2011 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY radiator cap

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If 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.
•Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put 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 447

WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around
the washer solution.
After the engine has warmed, operate the defroster for a
few minutes to reduce the possibility of smearing or
freezing the fluid on the cold windshield. MOPAR All
Weather Windshield Washer Solution or equivalent, used
with water as directed on the container, aids cleaning
action, reduces the freezing point to avoid line clogging,
and is not harmful to paint or trim.
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at anytime 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.
Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 491

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
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 “Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
492 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•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 the loss of
engine coolant (antifreeze), 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.
494 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precaution.
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 pres-
sure 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 cold, the level of the engine coolant (antifreeze) in
the coolant recovery 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 the
engine coolant (antifreeze). Advise your service atten-
dant of this. As long as the engine operating temperature
is satisfactory, the coolant bottle only needs to be checked
once a month.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 495

Conserving Fuel........................ 280
Console .............................. 228
Console, Floor .......................... 228
Console, Overhead ....................... 198
Console, Removable ...................... 233
Contract, Service ........................ 543
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 494
Cooling System ......................... 491
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 493
Coolant Capacity ..................... 519
Coolant Level .................... 491,495
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 495
Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 492
Inspection .......................... 495
Points to Remember .................. 496
Pressure Cap ........................ 494
Radiator Cap ....................... 494
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....492,519,520
Cupholders ......................... 218,506Customer Assistance
..................... 541
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 89
Daytime Running Lights ................... 172
Dealer Service .......................... 479
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 237
Defroster, Windshield .................. 107,345
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 476
Dimmer Control ........................ 170
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ................ 500
Oil (Engine) ........................ 480
Power Steering ...................... 375
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 469
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 495
Engine Oil ......................... 482
Domelight ............................. 169
Door Locks ............................. 33
10
INDEX 553

Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......492,494
Radio Operation ........................ 328
Radio Remote Controls .................... 326
Rear Air Conditioning .................337,347
Rear Camera ........................... 195
Rear Cross Path ......................... 128
Rear Heater ............................ 337
Rear Park Sense System ................... 186
Rear Window Defroster ................... 237
Rearview Mirrors ........................ 117
Reclining Front Seats ..................... 138
Recorder, Event Data ...................... 89
Recreational Towing ...................... 443
Reformulated Gasoline .................... 417
Reminder, Seat Belt ....................... 74
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................. 20
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ........ 326
Remote Starting System .................... 29
Removable Floor Console .................. 233 Replacement Keys
........................ 15
Replacement Parts ....................... 478
Replacement Tires ....................... 403
Reporting Safety Defects ................... 544
Resetting Oil Change Indicator .........256,257,279
Restraint, Head ......................... 138
Restraints, Child ....................... 90,94
Restraints, Infant ......................... 91
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck ................ 467
Roof Rack (Luggage Rack) ................. 238
Rotation, Tires .......................... 406
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ................ 107
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle ............... 109
Safety Defects, Reporting .................. 544
Safety Information, Tire ................... 385
Safety Tips ............................ 105
Safety, Exhaust Gas .................... 57,106
Satellite Radio Antenna ................... 314
10
INDEX 563