Page 178 of 277

CAUTION!
Damage to the fuel system or emission control
system could result from using an improper fuel
tank filler tube cap (gas cap). A poorly fitting cap
could let impurities into the fuel system. The Mal-
function Indicator light will come on if the gas cap is
not properly secured.
NOTE:The fuel tank filler tube has a restricting door
about 2 inches (50 mm) down from the opening. If fuel is
poured from a portable container, the container should
have a flexible nozzle long enough to force open the
restricting door.
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top
off” the fuel tank after filling.
NOTE:
•
When the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the fuel
tank is full.
•Tighten the gas cap until you hear a “clicking” sound.
This is an indication that the gas cap is properly
tightened.
The Malfunction Indicator light will come on if the gas
cap is not properly secured. Make sure that the gas cap
is tightened each time the vehicle is refueled.
WARNING!
•Never have any smoking materials lit in or near
the vehicle when the gas cap is removed or the
tank filled.
•Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is
running.
•A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on
the ground while filling.
178 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 195 of 277

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
3.5L Engine..........................197
Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II).......198
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs
............................199
Replacement Parts.....................200
Dealer Service........................200
Maintenance Procedures.................201
▫Engine Oil..........................201
▫Chassis Lubrication....................210
▫Drive Shaft Universal Joints..............211
▫Body Lubrication.....................211
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................212▫Windshield Washers...................213
▫Exhaust System......................213
▫Cooling System.......................214
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......218
▫Brakes.............................218
▫Fuel System Hoses....................220
▫Automatic Transaxle...................221
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................223
Fuses...............................227
▫Fuse Block Relays.....................227
▫Underhood Fuses.....................228
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Page 198 of 277

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II)
To meet new government regulations and promote
cleaner air, your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated
onboard diagnostic system called OBD II. This system
monitors the performance of the emissions, engine, and
automatic transaxle control systems. When these systems
are operating properly, your vehicle will provide excel-
lent performance and fuel economy, as well as engine
emissions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the Malfunction Indicator or Service Engine
Soon Light. It will also store diagnostic codes and other
information to assist your service technician in making
repairs. Although your vehicle will usually be driveable
and not need towing, see your dealer for service as soon
as possible.CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the light on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any state emissions
tests can be performed.
If the light is flashing, severe catalytic converter damage
and power loss will soon occur. Immediate service is
required.
If the gas cap is not tightened properly, the light may
come on. Be sure the gas cap is tightened every time you
add fuel. Tighten the cap until you hear it “click.”
198 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 201 of 277

WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the proper equipment.
If you have any doubt about your ability to perform
a service job, take your vehicle to a competent
mechanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain the maintenance service
recommended by the engineers who designed your ve-
hicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained, at the correct level. Check
the oil level at regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 201
7
Page 203 of 277

•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather above 90°F (32°C)
•Trailer towing
•Taxi, police or delivery service (commercial service)
•Off road or desert operation
•If equipped for and operating with E —85 (ethanol)
fuel
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown on scheduleAof theMainte-
nance Schedulessection of this manual.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could dam-
age your engine.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, we only recommend en-
gine oils that are API Certified and meet the requirements
of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard MS-6395. Use Mo-
par or an equipvalent oil meeting the specification MS-
6395.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 203
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Page 206 of 277

Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Under normal driving conditions, replace the air filter at
the intervals shown on Schedule “A”. If, however, you
drive the vehicle frequently under dusty or severe con-
ditions, the filter element should be inspected periodi-
cally and replaced if necessary at the intervals shown on
Schedule “B”.
WARNING!
The air cleaner can provide a measure of protection
in the case of engine backfire. Do not remove the air
cleaner unless such removal is necessary for repair or
maintenance. Make sure that no one is near the
engine compartment before starting the vehicle with
the air cleaner removed. Failure to do so can result in
serious personal injury.
Engine Fuel Filter
A plugged fuel filter can cause hard starting or limit the
speed at which a vehicle can be driven. Should an
excessive amount of dirt accumulate in the fuel tank,
frequent replacement of the fuel filter which is mounted
in the fuel tank may be necessary. See your dealer for
service.
Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded fuel
only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effectiveness of the
catalyst as an emission control device.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly serviced to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage. If the Malfunction Indicator light is flashing,
immediate service is required.
206 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 220 of 277

Be sure to clean the top of the master cylinder area before
removing the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the
fluid level up to the requirements described on the brake
fluid reservoir. With disc brakes, fluid level can be
expected to fall as the brake pads wear. However, low
fluid level may be caused by a leak and a checkup may be
needed.
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid.
Refer to the Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genu-
ine Parts section for the correct fluid type.WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point or unidentified as to specification, may
result in sudden brake failure during hard pro-
longed braking. You could have an accident.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter.
Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid as seal damage will result!
Fuel System Hoses
Electronic Fuel Injection high pressure fuel systems are
designed with hoses and clamps which have unique
material characteristics to provide adequate sealing and
resist attack by deteriorated gasoline.
You are urged to use only the manufacturer specified
hoses and clamps, or their equivalent in material and
specification, in any fuel system servicing. It is manda-
tory to replace all clamps that have been loosened or
removed during service. Care should be taken in install-
ing new clamps to insure they are properly torqued.
Brake Master Cylinder
220 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 229 of 277

Cavity Fuse Circuits
7 20 Amp
YellowTail, License, Parking, Illumina-
tion Lights, Instrument Cluster
8 10 Amp
RedAirbag
9 10 Amp
RedTurn Signal Lights, Turn Signal/
Hazard Indicator
10 15 Amp
Lt. BlueRight Low Beam
11 20 Amp
YellowHigh Beam Relay, High Beam
Indicator, High Beam Switch
12 15 Amp
Lt. BlueLeft Low Beam Headlight
13 10 Amp
RedFuel Pump Relay, Power Train
Control Module
14 10 Amp
RedCluster, Day/Night Mirror, Sun-
roof, Overhead Console, Garage
Door Opener, Body Control Mod-
ule
15 10 Amp
RedDaytime Running Light Module
(Canada)
16 20 Amp
YellowFog Light IndicatorCavity Fuse Circuits
17 10 Amp
RedABS Control, Back Up Lights,
Daytime Running Lights, A/C
Heater Control,
18 20 Amp
YellowPower Amplifier, Horn
19 15 Amp
Lt. BlueOverhead Console, Garage Door
Opener, Trunk, Overhead, Rear
Reading, and Visor Vanity Lights,
Trunk Release Solenoid, Power
Mirrors, Power Door Locks, Body
Control Module, Aspirator Motor
20 20 Amp
YellowBrake Lights
21 10 Amp
RedLeak Detection Pump, Low Rad
Relay, High Rad Relay, A/C
Clutch Relay
22 10 Amp
RedAirbag
23 30 Amp
GreenBlower Motor, ATC Power Mod-
ule
24 20 Amp
C/BRKRPower Window Motors
25 20 Amp
C/BRKRPower Door Lock Motors, Power
Seats
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 229
7