2008 CHRYSLER 300 SRT radiator cap

Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position. The fan is tempera-
ture 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
any accumulation 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.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
coolant from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing
properly, the engine coolant (antifreeze) will begin to
404 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

drain from the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT RE-
MOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System — Drain, Flush, and Refill
The system should be drained, flushed, and refilled at the
intervals shown in the “Maintenance Schedule” in Sec-
tion 8.
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 manufacturer’s recommended coolant. Re-
fer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this
section for the correct coolant type.
CAUTION!
•Mixing of coolants other than specified HOAT
engine coolants, may result in engine damage and
may decrease corrosion protection. If a non-HOAT
coolant is introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the speci-
fied coolant as soon as possible.
•Do not use plain water alone or alcohol-based
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 405
7

Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
coolant can be used up to five years or 100,000 mi (160
000 km) before replacement. To prevent reducing this
extended maintenance period, it is important that you
use the same coolant throughout the life of your vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) coolant.
When adding coolant:
•The manufacturer recommends using Mopar
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology).
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. 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 deion-
ized 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 ensure that coolant will return to the radiator from
the coolant recovery bottle.
406 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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
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.
408 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Anti-Lock (ABS)....................317,321
Fluid Check....................... 411,437
Hoses.............................. 410
Master Cylinder....................... 411
Parking............................. 315
Warning Light.....................201,317
Brakes.............................317,410
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 304
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 73
Brightness, Interior Lights.................. 139
Bulb Replacement.....................427,428
Bulbs,Light .......................... 77,427
Calibration, Compass..................... 220
Capacities, Fluid........................ 435
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 361
Oil (Engine).......................... 392
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 406Car Washes............................ 415
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 75,360
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 364
Catalytic Converter...................... 395
CD (Compact Disc) Player...............232,251
Cellular Phone..................... 88,251,253
Certification Label....................... 364
Chains, Tire............................ 343
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 329
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . 388
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............. 74
Checks, Safety........................... 74
Child Restraint.................. 64,65,66,69,71
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 68,69
Child Safety Locks........................ 30
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 358
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 416
Windshield Wiper Blades................. 402
460 INDEX

Climate Control......................... 283
Clock .....................231,234,237,253,258
CoinHolder ........................... 190
Cold Weather Operation................... 299
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 283
Compass.............................. 220
Compass Calibration..................... 220
Compass Variance....................... 221
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 215
Connector
UCI ................................ 277
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI)......... 277
Console, Floor.......................... 190
Console, Overhead....................... 176
Contract, Service........................ 451
Converter, Catalytic...................... 395
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 406
Cooling System......................... 404
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 406Coolant Capacity...................... 435
Coolant Level......................404,407
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 407
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 405
Inspection........................... 407
Points to Remember.................... 408
Pressure Cap......................... 406
Radiator Cap......................... 406
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......405,435,436
Corrosion Protection..................... 414
Cruise Control (Speed Control)...........150,153
CruiseLight ........................... 199
CupHolder .........................189,419
Customer Assistance..................... 450
Customer Programmable Features............ 226
Data Recorder, Event...................... 62
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights........... 140
Daytime Running Lights................... 136
INDEX 461
10

Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 332
Port
Universal Serial Bus (USB).............232,251
USB .............................232,251
Power
Brakes.............................. 317
Deck Lid Release....................... 37
Distribution Center (Fuses)............... 419
Door Locks........................... 28
Mirrors .............................. 86
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet).......... 187
Seats............................... 120
Steering............................. 319
Steering, Checking..................... 400
Sunroof............................. 184
Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column........... 147
Windows............................. 33
Power Steering Fluid..................400,437
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 48Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 46
Programmable Electronic Features............ 226
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 20
Radial Ply Tires......................... 339
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......... 406
Radio Broadcast Signals................... 231
Radio, Navigation....................... 251
Radio Operation...................233,253,283
Radio Remote Controls.................... 281
Radio, Satellite............232,233,251,253,268,273
Radio (Sound Systems).................232,251
Rain Sensitive Wiper System................ 142
Rear Cup Holder........................ 189
Rear Park Sense System................... 172
Rear Seat, Folding....................... 125
Rear Wheel Bearings..................... 414
INDEX 471
10