2010 DODGE CHARGER radiator cap

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the 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,” turn the engine off immediately and call for
service.
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.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
•Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never get any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start
or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If
you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.(Continued)
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 351

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.
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 any time the
ignition 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.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 393

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 coolant. Check the front
of the radiator 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
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant (anti-
freeze) will begin to drain from the coolant recovery
bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE
CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
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) solution.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
Selection of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended engine cool-
ant (antifreeze). Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
394 MAINTAINING 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
coolant, 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.
396 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 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
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 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 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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 397

Fluid Check....................... 399,429
Master Cylinder ....................... 399
Parking ............................. 287
Warning Light ........................ 181
Brakes ............................... 399
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 269
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 77
Brightness, Interior Lights .................. 139
Bulb Replacement ..................... 417,418
Bulbs, Light .......................... 81,417
Calibration, Compass ..................... 195
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 426
Caps, Filler Fuel ............................... 330
Oil (Engine) .......................... 382
Power Steering ........................ 286
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 396
Car Washes ............................ 404 Carbon Monoxide Warning
...............78,330
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 333
Cellular Phone ........................ 91,246
Certification Label ....................... 333
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 351
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 298
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 377
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 77
Checks, Safety ........................... 77
Child Restraint .................. 67,68,69,72,74
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............71,72
Child Safety Locks ........................ 33
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 327
Cleaning Wheels ............................. 406
Windshield Wiper Blades ................ 390
Climate Control ......................... 247
Clock ........................ 202,203,207,216
464 INDEX

Coin Holder........................... 162
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 246
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 309
Compass .............................. 195
Compass Calibration ..................... 195
Compass Variance ....................... 196
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 190
Connector UCI ................................ 230
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ......... 230
Conserving Fuel ........................ 190
Console, Floor .......................... 162
Console, Overhead ....................... 148
Contract, Service ........................ 455
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 396
Cooling System ......................... 393
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 395
Coolant Capacity ...................... 426
Coolant Level ...................... 394,397Disposal of Used Coolant
................ 397
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 394
Inspection ........................... 397
Points to Remember .................... 398
Pressure Cap ......................... 396
Radiator Cap ......................... 396
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......394,426,428
Corrosion Protection ..................... 404
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 144
Cruise Light ........................... 173
Cupholders ......................... 161,409
Customer Assistance ..................... 453
Customer Programmable Features ............ 197
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights ........... 139
Daytime Running Lights ................... 136
Dealer Service .......................... 378
Deck Lid, Emergency Release ................ 40
Deck Lid, Power Release ................... 39
10
INDEX 465

Outside Rearview Mirrors.................. 88
Overdrive ............................. 273
Overhead Console ....................... 148
Overheating, Engine ................... 175,350
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,457
Paint Care ............................. 404
Panic Alarm ............................ 24
Parking Brake .......................... 287
Passing Light ........................... 138
Pedals, Adjustable ....................... 143
Personal Settings ........................ 197
Pets .................................. 77
Phone, Cellular .......................... 91
Phone, Hands-Free (Uconnect™) .............. 91
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 302
Power Deck Lid Release ....................... 39
Distribution Center (Fuses) ............... 409 Door Locks
........................... 30
Mirrors .............................. 90
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .......... 158
Seats ............................... 126
Steering ............................. 286
Sunroof ............................. 155
Windows ............................. 35
Power Steering Fluid ..................... 429
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 51
Preparation for Jacking .................... 354
Pretensioners Seat Belts ............................ 49
Programmable Electronic Features ............ 197
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 20
Radial Ply Tires ......................... 309
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .......... 396
Radio Operation ........................ 246
10
INDEX 475