SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE

Cooling System

~7min read
  • Hot engine coolant (antifreeze) and steam from the radiator can cause serious burns. If you see or hear steam coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until the radiator has cooled. Never open the pressurized cooling system cap when the radiator or coolant reservoir is hot.
  • Keep hands, tools, clothing, and jewelry away from the radiator cooling fan when the hood is raised. The fan starts automatically and can start at any time, whether or not the engine is running.
  • When working near the radiator cooling fan, disconnect the fan motor or turn the ignition to the OFF position. The fan is temperature controlled and can start at any time when the ignition is in the ON position.

Coolant Check

Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where applicable). If the engine coolant is contaminated, the system should be drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh Organic Additive Technology (OAT) engine coolant (meeting MS.90032) at an authorized dealer. Check the front of the radiator for accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, carefully clean them by spraying water from a garden hose vertically downward across the condenser surface.

Inspect the coolant recovery reservoir hose for brittle rubber, cracks, tears, cuts, and leaks at the reservoir and radiator connections. Inspect the entire system for leaks. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE CAP WHILE THE SYSTEM IS HOT.

Cooling System - Drain, Flush and Refill

NOTE:

Some vehicles require special tools to properly fill the cooling system with coolant. Failure to properly fill these systems may result in serious internal engine damage. If any coolant must be added to the system, contact an authorized dealer.

If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is contaminated or contains visible sediment, contact an authorized dealer for cleaning and flushing of the cooling system using Organic Additive Technology (OAT) coolant (in accordance with MS.90032).

For correct service intervals.

Coolant Selection

NOTE:

  • Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) other than the specified Organic Additive Technology (OAT) engine coolant may cause engine damage and reduce corrosion protection. OAT engine coolant is different and must not be mixed with Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolant or any "globally compatible" coolant. If non-OAT engine coolant enters the cooling system in an emergency, it must be drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh OAT coolant (meets MS.90032) by an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
  • Do not use plain water or alcohol-based engine coolant products. Do not use supplemental rust inhibitors or anti-corrosion additives, as they may be incompatible with the engine coolant radiator and may clog the radiator.
  • This vehicle is not designed for use with propylene glycol-based engine coolant. Use of propylene glycol-based engine coolant is not recommended.
  • Some vehicles require special tools to properly fill the cooling system with coolant. Failure to properly fill these systems may result in serious internal engine damage. If coolant must be added to the system, contact an authorized dealer.

Adding Coolant

Your vehicle uses an extended-life engine coolant (OAT coolant, per MS.90032), which allows extended service intervals. This engine coolant (antifreeze) may be used for up to 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km) before replacement. To preserve this extended service period, it is important that you use the same engine coolant (OAT coolant meeting MS.90032) throughout the service life of your vehicle.

Please observe these guidelines when adding Organic Additive Technology (OAT) engine coolant that meets the manufacturer's Material Standard MS.90032:

  • We recommend using Mopar® antifreeze/coolant with a 10-year/150,000-mile (240,000 km) service life, OAT formula, meeting manufacturer's Material Standard MS.90032.
  • Mix a minimum 50% solution of OAT engine coolant meeting manufacturer's Material Standard MS.90032 with distilled water. Use a higher concentration (up to 70% maximum) if temperatures below −34°F (−37°C) are expected. Consult an authorized dealer for assistance.
  • When mixing, use only high-purity water, such as distilled or deionized water, for the water/engine coolant solution. Using lower-quality water reduces the level of corrosion protection in the engine cooling system.

NOTE:

  • It is the owner's responsibility to maintain an adequate level of freeze protection according to the temperatures expected in the area where the vehicle is operated.
  • Some vehicles require special tools to properly fill the cooling system with coolant. Failure to properly fill these systems may result in serious internal engine damage. If any coolant must be added to the system, contact an authorized dealer.
  • Mixing engine coolant types is not recommended, as it may cause damage to the cooling system. If HOAT and OAT coolants are mixed in an emergency, drain, flush, and refill with OAT coolant (meets MS.90032) as soon as possible.

Sealed Cooling System Cap

The cap must be fully tightened to prevent engine coolant (antifreeze) leakage and to ensure that engine coolant returns to the radiator from the coolant recovery bottle/reservoir (if equipped) as the coolant expands.

Inspect and clean the cap if there is any foreign material buildup on the sealing surfaces.

  • Do not open the cooling system when the engine is hot. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze) when the engine is overheated. Do not loosen or remove the cap when the engine is overheated. Heat causes pressure to build up in the cooling system. To avoid scalding or injury, do not remove the sealed cap while the system is hot or pressurized.
  • Do not use a sealed cap other than the one specified for your vehicle. This may cause injury or engine damage.

Disposal of Used Coolant

Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is a regulated substance and requires proper disposal. Contact your local authorities to determine the disposal regulations for your community. To prevent ingestion by animals or children, do not store ethylene glycol-based coolant in open containers or allow it to remain puddled on the ground. Immediately clean up any spills on the ground. If swallowed, seek emergency medical assistance immediately.

Coolant Level

The coolant reservoir provides a quick visual method of checking that the coolant level is adequate. With the engine off and cold, the engine coolant (antifreeze) level in the reservoir should be between the ranges marked on the reservoir.

The radiator normally remains completely filled, so there is no need to remove the radiator cap/sealed coolant cap unless checking the engine coolant freezing point or replacing the coolant. Refer this to service personnel. As long as the engine operating temperature is satisfactory, the coolant reservoir needs to be checked only once a month.

When additional engine coolant is required to maintain the proper level, only OAT coolant may be used. Coolant meeting the manufacturer's material standard MS.90032 must be added to the coolant reservoir. Do not overfill.

Cooling System Notes

NOTE:

When the vehicle stops after several miles/kilometers of driving, you may notice steam coming from the front of the engine compartment. This is usually the result of rain, snow, or high humidity collecting on the radiator and evaporating when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.

If no radiator leaks or hose leaks are found when inspecting the engine compartment, the vehicle can be driven safely. The steam will soon dissipate.

  • Do not overfill the coolant recovery reservoir.
  • Check the freezing point of the coolant in the radiator and the coolant reservoir. If engine coolant must be added, the contents of the coolant reservoir must also be protected against freezing.
  • If frequent addition of engine coolant is required, the cooling system must be pressure tested for leaks.
  • Maintain the engine coolant concentration at no less than 50% OAT coolant (conforming to MS.90032) and distilled water to properly protect the engine against corrosion, including components containing aluminum.
  • Make sure the coolant reservoir 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 necessary, install ONLY the correct type of thermostat. Other designs may result in unsatisfactory engine cooling performance, poor fuel economy, and increased emissions.

Test yourself

A quick Dodge Charger quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.