2012 CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE adding oil

▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles ...... 370
▫ Starting ........................... 371
▫ Cruising Range ...................... 371
▫ Replacement Parts ................... 371
▫ Maintenance ........................ 372
 Adding Fuel ......................... 372
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 372
▫ Loose Filler Cap Message .............. 374
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 375
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 375
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ...... 375
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ........ 375
▫ Overloading ........................ 376 ▫
Loading ........................... 376
 Trailer Towing ........................ 377
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 377
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 379
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... 380
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 381
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 382
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 386
 Recreational Towing (Behind
Motorhome, Etc.) ...................... 388
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another
Vehicle ............................ 388
▫ Recreational Towing – All Models ........ 388
304 STARTING AND OPERATING

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment — 2.4L ............. 417
 Engine Compartment — 3.6L ............. 418
 Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II ...... 419
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 419
 Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs ............................ 420
 Replacement Parts ..................... 421
 Dealer Service ........................ 421
 Maintenance Procedures ................. 422 ▫
Engine Oil ......................... 423
▫ Engine Oil Filter ..................... 426
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............... 427
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .............. 427
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ............ 429
▫ A/C Air Filter – If Equipped ............ 430
▫ Body Lubrication .................... 431
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 432
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ................. 433
7

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended maintenance
intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in these
components as the chemicals can damage your
engine, transmission, power steering or air condi-
tioning. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed
because of component malfunction, use only the
specified fluid for the flushing procedure.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to
check the engine oil level is about five minutes after afully warmed engine is shut off. Do not check oil level
before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking engine oil level when the engine is cold will
give you an incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. Either the range mark-
ings consist of a crosshatch zone marked SAFE or a
crosshatch zone marked with MIN at the low end of the
range and MAX at the high end of the range. Adding one
quart of oil when the reading is at the low end of the
range marking will raise the oil level to the high end of
the range marking.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 423

CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine
will cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil
pressure and an increase in oil temperature. This
could damage your engine. Also, be sure the oil fill
cap is replaced and tightened after adding oil.
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
NOTE: Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 8,000 miles (13 000 km) or six months,
whichever occurs first.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer recom-
mends engine oils that are API Certified and meet the
requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
424 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adding Washer Fluid
The fluid reservoir for the windshield washers is located
in the engine compartment. Be sure to check the fluid
level in the reservoir at regular intervals. Fill the reservoir
with windshield washer solvent (not radiator antifreeze)
and operate the system for a few seconds to flush out the
residual water.
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.
Exhaust System
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
If you notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system;
or if the exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle;
or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged;
have an authorized technician inspect the complete ex-
haust system and adjacent body areas for broken, dam-
aged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams
or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep
into the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the
exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised for lubri-
cation or oil change. Replace as required.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 433

Automatic Headlights.................... 162
Automatic Oil Change Indicator ..........208,221
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 290
Automatic Transaxle Adding Fluid ....................... 467
Selection Of Lubricant ................. 467
Automatic Transmission ................308,443
Adding Fluid ....................... 444
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 445
Fluid Level Check .................... 444
Fluid Type ......................... 443
Gear Ranges ........................ 311
Special Additives ..................... 444
Autostick ............................. 318
B-Pillar Location ........................ 340
Battery ............................... 427
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 26
Location ........................... 427 Belts, Seat
............................ 43,83
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 431
Brake Assist System ...................... 330
Brake System ........................... 441
Anti-Lock (ABS) ..................... 326
Fluid Check ..................... 441,467
Master Cylinder ..................... 441
Parking ........................... 324
Warning Light ....................... 205
Brake, Parking .......................... 324
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 309
Brakes ............................... 441
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 80
Bulb Replacement ..................... 459,460
Bulbs, Light .......................... 85,459
Calibration, Compass ..................... 223
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 465
10
INDEX 495

Convertible............................. 91
Convertible Top .......................... 91
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 438
Cooling System ......................... 436
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 437
Coolant Capacity ..................... 465
Coolant Level .................... 436,439
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 439
Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 436
Inspection .......................... 439
Points to Remember .................. 440
Pressure Cap ........................ 438
Radiator Cap ....................... 438
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....437,465,466
Corrosion Protection ..................... 445
Cruise Light ........................... 209
Cupholders ......................... 188,451
Customer Assistance ..................... 485
Customer Programmable Features ............ 227Data Recorder, Event
...................... 68
Daytime Running Lights ................... 165
Dealer Service .......................... 421
Deck Lid, Emergency Release ................ 38
Deck Lid, Power Release ................... 37
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 194
Defroster, Windshield .............83,287,288,294
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 169
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 419
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................. 166
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ................ 444
Oil (Engine) ........................ 423
Power Steering ...................... 323
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 411
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 439
Engine Oil ......................... 426
Door Locks ............................. 30
10
INDEX 497

Fluid Capacities......................... 465
Fluid Leaks ............................. 85
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ................ 444
Brake .......................... 441,467
Cooling System ...................... 436
Engine Oil ......................... 423
Power Steering ................... 323,467
Fluids ................................ 466
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 466
Fog Light Service ........................ 462
Fog Lights .................... 161,164,211,462
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 408
Fuel ................................. 364
Adding ........................... 372
Additives .......................... 366
Clean Air .......................... 364
Ethanol ........................... 365
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............202,372Filler Door (Gas Cap)
.................. 202
Gasoline ........................... 364
Gauge ............................ 202
Light ............................. 203
Materials Added ..................... 366
Methanol .......................... 365
Octane Rating .................... 364,466
Requirements .................... 364,465
Tank Capacity ....................... 465
Fuel System Caution ..................... 373
Fuel, Flexible ........................... 368
Fueling ............................... 372
Fuses ................................ 454
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) ........... 176
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............372,374,419
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 364
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 364
500 INDEX