2012 CHRYSLER 300 SRT engine coolant

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 87

NOTE:
•The “ESC Off Indicator Light” and the “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” come on mo-
mentarily each time the ignition switch is turned to
ON/RUN.
•Each time the ignition is turned to ON/RUN, the ESC
system will be ON, even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds
when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop
when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.19. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned to ON/
RUN, this light will turn on for four to eight
seconds as a bulb check. During the bulb check, if
the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled, a chime will sound.
After the bulb check or when driving, if the driver’s seat
belt remains unbuckled, the Seat Belt Reminder Light
will illuminate and the chime will sound. Refer to
“Occupant Restraints” in “Things To Know Before Start-
ing Your Vehicle” for further information.
20. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
290 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads
“260” 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 “260” and you hear continuous
chimes, turn the engine off immediately and call an
authorized dealership for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer-
ship for service if your vehicle overheats. If you
decide to look under the hood yourself, see “Main-
taining Your Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the
Cooling System Pressure Cap paragraph.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 291

Instantaneous G-Force
When selected, this screen displays the current G-Force
(lateral and longitudinal).
Peak G-Force
When selected, this screen displays all four G-Force
values (two lateral and two longitudinal).
•When a force greater than zero is measured, the
display will update the value as it climbs. As the
G-Force falls, the peak forces will continue to display.
•Pressing and holding the SELECT button for five
seconds will clear the peak force values.
Vehicle Info (Customer Information Features)
Press and release the UP or DOWN button untilVehicle
Info is highlighted in the EVIC. Press and release the
SELECT button and Coolant Temp will be displayed.
Press the UP or DOWN button to scroll through the
following information displays.
•Coolant Temp
Displays the actual coolant temperature.
•Oil Temperature
Displays the actual oil temperature.
•Oil Pressure
Displays the actual oil pressure.
•Trans Temperature
Displays the actual transmission temperature.
•Engine Hours
Displays the number of hours of engine operation.
308 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Battery Voltage
Shows the actual battery voltage.
Gauges 2
When selected, this screen displays the following values:
•Coolant Temperature
Shows the actual coolant temperature within the range of
the gauge.
•Oil Temperature
Shows the actual oil temperature within the range of the
gauge.
•Transmission Temperature
Shows the actual transmission temperature within the
range of the gauge.
•Intake Air Temperature
Shows the actual intake air temperature within the range
of the gauge.
•Oil Pressure
Shows the actual oil pressure.
•Battery Voltage
Shows the actual battery voltage.
Engine
When selected, this screen displays miles per hour (mph),
horsepower (hp), torque (ft/lb), oil pressure (psi) and
gear selector values.
Handling
When selected, this screen displays peak g-force, instan-
taneous g-force, steering and yaw angles.
Options
When selected, this screen allows you to choose a stan-
dard or custom display for your SRT home page.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 327

Manual Operation
The system allows for manual selection of blower speed,
air distribution mode, A/C status and recirculation con-
trol.
The blower fan speed can be set to any fixed speed by
adjusting the blower control. The fan will now operate at
a fixed speed until additional speeds are selected. This
allows the front occupants to control the volume of air
circulated in the vehicle and cancel the Auto mode.
The operator can also select the direction of the airflow
by selecting one of the available mode settings. A/C
operation and Recirculation control can also be manually
selected in Manual operation.
Operating Tips
NOTE:Refer to the chart at the end of this section for
suggested control settings for various weather conditions.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air-conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A solution of 50% ethylene
glycol antifreeze coolant and 50% water is recommended.
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
Use of the air Recirculation mode during Winter months
is not recommended because it may cause window
fogging.
342 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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.
TIREFIT KIT
Small punctures up to14” (6 mm) in the tire tread can be
sealed with TIREFIT. Foreign objects (e.g., screws or
nails) should not be removed from the tire. TIREFIT can
be used in outside temperatures down to approximately
-4°F (-20°C).
This kit will provide a temporary tire seal, allowing you
to drive your vehicle up to 100 miles (160 km) with a
maximum speed of 55 mph (88 km/hr).
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 429

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 6.4L
1 — Remote Jump Start (Positive Battery Post)6 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Engine Oil Dipstick 7 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses)
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
5 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 453