
REGULAR CHECK-UPS
To maintain the safe operation of your vehicle, it is
recommended that you perform the following tasks on a
regular basis (i.e., weekly or whenever the vehicle is
refueled).
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
At Each Stop for Fuel
•
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. See the procedure de-
scribed in Checking Your Engine Oil in the Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel section or under
Engine Oil in the Maintaining Your Vehicle section.
Add oil only when the level is at or below the ADD or
MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
•Inspect wiper blade condition.
•Check operation of lighting systems.
•Inspect tires for unusual wear, damage, and pressure
(at least every 14 days).
•Mechanical assemblies (e.g., engine, transmission, etc.)
- check for leaks.
Once a Month
•
Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder and power steering and add as
needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
254 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Additional Periodic Maintenance
The following maintenance items should be performed
during the scheduled maintenance nearest the time
elapsed and/or distance shown. Follow the interval that
occurs first.
Every 2 years:
•Inspect body for paint damage.
•Check chassis and supporting body parts for damage
and corrosion.
At approximately every 50,000 miles (80,000 km) or 4
years:
•Check condition of driveshaft flex discs.
•Retighten locking bolts for steering (observe torque).
At approximately every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 4
years:
•Replace fuel filter.
•Replace air cleaner filter element.At approximately 80,000 miles (129,000 km):
•Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter.
Use the recommended automatic transmission fluid.
After this change it is filled for life. The manual
transmission comes filled for life from the factory.
At approximately every 100,000 miles (161,000 km) or 5
years:
•Replace spark plugs.
Every 100,000 miles (161,000 km) or 5 years:
•Replace engine coolant using coolant approved to MB
325.0, such as Valvoline GO5, or an equivalent ex-
tended life coolant.
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the right equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
maintenance service, take your vehicle to a compe-
tent technician.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 255
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ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) System............. 103
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 215
Adding Fuel.......................... 166
Aiming Headlights...................... 238
Air Cleaner, Engine..................... 205
Air Conditioning....................121,208
Air Conditioning Filter................... 256
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 209
Air Conditioning System................. 208
Air Pressure, Tires...................153,154
Airbag................................ 28
Airbag Deployment...................... 32
Airbag Light........................31,109
Airbag Maintenance...................... 38
Airbag On/Off Switch..................36,40
Alignment and Balance.................. 163
Antenna.............................. 120
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 243
Anti-Lock Warning Light................. 103
Appearance Care....................... 222
Ashtrays and Lighter..................... 63
Automatic Door Locks.................... 13
Automatic Transmission...............135,220Fluid and Filter Changes................ 221
Fluid Level Check..................... 220
Fluid Type.......................... 220
Special Additives..................... 221
Autostick............................. 139
Ball Joints............................ 210
Battery............................104,207
Saving Feature........................ 72
Belts, Drive........................... 205
Belts, Seat............................. 21
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 211
Brake Assist System...................... 85
Brake, Parking......................... 142
Brake System.......................144,217
Anti-Lock........................... 144
Hoses.............................. 218
Master Cylinder...................... 219
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle . . . 46,152
Bulbs, Light........................... 235
Capacities, Fluid....................... 241
Capacity, Cargo Weight.................. 168
274 INDEX

Disposal
Engine Oil.......................... 204
Door Locks, Automatic................... 13
Drive Belts............................ 205
Drive Shaft Universal Joints............... 210
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces................156,183
Electronic Speed Control.................. 88
Electronic Stability Program................ 86
Emergency, In Case of
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 172
Jump Starting........................ 181
Overheating......................... 172
Towing............................. 185
Emergency Trunk Release................. 19
Emission Control System Maintenance....199,249
Engine
Break-In Recommendations............... 46
Checking Oil Level.................... 201
Compartment........................ 197
Oil .............................201,243
Oil Change Interval................... 202Oil Selection......................... 204
Exhaust Gas Caution..................... 46
Exhaust System........................ 213
Exterior Lights......................... 235
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 205
Air Conditioning..................... 256
Engine Fuel......................... 205
Engine Oil.......................... 204
Fluid Capacities.....................241,243
Fluid Leaks............................ 47
Fluid Level Checks
Manual Transmission.................. 221
Four-Way Hazard Flasher................. 172
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 184
Fuel................................. 164
Adding............................. 166
Additives........................... 166
Filler Cap........................... 166
Filter.............................. 205
Octane Rating........................ 164
Fuses................................ 228
276 INDEX

Daytime Running...................... 73
Exterior............................. 73
Exterior Check........................ 47
Fog ................................ 74
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 172
Headlights........................... 73
Instrument Cluster..................... 72
Interior...........................71,235
License............................. 238
Lights On Reminder.................... 73
Malfunction Indicator.................. 110
Map Reading......................... 72
Park.............................73,236
Rear Tail............................ 237
Seat Belt Reminder.................... 104
Turn Signal.......................236,237
Loading Vehicle........................ 268
Capacities........................... 168
Tires ............................... 268
Lubrication, Body....................... 211
Maintenance Free Battery................. 207
Maintenance Procedures.................. 201Maintenance Schedules.................. 249
Malfunction Indicator Light............ 110,199
Manual Override, Convertible Top.......... 189
Manual, Service........................ 263
Manual Transmission.................133,221
Fluid Level Check..................... 221
Frequency of Fluid Change.............. 221
Lubricant Selection.................... 221
Marker Lights, Side..................... 236
Master Cylinder........................ 219
Mirrors............................... 66
Electric Powered....................... 67
Electric Remote....................... 66
Exterior Folding....................... 66
Heated.............................. 66
Outside............................. 66
Rearview............................ 66
Vanity.............................. 68
Monitor, Tire Pressure System...........80,157
Mopar Parts........................200,262
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 75
Occupant Restraints...................... 21
278 INDEX

Oil, Engine........................... 201
Change Interval...................... 202
Checking........................... 201
Disposal............................ 204
Filter.............................. 204
Materials Added to.................... 204
Recommendation..................... 204
Oil Filter, Selection...................... 204
Onboard Diagnostic System............198,199
Overheating, Engine..................... 172
Owner’s Manual....................... 263
Paint Care............................ 222
Parking Brake......................... 142
Passing Light........................... 76
Pets.................................. 45
Pets, Transporting....................... 45
Power
Outlet.............................. 64
Steering.........................152,209
Steering, Checking.................... 209
Windows............................ 20
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts............. 27Program Mode Selector Switch............. 140
Programming Transmitters...............95,96
Radial Ply Tires........................ 156
Radio................................ 112
Radio Antenna......................... 120
Radio Operation....................... 120
Rear Liftgate........................... 21
Rear Spoiler............................ 82
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts............................... 244
Reformulated Gasoline................... 164
Refrigerant............................ 209
Remote Keyless Entry.................... 14
Replacement Tires...................... 160
Reporting Safety Defects................. 262
Residual Engine Heat Utilization (REST) . . . 125,126
Restraints, Child........................ 39
Restraints, Infant........................ 39
Restraints, Occupant..................... 21
Rotation, Tires......................... 162
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle............... 47
INDEX 279
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