Page 283 of 386
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mEngine Compartment 3.7L V6..............286
mEngine Compartment 4.7L V-8..............287
mEngine Compartment 5.7L HEMI V-8.........288
mOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II........289
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................290
mReplacement Parts......................291
mDealer Service.........................291
mMaintenance Procedures..................292NEngine Oil..........................292
NEngine Oil Filter......................297
NDrive Belts Ð Check Condition And Tension . . 297
NSpark Plugs.........................297
NIgnition Cables.......................298
NEngine Air Cleaner Filter................298
NEngine Fuel Filter.....................299
NCatalytic Converter....................299
NMaintenance-Free Battery................300
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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.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle's engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. The
best time to check the engine oil level is about 5 minutes
after a fully warmed up engine is shut off or before
starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
292 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 293 of 386
1. Position the vehicle on a level surface.
2. Turn Off the engine and allow approximately 5 min-
utes for the oil to settle to the bottom of the crankcase.
3. Remove the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
4. Wipe the engine oil level indicator (dipstick) clean.
5. Install the engine oil level indicator (dipstick) and
make sure it is seated in the tube.
6. Remove the engine oil level indicator (dipstick), keep-
ing the handle above the tip, and read the oil level on the
engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
7. Add oil only if the level is below the ªSAFEº range (at
or below the ªADDº mark) on the engine oil level
indicator (dipstick). Adding one quart of oil when the
reading is at the ADD mark will result in a SAFE reading
on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could dam-
age your engine.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 293
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Frequency Of Oil Change
Road conditions and your style of driving affect the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following to determine ifANYapply to you:
²Day or night temperatures are below 32ÉF (0ÉC).
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 90ÉF (32ÉC).
²Trailer towing, Taxi, Police or delivery service (com-
mercial service).
²Off-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.
4x4 Models, If Used Primarily For Off-Road Operation
Every 50 hours of use.
Dusty Conditions
Driving through dust-laden air increases the problems of
keeping abrasive materials out of the engine. Under these
conditions, special attention should be given to the
engine air cleaner and the crankcase inlet air cleaner. The
crankcase ventilation system should also be checked
294 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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periodically. Make sure that these units are always clean.
This will tend to reduce to a minimum the amount of
abrasive material that may enter the engine.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacture only
recommends engine oils that are API certified and meet
the requirements of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard
MS-6395. Use Mopar or an equivalent oil meeting the
specification MS-6395.
Engine Oil Identification (API) Symbol
There is a symbol to aid you in selecting the proper
engine oil.This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacture only recommends
API Certified engine oils that
meet the requirements of
DaimlerChrysler Material Stan-
dard MS-6395. Use Mopar or an
equivalent oil meeting the specifi-
cation MS-6395.
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart
The proper SAE viscosity grade of engine oil should be
selected based on the following recommendation and be
within the operating temperature shown in the recom-
mended SAE viscosity chart.
²SAE 5W-30 is the preferred oil for Dodge Trucks with
3.7L/4.7L/5.7L engines. Synthetic engine oils may be
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 295
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used provided that the oil quality requirements de-
scribed above are met and the recommended mainte-
nance intervals for oil and filter changes are followed.
²Lubricants which do not have both the engine oil
certification mark or current service symbol and the
correct viscosity grade number should not be used.
Synthetic Engine Oils
There are a number of engine oils being promoted as
either synthetic or semi-synthetic. If you chose to use
such a product, useonlythose oils that meet the Ameri-
can Petroleum Institute (API) and SAE viscosity stan-
dard. Follow the service schedule that describes your
driving type.
Materials Added to Engine Oils
The manufacture strongly recommends against the addi-
tion of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
the engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and
it's performance may be impaired by supplemental ad-
ditives.
Disposing of Used Engine Oil And Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil and
oil filters from your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to the
environment. Contact your dealer, service station, or
Preferred Viscosity for 3.7L/4.7L/5.7L Engines
296 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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governmental agency for advice on how and where used
oil and oil filters can be safely discarded in your area.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be replaced at every engine
oil change.
Engine Oil Filter Selection
The manufacturer's engines have a full-flow type oil
filter. Use a filter of this type for replacement. The quality
of replacement filters varies considerably. Only high
quality filters should be used to assure most efficient
service. MopartEngine Oil Filters are a high quality oil
filter and are recommended.
Drive Belts Ð Check Condition and Tension
At the mileage indicated in the maintenance schedule, all
belts should be checked for condition and proper tension.
Improper belt tension can cause belt slippage and failure.Belts should be inspected for evidence of cuts, cracks, or
glazing, and replaced if there is indication of damage
which could result in belt failure. If adjustment is re-
quired, see your authorized dealer for service. Low
generator belt tension can cause battery failure. A special
tool is required to properly measure tension and to
restore belt tension to factory specifications.
Also check belt routing to make sure there is no interfer-
ence between the belts and other engine components.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs must fire properly to assure proper engine
performance and emission control. The plugs installed in
your vehicle should operate satisfactorily in normal
service for the mileage indicated in the Maintenance
Chart. New plugs should be installed at this mileage. The
entire set should be replaced if there is any malfunction
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 297
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Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluorocar-
bon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by dealers or other service facilities
using recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE:Air Conditioning systems found to be contami-
nated with A/C System Sealers, Stop Leak Products, Seal
Conditioners, Compressor Oil, or Refrigerants not ap-
proved by the manufacturer, voids the warranty for the
Air Conditioning system.
Power Steering Ð Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises areapparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through a certified
DaimlerChrysler Dealership.9
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to insure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturers recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts for correct fluid type.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 303
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