Page 165 of 273

Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct inflation pressure. The manufacturer
strongly recommends that you use tires equivalent to the
originals in size, quality and performance when replace-
ment is needed (see the paragraph on tread wear indica-
tors). Failure to use equivalent replacement tires may
adversely affect the safety, handling, and ride of your
vehicle. We recommend that you contact your original
equipment dealer on any questions you may have on tire
specifications or capability.WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than that
specified for your vehicle. Some combinations of
unapproved tires and wheels may change suspen-
sion dimensions and performance characteristics,
resulting in changes to steering, handling, and brak-
ing of your vehicle. This can cause unpredictable
handling and stress to steering and suspension com-
ponents. You could lose control and have an accident
resulting in serious injury or death. Use only the tire
and wheel sizes with load ratings approved for your
vehicle.
•Never use a tire smaller than the minimum tire size
listed on your vehicle’s tire label located on the
driver’s door. Using a smaller tire could result in tire
overloading and failure. You could lose control and
have an accident.
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
•Overloading your tires is dangerous. Like under
inflation, overloading can cause tire failure. Use tires
of the recommended load capacity for your vehicle
and never overload them.
STARTING AND OPERATING 165
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Page 176 of 273

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The flasher switch is on the steering column, just
behind the steering wheel. Push in the flasher
switch and all front and rear directional signals
will flash. Press the flasher switch a second time to turn
the flashers off.
Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE:With extended use, the flasher may run down
your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — Slow down.
•In city traffic — While stopped, put transaxle in
neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and
176 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
Page 186 of 273

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control, turn
the system off before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and Drive. Usually the least accelerator pedal pressure to
maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It
can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Only two ways of towing are approved; front towing and
flat bed towing.
CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front
with sling type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.
•Always use wheel lift equipment when towing
from the front. The only other approved method
of towing is with a flat bed truck.
•Do not tow the vehicle from the rear. Damage to
the rear sheet metal and fascia will occur.
•Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
axle may result.
If damage to the vehicle prevents towing from the front,
move the vehicle onto a flat bed tow truck.
186 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
Page 203 of 273

Maintenance-Free Battery
The top of the MAINTENANCE-FREE battery is perma-
nently sealed. You will never have to add water, nor is
periodic maintenance required.
NOTE:The battery is stored in a compartment in front
of the tire in the right front fender and is accessible
through the engine compartment. The tire and wheel
need not be removed to access the battery.
To access the battery:
1. Turn the steering wheel fully to the right.
2. Remove the battery access panel from the inner fender
shield.
3. Remove the air cleaner.
4. Move the battery into the opening and lift it out.
WARNING!
Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Don’t allow battery fluid to
contact your eyes, skin or clothing. Don’t lean over a
battery when attaching clamps. If acid splashes in
eyes or on skin, flush the area immediately with
large amounts of water. Battery gas is flammable and
explosive. Keep flame or sparks away from the
battery. Don’t use a booster battery or any other
booster source with an output greater than 12 volts.
Don’t allow cable clamps to touch each other.
WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories con-
tain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 203
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Page 222 of 273

Use a mild soap and warm water solution to clean vinyl
or leather upholstery. For stubborn stains, use Mopar
Vinyl Cleaner.
Mopar Vinyl Cleaner is specifically recommended for
vinyl trim.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
CAUTION!
The use of vinyl, leather or plastic protectants may
cause excessive gloss and/or discoloration of interior
trim parts.
Leather Seat Care and Cleaning
Leather is best preserved by regular cleaning with a
damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt can act as anabrasive and damage the leather surface and should be
removed immediately with a damp cloth. Stubborn soils
can be removed easily with a soft cloth and Mopar Total
Clean. Care should be taken to avoid soaking the leather
with any liquid. Please do not use polishes, oils, cleaning
fluids, solvents, detergents, or ammonia based cleaners
to clean the leather. Application of a leather conditioner is
not required to maintain the original condition.
Wooden Steering Wheel Care — If Equipped
If your vehicle is equipped with a wood steering wheel,
it is finished with a clear topcoat. Please take care to
avoid scratching the surface with sharp or abrasive
materials.
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights that are lighter and
less susceptible to stone breakage than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.
222 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 271 of 273

Seats................................. 59
Cleaning............................ 221
Glide-To-Exit......................... 60
Heated.............................. 61
Lumbar Support....................... 61
Power.............................. 59
Reclining............................ 59
Sentry Key............................. 9
Service Assistance...................... 252
Service Contract........................ 254
Service Engine Soon Light................ 191
Service Manuals........................ 257
Setting the Clock....................... 113
Shoulder Belts.......................... 32
Side Airbag............................ 39
Side View Mirror Adjustment............... 57
Side Window Demisters.................. 144
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 185
Snow Chains.......................... 163
Snow Tires............................ 164
Spare Tire............................ 162
Spark Plugs........................... 200
Specifications.......................... 232Engine............................. 232
Speed Control.......................... 72
Speed Proportional Steering............... 158
Speedometer.......................... 110
Starting.............................. 151
Steering
Linkage............................ 207
Power...........................158,205
Speed Proportional.................... 158
Tilt Column.......................... 71
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls............................ 133
Stuck, Freeing......................... 186
Sulfur in Gasoline...................... 169
Sun Roof............................87,88
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 33
Synthetic Engine Oil..................... 199
Tachometer........................... 109
Tape Player........................... 134
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant......... 177
Theft Alarm............................ 23
Theft System........................... 23
INDEX 271
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