2011 CHRYSLER 200 heating

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.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 373

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE. Using minimal accelerator pedal pressure
to maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the
wheels, is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.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 DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
•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).
386 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 411

Oil Selection..................... 400,438
Oil Synthetic ........................ 402
Overheating ........................ 372
Starting ........................... 288
Temperature Gauge ................... 188
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 401
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 68
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 347
Event Data Recorder ...................... 71
Exhaust Gas Caution ................... 84,350
Exhaust System ....................... 84,409
Extender, Seat Belt ........................ 57
Exterior Lights .......................... 87
Fabric Care ............................ 426
Filler Location Fuel .................... 188,354Filters
Air Cleaner ......................... 403
Air Conditioning .................. 280,406
Automatic Transaxle .................. 422
Engine Oil ....................... 402,439
Engine Oil Disposal ................... 402
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 149
Flashers .............................. 372
Hazard Warning ..................... 372
Turn Signal ....................... 87,436
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ...................... 353
Engine Oil ......................... 352
Fuel Requirements ................. 350,352
Maintenance ........................ 354
Replacement Parts .................... 353
Starting ........................... 353
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 289
Floor Console .......................... 176
10
INDEX 473

MTBE/ETBE........................... 347
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 83
Occupant Restraints ..................... 64,68
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) .........39,61,62,64,67
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 346
Odometer ............................. 192
Trip ........................... 192,195
Oil Change Indicator .................. 194,206
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ..............194,206
Oil Filter, Change ........................ 402
Oil Filter, Selection ....................... 402
Oil Pressure Light ....................... 190
Oil, Engine ......................... 399,439
Capacity ........................... 438
Change Interval ................ 194,206,400
Checking .......................... 399
Dipstick ........................... 399 Disposal
........................... 402
Filter .......................... 402,439
Filter Disposal ....................... 402
Identification Logo ................... 400
Materials Added to ................... 402
Recommendation .................. 400,438
Synthetic .......................... 402
Viscosity ........................ 401,438
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............395,396
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®) ........... 160
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 4
Overdrive ............................. 296
Overheating, Engine ...................... 372
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,463
Paint Care ............................. 422
Panic Alarm ............................ 25
Parking Brake .......................... 304
Passing Light ........................... 149
10
INDEX 479