2008 JEEP COMMANDER radiator cap

WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around
the washer solution.
Exhaust System
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
If you notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system;
or if the exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle;
or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged;
have an authorized 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 seepinto the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the
exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised for lubri-
cation or oil change. Replace as required.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot antifreeze/
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 or coolant bottle is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check antifreeze/coolant protection every 12 months
(before the onset of freezing weather, where applicable).
If antifreeze/coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 401
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system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
antifreeze/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 engine cooling system hoses for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the connection at
the coolant recovery 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 antifreeze/coolant will begin to drain from
the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE
COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE COOLING
SYSTEM IS HOT.Cooling System Ð Drain, Flush, And Refill
At the intervals shown on the Maintenance Schedule, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled.
If the solution is dirty and contains a considerable
amount of sediment, clean and flush with reliable cooling
system cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing to remove
all deposits and chemicals. Properly dispose of old
antifreeze/coolant solution.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer's recommended antifreeze/
coolant, refer to Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts for
correct antifreeze/coolant type.
402 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

²Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/antifreeze (cool-
ant) 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 antifreeze/coolant types will decrease
the life of the antifreeze/coolant and will require more
frequent antifreeze/coolant changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
antifreeze/coolant, and to insure that antifreeze/coolant
will return to the radiator from the coolant recovery tank.The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
²The warning words DO NOT OPEN HOT on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precau-
tion. Never add antifreeze/coolant when the en-
gine 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 en-
gine damage may result.
404 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based antifreeze/coolant is a regu-
lated substance requiring proper disposal. Check with
your local authorities to determine the disposal rules for
your community. To prevent ingestion by animals and
children, do not store ethylene glycol-based antifreeze/
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 im-
mediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the antifreeze/coolant level is adequate.
With the engine idling, and warm to normal operating
temperature, the level of the antifreeze/coolant in the
bottle should be between the ranges indicated on the
bottle.The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
not need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
antifreeze/coolant freeze point or replacing antifreeze/
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 antifreeze/coolant is needed to main-
tain 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 antifreeze/
coolant to enter the radiator.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 405
7

Fluid and Filter Changes................. 411
Fluid Level Check................... 411,412
Fluid Type........................... 411
Special Additives...................... 414
Torque Converter...................... 288
Autostick............................. 285
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet)...... 169
Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 169
Battery............................... 395
Emergency Starting..................... 374
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)....... 25
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 125
Belts, Drive............................ 392
Belts, Seat.............................. 39
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 399
B-Pillar Location........................ 311
Brake Assist System...................... 141
Brake Control System, Electronic............. 139Brake System........................... 407
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................139,302
Hoses.............................. 408
Master Cylinder....................... 408
Parking............................. 300
Warning Light........................ 187
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 283
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 69
Bulb Replacement.....................427,428
Calibration, Compass..................... 204
Camera, Rear........................... 157
Capacities, Fluid........................ 435
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 341
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 404
Car Washes............................ 415
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............70,337
Cargo Area Features...................... 174
INDEX 459
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Pressure Cap......................... 404
Radiator Cap......................... 404
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze).........402,435
Courtesy Lights......................... 130
Crankcase Emission Control System.......... 395
Cruise Light........................... 193
Cup Holder............................ 172
Customer Assistance..................... 448
Data Recorder, Event...................... 58
Daytime Running Lights................... 128
Dealer Service.......................... 388
Defroster, Rear Window................... 177
Defroster, Windshield................71,258,265
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 385
Digital Video Disc (DVD) Player............. 239
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 129
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission................. 412Oil (Engine).......................... 389
Power Steering........................ 398
Disabled Vehicle Towing................... 378
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 405
Engine Oil........................... 391
Used Engine Fluids..................... 391
Door Locks............................. 28
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 29
Door Opener, Garage..................... 159
Drive Belts............................ 392
Driving............................... 296
Off-Pavement......................... 296
Off-Road............................ 296
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System)...... 253
E-85 Fuel............................. 337
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 80
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary (Power Outlet)...... 169
INDEX 461
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