General Information
The Sentry Key system complies with FCC rules part 15.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. this device may not cause harmful interference
2. this device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation
ILLUMINATED ENTRY SYSTEM
The interior lights will come on when you open either
door, unlock the vehicle with the remote keyless entry or
central unlock from the driver's side (if so equipped).
They will remain on for about 30 seconds after all doors
are closed then fade to off.
The lights also will turn off if you turn on the ignition
after you close all doors.
DOOR LOCKS
WARNING!
For personal security and safety in the event of an
accident, lock the vehicle doors as you drive and
when you park and leave the vehicle.
WARNING!
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the ignition lock, and lock your vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of
vehicle equipment may cause severe personal inju-
ries and death.
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Driver and Right Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag
This vehicle has front airbags for both the driver and
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver's airbag is mounted in the center of
the steering wheel. The passenger's front airbag is
mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove com-
partment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on the
airbag covers.
NOTE:These airbags are certified to the new Federal
regulations that allow less forceful airbags.
WARNING!
²Do not put anything on or around the front airbag
covers or attempt to manually open them. You
may damage the airbags and you could be injured
because the airbags are not there to protect you.
These protective covers for the airbag cushions are
designed to open only when the airbags are in-
flating.
²Do not drill, cut or tamper with knee bolster in
any way.
²Do not mount any accessories to the knee bolster
such as alarm lights, stereos, citizens band radios
etc.
Airbags inflate in moderate to high speed impacts. Along
with the seat belts, front airbags work with the instru-
ment panel knee bolsters to provide improved protection
for the driver and front passenger.
The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types
of collisions. The front airbags deploy only in moderate
to severe frontal collisions. But even in collisions where
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 29
2
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert to serious
conditions that could lead to immediate loss of power or
severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle should be
serviced as soon as possible if this occurs.
11. Fog Light Indicator Ð If Equipped
This light shows when the fog lights are ON.
12. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant
temperature. Any reading within the normal
range (approximately mid point on the scale)
shows that the cooling system is operating properly.
The gauge pointer may show a higher than normal
temperature when driving in hot weather, up moun-
tain grades, in heavy stop and go traffic, or when
towing a trailer.
If the pointer rises to the ªHº mark, stop the vehicle and
turn off the engine until the problem is corrected.
There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning is
on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat tothe 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 the Fan
control to High. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the cooling system.
13. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine cool-
ant condition.
14. Transmission Range Indicator
This indicator illuminates to show the automatic trans-
mission gear selection.
An optionalAutoStick Gear Indicatordisplays the current
transaxle gear when in AutoStick mode.
15. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed, during repair or
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 89
4
²The ªDº range can be selected when towing. However,
if frquent shifting occurs while in this range, the ª3º
range must be selected.
NOTE:Using the ª3º range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend tranaxle life by reducing excessive
shifting and heat build up.
WARNING!
Connecting trailer brakes to your vehicle's hydraulic
brake lines can overload your brake system and
cause it to fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have an accident.
²Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
²Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer
size, stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are
recommended for motoring safety.
²The automatic transaxle fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more
than 45 minutes of continuous operation. See Schedule
ªBº in section 8 of this manual for transaxle fluid
change intervals.
NOTE:Check the automatic transaxle fluid level before
towing. Fluid discoloration, or a burnt odor, shows the
need for a transmission fluid and filter change.
NOTE:For vehicles equipped with Autostick. By using
the Autostick modes, and slecting a specific gear range,
frequent shifting can be avoided. The highest gear range
should be selected that allows for adequate performance.
For example, choose ª4º if the desired speed can be
maintaned. Choose ª3º or ª2º if needed to maintain the
desired speed.
NOTE:Extended driving at high RPM should be
avoided to prevent excess heat generation. A reduction in
vehicle speed may be required to avoid extended driving
at high RPM. Return to a higher gear range or vehicle
speed when road conditions and RPM level allows.
STARTING AND OPERATING 167
5
Do not use cleaners, conditioners and protectants con-
taining silicon or bleach as these may cause gloss level
increases and/or discoloration.
You should not increase the gloss level, especially on top
of the instrument panel top surface. Higher gloss levels
will increase the reflectivity in the windshield that could
decrease visibility under bright light driving conditions.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
Leather Seat Care and Cleaning
CAUTION!
