2011 CHRYSLER 300 radiator cap

•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.
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.(Continued)
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 409

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.
450 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 451

•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.
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.
(Continued)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 453

WARNING! (Continued)
•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 disposal
rules 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 theengine 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.
When additional 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
454 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Brakes............................... 456
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 81
Brightness, Interior Lights .................. 171
Bulb Replacement ..................... 475,476
Bulbs, Light .......................... 86,475
Camera, Rear ........................... 219
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 480
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) ..................... 438,439
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 453
Car Washes ............................ 461
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............83,384
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 391
Cellular Phone .......................... 301
Certification Label ....................... 391
Chains, Tire ............................ 367
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 409
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 350 Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)
.............262,433
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 82
Checks, Safety ........................... 82
Child Restraint .................. 71,72,73,76,79
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............74,76
Child Safety Locks ........................ 32
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 381
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 463
Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 446
Climate Control ......................... 301
Clock ................................ 298
Coin Holder ........................... 246
Cold Weather Operation ................... 320
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 300
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 362
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 280
514 INDEX

ConnectorUCI .............................. 299
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 299
Conserving Fuel ........................ 278
Console, Floor .......................... 246
Console, Overhead ....................... 221
Contract, Service ........................ 505
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 453
Cooling System ......................... 450
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 452
Coolant Capacity ..................... 480
Coolant Level .................... 451,454
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 454
Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 451
Inspection .......................... 454
Points to Remember .................. 454
Pressure Cap ........................ 453
Radiator Cap ....................... 453
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....451,480,481 Corrosion Protection
..................... 461
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 186
Cupholders ......................... 242,466
Customer Assistance ..................... 503
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 70
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights ........... 173
Daytime Running Lights ................... 166
Dealer Service .......................... 435
Deck Lid, Emergency Release ................ 42
Deck Lid, Power Release ................... 41
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 250
Defroster, Windshield ................... 84,306
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 174
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 433
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................. 169
Dipsticks Oil (Engine) ........................ 437
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 425
10
INDEX 515

Overhead Console....................... 221
Overheating, Engine ................... 268,408
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,507
Paint Care ............................. 461
Panic Alarm ............................ 22
Park Sense System, Rear ................... 209
Parking Brake .......................... 336
Passing Light ........................... 169
Pedals, Adjustable ....................... 181
Pets .................................. 81
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 354
Power Deck Lid Release ..................... 41
Distribution Center (Fuses) ...........466,470
Door Locks ......................... 29
Mirrors ............................ 96
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) ........ 237
Seats ............................. 147 Steering
........................... 334
Sunroof ......................... 229,233
Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column ......... 178
Windows ........................... 38
Power Steering Fluid ..................... 482
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 56
Preparation for Jacking .................... 412
Pretensioners Seat Belts ........................... 54
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 20
Radial Ply Tires ......................... 361
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .......... 453
Radio Operation ........................ 301
Radio Remote Controls .................... 299
Rain Sensitive Wiper System ................ 176
Rear Camera ........................... 219
Rear Cupholder ......................... 244
10
INDEX 525