Page 48 of 280

Defrosters
Check operation by pressing the A/C control button,
selecting the defrost mode and placing the blower control
on high speed. You should be able to feel the air directed
against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires for
proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are
present, the cause should be corrected immediately.
NOTE:Use of the air conditioning may cause puddles
of water to form under the vehicle.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 167 of 280

NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the cooling system and turning off the A/C removes this
heat. You can also turn the temperature control to maxi-
mum heat, the mode control to floor, and the fan control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement
to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the
cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads“H,”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 on
the“H,”turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WARNING!
A hot cooling system is dangerous. You or others
could be badly burned by steam or boiling coolant.
If your temperature gauge pointer is in the red area,
turn off the engine immediately. You may want to
call an authorized dealer for service. If you decide to
look under the hood yourself, see Section 7 of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
TIREFIT TIRE REPAIR AND JACKING
TIREFIT
Small punctures, particularly those in the tread, can be
sealed with TIREFIT. Foreign objects (e.g., screws or
nails) should not be removed from the tire. TIREFIT can
be used in outside temperatures down to approximately
-4°F (-20°C).
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 167
6
Page 197 of 280

Change Engine Oil
The oil change interval for your Crossfire is initially set at
7,000 miles (Canada: 11,000 km).
The Flexible Service System (FSS) in your vehicle evalu-
ates engine temperature, oil level, vehicle speed, engine
speed, distance driven, and the time elapsed since your
last service. It determines when your vehicle needs
maintenance service and alerts you in advance. The next
necessary service is indicated by the FSS in your instru-
ment cluster.
NOTE:Also see the FSS system details in the Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel section of this manual.
Very light duty driving cycles (most trips more than 10
miles [16 km] at moderate speeds in moderate tempera-
ture 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 and 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)
•Taxi, Police, or delivery service (commercial service)
Observe the oil change interval indicated by your FSS
system. This system will monitor the driving conditions
seen by your vehicle, and will recommend the best
interval for servicing your vehicle to maintain it in top
condition.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could dam-
age your engine.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 197
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WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You wouldn’t have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake and Power Steering System Hoses
When servicing the vehicle for scheduled maintenance,
inspect surface of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence of
heat and mechanical damage. Hard and brittle rubber,
cracking, checking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and excessive
swelling suggest deterioration of the rubber. Particular
attention should be made to examining those hose sur-
faces nearest to high heat sources, such as the exhaust
manifold.
Inspect all hose clamps and couplings to make sure they
are secure and no leaks are present.
Insure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
NOTE:Often, fluids such as oil, power steering fluid,
and brake fluid are used during assembly plant opera-
tions to ease the assembly of hoses to couplings. There-
fore, oil wetness at the hose-coupling area is not neces-
sarily an indication of leakage. Actual dripping of hot
fluid when systems are under pressure (during vehicle
operation) should be noted before a hose is replaced
based on leakage.
NOTE:Inspection of brake hoses should be done
whenever the brake system is serviced and at every
engine oil change.
WARNING!
Worn brake hoses can burst and cause brake failure.
You could have an accident. If you see any signs of
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, have the brake
hoses replaced immediately.
212 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 224 of 280
Cavity Fuse Circuits
8 15 Amp
BlueRadio
9 10 Amp
RedRoof Light, Horn, Anti-Theft
Alarm, Cargo Lamp and Tire
Pressure Control
10 5 Amp
BeigeSpeed Control
11 15 Amp
BlueIgnition Coil 6 Cyl.
12 10 Amp
RedHeated Washer Nozzles
13 10 Amp
RedCharge Air Cooler Circulation
Pump
14 10 Amp
RedDiagnostic Socket
15 5 Amp
BeigeResidual Engine Heat Utilization
16 Spare
17 40 Amp
OrangeElectronic Stability ProgramCavity Fuse Circuits
18 40 Amp
OrangeElectronic Stability Program
19 40 Amp
OrangePower Window
20 30 Amp
GreenWiper Motor
21 30 Amp
GreenSeat Adjustment Right Side
22 30 Amp
GreenSeat Adjustment Left Side
23 15 Amp
BlueSound Booster (Amplifier)
24 30 Amp
GreenSeat Heater
25 20 Amp
YellowPneumatic Control Unit, Rear
Window Defroster
26 20 Amp
YellowCentral Locking
30 Spare (Coupe)
30 15 Amp
BlueRadio (Roadster)
224 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 237 of 280
Chassis
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
Automatic Transmission Only use ATF approved to MB 236.10, MB 236.12. Synthetic Dexron III
Transmission Fluid may be substituted.
Brake Master Cylinder Use brake fluid approved to MB 331.0, or a DOT 4 brake fluid with: mini-
mum dry boiling point (ERBP) 500°F (260°C), minimum wet boiling point
(WERBP) 356°F (180°C), maximum viscosity 1500 mm
2/s, conforming to
FMVSS 116 and ISO 4925.
Power Steering Reservoir No fluid service required. Filled at the factory with Pentosin CHF 11S.
Steering noise and reduced component life may result if an unapproved
fluid is used.
Rear Axle Fluid Only use synthetic SAE 75W-85 axle lubricant that meets MB 231.1. Re-
duced axle durability may result if an unapproved product is used.
Tire Pressure Refer to label on driver’s door frame.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 237
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Page 242 of 280

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
242 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Page 243 of 280

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 243
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