2005 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE service

WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface with
the engine off to prevent injury from moving parts,
and to insure accurate fluid level reading. Do not
overfill. Use only manufacturer’s recommended
fluid.
Fluid level should be maintained at the proper level
indicated on the side of the reservoir. If necessary, addfluid to restore to the proper indicated level. With a clean
cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all surfaces. Refer to
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts for
correct fluid type.
Suspension Ball Joints
There are two upper front and rear suspension ball joints.
Inspect these ball joints whenever under vehicle service is
done. If the seals are damaged, the ball joint should be
replaced.
Body Mechanism Lubrication
Locks and all body pivot points, including such items as
seat tracks, doors, liftgate and hood hinges, should be
lubricated periodically to assure quiet, easy operation
and to protect against rust and wear. Prior to the appli-
cation of any lubricant, the parts concerned should be
wiped clean to remove dust and grit; after lubricating
excess oil and grease should be removed. Particular
attention should also be given to hood latching compo-
nents to insure proper function. When performing other
underhood services, the hood latch, release mechanism
and safety catch should be cleaned and lubricated.
Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
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Hood Latch
When performing other under hood services, the hood
latch release mechanism and safety catch should be
inspected, cleaned, and lubricated.
It is important to maintain proper lubrication to insure
that the hood mechanisms work properly and safely.
Multi-Purpose Lubricant, NLGI Grade 2, should be ap-
plied sparingly to all pivot and sliding contact areas.
External Lock Cylinders
Lubricate the external lock cylinders twice a year, prefer-
ably in the fall and spring. Apply a small amount of
lubricant, such as Mopar Lock Cylinder Lubricant di-
rectly into the lock cylinder (avoid excess lubricant).
Insert the key into the lock cylinder and rotate from the
unlocked to the locked position; without adding more
lubricant. Repeat this procedure three or four times. Wipe
all the lubricant off the key with a clean cloth, to avoid
soiling clothing.
If you use a lubricant that cannot be dispensed directly
into the lock cylinder, apply a small amount of the
lubricant to the key. Insert the key into the lock cylinder,then proceed as described above, to distribute the lubri-
cant within the lock cylinder. Pay attention to trunk
hinges, especially during cold weather, to ensure ease of
trunk operation.
Other Body Mechanisms
The following body mechanisms should be inspected
and, if necessary, all pivot and sliding contact areas of
these components should be lubricated with the lubricant
specified as follows:
Engine Oil
•
Door hinges
•Hood hinges
•Trunk hinges
Smooth White Body Lubricant - Such as Mopar
Spray White Lube:
•
Hood hinge springs and links
•Lock cylinders
•Parking brake mechanism
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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. Do not store ethylene glycol based engine
coolant in open containers or allow it to remain in
puddles on the ground. Prevent ingestion by animals or
children. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
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 coolant level should be between
the“MIN”and“MAX”marks on the side of the coolant
bottle. Some darkening of the coolant bottle will occur
over time. This is normal. If the coolant level is hard to
see, jostling the coolant bottle will make it easier to see.
There is no need to remove the radiator cap unless
checking for coolant freeze point, adding, or replacing
coolant. Advise your service attendant of this. As long as
the engine operating temperature is satisfactory, thecoolant bottle need only be checked once a month. Heater
performance may also be adversely affected by low
coolant levels.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do
not overfill. Special procedures are required when filling
the engine cooling system of the 2.7L Engine. See your
authorized dealer for details.
Points to Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles of
operation, you may observe vapor coming from the front
of the engine compartment. This is normally a result of
moisture from rain, snow, or high humidity accumulat-
ing on the radiator and being vaporized when the
thermostat opens, allowing hot water to enter the radia-
tor.
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 bottle.
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•Check coolant freeze point in the system.
•If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the bottle does not drop when the engine cools,
the cooling system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT ethylene
glycol engine coolant (minimum) and distilled water
for proper corrosion protection of your engine which
contains aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant bottle hoses
are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle has
air conditioning, keep the front of the condenser clean,
also.
