8. Stop driving the vehicle if you think the performance
is noticeably less, or that there is unnecessary engine
miss, or any other engine trouble, such as with the
ignition, etc. If it is impractical to stop driving immedi-
ately, reduce the speed and drive for only a short time.
Have an inspection made by an authorized dealer as
soon as possible.
9. In an unusual event of a severe engine malfunction, a
scorching odor may indicate severe and abnormal cata-
lytic converter overheating. If this occurs, the vehicle
should be stopped in a safe place, the engine shut off and
the vehicle allowed to cool. Once the engine is cool, the
vehicle should immediately be taken to a dealer for
service.
VEHICLE PREPARATION BEFORE DRIVING
Before starting on a trip, perform the following checks to
obtain the greatest possible enjoyment and safety from
your vehicle:
Seat belts and seats
1. Before starting the vehicle, make certain that you and
all your passengers are seated and properly wearing the
seat belts (with children in the rear seat, in appropriate
restraints), and that all doors are locked.
2.
Adjust the driver's seat as far back as possible, while still
maintaining good visibility, and good control of the steering
wheel, brakes, accelerator, and controls. Examine the instru-
ment panel indicators for any possible malfunction.
3. Have the front passenger adjust their seat as far
rearward as possible.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defroster mode and set
the blower switch for high speed operation. You should
be able to feel the air directed against the windshield.
(See ªHeater /Air conditioningº page 236.)
Tires
Examine all 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.
STARTING AND DRIVING 199
5
ENGINE OVERHEATING
If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator enters
the ªHº (hot) position, the engine may be overheated.
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways Ð Slow down.
²In city traffic Ð While stopped, put transaxle in
neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
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 engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum 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 engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads ªHº, 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 ªHº, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Maintenance Section of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
EMERGENCIES 277
8
EMISSIONS TESTING
In some localities, it may be or will become a legal
requirement to ensure that all emissions components and
systems are functioning properly as a part of the test
procedure. The test center accomplishes this by checking
the On Board Diagnostic System system (OBD) with an
electronic scan tool. If your vehicle has recently been
serviced, the OBD system may have been reset to a9not
ready9condition because the OBD system has not had
sufficient time since the servicing to reconfirm that
emissions components are operating properly. In most
cases, a reasonable mix and amount of normal city and
highway driving and at least one overnight-off period
will be required to prepare your vehicle for this check;
however your DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation
dealer has the equipment and procedures required to
make certain that the OBD system of your vehicle is
ready for the required testing.
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II)
To meet new government regulations and promote
cleaner air, your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated
onboard diagnostic system called OBD II. This systemmonitors the performance of the emissions, engine, and
automatic transaxle control systems. When these systems
are operating properly, your vehicle will provide excel-
lent performance and fuel economy, as well as engine
emissions 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 driveable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the 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 state emissions
tests can be performed.
310 MAINTENANCE
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 224
Cassette Tape Player..................219,221
CD Player.........................219,227
Center console......................... 215
Center console box...................... 213
Charging system warning light..........107,114
Check engine/malfunction indicator lamp . 107,115
Child restraint.......................... 76
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 145
Cleaning
Exterior of your car................... 252
Interior of your car.................... 251
Clock................................ 216
Compact spare tire...................265,373
Contract, Service....................... 380
Coolant (engine)....................... 318
Cruise control (for non-turbo)
Indicator.........................107,113
Cruise control (for turbo)
Indicator.........................107,113
Cup holder........................... 212
Customer Arbitration Board............... 381
Customer Assistance.................... 378Dealer Service......................... 378
Defroster (rear window).................. 125
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 310
Dimmer control........................ 122
Disc brake pads........................ 327
Dome light........................... 301
Dome light/Reading light................ 129
Door hinges, rear hatch hinges, hood lock
release mechanism and safety catch......... 328
Door Opener, Garage.................... 132
Door-ajar warning light...............107,112
Doors
Lock............................... 26
