2004 DODGE INTREPID Owners Manual

5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative jump start
attachment of the booster battery and then to the engine
of the vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure you
have a good contact on the engine.
6. Start the engine in the vehicle which has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
7. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is danger-
ous. Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of
the front wheels. You could lose control of the
vehicle and possibly have an accident. Accelerate
slowly and carefully whenever there is likely to be
poor traction (ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 161
6

1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.
NOTE:If so equipped, turn on the Traction Control
System to accelerate on slippery surfaces.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control, turn
the system off before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and Drive. Usually the least accelerator pedal pressure to
maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It
can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h).
162 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Only two ways of towing are approved; front towing and
flat bed towing.
CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front
with sling type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.
•Always use wheel lift equipment when towing
from the front. The only other approved method
of towing is with a flat bed truck.
•Do not tow the vehicle from the rear. Damage to
the rear sheet metal and fascia will occur.
•Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
axle may result.
If damage to the vehicle prevents towing from the front,
move the vehicle onto a flat bed tow truck.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 163
6

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
2.7L Engine..........................167
3.5L Engine..........................168
Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II).......169
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs
............................170
Replacement Parts.....................171
Dealer Service........................171
Maintenance Procedures.................172
▫Engine Oil..........................172
▫Crankcase Emission Control System........180
▫Fuel Filter..........................180
▫Air Cleaner Filter.....................180▫Maintenance-Free Battery................181
▫Air Conditioner......................182
▫Power Steering Fluid Check..............183
▫Chassis Lubrication....................184
▫Drive Shaft Universal Joints..............184
▫Body Mechanism Lubrication.............184
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................186
▫Windshield Washers...................186
▫Exhaust System......................187
▫Cooling System.......................188
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......191
▫Brake System........................192
7

▫Fuel System Hoses....................194
▫Automatic Transaxle...................194
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................197
Fuses...............................201
▫Fuse Block Relays.....................201
▫Underhood Fuses.....................202
Replacement Bulbs.....................204
Exterior Light Bulb Service...............204
▫Headlight Replacement.................204
▫Front Park, Turn Signal And Side
Marker Light........................205▫Fog Light...........................206
▫Center Stop Light.....................206
▫Tail, Stop, Back Up, And Turn Signal Lights . . 207
▫License Plate Light....................207
Specifications.........................208
Fluid Capacities.......................208
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine
Parts
...............................209
▫Engine.............................209
▫Chassis............................209
▫Body..............................210
166 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

2.7L ENGINE
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 167
7

3.5L ENGINE
168 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE