2023 Dodge Challenger Owners Manual - Engine compartment

Engine compartment

3.6L ENGINE

5.7L ENGINE

CHECKING OIL LEVEL

Warning:

• Never smoke while working in the engine compartment: gas and flammable vapors may be present, with the risk of fire.

• Be very careful when working in the engine compartment when the engine is hot: you may get burned. Do not get too close to the radiator cooling fan: the electric fan may start; danger of injury. Scarves, ties and other loose clothing might be pulled by moving parts.

CAUTION:

• Be careful not to confuse the various types of fluids while topping up: they are not compatible with each other! Topping up with an unsuitable fluid could severely damage your car.

• The oil level must never exceed the MAX mark.

• Always top up using engine oil of the same specifications as that already in the engine.

• If the engine oil is being topped up, wait for the engine to cool down before loosening the filler cap, particularly for vehicles with aluminum caps (if equipped). WARNING: risk of burns!

• Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.

To ensure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to check the engine oil level is about ten minutes after a fully warmed up engine is shut off.

Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accuracy of the oil level readings.

There are four possible dipstick types:

• Crosshatched zone.

• Crosshatched zone marked SAFE.

• Crosshatched zone marked with MIN at the low end of the range and MAX at the high end of the range.

• Crosshatched zone marked with dimples at the MIN and the MAX ends of the range.

Note:

Always maintain the oil level within the crosshatch markings on the dipstick.

Adding 1 qt (1 L) of oil when the reading is at the low end of the dipstick range will raise the oil level to the high end of the range marking.

CAUTION:

Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.

ADDING WASHER FLUID

The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located in the front of the engine compartment. Be sure to check the fluid level at regular intervals. Fill the reservoir with windshield washer solvent (not radiator antifreeze) and operate the system for a few seconds to flush out the residual water.

When refilling the washer fluid reservoir, apply some washer fluid to a cloth or towel and wipe the wiper blades clean. This will help blade performance.

To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This rating information can be found on most washer fluid containers.

The fluid reservoir will hold nearly 1 gal (4 L) of washer fluid when the message “Low Washer Fluid” appears in the instrument cluster.

Warning:

Commercially available windshield washer solvents are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care must be exercised when filling or working around the washer solution.

MAINTENANCE-FREE BATTERY

Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery. Water will never have to be added, and periodic maintenance is not required.

Note:

The battery is stored under an access cover in the trunk. Remote battery terminals are located in the engine compartment for jump starting  JUMP STARTING.

Warning:

• Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can burn or even blind you. Do not allow battery fluid to contact your eyes, skin, or clothing. Do not lean over a battery when attaching clamps. If acid splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area immediately with large amounts of water  JUMP STARTING.

• Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep flame or sparks away from the battery. Do not use a booster battery or any other booster source with an output greater than 12 Volts. Do not allow cable clamps to touch each other.

• Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after handling.

• The battery in this vehicle has a vent hose that should not be disconnected and should only be replaced with a battery of the same type (vented).

CAUTION:

• It is essential when replacing the cables on the battery that the positive cable is attached to the positive post and the negative cable is attached to the negative post. Battery posts are marked positive (+) and negative (-) and are identified on the battery case. Cable clamps should be tight on the terminal posts and free of corrosion.

• If a “fast charger” is used while the battery is in the vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables before connecting the charger to the battery. Do not use a “fast charger” to provide starting voltage.

PRESSURE WASHING

Cleaning the engine compartment with a high pressure washer is not recommended.

CAUTION:

Precautions have been taken to safeguard all parts and connections however, the pressures generated by these machines is such that complete protection against water ingress cannot be guaranteed.