2006 CHRYSLER 300 SRT radiator cap

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 “260”, 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 “260”, 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.
TIREFIT TIRE REPAIR
Small punctures, particularly those in the tread, can be
sealed with TIREFIT. Foreign objects (e.g., screws or
nails) should not be removed from the tire. TIREFIT can
be used in outside temperatures down to approximately
-4°F (-20°C).
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 231
6

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

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

Bearings.............................. 266
Belts, Drive........................... 250
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 256
B-Pillar Location....................... 204
Brake Assist System..................... 108
Brake, Parking......................... 194
Brake System.......................195,262
Anti-Lock........................... 195
Fluid Check......................264,282
Hoses.............................. 263
Warning Light....................... 136
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 192
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 56
Bulb Replacement...................... 276
Bulbs, Light........................... 275
Calibration, Compass.................... 144
Capacities, Fluid....................... 281
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 224
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 260
Car Washes........................... 267
Carbon Monoxide Warning.............56,223Cargo Tie-Downs....................... 126
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 171
Catalytic Converter..................... 251
CD Player............................ 152
Cellular Phone.......................... 66
Chains, Tire........................... 217
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 201
Child Restraint...................48,50,52,54
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 52
Child Safety Locks....................... 17
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 221
Climate Control........................ 173
Clock.............................151,153
Compact Disc Maintenance............... 172
Compass............................. 143
Compass Calibration.................... 144
Compass Variance...................... 144
Computer, Trip/Travel................... 142
Console.............................. 126
Console, Floor......................... 126
Console, Overhead...................... 113
Contract, Service....................... 302
Coolant Pressure Cap.................... 260
INDEX 309
10

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

Steering............................ 198
Steering, Checking.................... 255
Sunroof............................ 120
Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column......... 106
Windows............................ 23
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts............. 33
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................ 32
Programmable Electronic Features..... 115,119,147
Programming Transmitters............. 115,119
Radial Ply Tires........................ 211
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap)........ 260
Radio Broadcast Signals.................. 170
Radio Operation.....................152,172
Radio Remote Controls.................. 168
Radio, Satellite......................... 165
Radio (Sound Systems)................... 152
Rain Sensitive Wiper System.............. 102
Rear Park Assist System................... 85
Rear Seat, Folding....................... 93
Reclining Front Seats..................... 88
Recorder, Event Data..................... 47Recreational Towing..................... 228
Refrigerant............................ 255
Reminder, Seat Belt...................... 32
Remote Keyless Entry.................... 18
Remote Sound System Controls............ 168
Remote Trunk Release.................... 25
Replacement Tires...................... 213
Reporting Safety Defects................. 303
Restraint, Head......................... 93
Restraints, Occupant..................... 27
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck.............. 238
Rotation, Tires......................... 218
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle............... 57
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle.............. 58
Safety Defects, Reporting................. 303
Safety Information, Tire.................. 199
Safety Tips............................. 56
Satellite Radio......................... 165
Satellite Radio Antenna.................. 167
Schedule, Maintenance................... 284
Seat Belt Maintenance................... 269
Seat Belt Reminder...................... 32
316 INDEX