2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER cooling

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.
Cooling System – Drain, Flush and Refill
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) 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 the old engine coolant (antifreeze).
Selection of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended engine cool-
ant (antifreeze). Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
CAUTION!
•Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze), may
result in engine damage and may decrease corro-
sion protection. If a non-HOAT engine coolant
(antifreeze) is introduced into the cooling system
in an emergency, it should be replaced with the
specified engine coolant (antifreeze) as soon as
possible.
•Do not use water alone or alcohol-based engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use addi-
tional rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they
may not be compatible with the engine coolant
(antifreeze) and may plug the radiator.(Continued)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 293

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) or
equivalent.
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (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.
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.
294 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 295

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
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 297

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

Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light).............148,278
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 73
Checks, Safety ........................... 73
Child Restraint .......................... 64
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 68
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts ........... 67
Child Safety Locks ........................ 30
Child Seat .............................. 70
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 237
Cleaning Wheels ............................. 304
Climate Control ......................... 180
Clock ............................. 168,170
Coin Holder ........................... 128
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 179
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 226
Compass ..................... 154,155,157,162
Compass Calibration ................ 157,162,167Compass Variance
....................... 156
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 154
Console .............................. 128
Contract, Service ........................ 343
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................... 316,317
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 295
Cooling System ......................... 292
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 294
Coolant Level ...................... 292,296
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 296
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 293
Inspection ........................... 296
Points to Remember .................... 297
Pressure Cap ......................... 295
Radiator Cap ......................... 295
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ........... 293
Corrosion Protection ..................... 302
Cruise Light ........................... 148
Cupholders ............................ 128
352 INDEX

Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 292
Cooling ............................. 292
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 74,241
Fuel Requirements ..................... 237
Jump Starting ......................... 268
Oil ........................... 281,316,317
Oil Change Interval .................... 282
Oil Filler Cap ...................... 277,284
Oil Filter ............................ 317
Oil Selection .......................... 283
Oil Synthetic ......................... 284
Overheating .......................... 260
Temperature Gauge .................... 143
Ethanol ............................... 238
Exhaust Gas Caution ..............34,74,241,290
Exhaust System ....................... 74,290
Exterior Lights .......................... 77 Filler Location Fuel
.................... 143,242
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 285
Automatic Transaxle .................... 301
Engine Oil ........................ 284,317
Flashers .............................. 260
Hazard Warning ....................... 260
Turn Signal ........................ 77,149
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 193
Fluid Capacities ......................... 316
Fluid Leaks ............................. 77
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transaxle .................... 300
Brake .............................. 298
Cooling System ....................... 292
Power Steering ........................ 206
Fluids ................................ 317
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 317
Fog Light Service ........................ 314
354 INDEX

Quality Grading....................... 346
Radial .............................. 226
Replacement ......................... 229
Rotation ............................ 231
Safety ........................... 214,223
Sizes ............................... 215
Snow Tires ........................... 231
Spare Tire ........................... 263
Spinning ............................ 227
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 228
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 250
Towing ............................... 246
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 273
Guide .............................. 250
Recreational .......................... 258
Weight .............................. 250
Traction .............................. 202
Traction Control ......................... 212
Traction Control Switch ................... 212 Trailer Towing
.......................... 246
Cooling System Tips .................... 258
Hitches ............................. 248
Minimum Requirements ................. 251
Trailer and Tongue Weight ............... 250
Wiring .............................. 255
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 250
Trailer Weight .......................... 250
Transaxle ............................. 194
Additives ............................ 301
Automatic .................... 12,192,194,299
Autostick ............................ 200
Filter ............................... 301
Maintenance ......................... 299
Operation ........................... 194
Overdrive ........................... 199
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 25
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink )..115
364 INDEX