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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
2.7L Engine..........................189
3.5L Engine..........................190
Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II).......191
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs
............................192
Replacement Parts.....................193
Dealer Service........................193
Maintenance Procedures.................194
▫Engine Oil..........................194
▫Crankcase Emission Control System........202
▫Fuel Filter..........................202
▫Air Cleaner Filter.....................202▫Maintenance-Free Battery................203
▫Air Conditioner......................204
▫Power Steering Fluid Check..............205
▫Chassis Lubrication....................207
▫Drive Shaft Universal Joints..............207
▫Body Mechanism Lubrication.............207
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................209
▫Windshield Washers...................209
▫Exhaust System......................210
▫Cooling System.......................210
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......214
▫Brake System........................214
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▫Fuel System Hoses....................217
▫Automatic Transaxle...................217
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................220
Fuses...............................224
▫Fuse Block Relays.....................224
▫Underhood Fuses.....................224
Replacement Light Bulbs................226
Bulb Replacement......................227
▫Headlight, Parking Light Replacement......227
▫Front Park And Turn Signal Light..........230
▫Front Sidemarker Light.................230▫Fog Light...........................230
▫Center Stop Light.....................231
▫Tail, Stop, Back Up, And Turn Signal Lights . . 231
▫License Plate Light....................232
Specifications.........................232
Fluid Capacities.......................233
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants And
Genuine Parts
.........................233
▫Engine.............................233
▫Chassis............................234
▫Body..............................234
188 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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2.7L ENGINE
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 189
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3.5L ENGINE
190 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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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.”
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 191
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EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states which have an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance) requirement, this check verifies the
following: the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)
is functioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the OBD (On Board Diagnostic) system is ready
for testing.
Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, if you recently had a dead battery, or a battery
replacement. If the OBD system should be determined
not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key actuated test
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD system is ready, you must do
the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
4. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see your MIL symbol come on as part of a normal
bulb check.
5. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn off
the ignition key or start the engine. This means that
your vehicle’s OBD system isnot readyand you
shouldnotproceed to the I/M station.
b. The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn off the ignition key or
start the engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD
system isreadyand you can proceed to the I/M
station.
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If your OBD system isnot ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL symbol is illuminated
during normal vehicle operation, you should have your
vehicle serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M
station can fail your vehicle because the MIL symbol is on
with the engine running.REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine Moparparts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to in-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-Moparparts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.
DEALER SERVICE
Your dealer has the qualified service personnel, special
tools and equipment to perform all service operations in
an expert manner. Service Manuals are available which
include detailed service information for your vehicle.
Refer to these manuals before attempting any procedure
yourself.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 193
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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 internals, 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.
2.7L Engine Oil Dipstick
194 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE