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CAUTION!
A poorly fitting gas cap may cause the Malfunction
Indicator Light to turn on.
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not“top
off”the fuel tank after filling.
NOTE:When the fuel nozzle“clicks”or shuts off, the
fuel tank is full.
WARNING!
•Never have any smoking materials lit in or near
the vehicle when the gas cap is removed or the
tank filled.
•Never add fuel when the engine is running. This
is in violation of most state and federal fire
regulations and will cause the malfunction indi-
cator light to turn on.
NOTE:Tighten the gas cap about 1/4 turn until you
hear one click. This is an indication that cap is properly
tightened.
If the gas cap is not tighten properly, the Malfunction
Indicator Light will come on. Be sure the gas cap is
tightened every time the vehicle is refueled.
226 STARTING AND OPERATING
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WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
axle cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could
enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has
started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle.
This type of start can be dangerous if done improp-
erly, so follow this procedure carefully.
1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watch bands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.2. When boosting from a battery in another vehicle, park
that vehicle within booster cable reach but without
letting the vehicles touch. Set parking brake, place auto-
matic transaxle in PARK (manual transaxle in NEU-
TRAL) and turn ignition to OFF for both vehicles.
3. Turn off the heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the booster battery. Connect the other end of
the jumper cable to the positive jump start terminal,
located near the Power Distribution Center, of the vehicle
with the discharged battery.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 241
6
Page 249 of 360
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
2.4L Turbo Engine Compartment............252
2.4L Engine Compartment................253
Onboard Diagnostic System—OBDII........254
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................255
Replacement Parts......................256
Dealer Service.........................256
Maintenance Procedures..................257
▫Engine Oil..........................257▫Drive Belts—Check Condition And Tension . . 261
▫Spark Plugs.........................262
▫Ignition Wiring System.................262
▫Catalytic Converter....................262
▫Engine Timing Belt....................264
▫Crankcase Emission Control System........264
▫Fuel Filter..........................264
▫Air Cleaner Element (Filter)..............264
▫Maintenance-Free Battery................265
7
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▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............267
▫Power Steering—Fluid Check............268
▫Front Suspension Ball Joints..............268
▫Body Lubrication.....................269
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................269
▫Windshield Washer Reservoir.............270
▫Exhaust System......................271
▫Cooling System.......................272
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......277
▫Fuel System Connections................277
▫Brake System........................278
▫Automatic Transaxle...................280
▫Manual Transaxle.....................284▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................284
Convertible Top Care....................290
▫Washing............................290
▫General Cleaning.....................290
▫Cloth Top Additional Cleaning Procedure....291
▫Cloth Top Protection...................292
▫Weather Strip Care....................292
Fuses...............................292
▫Underhood Fuses (Power Distribution Center) . 292
▫Interior Fuses........................295
Vehicle Storage........................297
Replacement Bulbs......................297
250 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 254 of 360

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM—OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the“Malfunction Indicator Light.”It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the“Malfunction Indica-
tor Light”on could cause further damage to the
emission control system. It could also affect fuel
economy and driveability. The vehicle must be
serviced before any emissions tests can be per-
formed.
•If the“Malfunction Indicator Light”is flashing
while the engine is running, severe catalytic con-
verter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
254 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 257 of 360

NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
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 proper equipment.
If you have any doubt about your ability to perform
a service job, take your vehicle to a competent
mechanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 257
7
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•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).
•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, Police or delivery service (commercial service).
•Off-Road or desert operation.
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first, and follow schedule“B—All
Engines”of theMaintenance Schedulessection of this
manual.If none of these apply to you, and your vehicle is
equipped with a Non–Turbo Charged Engine then
change your engine oil at every interval shown on
schedule“A”—NON TURBO in the maintenance sched-
ule section of this manual.
If none of these apply to you, and your vehicle is
equipped with a Turbo Charged Engine change your
engine oil at every interval shown on schedule
“A”—TURBO in the maintenance schedule section of this
manual.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change in-
tervals exceed 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 259
7
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Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends engine oils that are API certified and meet
the requirements of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard
MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
SAE 5W-30 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low tempera-
ture starting and vehicle fuel economy. Refer to your
engine oil filler cap for the recommended engine oil
viscosity for your vehicle.
For information on engine oil filler cap location, see the
Engine Compartment illustration in this section.
Lubricants which do not have both, the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
Synthetic Engine Oils
There are a number of engine oils being promoted as
either synthetic or semi-synthetic. If you chose to use
such a product, useonlythose oils that are American
Petroleum Institute (API) Certified and have the recom-
mended SAE viscosity grade. Follow the maintenance
schedule that describes your driving type.
260 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE