2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE engine overheat

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!
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 or coolant bottle is hot.
Engine Oil Overheating — 2.4L Engine Only (If
Equipped)
During sustained high-speed driving or trailer tow up
long grades on hot day, the engine oil temperature may
become too hot. If this happens, the “HOTOIL” message
flashes, the vehicle speed will be reduced to 53 mph
(85 km/h) until the engine oil temperature is reduced.
NOTE: Engine speed is reduced to 53 mph (85 km/h) at
the maximum. You may of course, reduce your speed
further if needed.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 331

front wheels. Then shift back and forth between RE-
VERSE and FIRST gear. Using minimal accelerator pedal
pressure to maintain the rocking motion, without spin-
ning the wheels, is most effective.
NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), turn the system to Partial OFF
before attempting to “rock” the vehicle. Refer to “Elec-
tronic Brake Control” in “Starting and Operating” for
further information.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween 1st and REVERSE, do not spin the wheels
faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage
may result.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 343

WARNING!
•Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain
carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Breathing it can make you unconscious
and can eventually poison you. To avoid breathing
CO, refer to “Safety Tips/Exhaust Gas” in “Things
To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further
information.
•A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park
over materials that can burn. Such materials might
be grass or leaves coming into contact with your
exhaust system. Do not park or operate your ve-
hicle in areas where your exhaust system can
contact anything that can burn.
CAUTION!
•The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions con-
trol device and may seriously reduce engine per-
formance and cause serious damage to the engine.
•Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition.
In the event of engine malfunction, particularly
involving engine misfire or other apparent loss of
performance, have your vehicle serviced promptly.
Continued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 367

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately. To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•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 or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
368 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposalrules 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
4 Cylinder Engines —
the coolant bottle provides a quick
visual method for determining that the engine coolant
(antifreeze) level is adequate. With the engine idling and
warm to normal operating temperature, the level of the
engine coolant (antifreeze) in the bottle should be be-
tween the “ADD” and “FULL” lines, shown on the bottle.
6 Cylinder Engines — the level of the engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the pressurized coolant bottle should be
between the “COLD” and “FULL” range on the bottle
when the engine is cold.
372 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Door Opener, Garage..................... 138
Driver’s Seat Back Tilt .................... 117
Driving On Slippery Surfaces ................... 260
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ........................ 261
E-85 Fuel ............................. 310
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 151
Electric Remote Mirrors ................... 110
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 144
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 135
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ............ 273
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 172
Emergency Deck Lid Release ................ 37
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................. 332
Jump Starting ......................... 339
Overheating .......................... 330 Towing
............................. 344
Emergency Trunk Release ................... 37
Emission Control System Maintenance ......353,408
Engine .......................... 349,350,351
Air Cleaner .......................... 360
Block Heater ......................... 250
Break-In Recommendations ................ 77
Checking Oil Level ..................... 356
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................. 369,404
Cooling ............................. 369
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 78,309
Fails to Start .......................... 248
Flooded, Starting ...................... 248
Fuel Requirements .................. 304,403
Jump Starting ......................... 339
Oil ........................... 356,403,404
Oil Change Interval ............164,174,357,408
Oil Filler Cap ................ 349,350,351,358
Oil Filter ............................ 359
440 INDEX

Oil Filter Disposal..................... 359
Oil Selection ....................... 357,403
Oil Synthetic ......................... 359
Overheating .......................... 330
Starting ............................. 247
Temperature Gauge .................... 158
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 358
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 61
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 305
Exhaust Gas Caution ................... 78,309
Exhaust System ....................... 78,366
Extender, Seat Belt ........................ 51
Exterior Lights .......................... 81
Fabric Care ............................ 382
Filler Location Fuel .................... 158,314
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 360 Air Conditioning
.................... 241,363
Automatic Transaxle .................... 378
Engine Oil ........................ 359,404
Engine Oil Disposal .................... 359
Flashers .............................. 330
Hazard Warning ....................... 330
Turn Signal ........................ 81,128
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 128
Flat Tire Changing ....................... 332
Flat Tire Stowage ........................ 338
Flexible Fuel Vehicles ..................... 310
Cruising Range ....................... 313
Engine Oil ........................... 312
Fuel Requirements .................. 310,311
Maintenance ....................... 310,313
Replacement Parts ..................... 313
Starting ............................. 313
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 248
Floor Console .......................... 149
10
INDEX 441

Viscosity......................... 358,403
Oil Filter, Change ........................ 359
Oil Filter, Selection ....................... 359
Oil Pressure Light ....................... 160
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............352,353
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ........... 138
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 4
Outside Rearview Mirrors .................. 110
Overdrive ............................. 255
Overheating, Engine ...................... 330
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,431
Paint Care ............................. 379
Panic Alarm ............................ 25
Parking Brake .......................... 264
Passenger Seat Back Tilt (Easy Entry System) .... 117
Passing Light ........................... 128
Personal Settings ........................ 179
Pets .................................. 76 Phone, Cellular
......................... 112
Phone, Hands-Free (Uconnect™) ............. 112
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 282
Power Accessory Delay ........................ 12
Deck Lid Release ....................... 35
Door Locks ........................... 30
Mirrors ............................. 110
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .......... 144
Seats ............................... 113
Steering .......................... 263,264
Windows ............................. 32
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 51
Preparation for Jacking .................... 332
Pretensioners Seat Belts ............................ 45
Programmable Electronic Features ............ 179
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 21
448 INDEX