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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
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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
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Bulb Replacement......................299
▫Headlight Bulb Replacement.............299
▫Front Park/Turn Signal/Side Marker Lights . . 300
▫Front Fog Lights—If Equipped...........300
▫Tail/Stop, And Rear Turn Signal Lights......300
▫Back Up Light Bulb....................301▫Center High Mounted Stop Light..........301
Fluids And Capacities...................302
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine
Parts................................303
▫Engine.............................303
▫Chassis............................304
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2.4L TURBO ENGINE COMPARTMENT
252 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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2.4L ENGINE COMPARTMENT
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 253
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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
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EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states which have an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance) requirement, this check verifies the
following: the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)
is functioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the OBD (On Board Diagnostic) system is ready
for testing.
Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, if you recently had a dead battery, or a battery
replacement. If the OBD system should be determined
not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.Your vehicle has a simple ignition key actuated test
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD system is ready, you must do
the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
4. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see your MIL symbol come on as part of a normal
bulb check.
5. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
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a. The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn off the
ignition key or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD system isnot readyand you shouldnot
proceed to the I/M station.
b. The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn off the ignition key or start
the engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD system
isreadyand you can proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD system isnot ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL symbol is illuminatedduring normal vehicle operation, you should have your
vehicle serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M
station can fail your vehicle because the MIL symbol is on
with the engine running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine Moparparts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to in-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-Moparparts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.
DEALER SERVICE
Your dealer has the qualified service personnel, special
tools and equipment to perform all service operations in
an expert manner. Service Manuals are available which
include detailed service information for your vehicle.
Refer to these manuals before attempting any procedure
yourself.
256 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE