2005 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE engine overheat

3. Coolant Indicator Light
This indicator illuminates when the engine
coolant has dropped below the required
level in the reservoir or the coolant tempera-
ture is too high (see the Temperature gauge
section).
To check the coolant level, the vehicle must be parked on
level ground and the engine stopped.
Check coolant level only when the coolant is cold.
WARNING!
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 radia-
tor or coolant bottle is hot.
4. Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows engine coolant temperature. Any read-
ing between the Hot and Cold gauge marks show that the
engine cooling system is operating properly. The gauge
pointer may show a higher temperature when driving in
hot weather, up mountain grades, or in heavy stop-and-
go-traffic.
If the pointer rises to the red (Hot) area, stop the vehicle
and turn off the engine until the problem is corrected.
CAUTION!
Continuing to drive with an overheated engine cool-
ing system can cause damage to the engine or other
components.
5. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition is in the ON/RUN position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in the tank.
The arrow to the right of the gas pump symbol shows
which side of the vehicle the fuel filler door is located on.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 101
4

If the charging system indicator light comes on, or a loss
of power steering assistance is noticeable while the
engine is running, this may indicate that the accessory
drive belt has broken. Should this condition occur, the
belt must be replaced before continuing to operate the
vehicle.
CAUTION!
The accessory drive belt also drives the water pump.
Operating the vehicle with a failed belt can cause
engine overheating and possible severe engine dam-
age.
16. High Beam Indicator Light
This indicator will illuminate when the
headlights are in the high beam setting.
To activate the high beams, push the multifunction
control lever past the point of resistance, toward the
instrument panel.
17. Electronic Digital Clock
A digital readout in the instrument cluster shows the
time in hours and minutes whenever the ignition switch
is in the ON/RUN or ACC position.
When the ignition switch is in the OFF/LOCK position,
timekeeping is accurately maintained.
The display can be adjusted with the knob/button lo-
cated to the left of the clock.
18. Gear Indicator
For automatic transmission vehicles, the current gear
shift selector range is indicated in the gear range indica-
tor display.
19. Push Button for Time Setting
To adjust the time display, turn the key in the ignition
switch to the ON/RUN or ACC position. The knob/
button located just to the left of the clock is used to
change the time. Pull out the knob and turn it to the left
for hour adjustment; pull out the knob and turn it to the
right for minute adjustment.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 105
4

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS

Hazard Warning Flasher.................172

If Your Engine Overheats................172

TIREFIT Tire Repair And Jacking..........174
▫TIREFIT............................174
▫Preparations For Jacking................177
▫Jack Location And Instructions............178

Jump-Starting The Battery...............181

Driving On Slippery Surfaces.............183▫Traction............................184

Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................184

Towing A Disabled Vehicle...............185
▫Towing Eyes.........................186
▫Tow-Away Alarm.....................188

Convertible Top Emergency Operation......189
▫Relieving Hydraulic Pressure.............190
6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The flasher switch is located in the console. Push in
the flasher switch and all front and rear directional
signals will flash. Press the flasher switch a second
time to turn the flashers off.
Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE:With extended use, the flasher may run down
your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to the red
area on the gauge.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature in the red area. Doing so may cause serious
damage which is not covered by the DaimlerChrysler
Limited Warranty.
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways –Slow down and use the highest
gear possible.
•In city traffic –While stopped, put the transmission in
Neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
•In city traffic –While moving, shift into the highest
gear possible to reduce engine RPM.
172 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the cooling system and turning off the A/C removes this
heat. You can also turn the temperature control to maxi-
mum heat, the mode control to floor, and 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
cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H,” 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 on
the “H,” turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WARNING!
A hot cooling system is dangerous. You or others
could be badly burned by steam or boiling coolant.
If your temperature gauge pointer is in the red area,
turn off the engine immediately. You may want to
call an authorized dealer for service. If you decide to
look under the hood yourself, see Section 7 of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 173
6

NOTE:Do not operate the electric air pump for more
than eight minutes to avoid overheating. The air pump
may be used again once it has cooled down.
NOTE:Replace the TIREFIT sealant bottle once every
four years to assure optimum operation of the system.
NOTE:If TIREFIT is liquid, clean water and a damp
cloth will remove the material from the vehicle or tire and
wheel components. Once TIREFIT sealing material has
dried, it can easily be peeled off and properly discarded.
Preparations for Jacking
WARNING!
Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never get any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
facility where it can be raised on a lift.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to repair a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to traffic. Pull far enough off the road to
avoid the danger of being hit when operating the
jack or repairing a tire.
Jacking the vehicle should only be necessary in the event
that a tire has been severely damaged, and must be
replaced. (See TIREFIT Tire Repair section for a descrip-
tion of cuts and punctures that may be repairable with
TIREFIT.)
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 177
6

Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain enough distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front to avoid a collision in a sudden stop.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
In order to free a stuck vehicle you must turn off the
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) before attempting to
“rock” the vehicle.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and Drive. Usually the least accelerator pedal pressure to
maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
NOTE:ESP should be turned on again after freeing the
vehicle from a stuck condition.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission/axle overheating and fail-
ure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h).
184 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded fuel
only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effectiveness of the
catalyst as an emission control device.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly serviced to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
If the CHECK ENGINE light is flashing, immediate
service is required.CAUTION!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In
the event of engine malfunction, particularly involv-
ing engine misfire or other apparent loss of perfor-
mance, have your vehicle serviced promptly. Contin-
ued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and the
vehicle.
WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your ex-
haust system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in
areas where your exhaust system can contact any-
thing that can burn.
206 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE