
Your Flexible Service System (FSS) — see Understanding
Your Instrument Panel section — should give you an
exact indication of when your vehicle should be sched-
uled for service and which schedule to follow.
Additional Periodic Maintenanceitems should also be
performed beyond the items listed in the following charts
to assure the optimum performance of your Crossfire.
SCOPE OF WORK FOR “A” SCHEDULE
MAINTENANCE SERVICE
Oil Change
•Change oil and replace filter
Maintenance
•Lubricate hood hinges, latch, and secondary latch
•Reset FSS Display
Function Check
•Horn, hazard warning flashers, turn signals, and indi-
cator lamps
•Headlamps and exterior lighting
•Windshield wipers and washer system
Inspection
•Check front and rear brake pads for lining thickness
•Check tires for damage and general condition
•Check tire inflation pressures and correct if necessary
Fluid Levels
Check fluid levels for the following systems and correct if
necessary. Should there be a loss of fluid that cannot be
explained by regular use, trace and eliminate the cause.
•Engine cooling system (check corrosion inhibitor/
antifreeze)
•Hydraulic brake system
•Power steering system
•Windshield washer system
250 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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SCOPE OF WORK FOR “B” SCHEDULE
MAINTENANCE SERVICE
Oil Change
•Change oil and replace filter
Maintenance
•Rotate tires
•Replace dust filter
•Lubricate hood hinges, latch, and secondary latch
•Reset FSS Display
Function Check
•Horn, hazard warning flashers, turn signals, and indi-
cator lamps
•Headlamps and exterior lighting
•Windshield wipers and washer system
•Check seat belts for damage and proper function
•Test hydraulic brakes and check parking brake func-
tionInspection
•Check front and rear brake pads for lining thickness
•Check condition of front and rear brake discs
•Check tires for damage and general condition
•Check tire inflation pressures and correct if necessary
•Check major underbody components for leakage or
damage (if there are signs of leakage, determine cause
and repair)
•Check condition of front axle ball joints and rubber
boots
•Check condition of steering components and rubber
boots
•Check underhood components for leakage or damage
(if there are signs of leakage determine cause and
repair)
•Check condition of accessory drive belt
•Check headlamp aiming, adjust if necessary
•Check windshield wiper blades, replace if necessary
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 251
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Fluid Levels
Check fluid levels for the following systems and correct if
necessary. Should there be a loss of fluid that cannot be
explained by regular use, trace and eliminate the cause.
•Engine cooling system (check corrosion inhibitor/
antifreeze)
•Hydraulic brake system
•Power steering system
•Windshield washer system
FSS SYSTEM
The Flexible Service System (FSS) permits a flexible
service schedule that is directly related to the operating
conditions of the vehicle. See the Understanding Your
Instrument Panel section for details on how to use the
FSS.The oil change interval for your Crossfire is initially set at
7,000 miles (Canada: 11,000 km). Very light duty driving
cycles (most trips more than 10 miles [16 km] at moderate
speeds in moderate temperature conditions) can extend
the service interval beyond 7,000 miles (Canada: 11,000
km). IfANYof the following apply to your driving, the
oil change interval can be reduced significantly:
Day or night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C).
Stop and go driving.
Extensive engine idling.
Driving in dusty conditions.
Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).
There are two symbols which will appear in the main
odometer display field prior to the next suggested ser-
vice.
252 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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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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SPECIAL MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Coolant
Have the corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze concentration in
the coolant checked before the onset of winter (once a
year in countries with high prevailing temperatures).
Have the coolant replaced every five years or 100,000
miles (161,000 km).
Dust Filter for Heating/Ventilation Replacement
The dust filter is replaced during routine maintenance
service. The filter element must be replaced with “B”
Schedule service or every 18,500 miles (30,000 km) to
maintain effectiveness. However, if operating conditions
are dusty, these filters should be replaced more fre-
quently. A cover in the HVAC unit that can be reached
from the passenger foot well provides access to the filter
element.
ENGINE OIL CHANGE AND FILTER
REPLACEMENT
The recommended oil and filter change interval is based
on FSS or 1 year. Please refer to the heading FSS System
in this section for a full description of the use and
interpretation of symbols in the FSS system. Only use
synthetic engine oils, approved to MB 229.3 or MB 229.5,
such as Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40. The FSS may not alert for an
oil change at the proper interval if an unapproved engine
oil is used; engine damage and reduced engine life may
result. Information is available from your authorized
dealer. The oil filter should always be changed when the
oil is changed.
256 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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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

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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