2010 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.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 143

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 off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower 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 “Cooling System Pressure
Cap” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” and follow the
warnings under the paragraph.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 261

To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission 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.
292 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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

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 theengine 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.
296 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter every
60,000 miles (100 000 km) if the vehicle is usually
operated under one or more of the conditions marked
with an\b.
•Day and night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C).
•Stop and go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).
•Trailer towing.†\b
•Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial ser-
vice).†\b
•Off-road or desert operation.
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol) fuel.
NOTE:
•If ANY of these apply to you, then change your engine
oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or three months,
whichever comes first, and follow ’Maintenance
Schedule B” in this section.
•If ANY of these apply to you, then flush and replace
the engine coolant every 102,000 miles (170 000 km) or
60 months, whichever comes first, and follow “Main-
tenance Schedule B” in this section.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown on “Maintenance Schedule A” in
this section.
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M A I
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 323

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

Fog Lights.......................... 103,152
Folding Front Passenger Seat ................ 88
Folding Rear Seat ........................ 91
Folding Rear Seat (Sedan) .................. 91
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 272
Fuel .............................. 237,317
Adding ............................. 241
Additives ............................ 239
Capacity ............................ 316
Clean Air ............................ 237
Ethanol ............................. 238
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ................. 143,242
Filler Door (Gas Cap) ................... 143
Gasoline ............................ 237
Gauge .............................. 143
Light ............................... 152
Materials Added ....................... 239
Methanol ............................ 238
Octane Rating ........................ 237 Requirements
......................... 237
Tank Capacity ........................ 316
Fuel System Caution ..................... 242
Fueling ............................... 241
Fuses ................................ 308
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 115
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............242,243,278
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 237
Gasoline (Fuel) ....................... 237,316
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 237
Gauges Coolant Temperature ................... 143
Fuel ............................... 143
Odometer ........................... 146
Tachometer .......................... 144
General Information .................. 18,25,237
General Maintenance ..................... 281
Glass Cleaning .......................... 306
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INDEX 355