2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER coolant temperature

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in the
fuel tank.
2. Fuel Door Reminder
This is a reminder that the Fuel Filler Door is located on
the front passenger's (right) side of the vehicle.
3. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading below the red area of the
gauge shows that the engine cooling system is
operating properly. The gauge pointer may show a
higher than normal temperature when driving in hot
weather, up mountain grades, in heavy stop and go
traffic, or when towing a trailer.If the pointer rises to theH(red) mark, the instrument
cluster will sound a chime. 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 theH(red) mark, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service.
There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning 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 High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
4. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
224 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

when the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged;
have a competent technician inspect the complete ex-
haust system and adjacent body areas for broken, dam-
aged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams
or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep
into the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the
exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised for an oil
change or lubrication. Replace as required.
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing CO, refer
to Exhaust Gas in the Safety Tips section of this
manual.
Cooling System
WARNING!
²When 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.
²You 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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 381
7

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
234ÉF (237ÉC ) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/engine coolant solution.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 383
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!
²The warning words ªDO NOT OPEN HOTº 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.
²Do 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
384 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

do 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.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.
²Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 385
7

Gasoline (Fuel).......................321,410
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 323
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 224
Fuel................................ 224
Odometer........................... 225
Tachometer.......................... 225
Gearshift.............................. 285
General Information....................17,159
General Maintenance..................... 367
Glass Cleaning.......................... 397
Gross Axle Weight Rating.................. 329
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating................ 329
Hands-Free Phone (UConnectŸ)............. 134
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 342
Head Restraints......................... 165
Headlights
Bulb Replacement...................... 406Cleaning............................ 397
High Beam........................185,230
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 185
Passing............................. 185
Switch.............................. 182
Heated Seats........................... 166
Hitches
Trailer Towing........................ 331
HomeLinkt(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 193
Hood Release.......................... 178
Hoses................................ 386
Ignition............................... 13
Key ................................. 13
Wiring System (Spark Plug Wires).......... 372
Ignition Key Removal..................... 13
Immobilizer (Sentry Key).................15,36
Infant Restraint.......................72,105
Information Center, Vehicle................. 231
456 INDEX

Sentry Key (Immobilizer).................15,36
Sentry Key Programming................... 17
Service and Maintenance.................. 414
Service Assistance....................... 440
Service Contract......................... 442
Service Manuals........................ 444
Setting the Clock..................240,244,252
Settings, Personal........................ 234
Severe Service.......................... 417
Shift Speeds, Manual Transaxle.............. 292
Shoulder Belts.........................46,81
Side Airbag...........................64,98
Side Window Demisters (Defrosters).......... 276
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............... 352
Snow Tires............................ 320
Spare Tire.......................314,315,345
Spark Plugs............................ 372
Speed Control (Cruise Control)...........190,225
Speedometer........................... 224Speedometer and Odometer................ 221
Starting............................... 280
Automatic Transmission................. 280
Engine Fails to Start.................... 282
Manual Transmission................... 281
Starting Procedures...................... 280
Steering
Power...........................299,378
Tilt Column.......................... 189
Wheel Lock........................... 18
Storage............................206,404
Stuck, Freeing.......................... 353
Sun Roof.............................. 200
Sun Visor Extension...................... 134
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag......54,88
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 371
Tachometer............................ 225
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......224,343
INDEX 463
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