2009 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER engine

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 engine
coolant (antifreeze) 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 engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in the
radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If engine
coolant (antifreeze) needs to be added, contents of
coolant recovery bottle must also be protected against
freezing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (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.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean, also.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze) per-
formance, poor gas mileage, and increased emissions.
328 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

transaxle Clutch Release System should not require fluid
replacement during the life of the vehicle. If the Brake
Fluid Reservoir is low, and the brake system does not
indicate any leaks or other problems, it may be a result of
a leak in the Hydraulic Clutch Release System. See your
local authorized dealer for service.
Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid. Re-
fer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts”, found
later in this section, for the correct fluid type.
WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that has a lower initial boiling
point than the recommended MOPARDOT 3 prod-
uct, or a brake fluid that is unidentified as to FMVSS
specification, may result in sudden brake failure
during hard, prolonged braking. You could have an
accident.
CAUTION!
Use of improper brake fluids will affect overall
clutch system performance. Improper brake fluids
may damage the clutch system resulting in loss of
clutch function and the ability to shift the transaxle.
WARNING!
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
330 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Do not allow petroleum-based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid; all brake seal components could be
damaged causing partial or complete brake failure.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign mat-
ter.
Automatic Transaxle
The automatic transaxle and differential assembly are
contained within a single housing.
The fluid level in the automatic transaxle should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transaxle and the fluid.
Fluid Level Check
Use the following procedure to check the automatic
transaxle fluid level properly:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Run the engine at curb idle speed for a minimum of
60 seconds.
3. Apply the parking brake fully.
4. Place the shift lever momentarily in each gear posi-
tion, ending with the shift lever in PARK.
5. Wipe the area around the dipstick clean to eliminate
the possibility of dirt entering the transaxle.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 331

Fluid and Filter Changes
Automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed as follows:
Maintenance Schedule A — Non Turbocharged Engines
— No change necessary.
Maintenance Schedule A — Turbocharged Engines—
No change necessary.
Maintenance Schedule B — All Engines — Every
60,000 miles (100 000 km) change fluid and filter under
the following conditions:
•Police, taxi, limousine, commercial type operation, or
trailer towing where the vehicle is driven regularlyfor
more than 45 minutes of continuous operation.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedules” in Section 8 for the
proper maintenance intervals.
Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transaxle. The only exception to this policy is
the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid leaks. In
addition, avoid using transmission sealers as they may
adversely affect seals.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transaxle as the
chemicals can damage your transaxle components.
Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 333

Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye or clean the belts with chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners. This will weaken the fabric.
Sun damage can also weaken the fabric.
If the belts need cleaning, use a mild soap solution or
lukewarm water. Do not remove the belts from the car to
wash them.
Replace the belts if they appear frayed or worn or if the
buckles do not work properly.
Dry with a soft tissue.
FUSES
Integrated Power Module (IPM)
The Integrated Power Module is located in the engine
compartment near the air cleaner assembly. This center
contains cartridge fuses and mini fuses.
CavityCartridge
Fuse Mini-Fuse Description
1 EMPTY
2 20 Amp
YellowAWD ECU
Feed — If
Equipped
Integrated Power Module
340 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate) 15 Gallons56.7 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
2.4 Liter/2.4L Turbo Engines (SAE 5W-30, API Certified) 5 Quarts4.7 Liters
Cooling System *
2.4 Liter/2.4L Turbo Engines (MOPAR Antifreeze/Engine
Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula) 6.5 Quarts
6.2 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 349

FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Coolant MOPARAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hy-
brid Organic Additive Technology).
Engine Oil Use API Certified SAE 5W-30 Engine Oil, meeting the requirements of
Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for
correct SAE grade.
Engine Oil Filter MOPAREngine Oil Filter or equivalent.
Spark Plugs (2.4L Engine) ChampionRE16MC (Gap 0.040 in [1.02 mm])
Spark Plugs (2.4L Turbo Engine) Champion RE14MCC5 (Gap 0.050 in [1.27 mm])
Fuel Selection 87 Octane
350 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
CONTENTS
Emissions Control System Maintenance ...... 354
 Maintenance Schedules ................. 354
▫ At Each Stop For Fuel ................. 356
▫ Once a Month ...................... 356
▫ At Each Oil Change .................. 356 ▫
Maintenance Schedule B — All Engines .... 357
▫ Maintenance Schedule A — Non-
Turbocharged ....................... 368
▫ Maintenance Schedule A — Turbocharged . . . 373
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