2005 DODGE MAGNUM radiator cap

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 engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum 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 engine 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 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.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 257
6

Cooling System
Inspection
WARNING!
•When 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.
•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 radiator is hot.
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 anyaccumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the condenser.
Check the cooling system hoses for brittle rubber, crack-
ing, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection at the
bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for leaks.
Cooling System—Drain, Flush and Refill
At the intervals shown in the appropriate maintenance
schedule, 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 295
7

CAUTION!
•Mixing of coolants other than the specified HOAT
coolant may result in decreased corrosion protec-
tion and engine damage that may not be covered
under the new vehicle warranty. If a non-HOAT
coolant is introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the speci-
fied coolant as soon as possible.
•Do not use plain water alone or alcohol base
antifreeze products. Do not use additional rust
inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not be
compatible with the radiator coolant and may
plug the radiator.
•This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based coolants. Use of Propy-
lene Glycol based coolants is not recommended.
Adding Coolant
When adding coolant, or refilling the system, a minimum
of 50% solution of ethylene glycol antifreeze coolant inwater should be used. Higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) are required if temperatures below
34°F
(
37°C) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/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 coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
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 coolant bottle from the overflow tank. The
coolant pressure cap should be inspected and cleaned if
there is any accumulation of foreign material on the
sealing surfaces.
296 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•The warning words“DO NOT OPEN HOT”on
the coolant pressure cap are a safety precaution.
Never add coolant to the cooling system 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.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or
engine damage may result.
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 theground. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
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 coolant level should be between
the ranges indicated on the bottle. Some darkening of the
coolant bottle will occur over time. This is normal.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do
not overfill. See your authorized dealer to properly fill
the cooling system.
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 coolant to enter the
radiator.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 297
7

Battery............................... 289
Jump Starting........................ 267
Keyless Transmitter Replacement.......... 23
Location.........................268,289
Bearings.............................. 303
Belts, Drive........................... 286
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 293
B-Pillar Location....................... 224
Brake Assist System..................... 100
Brake, Parking......................... 214
Brake System.......................216,299
Anti-Lock........................... 216
Fluid Check......................300,321
Hoses.............................. 299
Warning Light....................... 138
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 213
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 56
Bulb Replacement...................... 314
Bulbs, Light........................... 313
Calibration, Compass.................... 144
Capacities, Fluid....................... 319Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 247
Radiator............................ 296
Car Washes........................... 304
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 246
Cargo Compartment
Luggage Carrier...................... 125
Cargo Management System............... 119
Cargo Organizer...................... 123
Rollaway Tonneau Cover............... 121
Tri-Fold Load Floor.................... 119
Waterproof Liner..................... 122
Cargo Tie-Downs....................... 123
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 183
Catalytic Converter..................... 287
CD Player......................150,155,166
Cellular Phone.......................... 65
Chains, Tire........................... 240
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 257
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 221
Child Restraint...................48,50,52,54
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 52
Child Safety Locks....................... 19
INDEX 351
10

Clean Air Gasoline...................... 243
Climate Control........................ 185
Compact Disc Maintenance............... 184
Compact Spare Tire..................... 231
Compass............................. 144
Compass Calibration.................... 144
Compass Variance...................... 145
Computer, Trip/Travel................... 143
Console.............................. 118
Console, Floor......................... 118
Console, Overhead...................... 106
Contract, Service....................... 342
Coolant Pressure Cap.................... 296
Cooling System........................ 295
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 296
Coolant Capacity..................... 319
Coolant Level........................ 297
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 297
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 295
Inspection........................... 295
Points to Remember................... 297
Pressure Cap........................ 296
Radiator Cap........................ 296Selection of Coolant.............295,319,320
Cruise Control......................... 103
Cup Holder........................ 117,306
Customer Assistance.................... 340
Data Recorder, Event..................... 47
Dealer Service......................... 280
Defroster, Rear Window.................. 185
Defroster, Windshield...............58,187,192
Delay Wipers........................... 95
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 278
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 95
Disposal
Antifreeze........................... 297
Door Locks............................ 15
Door Locks, Automatic................... 17
Door Opener, Garage.................... 107
Drive Belts............................ 286
Drive Shaft Universal Joints............... 292
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 269
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 64
352 INDEX

Phone, Hands-Free....................... 65
Placard, Tire and Loading Information....... 224
Power
Brakes............................. 216
Distribution Center.................... 307
Door Locks.......................... 16
Mirrors ............................. 64
Outlet.............................. 115
Seats............................... 84
Steering............................ 219
Steering, Checking.................... 292
Sunroof............................ 112
Windows............................ 27
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts............. 35
Preparation for Jacking................... 258
Programmable Electronic Features.....107,111,148
Programming Transmitters.............107,111
Radial Ply Tires........................ 231
Radiator Cap.......................... 296
Radio..........................150,155,166
Radio Broadcast Signals.................. 182
Radio Operation...............150,155,166,185Radio Remote Controls.................. 181
Radio, Satellite......................... 178
Rear Liftgate........................... 26
Rear Seat, Folding....................... 87
Rear Window Defroster.................. 185
Rearview Mirrors........................ 62
Reclining Front Seats..................... 85
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts............................... 320
Recorder, Event Data..................... 47
Refrigerant............................ 291
Reminder, Seat Belt...................... 34
Remote Keyless Entry.................... 20
Remote Sound System Controls............ 181
Replacement Tires...................... 234
Reporting Safety Defects................. 344
Restraint, Head......................... 86
Restraints, Occupant..................... 28
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck.............. 270
Roof Rack............................ 125
Rotation, Tires......................... 242
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle............... 57
358 INDEX