CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gage reads high, pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the
air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains in
the high range, turn the engine off immediately, and
call for service.
15. Reset Button
Press this button to toggle between the odometer and trip
odometer display. When in the trip odometer mode,
holding the button in resets the trip odometer.
16. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. There are six digits including leading zeros.
The odometer is tamper-resistant.U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
The trip odometer records distance in miles from when-
ever the ªResetº button is pushed. To switch from the
odometer being displayed to the trip odometer being
displayed, press the ªResetº button.
17. O/D (Overdrive) Off Indicator Light
This light will illuminate when the O/D OFF
button has been selected. The O/D OFF button is
located on the gear shift lever.
132 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Drive Belts - Check Condition and Tension
At the mileages shown in the appropriate ªMaintenance
Schedule,º check all drive belts for condition and proper
tension. Improper belt tension can cause belt slippage
and failure.
Inspect the drive belt for evidence of cuts, cracks, or
glazing and replace them if there is any sign of damage
which could result in belt failure. If adjustment is re-
quired, adjust the belts according to the specifications
and procedures shown in the Service Manual.
Special tools are required to properly measure tension
and to restore belt tension to factory specifications. Also,
check belt routing to make sure there is no interference
between the belts and other engine components.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs must fire properly to assure engine perfor-
mance and emission control. New spark plugs should be
installed at the specified mileage. The entire set should be
replaced if there is any malfunction due to a faulty spark
plug. Refer to the ªVehicle Emission Control Informa-
tionº label in the engine compartment for spark plug
information.
Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded fuel
only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effectiveness of the
converter as an emission control device.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
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To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
²Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
²Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
²Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing.
²Do not idle the engine for prolonged periods during
very rough idle or malfunctioning operating condi-
tions.
²Do not allow vehicle to run out of fuel.NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
Crankcase Emission Control System
Proper operation of this system depends on freedom
from sticking or plugging due to deposits. As vehicle
mileage builds up, the PCV valve and passages may
accumulate deposits. If a valve is not working properly,
replace it with a new valve. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
CLEAN THE OLD PCV VALVE!
Check ventilation hose for indication of damage or
plugging deposits. Replace if necessary.
Fuel Filter
A plugged fuel filter can cause hard starting or limit the
speed at which a vehicle can be driven. Should an
excessive amount of dirt accumulate in the fuel tank,
frequent replacement of the fuel filter which is mounted
in the fuel tank may be necessary.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 263
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See your authorized dealer if the coolant level drops
quickly.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles of
operation, you may observe vapor coming from the front
of the engine compartment. This is normally a result of
moisture from rain, snow, or high humidity accumulat-
ing on the radiator and being vaporized when the
thermostat opens, allowing hot coolant to enter the
radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
²Do not overfill the coolant bottle.
²Check coolant freeze point in the system.
²If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the recovery bottle does not drop when the
engine cools, the cooling system should be pressure
tested for leaks.
²Maintain coolant concentration at 50% ethylene glycol
antifreeze (minimum) in water for proper corrosion
protection of your engine that contains aluminum
components.
²Make sure that the radiator and coolant bottle hoses
are not kinked or obstructed.
²Do not change the thermostat for summer or winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory cooling performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 273
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EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The ªScheduledº maintenance services, listed inbold
typemust be done at the times or mileages specified to
assure the continued proper functioning of the emission
control system. These, and all other maintenance services
included in this manual, should be done to provide best
vehicle performance and reliability. More frequent main-
tenance may be needed for vehicles in severe operating
conditions such as dusty areas and very short trip
driving.
Inspection and service also should be done any time a
malfunction is suspected.
NOTE:Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emis-
sion control devices and systems on your vehicle may be
performed by any automotive repair establishment or
individual using any automotive part which has been
certified pursuant to U.S. EPA or, in the State of Califor-
nia, California Air Resources Board regulations.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
There are two maintenance schedules that show the
requiredservice for your vehicle.
First is Schedule(B(. It is for vehicles that are operated
under the conditions that are listed below and at the
beginning of the schedule.
²Day or night temperatures are below 32ÉF (0ÉC)
²Stop and go driving
²Excessive 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
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²Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial service)
²Off-road or desert driving
²If equipped for and operated with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:Most vehicles are operated under the conditions
listed for Schedule ªB.º
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you, change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first, and follow the maintenance rec-
ommendations in ªMaintenance Schedule B.º
Second is ScheduleªAº. It is for vehicles that are not
operated under any of the conditions listed under Sched-
ule ªB.º
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
²Check 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, add as required.
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The manufacturer has empowered its dealers to make
warranty and repair decisions that ensure you are not
inconvenienced. There is no need for you to wait for a
decision from the manufacturer. If a special circumstance
occurs that requires information from the manufacturer,
we have asked the dealer's service management to make
the contact on your behalf.
This is why you should always talk to your dealer's
service manager first. Most matters can be resolved with
this process.
²If for some reason you are still not satisfied, talk to the
general manager or owner of the dealership. They
want to know if you need assistance.
²If your dealership is unable to resolve the concern, you
may contact the Manufacturer's Customer Center.Any communication to the Manufacturer's Customer
Center should include the following information:
²Owner's name and address
²Owner's telephone number (home and office)
²Dealership name
²Vehicle identification number
²Vehicle delivery date and mileage
DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation Customer Center
P.O. Box 21±8004
Auburn Hills, MI 48321±8004
Phone: (800) 992-1997
DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc. Customer Center
P.O. Box 1621
Windsor, Ontario N9A 4H6
Phone Ð(800) 465±2001
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 319
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