2006 CHRYSLER 300 SRT cooling

Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at any time the ignition
switch 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
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before 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 coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rubber,
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 cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
coolant from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing
properly, the engine coolant (antifreeze) will begin to
drain from the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT RE-
MOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System — Drain, Flush and Refill
At the intervals shown on 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.
258 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended coolant, refer
to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
for correct coolant type.
CAUTION!
Mixing of coolants other than specified HOAT en-
gine coolants, may result in engine damage and may
decrease corrosion protection. If a non-HOAT cool-
ant is introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the specified
coolant as soon as possible.
Do not use plain water alone or alcohol base engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use additional
rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not
be compatible with the radiator engine coolant and
may plug the radiator.
This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based coolants. Use of Propylene
Glycol based coolants is not recommended.
Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
coolant can be used up to 5 Years or 100,000 miles before
replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance period, it is important that you use the same
coolant throughout the life of your vehicle. Please review
these recommendations for using Hybrid Organic Addi-
tive Technology (HOAT) coolant.
When adding coolant, a minimum solution of 50% rec-
ommended Mopar Antifreeze/ Coolant 5 Year/100,000
Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technol-
ogy), or equivalent, in water should be used. Use higher
concentrations (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below

34°F (
37°C ) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/engine coolant solution.
The use of lower quality water will reduce the amount of
corrosion protection in the engine cooling system.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 259
7

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.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The 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 cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
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 the
260 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ground. 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.
Points To Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles (a
few kilometers) 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 highhumidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot coolant to
enter the radiator.
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 recovery bottle.
•Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, contents of coolant recovery bottle must also be
protected against freezing.
•If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop when
the engine cools, the cooling system should be pres-
sure tested for leaks.
•Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled water for proper
corrosion protection of your engine which contains
aluminum components.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 261
7

License Lamp
1. Remove the screws securing the light to the rear fascia.
2. Remove the bulb and socket assembly and pull the
bulb from the socket.
3. Replace the bulb and reinstall the bulb and socket
assembly.
4. Reattach the light to the rear fascia.
FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (approximate)
6.1 Liter Engines (Premium 91
Octane)19 gal-
lons72 liters
Engine Oil-With Filter
6.1 Liter Engines (SAE 0W-40) 7 qts. 6.6 liters
Cooling System *
6.1 Liter Engines (Mopar
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/
100,000 Mile Formula) or
equivalent.14.8 qts 14.0 li-
ters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to
MAX level.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 281
7

Cooling System........................ 258
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 259
Coolant Capacity..................... 281
Coolant Level.....................258,261
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 260
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 258
Inspection........................... 261
Points to Remember................... 261
Pressure Cap........................ 260
Radiator Cap........................ 260
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)....259,281,282
Cruise Control (Speed Control)............. 111
Cup Holder........................125,270
Customer Assistance.................... 300
Data Recorder, Event..................... 47
Dealer Service......................... 246
Defroster, Windshield..................57,177
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers............... 103
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 244
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................ 101
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............. 260Door Locks............................ 15
Door Locks, Automatic................... 17
Door Opener, Garage.................... 114
Drive Belts............................ 250
Driver’s Seat Glide Feature................ 92
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 237
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System).... 163
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 64
Electrical Power Outlets.................. 122
Electronic Speed Control.................. 111
Electronic Stability Program............... 109
Electronic Vehicle Information Center........ 140
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 238
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 230
Jump Starting........................ 235
Overheating......................... 230
Towing............................. 239
Emission Control System Maintenance....245,284
Engine............................... 243
Air Cleaner.......................... 251
310 INDEX

Air Cleaner Filter..................... 251
Break-In Recommendations............... 56
Checking Oil Level.................... 247
Compartment........................ 243
Coolant (Antifreeze)................258,282
Cooling............................ 258
Exhaust Gas Caution................56,223
Fails to Start......................... 184
Fuel Requirements.................220,281
Oil ..........................247,281,282
Oil Change Interval................... 248
Oil Selection......................249,281
Overheating......................... 230
Temperature Gauge................... 137
Engine Oil Viscosity..................... 249
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart................ 249
Enhanced Accident Response Feature......... 46
Event Data Recorder..................... 47
Exhaust Gas Caution...............56,223,257
Exhaust System........................ 257
Exterior Folding Mirrors.................. 64Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 251
Air Conditioning..................179,255
Engine Fuel......................... 251
Engine Oil.......................250,282
Engine Oil Disposal................... 250
Flashers
Hazard Warning...................... 230
Turn Signal.......................... 134
Flash-To-Pass.......................... 101
Floor Console.......................... 126
Fluid Capacities........................ 281
Fluid Leaks............................ 58
Fluid Level Checks
Brake.............................. 264
Cooling System....................... 258
Engine Oil.......................... 247
Power Steering....................... 255
Fluids............................... 282
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts........ 282
Fog Lights.........................100,134
Folding Rear Seat....................... 93
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 238
INDEX 311
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