Power door locks...................... 34
Drive belt............................ 331
Driving, alcohol and drugs................ 201
Driving speed
Automatic transaxle................... 157
Manual transaxle..................... 169
Electric rear window defroster switch........ 125
Emission-control system maintenance........ 309
Engine compartment.................257,307
INDEX 389
Engine coolant......................... 318
Engine coolant level warning light.......... 107
Engine coolant temperature gauge.......106,111
Engine hood release...................... 41
Engine oil and oil filter.................. 314
Engine overheating..................... 277
Engine serial number.................... 371
Engine specifications.................... 375
Exhaust system.....................328,375
Fluid
Automatic transaxle fluid............... 325
Brake fluid.......................... 319
Clutch fluid......................... 320
Fog light switch........................ 123
Front fog lamp indicator lamp............. 114
Front seat adjustment..................... 57
Fuel
Filler Cap........................... 148
Fuel economy........................ 149
Fuel filler............................ 39
Fuel gauge.......................106,109
Fuel hoses.......................... 311Fuel selection........................ 144
Low-fuel warning light..............107,113
Fuses................................ 284
Fusible links.......................... 285
Garage Door Opener.................... 132
GasCap .............................. 148
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............... 146
Gauges.........................106,109,111
Gear positions......................... 156
General maintenance
Maintenance service................... 314
General vehicle data..................... 373
Glove compartment..................213,214
Handling of Compact Discs............... 232
Hazard warning flasher switch............. 124
Hazard warning light.................107,112
Head restraints......................... 66
Headlights (Type 1)..................... 292
Headlights (Type 2)..................... 293
Headlights
Aiming............................. 295
390 INDEX
Dimmer............................ 122
Headlight flasher (high/low beam)........ 121
Switch............................. 120
Heater............................... 236
High beam indicator..................107,112
High-mounted stoplights
Bulb capacity........................ 291
Homelink Transmitter................... 132
Horn switch........................... 132
Ignition switch......................... 149
Indicator and warning light............... 107
Inside day/night rearview mirrors.......... 177
Instrument cluster...................... 106
Instrument panel light dimmer control....... 125
Intermittent Wipers..................... 127
Jack
Jacking points........................ 268
Jacking up the car..................... 268
Storage............................. 264
Key reminder chime..................... 150Keyless entry system..................... 29
Keys..............................23,150
Labeling............................. 370
Lap Belts.............................. 87
Lights
Bulb chart........................... 291
Dome light/Reading light............... 129
Headlights.......................... 120
Reading lamps....................... 131
Low-fuel warning light................107,113
Luggage hooks......................... 215
Malfunction Indicator Light............... 310
Manual, Service........................ 383
Manual transaxle
Oil ................................ 327
Possible driving speed................. 169
Shift points (recommended speed)........ 167
Meters............................... 106
Mirrors
Vanity mirror........................ 211
Mopar Parts........................ 311,381
INDEX 391
Seats
Front seats........................... 57
Rear seats............................ 66
SECURITY indicator................49,107,112
Service Assistance...................... 378
Service Manuals........................ 383
Setting the clock........................ 216
Severe maintenance schedule.............. 354
Snow tires............................ 345
Spare tire.......................264,265,373
Spark plugs........................313,375
Speedometer.......................106,108
Starting
At extremely cold ambient temperature..... 153
Flooded engine....................... 153
Normal conditions.................... 152
Steering system
Steering lock......................... 151
Tilt lock lever........................ 175
Sun visors............................ 209
Sunroof............................... 46
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag
Maintenance......................... 327Warning light.....................107,116
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Air bag . . 89
Supplemental Restraint System warning light . . 116
Tachometer........................106,108
Tape Player........................... 219
Temperature Gage, Engine Coolant.......... 277
Theft protection........................ 151
Theft-alarm
SECURITY indicator..............49,107,112
System.............................. 48
Timing belt........................... 332
Tips for driving in various conditions........ 201
Tire chains............................ 345
Ti re s
Compact spare tire.................... 265
Inflation pressure...............336,372,373
Maintenance......................332,338
Quality Grading...................... 385
Rotation............................ 344
Size (tire and wheels).................. 373
Snow tires.......................... 345
Spare tire........................... 264
INDEX 393