2011 DODGE CHARGER check engine

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.
484 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) 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 engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in the
radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If engine coolant (antifreeze) needs to be added, contents of
coolant recovery bottle must also be protected against
freezing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (antifreeze) (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.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 485

•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 8,000 miles (13,000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” or under “In-
strument Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
At Each Stop For Fuel
•Check the engine oil level. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures/Engine Oil” in “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle” for further information.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 515

Once A Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery, and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and power steering, and add as
needed.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
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S516 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 355
Brakes ............................... 486
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 84
Brightness, Interior Lights .................. 197
Bulb Replacement ..................... 505,506
Bulbs, Light .......................... 88,505
Camera, Rear ........................... 243
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 510
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) ..................... 468,469
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 483
Car Washes ............................ 491
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............85,414
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 421
Cellular Phone .......................... 329
Certification Label ....................... 422
Chains, Tire ............................ 397
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 439 Chart, Tire Sizing
........................ 380
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............278,463
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 84
Checks, Safety ........................... 84
Child Restraint .................... 73,75,78,82
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............77,78
Child Safety Locks ........................ 33
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 411
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 493
Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 476
Climate Control ......................... 330
Coin Holder ........................... 265
Cold Weather Operation ................... 350
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 329
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 392
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 295
544 INDEX

Break-In Recommendations.............. 84
Checking Oil Level ................... 467
Compartment .................... 461,462
Compartment Identification ............. 461
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................ 481,511
Cooling ........................... 480
Exhaust Gas Caution ................85,414
Fails to Start ........................ 351
Flooded, Starting ..................... 351
Fuel Requirements .................... 410
Jump Starting ....................... 448
Multi-Displacement ................... 366
Oil ......................... 467,510,511
Oil Change Interval ................ 293,468
Oil Filler Cap .................... 468,469
Oil Filter ........................... 470
Oil Filter Disposal .................... 470
Oil Selection ..................... 468,510
Oil Synthetic ........................ 469 Overheating
........................ 438
Starting ........................... 348
Temperature Gauge ................... 283
Engine Oil Viscosity ................... 468,469
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 69
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 411
Event Data Recorder ...................... 72
Exhaust Gas Caution ................... 85,414
Exhaust System ....................... 85,478
Exterior Folding Mirrors ................... 98
Exterior Lighting ........................ 189
Exterior Lights .......................... 88
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 280
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 470
Air Conditioning .................. 340,474
Engine Oil ....................... 470,511
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INDEX 547

Engine Oil Disposal................... 470
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 194
Flashers Hazard Warning ..................... 438
Turn Signal .................... 88,193,275
Flat Tire Changing ....................... 439
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ...................... 417
Engine Oil ......................... 417
Fuel Requirements ................. 415,416
Maintenance ........................ 418
Replacement Parts .................... 418
Starting ........................... 417
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 351
Floor Console .......................... 265
Fluid Capacities ......................... 510
Fluid Leaks ............................. 88 Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission ................ 489
Brake ............................. 486
Cooling System ...................... 481
Engine Oil ......................... 467
Transfer Case ....................... 490
Fluid, Brake ........................... 512
Fluids ................................ 511
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 511
Fog Lights .......................... 192,275
Folding Rear Seat ........................ 181
Forward Collision Warning ..............232,289
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 452
Fuel ................................. 410
Additives .......................... 413
Clean Air .......................... 411
Conserving ......................... 294
Ethanol ............................ 411
Filler Door (Gas Cap) .................. 280
548 INDEX

Bulb Replacement................. 505,506
Daytime Running .................... 192
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ...........193,194
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . 377
Exterior ............................ 88
Fog ............................ 192,275
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 438
Headlight Switch ..................... 189
Headlights ...................... 189,507
Headlights On Reminder ............... 192
Headlights On With Wipers ..........190,200
High Beam ......................... 194
High Beam Indicator .................. 275
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............ 194
Illuminated Entry ..................... 20
Instrument Cluster ................... 189
Intensity Control ..................... 197
Interior ............................ 196
License ............................ 509 Lights On Reminder
.................. 192
Low Fuel .......................... 289
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ...... 278
Map Reading ....................... 195
Parade Mode (Daytime Brightness) ........ 198
Passing ............................ 194
Reading ........................ 195,246
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 283
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ............ 281
Service ......................... 505,506
Service Engine Soon
(Malfunction Indicator) ................ 278
SmartBeams ........................ 190
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ............ 281
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .......277,400
Traction Control ..................... 377
Turn Signal ....................... 88,193
Vanity Mirror ....................... 100
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 275
552 INDEX