2009 DODGE CHALLENGER radiator cap

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads 240°F
(116 °C) or greater pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle
the vehicle with the air conditioner turned off until
the pointer drops back into the normal range 200–
230°F (93–110°C). If the pointer remains at 240°F
(116°C) or greater and you hear a chime, 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 off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the Temperature Control to maxi-
mum heat, the Mode Control to floor and the FanControl 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 and follow the
warnings under the “Cooling System Pressure Cap”
paragraph.
TIREFIT TIRE REPAIR — IF EQUIPPED
Small punctures, particularly those in the tread, can be
sealed with TIREFIT. Foreign objects (e.g., screws or
nails) should not be removed from the tire. TIREFIT can
be used in outside temperatures down to approximately
-4°F (-20°C).
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 339

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, 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 coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, thesystem should be drained, flushed, and refilled with
fresh coolant. Check the front of the radiator 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
drain from the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT RE-
MOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
384 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent engine coolant (antifreeze)
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent 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.
Disposal of Used Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 387

rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child
or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up
any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the engine coolant (antifreeze) level is
adequate. With the engine OFF and cold, the level of the
engine coolant (antifreeze) in the bottle should be be-
tween 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 attendantof 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.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 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.
388 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Parking............................. 274
Warning Light.....................163,277
Brakes.............................277,389
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 257
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 66
Brightness, Interior Lights.................. 124
Bulb Replacement.....................408,409
Bulbs,Light .......................... 69,408
Calibration, Compass..................... 176
Capacities, Fluid........................ 414
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 321
Oil (Engine).......................... 374
Power Steering........................ 273
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 387
Car Washes............................ 395
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 67,320
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 323Cellular Phone.......................... 78
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 413
Certification Label....................... 323
Chains, Tire............................ 304
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 345
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 290
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)............... 369
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............. 67
Checks, Safety........................... 67
Child Restraint.................. 57,58,59,62,63
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 60,62
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 317
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 397
Windshield Wiper Blades................ 380
Climate Control......................... 230
Clock ........................183,194,198,207
Cold Weather Operation................... 248
446 INDEX

Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 229
Compact Spare Tire...................... 300
Compass.............................. 175
Compass Calibration..................... 176
Compass Variance....................... 176
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 172
Connector
UCI ................................ 217
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI)......... 217
Conserving Fuel........................ 172
Console.............................. 146
Console, Floor.......................... 146
Console, Overhead....................... 132
Contract, Service........................ 437
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 387
Cooling System......................... 384
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 386
Coolant Capacity...................... 414
Coolant Level......................384,388Disposal of Used Coolant................ 387
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 385
Inspection........................... 388
Points to Remember.................... 388
Pressure Cap......................... 387
Radiator Cap......................... 387
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......385,414,415
Corrosion Protection..................... 395
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 128
CruiseLight ........................... 156
Cupholders.........................144,399
Customer Assistance..................... 435
Data Recorder, Event...................... 55
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights........... 124
Daytime Running Lights................... 121
Dealer Service.......................... 371
Deck Lid, Emergency Release................ 35
Deck Lid, Power Release................... 34
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INDEX 447

Passing Light........................... 123
Personal Settings........................ 178
Pets.................................. 65
Phone, Cellular.......................... 78
Phone, Hands-Free (uconnect) ............... 78
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 293
Power
Brakes.............................. 277
Deck Lid Release....................... 34
Distribution Center (Fuses)............... 403
Door Locks........................... 29
Mirrors .............................. 76
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet).......... 142
Seats............................... 112
Steering............................. 273
Sunroof............................. 139
Windows............................. 32
Power Steering Fluid..................... 416
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 44Preparation for Jacking.................... 347
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................ 42
Programmable Electronic Features............ 178
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 20
Radial Ply Tires......................... 300
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......... 387
Radio Operation........................ 230
Radio Remote Controls.................... 228
Radio, Satellite (uconnectstudios)........... 222
Rear Cupholder......................... 145
Rear Seat, Folding....................... 116
Rear Window Defroster................... 147
Rear Window Features.................... 147
Recorder, Event Data...................... 55
Recreational Towing...................... 336
Reformulated Gasoline.................... 317
10
INDEX 457