2004 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY Owners Manual

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
m3.3L/3.8L Engines......................308
mOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II........309
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................310
mReplacement Parts......................311
mDealer Service.........................311
mMaintenance Procedures..................312
NEngine Oil..........................313
NEngine Oil Filter......................316NDrive Belts Ð Check Condition And Tension . . 316
NSpark Plugs.........................317
NEngine Air Cleaner Filter................317
NEngine Fuel Filter.....................318
NCatalytic Converter....................318
NMaintenance-Free Battery................319
NAir Conditioner......................321
NPower Steering Ð Fluid Check............322
NFront Suspension Ball Joints..............323
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NSteering Shaft Seal....................323
NSteering Linkage......................323
NDrive Shaft Universal Joints..............323
NBody Lubrication.....................324
NWindshield Wiper Blades................324
NWindshield And Rear Window Washers.....324
NExhaust System......................325
NCooling System.......................326
NHoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......331
NBrakes.............................331
NMaster Cylinder Ð ABS Brakes Brake Fluid
Level Check.........................333
NFuel System Hoses....................334NAutomatic Transmission................335
NAll Wheel Drive (AWD).................337
NFront And Rear Wheel Bearings...........339
NAppearance Care And Protection
From Corrosion......................339
NCleaning The Instrument Panel And Underseat
Cup Holders........................343
mIntegrated Power Module (IPM)............344
mVehicle Storage........................345
mReplacement Light Bulbs.................346
mBulb Replacement......................347
NHeadlights..........................347
NFront Park/Turn Signal And
Sidemarker Lights.....................348
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NFront Fog Light......................349
NRear Tail, Stop, Turn Signal, Side Marker And
Back-Up Lights.......................350
NCenter High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) . . . 351
NLicense Light........................351mFluid Capacities........................351
mRecommended Fluids, Lubricants And
Genuine Parts.........................352
NEngine.............................352
NChassis............................353
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 307
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3.3L/3.8L ENGINES
308 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM Ð OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the ªMalfunction Indicator Light.º It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the ªMalfunction Indicator
Lightº on could cause further damage to the emis-
sion control system. It could also affect fuel economy
and driveability. The vehicle must be serviced before
any emissions tests can be performed.
If the ªMalfunction Indicator Lightº is flashing
while the engine is running, severe catalytic con-
verter damage and power loss will soon occur. Im-
mediate service is required.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 309
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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
310 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ignition key or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle's OBD system isnot readyand you shouldnot
proceed 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.
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 yourvehicle 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 Mopartparts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to in-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-Mopartparts 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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 311
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NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
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 therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, 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.
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