2006 CHRYSLER 300 engine overheat

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 HI. 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 275
6

WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster
than 35 mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck. And
don’t let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter
what the speed.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It
can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 35 mph (55 km/h).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
With Ignition Key
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions: The gear selector must be in NEUTRAL, the
distance to be traveled must not exceed 30 miles (48 km),
and the towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48
km/h). Exceeding these towing limits may cause a trans-
mission geartrain failure. If the transmission is not op-
erative, or if the vehicle is to be towed more than 30 miles
(48 km), the vehicle must be transported using a flat bed
or the drive shaft disconnected at the rear axle drive
flange.
286 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
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.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may indicate severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, the
vehicle should be stopped, the engine shut off and the
vehicle allowed to cool. Thereafter, service, including a
tune-up to manufacturer’s specifications, should be ob-
tained immediately.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 305
7

WARNING!
•The warning words“DO NOT OPEN HOT”on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add coolant when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove the 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 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 level of the coolant in the bottle
should be between the ranges indicated on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
coolant freeze point or replacing coolant. Advise your
service attendant of this. As long as the engine operating
temperature is satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only
be checked once a month.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do
not overfill.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 315
7

Hazard Warning Flasher................ 274
Jacking............................. 275
Jump Starting........................ 282
Overheating......................... 274
Towing............................. 286
Emission Control System Maintenance....296,350
Engine.........................292,293,294
Air Cleaner.......................... 304
Air Cleaner Filter..................... 304
Block Heater......................... 210
Break-In Recommendations............... 60
Checking Oil Level.................298,299
Compartment..................292,293,294
Coolant (Antifreeze)................312,346
Cooling............................ 312
Exhaust Gas Caution................60,256
Fails to Start......................... 209
Fuel Requirements.................253,344
Oil ..........................298,344,346
Oil Change Interval................... 300
Oil Selection......................300,344
Oil Synthetic......................... 302
Overheating......................... 274Temperature Gauge................... 146
Enhanced Accident Response Feature......... 50
Event Data Recorder..................... 51
Exhaust Gas Caution...............60,256,311
Exhaust System........................ 311
Exterior Folding Mirrors.................. 68
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 304
Air Conditioning..................202,308
Engine Fuel......................... 304
Engine Oil.......................303,346
Engine Oil Disposal................... 302
Flashers
Hazard Warning...................... 274
Turn Signal.......................... 143
Flash-To-Pass.......................... 106
Flat Tire Changing...................... 275
Floor Console.......................... 135
Fluid Capacities........................ 344
Fluid Leaks............................ 61
Fluid Level Checks
Brake.............................. 318
INDEX 377
10

Synthetic........................... 302
Viscosity.........................301,344
Onboard Diagnostic System............295,296
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ......... 123
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual).......... 4
Overhead Console...................... 122
Overheating, Engine..................146,274
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual).......4,369
Panic Alarm........................... 22
Park Assist System, Rear................. 114
Parking Brake......................... 223
Parking On Hill........................ 224
Passing Light.......................... 106
Pedals, Adjustable....................... 98
Personal Settings....................... 158
Pets.................................. 59
Phone, Cellular......................... 70
Phone, Hands-Free (UConnect™) ............ 70
Placard, Tire and Loading Information....... 239
Power
Brakes............................. 225
Distribution Center.................... 326Door Locks.......................... 16
Mirrors............................. 69
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet)........ 131
Seats............................... 90
Steering............................ 228
Steering, Checking.................... 309
Sunroof............................ 128
Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column......... 112
Windows............................ 26
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts............. 38
Preparation for Jacking................... 276
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................ 36
Programmable Electronic Features....124,127,158
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry)...............124,127
Radial Ply Tires........................ 246
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap)........ 314
Radio Broadcast Signals.................. 163
Radio Operation..................164,171,192
Radio Remote Controls.................. 189
Radio, Satellite......................... 183
382 INDEX