Never use polishes, oils, cleaning fluids, solvents,
detergents, or ammonia based cleaners to clean the
leather. The leather has already been pretreated. The
application of any leather conditioner may damage
the factory applied top coat.
Leather is best preserved by regular cleaning with a
damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt can act as an
abrasive 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.
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights that are lighter and
less susceptible to stone breakage than glass headlights.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 219
7
About Your Brakes...................... 142
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 208
Adding Fuel.......................... 164
Aiming Headlights...................... 232
Air Cleaner, Engine..................... 198
Air Conditioning....................... 122
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips........... 126
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 202
Air Conditioning System..............122,201
Air Pressure, Tires...................... 153
Airbag................................ 29
Airbag Deployment...................... 32
Airbag Light.....................32,34,43,87
Airbag Maintenance...................... 34
Alarm, Panic........................... 17
Alarm System........................19,92
Alignment and Balance.................. 158
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............ 6
Antifreeze Disposal..................... 209
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 208
Capacities........................... 232
Anti-Lock Brake System.................. 142
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 90Anti-Theft Security Alarm................. 19
Appearance Care....................... 216
Automatic Dimming Mirror................ 56
Automatic Door Locks.................... 14
Automatic Transaxle...............135,186,213
Filter.............................. 215
Fluid and Filter Changes................ 215
Fluid Level Check..................... 214
Interlock System....................10,136
Reset Mode......................... 137
Selection Of Lubricant................. 214
Shifting............................ 137
Special Additives..................... 215
Autostick............................. 160
Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 78
Ball Joints............................ 203
Battery............................... 200
Emergency Starting.................... 181
Gas Caution......................183,201
Heater............................. 134
Jump Starting........................ 181
Keyless Transmitter Replacement.......... 18
260 INDEX
Location.........................181,200
Belts, Drive........................... 198
Belts, Engine.......................... 200
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 203
Boot, Convertible Top.................... 50
B-Pillar Location....................... 149
Brake, Parking......................... 141
Brake System.......................142,211
Anti-Lock........................... 142
Fluid Check......................... 212
Hoses.............................. 211
Master Cylinder...................... 212
Warning Light........................ 91
Brake/Transmission Interlock...........135,137
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 42
Bulb Replacement...................... 226
Bulbs, Light........................... 225
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...... 232
Capacities, Fluid....................... 232
Capacity, Cargo Weight.................. 166
Car Washes........................... 217
Carpeting............................. 218Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 120
Cassette Tape Player...............97,105,108
Catalytic Converter..................... 199
CD Changer..................104,109,114,116
CD Player....................102,111,113,119
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 230
Central Locking......................... 13
Chains, Tire........................... 159
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 176
Charging System Light................... 88
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 146
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............ 42
Child Restraint.....................34,36,40
Cigar Lighter........................... 96
Circuit Breakers........................ 223
Cleaning
Glass.............................. 220
Headlights.......................... 219
Instrument Panel..................... 220
Climate Control........................ 122
Clock................................. 96
Compact Disc Changer................... 116
Compact Disc Maintenance............... 121
INDEX 261
10
Compact Disc Player..................97,102
Compact Spare Tire..................... 155
Compass.............................. 92
Compass Calibration..................... 94
Console............................... 55
Contract, Service....................... 254
Convertible............................ 47
Convertible Boot........................ 50
Convertible Top......................... 47
Convertible Top Maintenance.............. 221
Cooling System........................ 207
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 208
Coolant Capacity..................... 232
Coolant Level........................ 209
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 209
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 208
Inspection........................... 207
Points to Remember................... 210
Pressure Cap........................ 209
Radiator Cap........................ 209
Rubber and Plastic Components.......... 211
Selection of Coolant................... 208
Corrosion Protection.................... 216Crankcase Emission Control System......... 200
Cruise Control.......................... 70
Cruise Light........................... 87
Customer Assistance.................... 252
Daytime Running Lights.................. 66
Dealer Service......................... 193
Defroster, Rear Window.................. 124
Defroster, Windshield..................43,124
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 191
Dimmer Control........................ 65
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 67
Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle................... 214
Disposal
Antifreeze........................... 209
Engine Oil.......................... 197
Door Ajar Warning...................... 14
Door Locks............................ 12
Door Locks, Automatic................... 14
Door Opener, Garage..................... 73
Drive Belts............................ 198
262 INDEX