supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
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
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
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 399
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan,
disconnect 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 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 engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty 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.
442 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
(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 is not
recommended and can result in cooling system damage.
If HOAT and OAT coolant are mixed in an emergency,
have a authorized dealer drain, flush, and refill with OAT
coolant (conforming to MS-12106) as soon as possible.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery tank. The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
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
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 445
Disposal Of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant 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
Four-Cylinder Engines –the coolant bottle provides a
quick visual method for determining that the engine
coolant (antifreeze) level is adequate. With the engine
idling and warm to normal operating temperature, the
level of the engine coolant (antifreeze) in the bottle
should be between the “ADD” and “FULL” lines, shown
on the bottle. Six-Cylinder Engines –
the level of the engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the pressurized coolant bottle should be
between the “COLD” and “FULL” range on the bottle
when the engine is cold.
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.
446 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Automatic Transmission....................303
Adding Fluid ......................... .451
Fluid and Filter Changes ..................453
Fluid Level Check ...................... .451
Fluid Type ........................... .450
Gear Ranges .......................... .306
Special Additives ...................... .450
Autostick .............................. .320
Auto Unlock, Doors ........................34
Battery ................................ .433
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........27
Location ............................. .433
Belts, Seat ...............................44
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................437
B-Pillar Location ......................... .344
Brake Assist System ...................... .333
Brake, Parking .......................... .327
Brake System ........................... .448Anti-Lock (ABS)
....................... .329
Fluid Check .......................... .448
Master Cylinder ....................... .448
Parking ............................. .327
Warning Light ........................ .221
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................305
Bulb Replacement ........................ .470
Bulbs, Light ..............................96
Calibration, Compass ..................... .240
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .477
Caps, Filler Fuel ................................ .379
Oil (Engine) .......................... .423
Power Steering ........................ .326
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................445
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...................92
Car Washes ............................ .454
Cellular Phone .......................... .128
10
INDEX 501
Certification Label........................ .382
Chains, Tire ............................ .360
Changing A Flat Tire ...................... .400
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ .339
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .426
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ...............92
Checks, Safety ............................92
Child Restraint ............................70
Cigar Lighter ........................... .204
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... .371
Cleaning Wheels .............................. .456
Climate Control ......................... .283
Clock ................................. .247
Cold Weather Operation ....................302
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ..............282
Compact Spare Tire ....................... .355
Compass .............................. .233
Compass Calibration ...................... .240Compass Variance
........................ .241
Computer, Trip/Travel ..................... .239
Connector UCI................................ .273
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ..........273
Console ............................... .206
Console, Floor .......................... .206
Contract, Service ......................... .493
Convertible ............................ .101
Convertible Top ......................... .101
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........445
Cooling System .......................... .442
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............444
Coolant Capacity ...................... .477
Coolant Level ......................... .442
Disposal of Used Coolant .................446
Drain, Flush, and Refill ...................443
Inspection ........................... .446
Points to Remember .....................447
502 INDEX
Pressure Cap......................... .445
Radiator Cap ......................... .445
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .............443
Corrosion Protection ...................... .454
Cruise Light ............................ .226
Cupholders ............................ .204
Customer Assistance ...................... .491
Customer Programmable Features .............244
Data Recorder, Event .......................69
Daytime Running Lights ....................182
Dealer Service ........................... .427
Deck Lid, Power Release .....................38
Defroster, Rear Window .....................210
Defroster, Windshield .......................94
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ..................185
Diagnostic System, Onboard .................425
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ...................180 Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission ..................451
Oil (Engine) .......................... .429
Power Steering ........................ .326
Disabled Vehicle Towing ....................418
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................446
Door Locks ..............................32
Door Locks, Automatic ......................33
Door Opener, Garage ...................... .192
Driver’s Seat Back Tilt ..................... .171
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water ............................... .322
E-85 Fuel .............................. .375
Electrical Power Outlets .....................201
Electric Rear Window Defrost .................210
Electric Remote Mirrors .....................126
10
INDEX 503
PretensionersSeat Belts ..............................51
Programmable Electronic Features .............244
Programming Transmitters (Remote Keyless Entry) . .21
Radial Ply Tires ......................... .352
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) ...........445
Radio Operation ......................... .282
Radio Remote Controls .....................280
Rear Cupholder ......................... .205
Rearview Mirrors ........................ .124
Rear Window Defroster .....................210
Rear Window Features .....................210
Recorder, Event Data .......................69
Recreational Towing ...................... .395
Reformulated Gasoline .....................371
Refrigerant ............................. .435
Release, Hood ........................... .175
Reminder, Seat Belt .........................56 Remote Control
Security Alarm ..........................18
Starting System .........................28
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ..................21
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls .........280
Remote Starting System ......................28
Remote Trunk Release .......................38
Replacement Bulbs ....................... .470
Replacement Keys .........................16
Replacement Parts ........................ .427
Replacement Tires ........................ .359
Reporting Safety Defects ....................495
Resetting Oil Change Indicator ................225
Restraint, Head .......................... .171
Restraints, Child ...........................70
Restraints, Occupant ........................40
Rotation, Tires .......................... .361
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ..................93
512 INDEX