| SUBJECT: Engine Coolant Usage |
| NO: 07-03-97 |
| GROUP: Cooling |
| DATE: May 9, 1997 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. 81-69994000).THE COMPLETE BULLETIN IS REVISED. |
| MODELS: 1989 - 1995 (M) 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/lntrepid/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 |