2010 DODGE AVENGER radiator cap

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 a hot day, the engine oil temperature may
become too hot. If this happens, the “HOTOIL” message
flashes in the odometer and the vehicle speed will be
reduced to 53 mph (85 km/h) until the engine oil
temperature is reduced.
NOTE: The vehicle speed is reduced to a maximum of
53 mph (85 km/h). You may of course, reduce your
vehicle speed further if needed.
328 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 anytime the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
•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 orrusty 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.
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
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).
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 367

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 below34°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.
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 loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that the 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.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 369

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 cool-
ant. 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 addi-
tional 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.
•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, the contents of
the 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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 371

•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.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory cooling performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Master Cylinder – Brake Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder immediately
if the brake system warning light indicates system fail-
ure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when per-
forming underhood services.
372 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Caps, FillerFuel ............................... 309
Oil (Engine) .................. 347,348,349,356
Power Steering ........................ 259
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 369
Car Washes ............................ 378
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............81,304
Cargo Area Features ...................... 135
Cargo Compartment ...................... 135
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 135
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 135
Cellular Phone ........................ 93,224
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 394
Chains, Tire ............................ 289
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 329
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 274
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 351
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 80Checks, Safety
........................... 80
Child Restraint .................... 69,71,75,78
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............73,75
Child Safety Locks ........................ 32
Cigar Lighter ........................... 132
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 301
Cleaning Wheels ............................. 379
Windshield Wiper Blades ................ 363
Climate Control ......................... 224
Clock ..................... 176,190,192,195,204
Coin Holder ........................... 136
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 224
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 285
Compass .............................. 169
Compass Calibration ..................... 169
Compass Variance ....................... 170
Computer, Trip/Travel .................. 19,167
Console ............................ 104,136
Console, Floor ....................... 104,136
430 INDEX

Contract, Service........................ 421
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 369
Cooler, Beverage ........................ 140
Cooling System ......................... 367
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 368
Coolant Capacity ...................... 396
Coolant Level ...................... 367,370
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 370
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 367
Inspection ........................... 370
Points to Remember .................... 371
Pressure Cap ......................... 369
Radiator Cap ......................... 369
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......368,396,397
Corrosion Protection ..................... 377
Crankcase Ventilation Module ............... 19
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 118
Cruise Light ........................... 157
Cupholders ...................... 104,133,382Customer Assistance
..................... 419
Customer Programmable Features ............ 171
Daytime Running Lights ................... 110
Dealer Service .......................... 353
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 139
Defroster, Windshield ................82,227,233
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 114
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 350
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................. 109
Dipsticks Automatic Transaxle ................. 375,376
Oil (Engine) .......................... 354
Power Steering ........................ 259
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 341
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............... 370
Engine Oil ........................... 357
Door Locks ............................. 29
10
INDEX 431

PowerDoor Locks ........................... 30
Mirrors .............................. 90
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .......... 130
Seats ................................ 99
Steering .......................... 258,259
Sunroof ............................. 127
Windows ............................. 33
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 52
Preparation for Jacking .................... 330
Pretensioners Seat Belts ............................ 47
Programmable Electronic Features ............ 171
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 25
Radial Ply Tires ......................... 285
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .......... 369
Radio Operation ........................ 224 Radio Remote Controls
.................... 222
Radio, Satellite (Uconnect studios)........... 215
Rear Cupholder ......................... 134
Rear Seat, Folding .................... 103,104
Rear Window Defroster ................... 139
Rear Window Features .................... 139
Rearview Mirrors ........................ 89
Recreational Towing ...................... 324
Reformulated Gasoline .................... 301
Refrigerant ............................ 361
Reminder, Seat Belt ....................... 51
Remote Control Door Locks ........................... 20
Security Alarm ......................... 17
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................. 20
Remote Keyless Entry (Sedan) ............... 20
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ........ 222
Remote Starting System .................... 26
Remote Trunk Release ..................... 37
440 INDEX