
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are
present, the cause should be corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
2 

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
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
The trip odometer shows individual trip mileage. To
switch from odometer to trip odometer, press and release
the Trip Odometer button. Press and release the Trip
button a second time to return to the odometer. While in
trip mode, press and hold the button for at least
1¤2second
to reset the trip odometer.
Door, Deck or Trunk Ajar Warnings
If you move the vehicle and a door is not completely
closed, the word DOOR will replace the odometer dis-
play and a chime will sound once. The odometer display
will reappear when the door is closed. If the trunk is not
completely closed, the work DECK will replace the
odometer display. The odometer display will reappear
when the trunk is closed.
16. Anti-Lock Warning Light Ð If Equipped
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
described elsewhere in this manual. This light
will come on when the ignition key is turned to the
RUN position and may stay on for several seconds. If
the light does not come on, have the system checked
by an authorized dealer. The warning light should be
checked frequently to assure that it is operating prop-
erly.
If the ABS light remains on or comes on during driving,
it indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required, however,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally provided that the BRAKE warning light is not
on.
17. Oil Pressure Light
Shows low engine oil pressure. The light will
come on and remain on briefly when the igni-
tion is turned on as a bulb check. If the bulb does not
come on during starting, have the bulb repaired
promptly.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 89
4 

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 engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads ªHº, pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle in Park
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the ªHº, turn the engine off immediately,
and call for service.
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, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 173
6 

CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause aeration or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to decide if any apply to you.
²Day and night temperatures are below 32É F (0É C)
²Stop and Go driving
²Extensive engine idling.
²Driving in dusty conditions
²Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
²More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90É F (32É C)
²Trailer towing
²Taxi, Police or delivery service (commercial service)
²OffÐ road or desert operation
²If 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 ªBº of the
9Maintenance Schedules9section of this manual.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown on schedule9A9of the9Mainte-
nance Schedules9section of this manual.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 193
7 

Inspect all hose clamps and couplings to make sure they
are secure and no leaks are present.
Insure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
NOTE:Often, fluids such as oil, power steering fluid,
and brake fluid are used during assembly plant opera-
tions to ease the assembly of hoses to couplings. There-
fore, oil wetness at the hose-coupling area is not neces-
sarily an indication of leakage. Actual dripping of hot
fluid when systems are under pressure (during vehicle
operation) should be noted before hose is replaced based
on leakage.
NOTE:Inspection of brake hoses should be done
whenever the brake system is serviced and every engine
oil change.
WARNING!
Worn brake hoses can burst and cause brake failure.
You could have an accident. If you see any signs of
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, have the brake
hoses replaced immediately.
Master Cylinder
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under hood services, or immediately if
the brake system warning lamp shows system failure.
Be sure to clean the top of the master cylinder area before
removing the cap. If necessary, fill brake fluid reservoir to
the top of the fill mark chevron. 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.
210 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 

Use only manufacturer's recommended brake fluid, refer
to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
for correct fluid type.
WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that has a lower initial boiling
point than MOPAR DOT 3 Brake Fluid or that is
unidentified as to DOT FMVSS specification may
result in sudden brake failure during hard or pro-
longed braking. You could have an accident.
WARNING!
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
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 manufacturer specified hoses
and clamps, or their equivalent in material and specifi-
cation, in any fuel system servicing. It is mandatory to
replace all clamps that have been loosened or removed
during service. Care should be taken in installing new
clamps to insure they are properly torqued.
Automatic Transmission
Your front wheel drive vehicle has a transmission and
differential assembly contained within a single housing.
This is referred to as a ªTransaxle.º
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 211
7 

Map Reading......................... 62
Oil Pressure.......................... 89
Park............................... 224
Passing............................. 65
Rear Servicing....................226,227
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 91
Security Alarm........................ 22
Service..........................221,222
Service Engine Soon.................... 87
Side Marker......................... 224
Theft Alarm.......................... 91
Turn Signal.....................65,87,224
Voltage.............................. 87
Load Limits........................... 165
Loading Vehicle
Capacities........................... 165
Tires ............................148,165
Locks
Central.............................. 16
Child Protection....................... 18
Door............................... 15
Ignition............................. 11Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).............................. 43
Lubricants............................ 201
Luggage/Cargo Capacity................. 165
Maintenance Free Battery................. 198
Maintenance Procedures.................. 192
Maintenance Schedule................... 233
Light Duty Schedule9B9................ 236
Schedule9A9......................... 246
Schedule9B9......................... 236
Malfunction Indicator Light.............87,190
Manual, Service........................ 256
Manual Transaxle....................... 184
Mirrors............................... 55
Electric Remote....................... 55
Outside...........................55,56
Rearview............................ 55
Vanity.............................. 56
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............ 7
Mopar Parts........................191,256
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 63
268 INDEX