2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER cooling

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.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturers recommended coolant, refer
to 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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 383
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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.
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.
384 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 childrendo not store ethylene glycol based engine coolant in open
containers or allow it to remain in puddles on the
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 idling, and warm to normal operating tempera-
ture, 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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 385
7

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 high
humidity 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.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean, also.
386 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)15 Gallons 56.7 Liters
Engine Oil-With Filter
2.4 Liter Engines (Use API Certified SAE 5W-30 Engine Oil. 5.0 qts 4.7 Liters
Cooling System *
2.4 Liter Engines (MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000
Miles Formula), or equivalent.6.5 qts 6.2 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 411
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Caution, Exhaust Gas..................... 114
CD (Compact Disc) Player...............240,248
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance........ 265
Cellular Phone.......................136,266
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 410
Chains, Tire............................ 320
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 346
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 304
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . 365
Child Restraint....................... 72,105
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............ 76,109
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts........... 75
Child Safety Locks........................ 23
Child Seat........................... 78,111
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 323
Climate Control......................... 266
Clock ...........................238,242,250
Clutch............................... 389
Clutch Fluid........................... 389CoinHolder ........................... 204
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 265
Compact Spare Tire...................... 315
Compass.............................. 237
Compass Calibration..................... 237
Compass Variance....................... 235
Console.............................. 204
Contract, Service........................ 442
Convertible............................ 121
Convertible Boot.....................126,130
Convertible Top......................... 121
Convertible Top Maintenance............... 400
Convertible Top Manual Override.........132,357
Cool Down, Turbo....................... 282
Coolant (Antifreeze)................... 411,412
Cooling System......................... 382
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 384
Coolant Level......................382,385
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 385
450 INDEX

Emergency Deck Lid Release Latch (Convertible) . . 41
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 346
Jump Starting......................... 351
Towing ............................. 355
Emergency Seat Back Release (Sedan).......... 40
Emission Control System Maintenance......365,416
Engine............................362,363
Break-In Recommendations............... 113
Checking Oil Level..................... 368
Cooling ............................. 382
Exhaust Gas Caution.................... 325
Fuel Requirements..................... 322
Jump Starting......................... 351
Oil ...........................368,411,412
Oil Change Interval.................... 369
Oil Filler Cap...................362,363,370
OilFilter ............................ 412
Oil Selection.......................... 370Oil Synthetic......................... 371
Overheating.......................... 344
Temperature Gauge..................... 222
TimingBelt .......................... 374
Event Data Recorder................... 70,103
Exhaust Gas Caution.............. 39,114,325,381
Exhaust System......................... 381
Filler Location Fuel...................... 222
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 374
Engine Fuel.......................... 374
Engine Oil........................371,412
Flashers.............................. 344
Hazard Warning....................... 344
Flat Tire Stowage........................ 351
Flooded Engine Starting................... 281
Fluid, Brake........................... 413
Fluid Capacities......................... 411
452 INDEX

Recreational.......................... 340
Weight .............................. 332
Traction.............................. 354
Traction Control......................188,300
Traction Control Switch.................188,300
TrailerTowing .......................... 329
Cooling System Tips.................... 340
Hitches............................. 332
Minimum Requirements................. 334
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 333
Wiring .............................. 338
TrailerTowingGuide ..................... 332
TrailerWeight .......................... 332
Transaxle............................. 284
Automatic.................... 13,280,284,391
Autostick............................ 289
Manual........................ 14,280,290
Operation........................... 284
Overdrive........................... 288Selection of Lubricant................... 391
Transmission
Range Indicator....................... 223
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry).................. 30,35
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) . . 192
Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry).................. 27,34
Transporting Pets...................... 79,113
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 317
Trip Odometer.......................... 223
Trip Odometer Reset Button................ 228
Trunk Lid, Deck Lid (Convertible)............. 39
Tumbling Rear Seat (Convertible)............ 171
Tumbling Rear Seat (Sedan)................ 169
Turbo Cool Down....................... 282
Turn Signals.........................183,224
Understanding Your Instrument Panel......... 218
INDEX 463
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