CAUTION!
Mixing of coolants other than specified (non-
HOAT), may result in engine damage that may not
be covered under the new vehicle warranty, and
decreased corrosion protection. If a non-HOAT cool-
ant is introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the specified
coolant as soon as possible.
Do not use plain water alone or alcohol base anti-
freeze products. Do not use additional rust inhibi-
tors or antirust products, as they may not be compat-
ible with the radiator coolant and may plug the
radiator.
This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based coolants. Use of Propylene
Glycol based coolants is not recommended.
Adding Coolant
When adding coolant, a minimum solution of 50% eth-
ylene glycol antifreeze coolant in water should be used.
Use higher concentrations (not to exceed 70%) if tempera-
tures below ±34ÉF (-37ÉC) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/antifreeze solution. The
use of lower quality water will reduce the amount of
corrosion protection in the engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner's responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:Mixing coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
coolant, and to insure that coolant will return to the
radiator from the coolant reserve tank.
182 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
The 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
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precaution.
never add coolant when the engine is overheated. Do
not loosen or remove the cap to cool an overheated
engine. Heat causes pressure to build up in the
cooling system. To prevent scalding or injury, do not
remove the pressure cap while the system is hot or
under pressure.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine idling, and warm to normal operating tempera-
ture, the level of the coolant in the bottle should be
between the ªFULLº and ªADDº marks.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking forcoolant freeze point or replacing coolant. Advise your
service attendant of this. As long as the engine operating
temperature is satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only
be checked once a month.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do
not overfill.
Points to Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles of
operation, you may observe vapor coming from the front
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 183
7
FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
Standard 2.0L Engines 87 Octane 12.5 Gallons 47.5 Liters
High Output 2.0L Engines 91 Octane 12.5 Gallons 47.5 Liters
Engine Oil-With Filter
2.0 Liter Engines (SAE 5W-30, API Certified Engine Oils) 4.5 qts 4.3 Liters
Cooling System *
2.0 Liter Engines (MopartAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000
Mile Formula)6.5 qts 6.2 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
200 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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.
NOTE:Most vehicles are operated under the conditions
listed for Schedule9B9.
Second is ScheduleªAº. It is for vehicles that are not
operated under any of the conditions listed under Sched-
ule9B9.
Use the schedule that best describes your driving condi-
tions. Where time and mileage are listed, follow the
interval that occurs first.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
At Each Stop for Fuel
²
Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
²
Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transaxle and add
as needed.
²Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 205
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²Check rubber seals on each side of the radiator for
proper fit.
At Each Oil Change
²
Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the exhaust system.
²Inspect the brake hoses.
²Inspect the CV joints and front suspension compo-
nents.
²Check the automatic transaxle fluid level.
²Check the manual transaxle fluid level and fill plug
condition.
²Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
²Rotate the tires at each oil change interval shown on
Schedule ªAº 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or every other
interval shown on Schedule ªBº 6,000 miles (10 000
km).
206 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) System............. 124
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 182
Adding Fuel.......................... 145
Air Cleaner, Engine..................... 175
Air Conditioning....................104,176
Air Conditioning Controls................ 104
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 177
Air Conditioning System................. 176
Air Pressure, Tires...................... 134
Airbag................................ 31
Airbag Deployment...................... 37
Airbag Light.......................39,47,80
Airbag Maintenance...................... 39
Airbag, Side........................... 38
Alarm, Panic........................... 18
Alarm System........................20,80
Alignment and Balance.................. 139
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............ 6
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 97
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............200,201
Capacities........................... 200
Anti-Lock Brake System.................. 124
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 79Anti-Theft Security Alarm................. 20
Appearance Care....................... 190
Arming Theft System..................... 20
Ashtrays and Lighter..................... 70
Automatic Door Locks.................... 16
Automatic Transaxle........... 9,114,116,117,187
Fluid and Filter Changes................ 189
Fluid Level Check..................... 187
Interlock System....................14,116
Reset Mode.......................... 117
Selection Of Lubricant................. 187
Shifting............................. 117
Special Additives..................... 189
Ball Joints............................ 178
Battery............................... 175
Keyless Transmitter Replacement.......... 19
Belts, Drive........................... 173
Belts, Engine.......................... 174
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 178
B-Pillar Location....................... 129
Brake Fluid........................... 201
Brake, Parking......................... 121
230 INDEX
Console............................... 69
Contract, Service....................... 222
Coolant........................181,200,201
Cooling System........................ 180
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 182
Coolant Level.....................180,183
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 181
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 181
Inspection........................... 183
Points to Remember................182,183
Pressure Cap........................ 182
Rubber and Plastic Components.......... 184
Selection of Coolant................... 181
Corrosion Protection.................... 190
Crankcase Emission Control System......... 174
Cruise Light........................... 82
Cup Holder............................ 69
Customer Assistance.................... 220
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights.......... 61
Daytime Running Lights.................. 62
Dealer Service......................... 168
Defroster, Rear Window.................. 110Defroster, Windshield...............48,103,106
Deploying, Airbag....................... 37
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 166
Dimmer Control........................ 60
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 62
Disarming, Theft System.................. 21
Disposal
Engine Oil.......................... 172
Domelight............................. 61
Door Locks............................ 14
Door Locks, Automatic................... 16
Downshifting.......................... 121
Drive Belts............................ 173
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 159
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 54
Electronic Speed Control.................. 65
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 153
Jump Starting........................ 157
Towing............................. 161
Emergency Trunk Release................. 22
232 INDEX