2006 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY engine overheat

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!
•Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never get any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
center where it can be raised on a lift.
•The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
•For vehicles equipped with Stow ’n Go seating, if
it is necessary to retrieve the spare tire from under
the vehicle on the side of the vehicle close to
moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to
avoid the danger of being hit.
370 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front to avoid a collision in a sudden stop.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and Drive. Usually the least accelerator pedal pressure to
maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
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).
392 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
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.
408 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idling or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Maintenance-Free Battery
The top of the MAINTENANCE-FREE battery is perma-
nently sealed. You will never have to add water, nor is
periodic maintenance required.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 409
7

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.
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
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 419
7

Door Locks............................. 17
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 19
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 173
Drive Belts ............................ 406
Drive Shaft Universal Joints ................ 413
Driving On Slippery Surfaces .................... 391
Electric Remote Mirrors .................... 94
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 181
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 160
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 168
Emergency, In Case of Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 368
Jacking ........................ 370,371,383
Jump Starting ......................... 389
Overheating .......................... 369
Emission Control System Maintenance ......400,448
Engine ............................... 398 Air Cleaner
.......................... 407
Air Cleaner Filter ...................... 407
Block Heater ......................... 312
Break-In Recommendations ................ 82
Checking Oil Level ..................... 402
Compartment ......................... 398
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................... 445
Cooling ............................. 416
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 37,349
Fails to Start .......................... 311
Fuel Requirements .................. 346,444
Oil ........................... 402,444,445
Oil Change Interval .................... 404
Oil Disposal .......................... 406
Oil Filler Cap ......................... 405
Oil Filter Disposal ...................... 406
Oil Selection ....................... 404,444
Oil Synthetic ......................... 405
Overheating .......................... 369
480 INDEX

Overheating, Engine................... 213,369
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,472
Panic Alarm ............................ 23
Parking Brake .......................... 317
Parking On Hill ......................... 317
Passing Light ........................... 154
Pedals, Adjustable ....................... 159
Pets, Transporting ........................ 78
Phone, Cellular .......................... 96
Phone, Hands-Free (UConnect™) ............. 96
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 328
Power Brakes .............................. 318
Distribution Center ..................... 434
Door Locks ........................... 18
Lift Gate ............................. 35
Mirrors .............................. 94
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .......... 181 Seats
............................... 120
Sliding Door .......................... 30
Steering ............................. 321
Steering, Checking ..................... 412
Sunroof ............................. 179
Windows ............................. 40
Power Steering Fluid ..................... 446
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 53
Preparation for Jacking .................371,383
Pretensioners Seat Belts ............................. 51
Programmable Electronic Features ......169,174,178
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry) ...............23,174,178
Radial Ply Tires ......................... 335
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .......417,419
Radio Broadcast Signals ................... 217
Radio Operation ................... 239,257,279
INDEX 487
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