WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
After Starting
The idle speed is automatically controlled on fuel injected
engines and will decrease as the engine warms up.
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling can cause excessive
exhaust temperatures which can damage your ve-
hicle. Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the
engine running.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Engine Block Heater Ð If Equipped
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three wire extension cord.
The 3.7L/4.7L engine block heater cord is located at the
front of the engine compartment near the radiator cap.
The 5.7L engine block heater cord is located on the left
side of the engine compartment and rearward of the
power distribution center.
202 STARTING AND OPERATING
bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean the radiator core by gently
spraying water from a garden hose at the back of the core.
Check the coolant bottle tubing for condition and tight-
ness of connection at coolant bottle and radiator. Inspect
the entire system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the coolant pressure cap for proper
vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of coolant
from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing prop-
erly, the coolant will begin to drain from the coolant
bottle. Do not remove the pressure cap when the cooling
system is hot.WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant or
steam from your radiator. If you see or hear steam
coming from under the hood don't open the hood
until the radiator has had time to cool. If you open
the hood and see steam or hot coolant escaping from
the radiator, don't touch anything. Get away quickly.
Never try to open a pressure cap when the radiator is
hot.
Cooling System Maintenance
At the intervals shown in the Maintenance Schedules
section of this manual, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled. See your authorized dealer for
proper cooling system maintenance.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 307
7
WARNING!
Never add coolant to the radiator when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove pressure cap to
cool overheated engine. The coolant is under pres-
sure and severe scalding could result.
Coolant Pressure Cap
The coolant pressure cap must be fully tightened to
prevent loss of coolant, and to insure that coolant will
return to the radiator from the coolant coolant bottle.
The pressure 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
coolant pressure cap are a safety precaution. Heat
causes pressure to build up in the cooling system. To
prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the pres-
sure cap when the system is hot or under pressure.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle system provides a quick visual method
for determining that the coolant level is adequate. With
the engine idling, and warmed to normal operating
temperature, remove the cap from the bottle, remove the
dipstick and wipe the excess coolant from it. Reinsert the
dipstick and remove. Observe the dipstick checking the
holes along the stem for coolant. Check the coolant level
whenever the hood is raised.
310 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the pressure cap except checking
coolant freeze point or replacement with new antifreeze
coolant. Your service attendant should be advised of this.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do
not overfill.
Points To Remember
A. Do not overfill the coolant bottle.
B. Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant bottle. If antifreeze needs to be added, contents of
coolant bottle also must be protected against freezing.
C. If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant bottle does not drop when the engine
cools, the cooling system should be pressure tested for
leaks.D. Maintain a minimum coolant concentration of 50%
ethylene glycol.
E. Make sure that the radiator and coolant bottle over-
flow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
F. Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean also.
G. The thermostat should not be changed for summer or
winter operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory cooling performance.
Emission Related Components
Fuel System Hoses And Vapor/Vacuum Harnesses
When the vehicle is serviced for scheduled maintenance,
inspect surface of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence of
heat and mechanical damage. Hard and brittle rubber,
cracking, checking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and excessive
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 311
7
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 334
Certification Label....................... 250
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 272
Charging.............................. 280
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 223
Child Restraint......................50,51,61
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............54,60
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts........... 35
Child Seat.............................. 55
Circuit Breakers......................... 325
Climate Control......................... 179
Clock................................ 154
Compact Disc Maintenance................. 178
Compact Spare Tire...................... 234
Compass.............................. 124
Compass Calibration..................... 124
Compass Variance....................... 125
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 120
Console, Floor.......................... 137Console, Overhead....................... 119
Contract, Service........................ 362
Converter, Catalytic...................... 249
Coolant............................... 310
Coolant Pressure Cap..................... 310
Cooling System......................... 306
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 309
Coolant Capacity...................... 335
Coolant Level......................... 310
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 308
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 308
Inspection........................... 306
Points to Remember.................... 311
Radiator Cap......................... 310
Selection of Coolant...............308,335,337
Temperature Gauge..................... 146
Cruise Control.......................... 116
Cup Holder............................ 138
Customer Assistance..................... 360
372 INDEX
Pets.................................. 61
Pets, Transporting........................ 61
Phone, Cellular.......................... 74
Phone, Hands-Free....................... 74
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 226
Positive Crankcase Valve.................. 312
Power
Brakes.............................. 313
Distribution Center..................... 325
Door Locks.........................13,14
Mirrors.............................. 72
Outlet.............................. 135
Steering..........................220,303
Sunroof............................. 133
Windows............................. 27
Power Steering Fluid..................... 338
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 37
Preparation for Jacking.................... 275Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 35
Programmable Electronic Features.........128,132
Programming Transmitters............22,128,132
Radial Ply Tires......................... 234
Radiator Cap........................... 310
Radio.............................155,161
Radio Broadcast Signals................... 154
Radio Operation...................155,161,179
Radio Reception........................ 154
Radio, Satellite.......................... 173
Rear Axle............................. 319
Rear Window Defroster................... 195
Rear Window Features.................... 194
Rear Wiper/Washer...................... 194
Rearview Mirrors........................ 70
Reception, Radio........................ 154
380 INDEX