2007 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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 313
6

CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween “First” and R (Reverse), do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
•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).
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.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
WITHOUT THE IGNITION KEY
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. The only ap-
proved method of towing without the ignition key is
with a flat bed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE (Flat towing with all four wheels on the
ground)
Flat towing of vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission, is only permitted within the following
limitations:
With The 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
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 325
6

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 should occur,
safely bring the vehicle to a complete stop, shut the
engine off, and allow the vehicle to cool. Thereafter,
obtain service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s
specifications 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.
342 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 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.
Points To Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles
(kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
352 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Dealer Service......................... 334
Defroster, Rear Window.................. 229
Defroster, Windshield...............61,220,225
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers............... 110
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 332
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................ 107
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............. 352
Door Locks............................ 22
Door Locks, Automatic................... 24
Door Opener, Garage.................... 141
Drive Belts............................ 340
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 250
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System).... 210
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 70
Electrical Power Outlets.................. 149
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) . . 118,121
Electronic Stability Program (ESP).......... 259
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light..... 168
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) . . 171Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 324
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 312
Jacking............................. 314
Jump Starting........................ 322
Overheating......................... 312
Towing............................. 325
Emission Control System Maintenance....333,386
Engine.........................329,330,331
Air Cleaner.......................... 341
Block Heater......................... 237
Break-In Recommendations............... 58
Checking Oil Level.................335,336
Compartment..................329,330,331
Coolant (Antifreeze)................349,383
Cooling............................ 349
Exhaust Gas Caution................59,292
Fails to Start......................... 235
Flooded, Starting..................... 235
Fuel Requirements.................289,382
Oil ..........................335,382,383
Oil Change Interval................... 337
Oil Filler Cap.....................338,339
INDEX 417
10

Oil Selection......................337,382
Oil Synthetic......................... 339
Overheating......................... 312
Temperature Gauge................... 166
Enhanced Accident Response Feature......... 48
Ethanol.............................. 290
Event Data Recorder..................... 49
Exhaust Gas Caution.............59,60,292,348
Exhaust System......................59,348
Exterior Folding Mirrors.................. 69
Exterior Lighting....................... 103
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 341
Air Conditioning..................227,345
Engine Fuel......................... 341
Engine Oil.......................340,383
Engine Oil Disposal................... 340
Flashers
Hazard Warning...................... 312
Turn Signal.......................107,163
Flash-To-Pass.......................... 107
Flat Tire Changing...................... 314Flooded Engine Starting.................. 235
Floor Console.......................... 153
Fluid Capacities........................ 382
Fluid Leaks............................ 61
Fluid Level Checks
Brake.............................. 355
Cooling System....................... 349
Engine Oil.......................335,336
Power Steering....................... 346
Fluids............................... 383
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts........ 383
Fog Lights.........................106,163
Folding Rear Seat....................... 97
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 324
Front Suspension Ball Joints............... 346
Front Wheel Bearings.................... 358
Fuel................................. 289
Adding............................. 293
Clean Air........................... 290
Ethanol............................. 290
Filler Cap (Gas Cap)................... 293
Filter.............................. 341
Gasoline............................ 289
418 INDEX

Navigation Radio....................... 206
Navigation System...................... 206
New Vehicle Break-In Period............... 58
Occupant Restraints...................... 32
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel)............. 289
Odometer............................ 167
Trip ............................... 167
Oil, Engine.........................335,383
Capacity............................ 382
Change Interval...................... 337
Checking........................335,336
Dipstick.........................335,336
Disposal............................ 340
Filter...........................340,383
Filter Disposal....................... 340
Identification Logo.................... 338
Materials Added to.................... 339
Recommendation..................337,382
Synthetic........................... 339
Viscosity......................338,339,382
Onboard Diagnostic System............332,333
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ......... 141Operating Precautions................... 332
Outside Rearview Mirrors................. 69
Overdrive............................ 242
Overhead Console...................... 140
Overheating, Engine..................167,312
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual)......... 409
Panic Alarm........................... 20
Park Assist System, Rear................. 136
Parking Brake......................... 251
Parking On Hill........................ 251
Passing Light.......................... 107
Pedals, Adjustable...................... 117
Personal Settings....................... 182
Pets.................................. 58
Phone, Cellular......................... 72
Phone, Hands-Free (UConnect™)............ 72
Placard, Tire and Loading Information....... 267
Power
Brakes............................. 253
Distribution Center (Fuses).............. 363
Door Locks.......................... 23
Mirrors............................. 70
INDEX 423
10