Engine - Coolant Recommendations
NO: 07-03-97GROUP: Cooling
DATE: May 9, 1997
SUBJECT:
Engine Coolant Usage
THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 07-05-93 DATED NOV. 26, 1993 WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES AND MARKED IN THE 1993 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN BOOK (PUBLICATION NO. 81-699-94000). THE COMPLETE BULLETIN IS REVISED.
MODELS:
1989 - 1995 (AA) Spirit/Acclaim/LeBaron Sedan
1989 - 1997 (AB) Ram Van/Wagon
1989 - 1993 (AC) Dynasty/New Yorker/New Yorker Salon
1989 - 1993 (AD) Ram Pickup/Ram Cab & Chassis/Ramcharger/
Power Ram/Power Ram Cab & Chassis
1989 - 1993 (AG) Daytona
1989 (AH) Lancer/LeBaron GTS
1989 - 1995 (AJ) LeBaron Coupe/LeBaron Convertible
1989 - 1997 (AN) Dakota
1989 - 1994 (AP) Shadow/Shadow Convertible/Sundance
1989 - 1991 (AQ) Chrysler Maserati TC
1989 - 1995 (AS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager
1990 - 1993 (AY) Imperial/New Yorker Fifth Avenue
1994 - 1997 (BR) Ram Truck
1993 - 1995 (ES) Chrysler Voyager (European Market)
1995 - 1997 (FJ) Sebring/Avenger/Talon
1996 - 1997 (GS) Chrysler Voyager (European Market)
1995 - 1997 (JA) Cirrus/Stratus/Breeze
1996 - 1997 (JX) Sebring Convertible
1993 - 1997 (LH) Concorde/Intrepid/LHS/New Yorker/Vision
1989 - 1992 (MJ) Comanche
1996 - 1997 (NS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager
1995 - 1997 (PL) Neon
1997 (PR) Prowler
1992 - 1997 (SR) Viper/Viper Coupe
1997 (TJ) Wrangler
1989 - 1997 (XJ) Cherokee
1989 - 1995 (YJ) Wrangler
1993 - 1997 (ZJ) Grand Cherokee
DISCUSSION:
Some owners have expressed interest in using engine coolants made with propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol due to its lower toxicity and resultant reduced hazards to children and animals. Based on recent test data, most owners should not experience significant effects on cooling system performance when using propylene glycol based coolant. The use of national brand propylene glycol based engine coolant that meets the same Chrysler ethylene glycol specification of MS-7170 (or equivalent ASTM D5216) is acceptable for Chrysler built vehicles.
NOTE:
ANTIFREEZE SOLD FOR PROTECTING PLUMBING ETC. (RV ANTIFREEZE) IS NOT A SUITABLE ENGINE COOLANT.
However, owners should be discouraged from changing their engine coolant prior to the regularly scheduled maintenance period. Prematurely changing engine coolant unnecessarily adds to the risk of environmental exposure.
Sufficient freeze protection for the region should be maintained. However, do not use more than a 55% solution (-35 F, -37 C). Use the chart that accompanies the propylene glycol coolant, since a higher concentration is required to obtain the same freeze points as ethylene glycol coolant. If the temperatures for your region fall below this, use ethylene glycol coolant.
Under severe driving conditions (towing a trailer in hot weather etc.) there may be a slight loss in cooling performance. If this is noticed, the system should be changed back to ethylene glycol coolant.
The two types of coolant should not be mixed. The standard testers for measuring freeze protection will not provide an accurate reading when this occurs. If the cooling system is changed to propylene glycol, all the ethylene glycol coolant should be removed using an approved cooling system flush procedure. The freeze protection of propylene glycol cannot be measured with a standard cooling system hydrometer. A refractometer or hydrometer calibrated for propylene glycol is the preferred test tool.
POLICY: Information Only