
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 temperature gauge reads 240°F
(116°C) or greater pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle
the vehicle with the air conditioner turned off until
the pointer drops back into the normal range 200–
230°F (93–110°C). If the pointer remains at 240°F
(116°C) or greater and you hear a chime, 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.
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Proper lug nut/bolt torque is very important to ensure
that the wheel is properly mounted to the vehicle. Any
time a wheel has been removed and reinstalled on the
vehicle the lug nuts/bolts should be torqued using a
properly calibrated torque wrench.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 495

Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or cycle the ignition
switch to the LOCK position. The fan is tempera-
ture controlled and can start at any time 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, the
system should be drained, flushed, and refilled with
fresh OAT coolant (conforming to MS.90032) by an
authorized dealer. Check the front of the radiator 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.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.
If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant (anti-
freeze) will begin to drain from the coolant recovery
544 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Mix a minimum solution of 50% OAT engine coolant
that meets the requirements of FCA Material Standard
MS.90032 and distilled water. Use higher concentra-
tions (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below 34°F
( 37°C) are anticipated. Please contact your authorized
dealer for assistance.
• 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.
NOTE:
• It is the owner’s responsibility to maintain the proper
level of protection against freezing according to the
temperatures occurring in the area where the vehicle is
operated. •
Some vehicles require special tools to add coolant
properly. Failure to fill these systems properly could
lead to severe internal engine damage. If any coolant is
needed to be added to the system, please contact your
local authorized dealer.
• Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types is not recom-
mended 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.90032) as soon as
possible.
Cooling System Pressure Caps
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 547

The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
NOTE:Be sure you do not mix the engine coolant system
pressure cap with the intercooler system pressure cap
these caps are not interchangeable.
WARNING!
• Do not open hot engine cooling system. 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 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
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/coolant pressure cap
548 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Make sure that the coolant expansion 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 engine coolant (antifreeze)
performance, poor gas mileage, and increased emis-
sions.
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.
Clean the top of the master cylinder area before removing
the cap. Add fluid to bring the level up to the top of the
“FULL” mark on the side of the master cylinder reservoir.
550 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Brake Assist System...................... .438
Brake Control System, Electronic ..............435
Brake Fluid ......................... .583, 585
Brake, Parking .......................... .432
Brakes ................................ .435
Brake System ........................ .435, 550
Fluid Check ....................550, 583, 585
Master Cylinder ....................... .550
Parking ............................. .432
Warning Light ..................... .259, 435
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................406
Braking ............................... .296
SRT ................................ .296
Braking Distance ......................... .296
SRT ................................ .296
Brightness, Interior Lights ...................161
Bulb Replacement ..................... .576, 578
Bulbs, Light ......................... .103, 576Camera, Rear
........................... .219
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .581
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) .......................... .531
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................547
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............100, 485
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ....................489
Car Washes ............................ .555
Certification Label ........................ .489
Chains, Tire ............................ .473
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ .451
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .527
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ..............100
Checks, Safety .......................... .100
Child Restraint ............................76
Child Restraints Booster Seats ...........................80
Center Seat LATCH ......................89
Child Restraints .........................76
612 INDEX

Child Seat Installation.....................94
How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat Belt ........90
Infants And Child Restraints ................78
Install A LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint ....89
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children .......83
Older Children And Child Restraints ..........79
Seating Positions ........................82
Child Safety Locks .........................34
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... .482
Cleaning Wheels .............................. .557
Climate Control ......................... .362
Automatic ........................... .362
Coin Holder ............................ .243
Cold Weather Operation ....................402
Compact Spare Tire ....................... .468
Connector UCI................................ .358
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ..........358Console, Floor
.......................... .243
Console Shifter .......................... .413
SRT ................................ .413
Contract, Service ......................... .601
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........547
Cooling System .......................... .544
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............546
Coolant Capacity ...................... .581
Coolant Level ..................... .544, 548
Disposal Of Used Coolant .................548
Drain, Flush, And Refill ...................545
Inspection ........................... .548
Points To Remember .....................549
Pressure Cap ......................... .547
Radiator Cap ......................... .547
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) . .545, 581, 583, 584
Corrosion Protection ...................... .554
Cruise Control (Speed Control) ................174
Cruise Light ......................... .283, 285
10
INDEX 613

Tilt .................................135
Up ................................ .135
Power Steering Fluid ...................583, 585
Pregnant Women And Seat Belts ...............57
Pretensioners Seat Belts ..............................57
Programmable Features .....................306
Radial Ply Tires ......................... .464
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) ...........547
Radio Frequency General Information ............16, 18, 26, 30, 40
Radio Operation ......................... .360
Radio Remote Controls .....................359
Radio (Sound Systems) .....................357
Rain Sensitive Wiper System .................165
Rear Axle (Differential) .....................554
Rear Camera ........................... .219
Rear Cupholder ......................... .241Rear ParkSense System
.....................211
Rear Seat, Folding ........................ .144
Rear Window Defroster .....................246
Rear Window Features .....................246
Recorder, Event Data .......................75
Recreational Towing ...................... .491
Reformulated Gasoline .....................482
Refrigerant .......................... .537, 538
Reminder, Lights On ...................... .155
Reminder, Seat Belt .........................48
Remote Control Starting System .........................26
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) Arm The Alarm .........................19
Lock The Doors .........................23
Panic Alarm ............................24
Programming Additional Key Fobs .........18, 24
Programming Additional Transmitters .......18, 24
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................21
10
INDEX 623