•Do not change the thermostat for summer or winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory cooling performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
Hoses and Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses
Inspect surfaces of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence
of heat and mechanical damage. Hard or soft spots,
brittle rubber, cracking, checking, tears, cuts, abrasions,
and excessive swelling indicate deterioration of the rub-
ber.
Pay particular attention to those hoses nearest to high
heat sources such as the exhaust manifold. Inspect hose
routing to be sure hoses do not touch any heat source or
moving component that may cause heat damage or
mechanical wear.
Insure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed. Inspect all hose connections such as clamps
and couplings to make sure they are secure and no leaks
are present. Components should be replaced immedi-
ately if there is any evidence of degradation that could
cause failure.
Brakes
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Suggested service intervals can be found in section 8.
224 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 may not 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, abrasion, and excessive
swelling suggest deterioration of the rubber. Particular
attention 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.
WARNING!
Worn brake hoses can burst and cause brake failure.
You could have an accident. If you see any signs of
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, have the brake
hoses replaced immediately.
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Master Cylinder
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under hood services, or immediately if
the brake system warning lamp shows system failure.
Be sure to clean the top of the master cylinder area before
removing the cap. If necessary, fill brake fluid reservoir to
the top of the fill mark chevron. With disc brakes, fluid
level can be expected to fall as the brake pads wear.
However, low fluid level may be caused by a leak and a
checkup may be needed.Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid, refer
to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
for correct fluid type.
WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that has a lower initial boiling
point than MOPAR DOT 3 Brake Fluid or that is
unidentified as to DOT FMVSS specification may
result in sudden brake failure during hard or pro-
longed braking. You could have an accident.
WARNING!
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter.
Brake Fluid Reservoir
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Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid as seal damage will result!
Fuel System Hoses
Electronic Fuel Injection high pressure fuel systems are
designed with hoses and clamps which have unique
material characteristics to provide adequate sealing and
resist attack by deteriorated gasoline.
You are urged to use only manufacturer specified hoses
and clamps, or their equivalent in material and specifi-
cation, in any fuel system servicing. It is mandatory to
replace all clamps that have been loosened or removed
during service. Care should be taken in installing new
clamps to insure they are properly torqued.
Automatic Transmission
Your front wheel drive vehicle has a transmission and
differential assembly contained within a single housing.
This is referred to as a“Transaxle.”
Selection of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transmission to assure optimum transmission perfor-
mance. Use only manufacturers recommended transmis-
sion fluid, refer to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and
Genuine Parts for correct fluid type. It is important that
the transmission fluid be maintained at the prescribed
level using the recommended fluid.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turers recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder. Using a transmission fluid other than the
manufacturers recommended fluid will result in
more frequent fluid and filter changes. Refer to
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
for correct fluid type.
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Procedure For Checking Fluid Level
The fluid level in the automatic transaxle should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transaxle and of the fluid.
To properly check the automatic transaxle fluid level, the
following procedure must be used:
•The vehicle must be on level ground.
•The engine should be running at curb idle speed for a
minimum of 60 seconds.
•Fully apply parking brake.
•Place the gear selector momentarily in each gear
position ending with the lever in P (PARK).
•Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated.
Remove dipstick and note reading.
•If the fluid is cold (80°F/27°C), the reading should be
in the cross hatched area marked“COLD”(between
the lower two holes in the dipstick).
•If the fluid is hot (180°F/82°C), the reading should be
in the cross hatched area marked”HOT”(between the
upper two holes in the dipstick).
•If the fluid level shows low, add sufficient transmis-
sion fluid to bring to the proper level.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill. Dirt and water in the transaxle can
cause serious damage. To prevent dirt and water
from entering the transaxle after checking or replen-
ishing fluid, make certain that the dipstick cap is
seated properly.
228 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE