................. 35
Mirrors.............................. 84
Outlet.............................. 138
Seats................................ 86
Sliding Door.......................... 30Steering............................. 249
Steering, Checking..................... 322
Sunroof............................. 135
Windows............................. 38
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 49
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 48
Programmable Electronic Features......126,130,134
Programming Transmitters............23,130,134
Radial Ply Tires......................... 264
Radiator Cap........................327,329
Radio..........................171,181,188
Radio Broadcast Signals................... 169
Radio Operation........................ 209
Radio Remote Controls.................200,206
Rear Air Conditioning.................216,224
Rear Cup Holder........................ 141
Rear Heater............................ 216
396 INDEX