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 rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 305
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
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.
306 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
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 307
7
ground. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
immediately. Clean up any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
4 Cylinder Engines —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 temperature, the level of the coolant in the
bottle should be between the “ADD” and “Full” lines,
shown on the bottle.
6 Cylinder Engines —the level of the coolant in the
pressurized coolant bottle should be between the cold
and full range on the bottle when the engine is cold.
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.
•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.
308 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (approximate)
2.4L, 2.7L and 3.5 Liter Engine 16.9 gallons 64 liters
Engine Oil with Filter
2.4 Liter Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 4.5 quarts 4.26 liters
2.7 Liter Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 5.5 quarts 5.2 liters
3.5 Liter Engine (SAE 10W-30, API Certified) 5.5 quarts 5.2 liters
Cooling System *
2.4 Liter Engine (MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile For-
mula) or equivalent.7.7 quarts. 7.3 liters
2.7 Liter Engine (MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile For-
mula) or equivalent.9.8 quarts. 9.3 liters
3.5 Liter Engine (MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile For-
mula) or equivalent.11.6 quarts. 11.0 liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 327
7
CoinHolder ........................... 128
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance........... 189
Compact Spare Tire..................... 238
Compass............................. 150
Compass Calibration.................... 151
Compass Variance...................... 151
Computer, Trip/Travel................... 149
Console...........................102,128
Console, Floor......................102,128
Contract, Service....................... 352
Cooling System........................ 305
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 306
Coolant Capacity..................... 327
Coolant Level.....................305,308
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 307
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 305
Inspection........................... 308
Points to Remember................307,308
Pressure Cap........................ 307
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)....305,327,328
Corrosion Protection.................... 313
Crankcase Emission Control System......... 299
CruiseLight ........................... 143CupHolder .....................102,130,317
Customer Assistance.................... 350
Data Recorder, Event..................... 52
Dealer Service......................... 292
Defroster, Rear Window.................. 202
Defroster, Windshield............... 65,192,199
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 290
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................ 108
Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle................... 312
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............. 307
Engine Oil.......................... 297
Door Locks............................ 23
Door Locks, Automatic................... 24
Door Opener, Garage.................... 115
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 226
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System).... 187
E-85 Fuel............................. 253
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 71
360 INDEX
Electrical Power Outlets...............124,125
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)..... 113
Electronic Stability Program (ESP).......... 222
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) . . 147
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 274
JumpStarting ........................ 280
Towing ............................. 283
Emergency Trunk Release................. 30
Emission Control System Maintenance....291,332
Engine.........................287,288,289
Break-In Recommendations............... 63
Checking Oil Level.................... 293
Coolant (Antifreeze)................... 328
Cooling ............................ 305
Exhaust Gas Caution.................. 253
Fuel Requirements.................250,327
JumpStarting ........................ 280
Oil ..........................293,327,328
Oil Change Interval................... 294
Oil Filler Cap...............287,288,289,296
OilSelection ......................295,327
Oil Synthetic......................... 297Overheating......................... 272
Temperature Gauge................... 139
Event Data Recorder..................... 52
Exhaust Gas Caution............... 64,253,304
Exhaust System........................ 304
Extender, Seat Belt....................... 40
FabricCare ........................315,316
Filler Location Fuel..................... 139
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 299
Air Conditioning..................... 200
Engine Fuel......................... 299
Engine Oil.......................297,328
Flashers.............................. 272
Hazard Warning...................... 272
Turn Signal.......................... 324
Flash-To-Pass.......................... 106
Flat Tire Stowage....................... 279
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Cruising Range....................... 255
Engine Oil.......................... 255
Fuel Requirements.................253,254
INDEX 361
10
Spare Tire........................... 274
Spinning ............................ 240
TreadWearIndicators .................. 240
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight............. 264
Towing .............................. 261
Disabled Vehicle...................... 283
Guide .............................. 263
Recreational......................... 270
Weight ............................. 263
Traction .............................. 226
TrailerTowing ......................... 261
Cooling System Tips................... 270
Hitches............................. 263
Minimum Requirements................ 265
Trailer and Tongue Weight.............. 264
Wiring ............................. 268
TrailerTowingGuide .................... 263
TrailerWeight ......................... 263
Transaxle............................. 211
Automatic ................... 10,207,211,312
Autostick ........................... 214
Operation........................... 211
Overdrive........................... 213Selection of Lubricant.................. 329
Transmission
Range Indicator...................... 141
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry)................... 20
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener
(HomeLink) .......................... 115
Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry)................... 20
Transporting Pets........................ 63
TreadWearIndicators ................... 240
Trip Odometer......................... 142
Trip Odometer Reset Button............... 143
Trunk Release, Emergency................. 30
Trunk Release Remote Control.............. 29
Turn Signals.....................108,144,324
UConnect™ (Hands-Free Phone)............ 73
Understanding Your Instrument Panel....... 136
Uniform Tire Quality Grades.............. 354
Universal Transmitter.................... 115
Unleaded Gasoline...................... 250
Upholstery Care........................ 315
370 INDEX