2004 DODGE INTREPID engine

Preparations For Jacking
•
Turn on the Hazard Warning Flashers and park the
vehicle on a firm level surface, avoiding ice or slippery
areas.
•Put the gear shift in PARK (Automatic transmission)
or REVERSE (Manual Transmission).
•Set the parking brake and turn off the engine.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
Jacking and Changing a Tire
1. Block the wheel diagonally
opposite the flat tire. Passengers
should not remain in the vehicle
when the vehicle is being jacked.
154 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or clothing.
Don’t lean over battery when attaching clamps or
allow the clamps to touch each other. If acid splashes
in eyes or on skin, flush the contaminated area
immediately with large quantities of water.
A battery generates hydrogen gas which is flam-
mable and explosive. Keep flame or spark away
from the vent holes. Do not use a booster battery or
any other booster source with an output that exceeds
12 volts.
NOTE:The battery is stored in a compartment in front
of the tire in the right front fender and is accessible
through the engine compartment. The tire and wheel
need not be removed to gain access to the battery.
Remote jump starting terminals are located in the
engine compartment.
Remote Jump Starting Terminals
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 159
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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
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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

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
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▫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
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3.5L ENGINE
168 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE