2009 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER coolant temperature

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank.
2. Fuel Door Reminder
This is a reminder that the Fuel Filler Door is located on
the front passenger’s (right) side of the vehicle.
3. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call an authorized deal-
ership for service.
164 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the pointer of the Coolant Tempera-
ture Gage rises to the H (red) mark, the instrument
cluster will sound a chime. When safe, pull over and
stop the vehicle. Turn off the air conditioning and
wait until the pointer drops back into the normal
range. If the pointer remains on the H (red) mark for
more than a minute, turn the engine off immediately
and call for service.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
•If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the Temperature Control to maxi-
mum heat, the Mode Control to floor and the Fan
Control to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 293

To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transaxle is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected for a prolonged period.
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at any time the ignition
switch is in the ON position.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the
hood, do not 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 the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh engine coolant (anti-
freeze). 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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 323

CAUTION! (Continued)
•This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Use of propylene glycol-based engine
coolant (antifreeze) is not recommended.
Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant (antifreeze) that allows extended maintenance
intervals. This engine coolant (antifreeze) can be used up
to five years or 102,000 miles (170 000 km) before
replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance period, it is important that you use the same
engine coolant (antifreeze) throughout the life of your
vehicle. Please review these recommendations for using
Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine
coolant (antifreeze).When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•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
(antifreeze) and distilled water. Use higher concentra-
tions (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
(antifreeze) solution. The use of lower quality water
will reduce the amount of corrosion protection in the
engine cooling system.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 325

Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing,
according to the temperatures occurring in the area
where the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent coolant changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent the loss of
engine coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine
coolant (antifreeze) 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!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze)
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 scalding 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.
326 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by hu-
mans and animals, do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. Clean up any
ground spills immediately.
CAUTION!
If ethylene glycol engine coolant (antifreeze) is in-
gested by anyone, contact a physician immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine idling, and warm to normal operating tempera-
ture, the level of the engine coolant (antifreeze) 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
engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing en-
gine coolant (antifreeze). 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 engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, it should be added to the
coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 327

Emission Control System Maintenance......309,354
Engine ............................ 307,308
Break-In Recommendations ................ 70
Checking Oil Level ..................... 312
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................... 323
Cooling ............................. 323
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 71,273
Fuel Requirements ..................... 270
Jump Starting ......................... 300
Oil ........................... 312,349,350
Oil Change Interval .................... 313
Oil Filler Cap ................... 307,308,315
Oil Filter ............................ 350
Oil Selection .......................... 314
Oil Synthetic ......................... 315
Overheating .......................... 292
Temperature Gauge .................... 164
Ethanol ............................... 270
Event Data Recorder ...................... 60 Exhaust Gas Caution
..............34,71,273,321
Exhaust System ....................... 71,321
Exterior Lights .......................... 73
Fabric Care ............................ 338
Filler Location Fuel .................... 164,274
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 316
Automatic Transaxle .................... 333
Engine Oil ........................ 316,350
Flashers .............................. 292
Hazard Warning ....................... 292
Turn Signal ........................ 73,169
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 225
Fluid Capacities ......................... 349
Fluid Leaks ............................. 73
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transaxle .................... 331
Brake .............................. 329
394 INDEX

Cooling System....................... 323
Power Steering ........................ 241
Fluids ................................ 350
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 350
Fog Light Service ........................ 347
Fog Lights .......................... 128,172
Folding Front Passenger Seat ................ 113
Folding Rear Seat ........................ 116
Folding Rear Seat (Sedan) .................. 116
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 302
Fuel .............................. 270,350
Adding ............................. 274
Additives ............................ 272
Capacity ............................ 349
Clean Air ............................ 270
Ethanol ............................. 270
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ................. 164,274
Filler Door (Gas Cap) ................... 164
Gasoline ............................ 270 Gauge
.............................. 164
Light ............................... 172
Materials Added ....................... 272
Methanol ............................ 270
Octane Rating ........................ 270
Requirements ......................... 270
Tank Capacity ........................ 349
Fuel System Caution ..................... 275
Fueling ............................... 274
Fuses ................................ 340
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 136
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............274,276,309
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 270
Gasoline (Fuel) ....................... 270,349
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 270
Gauges Coolant Temperature ................... 164
Fuel ............................... 164
10
INDEX 395