2008 DODGE CHALLENGER cooling

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
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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 Section
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.
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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.
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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 scald-
ing 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 en-
gine 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 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 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
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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.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
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FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate) 19 Gallons 72 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
6.1 Liter Engine (SAE 0W-40) 7 Quarts 6.6 Liters
Cooling System *
6.1 Liter Engine (MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile
Formula) or equivalent 15 Quarts 14.4 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
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Cold Weather Operation................... 217
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 202
Compass .............................. 169
Compass Calibration ..................... 169
Compass Variance ....................... 170
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 163
Console .............................. 143
Console, Floor .......................... 143
Console, Overhead ....................... 129
Contract, Service ........................ 355
Converter, Catalytic ...................... 305
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 316
Cooling System ......................... 314
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 316
Coolant Capacity ...................... 341
Coolant Level ...................... 314,317
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 317
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 315
Inspection ........................... 317 Points to Remember
.................... 318
Pressure Cap ......................... 316
Radiator Cap ......................... 316
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......315,341,342
Corrosion Protection ..................... 324
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 126
CruiseLight ........................... 150
CupHolder ......................... 142,328
Customer Assistance ..................... 353
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 56
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights ........... 121
Daytime Running Lights ................... 118
Dealer Service .......................... 300
Deck Lid, Emergency Release ................ 36
Deck Lid, Power Release ................... 35
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 144
Defroster, Windshield ................... 70,205
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 122
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Break-In Recommendations................ 67
Checking Oil Level ..................... 301
Compartment ......................... 296
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................. 314,342
Cooling ............................. 314
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 68,273
Fails to Start .......................... 218
Flooded, Starting ...................... 218
Fuel Requirements ..................... 270
Jump Starting ......................... 286
Oil ........................... 301,341,342
Oil Change Interval .................... 301
Oil Filler Cap ......................... 302
OilFilter ............................ 303
Oil Filter Disposal ...................... 303
Oil Selection ....................... 302,341
Overheating .......................... 280
Starting ............................. 214
Temperature Gauge ..................... 151 Engine Oil Viscosity
...................... 302
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 54
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 271
Event Data Recorder ...................... 56
Exhaust Gas Caution ................ 68, 273,313
Exhaust System ....................... 68,313
ExteriorFoldingMirrors ................... 76
ExteriorLighting ........................ 116
ExteriorLights .......................... 70
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 274
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 304
Air Conditioning .................... 208,310
Engine Fuel .......................... 304
Engine Oil ........................ 303,342
Engine Oil Disposal .................... 303
INDEX 367
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