2012 CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE radiator cap

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the pointer rises to the H (red) mark,
the instrument cluster will sound a chime. When
safe, pull over and stop the vehicle with the engine at
idle. Turn off the air conditioning and wait until the
pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on the H (red) mark for more than a
minute, 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.
Engine Oil Overheating — 2.4L Engine Only (If
Equipped)
During sustained high-speed driving or trailer tow up
long grades on hot day, the engine oil temperature may
become too hot. If this happens, the “HOTOIL” message
flashes, the vehicle speed will be reduced to 53 mph
(85 km/h) until the engine oil temperature is reduced.
NOTE:Engine speed is reduced to 53 mph (85 km/h) at
the maximum. You may of course, reduce your speed
further if needed.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 393

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 anytime the igni-
tion 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 engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty orrusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed, and refilled with fresh engine coolant (anti-
freeze). 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.
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).
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
436 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance period, it is important that you use the same
engine coolant (antifreeze) throughout the life of your
vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolant
(antifreeze). When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•The manufacturer recommends using MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) or
equivalent.
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below 34°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 engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that the 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.
438 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 addi-
tional 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, the contents of
the 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 engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum)
and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of
your engine, which contains aluminum components.
440 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•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.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory cooling performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting or
riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Master Cylinder – Brake Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder immediately
if the brake system warning light indicates system fail-
ure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when per-
forming underhood services.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 441

Caps, FillerFuel .............................. 372
Oil (Engine) ..................... 417,425
Power Steering ...................... 323
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 438
Car Washes ............................ 446
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............82,368
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 375
Cellular Phone ....................... 1 14,285
Certification Label ....................... 375
Chains, Tire ............................ 354
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 394
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 336
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light) ................................ 420
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 81
Checks, Safety ........................... 81
Child Restraint .................. 69,70,71,75,77
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............73,75Cigar Lighter
........................... 188
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 364
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 447
Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 432
Climate Control ......................... 285
Clock ........................ 230,233,252,261
Coin Holder ........................... 190
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 284
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 348
Compass ........................... 216,223
Compass Calibration ..................... 223
Compass Variance ....................... 224
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 222
Connector UCI .............................. 276
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 276
Console, Floor .......................... 190
Contract, Service ........................ 487
496 INDEX

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

Synthetic.......................... 426
Viscosity ........................ 425,465
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............419,420
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®) ........... 176
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 4
Outside Rearview Mirrors .................. 112
Overheating, Engine ...................... 392
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,489
Paint Care ............................. 445
Panic Alarm ............................ 25
Parking Brake .......................... 324
Passenger Seat Back Tilt (Easy Entry System) .... 155
Passing Light ........................... 166
Personal Settings ........................ 227
Pets .................................. 80
Phone, Cellular ......................... 114
Phone, Hands-Free (Uconnect™) ............. 114
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 340Power
Accessory Delay ...................... 13
Deck Lid Release ..................... 37
Door Locks ......................... 32
Mirrors ............................ 112
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) ........ 185
Seats ............................. 150
Steering ........................ 322,323
Windows ........................... 34
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 56
Preparation for Jacking .................... 395
Pretensioners Seat Belts ........................... 50
Programmable Electronic Features ............ 227
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 21
Radial Ply Tires ......................... 347
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .......... 438
506 INDEX