2008 DODGE MAGNUM radiator cap

correct tightness of each lug nut is 100 ft/lb. (135 N. m).
If in doubt about the correct tightness, have them
checked with a torque wrench by your dealer or at a
service station.
7. For vehicles equipped with center caps, install the
center cap by hand. Do not use a hammer or excessive
force to install the center cap.
8. Stow the jack, tools, and spare tire. Make sure the base
of the jack faces the rear of the vehicle before tightening
down the fastener.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES
WARNING!
²Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever the hood is
raised. It can start anytime the ignition switch is on. You can be hurt
by the fan.
²Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it started. Vehicles
equipped with an automatic transmission cannot be started this
way. Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle. If
the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from another vehicle. This type of start can be
dangerous if done improperly, so follow this procedure carefully.
²Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not allow battery fluid
to contact eyes, skin, or clothing. Don't lean over battery when
attaching clamps or allow the clamps to touch each other. If acid
splashes in eyes or on skin, flush contaminated area immediately
with large quantities of water.
²A battery generates hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explo-
sive. Keep flame or spark away from the vent holes.
²Do not use a booster battery or any other booster source with an
output that exceeds 12 volts.
²The battery in this vehicle has a vent hose that should not be
disconnected and should only be replaced with a battery of the
same type (vented).
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 373
6

vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, 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 lubrication or oil change. 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 ªExhaust Gasº in the ªSafety Tipsº 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 LOCK position. The fan is tempera-
ture 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 405
7

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 todrain from the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT RE-
MOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System Ð Drain, Flush, and Refill
The system should be drained, flushed, and refilled at the
intervals shown in the ªMaintenance Scheduleº in Sec-
tion 8 of this manual.
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 ªFluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Partsº for the
correct coolant type.
406 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

²Use 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 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 scald-
ing 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 en-
gine damage may result.
408 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 yourservice 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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 409
7

Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 403
B-Pillar Location........................ 307
Brake Assist System...................... 298
Brake Control System, Electronic............. 298
Brake Fluid............................ 440
Brake, Parking.......................... 290
Brake System........................292,411
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................... 293
Fluid Check.......................413,440
Hoses.............................. 412
Master Cylinder....................... 413
Parking............................. 290
Warning Light.....................180,292
Brakes.............................292,411
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 274
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 75
Brightness, Interior Lights.................. 129
Bulb Replacement.....................429,430
Bulbs, Light..........................79,429Calibration, Compass..................... 192
Capacities, Fluid........................ 436
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 336
Oil (Engine).......................393,394
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 408
Car Washes............................ 417
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............77,335
Cargo Compartment
Luggage Carrier....................... 163
Cargo Management System................. 155
Cargo Organizer....................... 161
Rollaway Tonneau Cover................. 158
Tri-Fold Load Floor..................... 156
Waterproof Liner...................... 160
Cargo Tie-Downs........................ 161
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................155,339
Catalytic Converter...................... 397
CD (Compact Disc) Player...............201,219
462 INDEX

Cellular Phone.....................89,219,221
Certification Label....................... 339
Chains, Tire............................ 320
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 362
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 304
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)................................ 388
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............. 76
Checks, Safety........................... 76
Child Restraint..................66,67,68,71,73
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............70,71
Child Safety Locks........................ 33
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 333
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 418
Windshield Wiper Blades................. 403
Climate Control......................... 249
Clock........................202,206,221,225
Coin Holder........................... 154Cold Weather Operation................... 269
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 248
Compact Spare Tire...................... 315
Compass.............................. 191
Compass Calibration..................... 192
Compass Variance....................... 192
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 188
Connector
UCI ................................ 242
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI)......... 242
Conserving Fuel........................ 188
Console, Floor.......................... 154
Console, Overhead....................... 139
Contract, Service........................ 452
Converter, Catalytic...................... 397
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 408
Cooling System......................... 405
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 407
Coolant Capacity...................... 436
INDEX 463
10

Coolant Level......................406,409
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 409
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 406
Inspection........................... 409
Points to Remember.................... 409
Pressure Cap......................... 408
Radiator Cap......................... 408
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......406,436,438
Corrosion Protection..................... 416
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 136
Cruise Light........................... 174
Cup Holder.........................152,420
Customer Assistance..................... 450
Customer Programmable Features............ 196
Data Recorder, Event...................... 64
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights........... 130
Daytime Running Lights................... 127
Dealer Service.......................... 390Defroster, Rear Window................... 262
Defroster, Windshield................78,250,256
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers..............131,260
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 387
Digital Video Disc (DVD) Player..........201,219
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 128
Dipsticks
Oil (Engine).......................391,392
Disabled Vehicle Towing................... 377
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 409
Engine Oil........................... 395
Door Locks............................. 28
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 30
Door Opener, Garage..................... 140
Drive Belts............................ 395
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 287
464 INDEX