WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to Section 7, Maintenance, of
this manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
²Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never put any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start
or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If
you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
²The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
230 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturers recommended coolant, refer
to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
for correct coolant type.
CAUTION!
Failure to use the proper antifreeze could cause
radiator plugging and engine overheating. Do not
mix antifreeze brands or use plain water alone or
alcohol based antifreeze products. Do not use addi-
tional rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they
may not be compatible with the radiator coolant and
may plug the radiator.
Adding Coolant
When adding coolant, a minimum solution of 50% eth-
ylene glycol antifreeze coolant in water should be used.Use higher concentrations (not to exceed 70%) if tempera-
tures below234ÉF (237ÉC) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/antifreeze solution. The
use of lower quality water will reduce the amount of
corrosion protection in the engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner's responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:Mixing coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
coolant, and to insure that coolant will return to the
radiator from the coolant recovery bottle.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 267
7
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
The warning words ªDO NOT OPEN HOTº on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precaution.
Never add coolant when the engine is overheated.
Do not loosen or remove the cap to cool an over-
heated engine. Heat causes pressure to build up in
the cooling system. To prevent scalding or injury, do
not remove the pressure cap while the system is hot
or under pressure.
Coolant Level
The coolant recovery bottle provides a quick visual
method for determining that the coolant level is ad-
equate. With the engine idling, and warm to normaloperating temperature, the level of the coolant in the
bottle should be between the ªFULLº and ªADDº marks.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
coolant freeze point or replacing coolant. Advise your
service attendant of this. As long as the engine operating
temperature is satisfactory, the coolant recovery bottle
need only be checked once a month.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant recovery
bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few kilome-
ters (a few miles) of operation, you may observe vapor
coming from the front of the engine compartment. This is
normally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
268 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)15 Gallons 56.7 Liters
Engine Oil-With Filter
2.4 Liter Engines (SAE 5W-30, API Certified Engine Oil) 5.0 qts 4.8 Liters
Cooling System *
2.4 Liter Turbocharged Engines (MopartAntifreeze/Coolant 5
Year/100,000 Miles Formula)8.1 qts 7.7 Liters
2.4 Liter Non-Turbocharged Engines (MopartAntifreeze/
Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Miles Formula)6.5 qts 6.2 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
290 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Once a Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder and transaxle and add as needed.
²Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
²Check rubber seals on each side of the radiator for
proper fit.
At Each Oil Change
²Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the exhaust system.
²Inspect the brake hoses.
²Inspect the CV joints and front suspension compo-
nents.
²Check the automatic transaxle fluid level.
²Check the manual transaxle fluid level and fill plug
condition.
²Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
²Rotate the tires at each oil change interval shown on
Schedule ªAºÐNON TURBO CHARGED ENGINES
6,000 miles (10 000 km), Schedule ªAºÐTURBO
CHARGED ENGINES 5,000 miles (8 000 km), or every
other interval shown on Schedule ªBºÐALL EN-
GINES 6,000 miles (10 000 km).
296 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) System.............. 194
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).......... 267
Adding Fuel........................... 221
Adding Washer Fluid..................... 175
Additives, Fuel......................... 219
Air Cleaner, Engine...................... 258
Air Conditioning........................ 261
Air Conditioning Controls................. 166
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips............ 171
Air Conditioning Refrigerant............... 261
Air Conditioning System................166,261
Air Pressure, Tires....................... 207
Airbag................................ 41
Airbag Deployment....................... 48
Airbag Light.....................45,50,60,134
Airbag Maintenance....................... 49
Airbag, Side............................ 47
Alarm, Panic............................ 23
Alarm System........................26,129Alignment and Balance................... 213
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 164
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...........267,290,291
Capacities........................... 290
Anti-Lock Brake System................... 194
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 131
Anti-Theft Security Alarm.................. 26
Appearance Care........................ 276
Auto Down Power Windows................ 31
Automatic Door Locks..................... 20
Automatic Transaxle..............12,180,183,273
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 275
Fluid Level Check...................273,274
Interlock System.....................18,184
Reset Mode.......................... 184
Selection Of Lubricant................... 273
Shifting............................. 185
Special Additives...................... 276
326 INDEX
CD Changer........................146,152
CD Player..................144,148,150,154,157
CD Player Maintenance................... 166
Cellular Phone........................70,166
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 289
Central Door Locks....................... 20
Chains, Tire............................ 214
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 230
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 199
Child Restraint.......................... 50
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 55
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts........... 54
Child Safety Locks........................ 21
Child Seat.............................. 56
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 217
Climate Control......................... 166
Clock................................ 136
Coin Holder........................... 112
Compact Disc Maintenance................. 166Compact Disc Player..................138,144
Compact Spare Tire...................... 210
Compass.............................. 105
Compass Calibration..................... 107
Compass Variance....................... 106
Console............................... 112
Console, Overhead....................... 104
Contract, Service........................ 318
Cool Down, Turbo....................... 182
Coolant............................290,291
Coolant Pressure Cap..................... 267
Cooling System......................... 265
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 267
Coolant Level......................266,268
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 266
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 266
Inspection........................... 268
Points to Remember.................... 268
Pressure Cap......................... 267
328 INDEX
Radiator Cap......................... 267
Selection of Coolant.................... 267
Corrosion Protection..................... 276
Crankcase Emission Control System.......... 258
Cruise Light........................... 133
Cup Holder............................ 112
Customer Assistance..................... 316
Dealer Service.......................... 250
Defroster, Rear Window................... 173
Defroster, Windshield................60,168,169
Delay Wipers........................... 99
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 248
Dimmer Switch, Headlight.................. 97
Disposal
Engine Oil........................... 255
Door Ajar............................. 133
Door Locks............................. 18
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 20Downshifting.......................... 191
Drive Belts............................ 256
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 238
Electric Rear Window Defrost............... 173
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 68
Electrical Power Outlets................... 110
Electronic Power Distribution Center.......... 282
Electronic Speed Control................... 101
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 230
Jump Starting......................... 235
Towing............................. 240
Emergency Trunk Release................... 29
Emission Control System Maintenance......249,294
Engine............................246,247
Break-In Recommendations................ 59
Checking Oil Level..................... 251
INDEX 329
10