2010 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT cooling

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 (OFF position for
Keyless Go™). The fan is temperature controlled
and can start at any time the ignition switch is in
the ON position (RUN position for Keyless Go™).
•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 the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
system should be drained, flushed, and refilled with
fresh coolant. 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.
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
354 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

drain from the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT RE-
MOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System – Drain, Flush, and Refill
If the solution 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
antifreeze solution.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
Selection of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended coolant. Re-
fer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further information.
CAUTION!
•Mixing of coolants other than specified HOAT
engine coolants may result in engine damage and
may decrease corrosion protection. If a non-HOAT
coolant is introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the speci-
fied coolant as soon as possible.
•Do not use plain water alone or alcohol-based
engine coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use
additional rust inhibitors or antirust products, as
they may not be compatible with the radiator
engine coolant and may plug the radiator.
•This vehicle has not been designed for use with
propylene glycol-based coolants. Use of propylene
glycol-based coolants is not recommended.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 355

Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
coolant can be used up to five years or 102,000 miles
(170 000 km) before replacement. To prevent reducing
this extended maintenance period, it is important that
you use the same coolant throughout the life of your
vehicle. Please review these recommendations for using
Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) coolant.
When adding coolant:
•The manufacturer recommends using MOPARAnti-
freeze/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
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 coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of coolant
and to ensure that coolant will return to the radiator from
the coolant recovery bottle.
356 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 coolant 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 scald-
ing 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 is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with yourlocal authorities to determine the disposal rules for your
community. To prevent ingestion by animals or children,
do not store ethylene glycol-based engine coolant 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 coolant level is adequate. With the
engine OFF and cold, the level of the coolant 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
coolant freeze point or replacing coolant. 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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 357

When additional coolant 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 coolant 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 the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, the contents of the coolant recovery bottle must
also be protected against freezing.
•If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop when
the engine cools, the cooling system should be pres-
sure tested for leaks.
•Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (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.
358 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate) 19 Gallons72 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
6.1 Liter Engine (SAE 5W-40, API Certified) 7 Quarts6.6 Liters
Cooling System *
6.1 Liter Engine (MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile
Formula or equivalent) 15 Quarts
14.4 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
382 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Console, Floor.......................... 150
Console, Overhead ....................... 136
Contract, Service ........................ 409
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 356
Cooling System ......................... 354
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 356
Coolant Capacity ...................... 382
Coolant Level ...................... 354,357
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 357
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 355
Inspection ........................... 357
Points to Remember .................... 358
Pressure Cap ......................... 356
Radiator Cap ......................... 356
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......355,382,383
Corrosion Protection ..................... 364
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 133
Cruise Light ........................... 158
Cupholders ......................... 149,368Customer Assistance
..................... 407
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights ........... 129
Daytime Running Lights ................... 125
Dealer Service .......................... 342
Deck Lid, Emergency Release ................ 35
Deck Lid, Power Release ................... 33
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 152
Defroster, Windshield ................... 71,226
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 130
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 339
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................. 127
Dipsticks Oil (Engine) .......................... 343
Power Steering ........................ 263
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 332
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............... 357
Engine Oil ........................... 344
10
INDEX 419

Door Locks............................. 28
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 30
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 137
Driving On Slippery Surfaces ................... 259
Through Flowing, Rising,
or Shallow Standing Water ............... 260
Electric Remote Mirrors .................... 79
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 147
Electronic Brake Control System ............. 270
Electronic Power Distribution Center (Fuses) .... 371
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 133
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ............ 274
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light ...... 159
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 169
Emergency Deck Lid Release ................ 35
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ............... 331 Hazard Warning Flasher
................. 316
Jump Starting ......................... 327
Overheating .......................... 316
Towing ............................. 332
Emergency Trunk Release ................... 35
Emission Control System Maintenance ......340,386
Engine ............................... 338
Air Cleaner .......................... 345
Block Heater ......................... 244
Break-In Recommendations ................ 68
Checking Oil Level ..................... 343
Compartment ......................... 338
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................. 354,383
Cooling ............................. 354
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 70,307
Fails to Start .......................... 243
Flooded, Starting ...................... 243
Fuel Requirements ..................... 304
Jump Starting ......................... 327
420 INDEX