
WARNING!
Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of an infant or
child restraint. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly
when installing an infant or child restraint.
Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat
belt
The passenger seat belts are equipped with cinching latch
plates which are designed to keep the lap portion tight
around the child restraint so that it is not necessary to use
a locking clip. Pulling up on the shoulder portion of the
lap/shoulder belt will tighten the belt. The cinching latch
plate will keep the belt tight, however, any seat beltsystem will loosen with time, so check the belt occasion-
ally and pull it tight if necessary.
In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the
lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint because the
buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt path opening
on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate from the
buckle and twist the short buckle-end belt several times
to shorten it. Insert the latch plate into the buckle with the
release button facing out.
If the belt still can’t be tightened, or if by pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, you may need
to do something more. Disconnect the latch plate from
the buckle, turn the buckle around, and insert the latch
plate into the buckle again. If you still can’t make the
child restraint secure, try a different seating position.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Folding Rear Seat
The rear seatbacks can be folded forward to provide an
additional storage area. Pull on the loops shown in the
illustration to fold down either or both seatbacks. These
loops can be tucked away when not in use.When the seat back is folded to the upright position make
sure it is latched by strongly pulling on the top of the seat
back above the seat strap.
WARNING!
The cargo area in the rear of the vehicle (with the
rear seatbacks in the locked-up or folded down
position) should not be used as a play area by
children when the vehicle is in motion. They could
be seriously injured in an accident. Children should
be seated and using the proper restraint system.
Folding Rear Seats
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 93
3

STARTING PROCEDURES
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds, can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
WARNING!
Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
The gear selector must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting
Normal Startingof either a cold or a warm engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the “START” position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine has not started
within 3 seconds, slightly depress the accelerator pedal
while continuing to crank. If the engine fails to start
within 15 seconds, turn the key to the “OFF” position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting
procedure.
Extremely Cold Weather(below20°F or29°C) To
insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
STARTING AND OPERATING 181
5

After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
5 Speed Automatic Transmission
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle you should shift
the transmission into Park, remove the key from the
ignition, and apply the park brake. Once the key is
removed from the ignition the transmission shift
lever is locked in the Park position, securing the
vehicle against unwanted movement. Furthermore,
you should never leave children unattended inside a
vehicle. The following indicators should be used to
ensure that you have engaged the transmission shift
lever into the “Park” position:
•When shifting into Park move the lever all the
way forward until it stops, and is fully seated.
•Look at the shift indicator window on the console
to ensure it is in the “P” position.Gear Selector
STARTING AND OPERATING 183
5

To release the parking brake, pull out on the parking
brake release located on the left side of the instrument
panel.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the gear selector in Park, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism may
make it difficult to move the selector out of park. As an
added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb
on a downhill grade and away from the curb on a uphill
grade.The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
•Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be injured. Children should be warned not
to touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the
gear selector lever. Don’t leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving: failure to do so can lead to brake
failure, and an accident.
Parking Brake Release
192 STARTING AND OPERATING

Bearings.............................. 260
Belts, Drive........................... 244
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 250
B-Pillar Location....................... 201
Brake Assist System..................... 108
Brake, Parking......................... 191
Brake System.......................193,257
Anti-Lock........................... 193
Fluid Check......................258,276
Hoses.............................. 257
Warning Light....................... 136
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 190
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 56
Bulb Replacement...................... 270
Bulbs, Light........................... 269
Calibration, Compass.................... 143
Capacities, Fluid....................... 275
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 218
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 254
Car Washes........................... 261
Carbon Monoxide Warning.............56,217Cargo Tie-Downs....................... 126
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 169
Catalytic Converter..................... 245
CD Player............................ 151
Cellular Phone.......................... 66
Chains, Tire........................... 211
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 198
Child Restraint...................49,51,53,54
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 53
Child Safety Locks....................... 18
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 215
Climate Control........................ 171
Clock.............................151,152
Compact Disc Maintenance............... 170
Compass............................. 143
Compass Calibration.................... 143
Compass Variance...................... 144
Computer, Trip/Travel................... 142
Console.............................. 126
Console, Floor......................... 126
Console, Overhead...................... 114
Contract, Service....................... 296
Coolant Pressure Cap.................... 254
INDEX 305
10

Hoses............................256,259
Ignition
Key ................................ 11
Illuminated Entry....................... 15
Immobilizer............................ 12
Infant Restraint......................... 49
Information Center, Vehicle............... 140
Instrument Cluster...................133,134
Instrument Panel and Controls............. 132
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............ 263
Interior Appearance Care................. 262
Interior Fuses.......................... 264
Interior Lights.......................... 97
Intermittent Wipers..................... 104
Introduction............................ 4
Jump Starting......................... 229
Key, Programming....................... 14
Key, Replacement....................... 13
Key, Sentry............................ 12
Key-In Reminder........................ 12Keyless Entry System..................... 19
Keys................................. 11
Knee Bolster........................... 35
Lap/Shoulder Belts...................... 29
LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren)..... 53
Latch Plate............................ 30
Latches
Hood............................... 95
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 214
Lights..............................58,97
Airbag.......................40,47,57,135
Anti-Lock........................... 135
Automatic Headlights.................. 100
Brake Warning....................... 136
Bulb Replacement..................... 269
Courtesy/Reading..................... 97
Daytime Running..................... 100
Dimmer Switch, Headlight............99,101
Engine Temperature Warning............ 135
Fog .............................101,134
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 224
INDEX 309
10

Headlight Switch...................... 99
Headlights........................99,270
Headlights On With Wipers..........100,104
High Beam.......................... 101
High Beam Indicator................... 138
Illuminated Entry...................... 15
Instrument Cluster..................... 99
Interior.............................. 97
License............................. 274
Lights On Reminder................... 100
Malfunction Indicator.................. 139
Oil Pressure......................... 134
Reading............................ 114
Seat Belt Reminder.................... 138
Service..........................269,270
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . 139
Turn Signal........................99,101
Voltage............................. 139
Loading Vehicle.....................219,220
Capacities........................... 220
Tires ............................... 201
Locks
Door............................... 15Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).............................. 53
Lubrication, Body....................... 250
Lumbar Support........................ 88
Maintenance Free Battery................. 247
Maintenance Procedures.................. 241
Maintenance Schedule................... 278
ScheduleA......................... 288
ScheduleB......................... 281
Malfunction Indicator Light............139,239
Manual, Service........................ 299
Memory Feature........................ 89
Mini-Trip Computer..................... 142
Mirrors............................... 63
Automatic Dimming.................... 63
Electric Remote....................... 64
Exterior Folding....................... 64
Heated.............................. 65
Outside............................. 64
Vanity.............................. 65
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............ 7
Mopar Parts........................240,299
310 INDEX