Jeep Cherokee 2009 Operating Information Manual page 189

Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved
engine coolant that allows extended maintenance
intervals. This coolant can be used up to 5 Years
or 100,000 mi (160 000 km) before replacement.
To prevent reducing this extended maintenance
period, it is important that you use the same
coolant throughout the life of your vehicle.
When adding coolant:
• Mix a minimum 50% solution of the recom-
mended Antifreeze/Coolant (or equivalent) and
distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not
to exceed 70%) if temperatures below -34 °F
(-37 °C) are anticipated.
• Use only high purity water such as distilled or
deionized water when mixing the water/engine
coolant 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
maintain the proper level of protection against
freezing according to the temperatures occurring
in the area where the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:
Mixing coolant types will decrease the life of
the engine coolant and will require more fre-
quent coolant changes.
186
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
coolant, and to ensure that coolant will return to
the radiator from the coolant recovery bottle.
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 coolant when the en-
gine 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
engine damage may result.
Disposal of Used Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a
regulated substance requiring proper disposal.
Check with your local authorities to determine the
disposal rules for your community. To prevent
ingestion by animals 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, contact a physician
immediately. Clean up any ground spills immedi-
ately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method
for determining that the coolant level is adequate.
With the engine idling, and warm to normal oper-
ating temperature, the level of the coolant 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 cap unless
checking for coolant freeze point or replacing
coolant. Advise your service attendant of this. As
long as the engine operating temperature is sat-
isfactory, the coolant bottle need only be checked
once a month.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant
bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles
(kilometers) of operation, you may observe
vapor coming from the front of the engine