Page 143 of 291
Vehicle Loading.......................179
Trailer Towing........................179
▫Towing Requirements..................180
Flexible Fuel–(2.7L Engines With Automatic
Transmission Only)
.....................181
▫E-85 General Information................181
▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................182▫Fuel Requirements....................182
▫Selection Of Engine Oil.................182
▫Starting............................184
▫Cruising Range.......................184
▫Replacement Parts.....................184
▫Maintenance.........................184
STARTING AND OPERATING 143
5
Page 199 of 291

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
2.4L Engine..........................201
2.7L Engine..........................202
Onboard Diagnostic System—OBD II......203
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs
............................204
Replacement Parts.....................205
Dealer Service........................205
Maintenance Procedures.................206
▫Engine Oil..........................206
▫Crankcase Emission Control System........212
▫Maintenance-Free Battery................212
▫Air Conditioner......................214▫Power Steering—Fluid Check............215
▫Suspension Ball Joints..................216
▫Body Mechanism Lubrication.............216
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................217
▫Windshield Washers...................218
▫Exhaust System......................219
▫Cooling System.......................220
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......224
▫Brakes.............................224
▫Fuel System Hoses....................227
▫Automatic Transmission................227
7
Page 244 of 291

RECOMMENDED FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Coolant MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Or-
ganic Additive Technology)
Engine Oil Use API Certified engine oil. SAE 5W-20 and SAE 5W-30 are recommended.
Refer to the engine oil fill cap for the correct SAE grade meeting
DaimlerChrysler Material Standard MS-6395.
Spark Plugs Refer to the Vehicle Emission Control Information label under the engine
hood.
Oil Filter (2.4L Engine) MoparOil Filter (P/N 4105409) or equivalent.
Oil Filter (2.7L Engine) MoparOil Filter (P/N 5281090) or equivalent.
Fuel Selection 87 Octane
Chassis
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transaxle MoparATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Brake Master Cylinder MoparBrake Fluid DOT 3 Motor Vehicle.
Power Steering Reservoir MoparATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Steering Gear & Linkage, Ball
Joints, Prop Shafts & Yokes, Wheel
BearingsMoparMulti-Purpose Lubricant NLGI Grade 2.
244 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 249 of 291
At Each Oil Change
•
Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•Inspect the brake linings, hoses and calipers.
•Inspect the CV joints and front and rear suspension
components.
•Check the automatic transmission fluid level.
•Check the brake master cylinder fluid level.
•Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
NOTE:In 2.7L Engines equipped with Flex Fuel Engine
(FFV), change engine oil every 5 months or 5,000 miles,
whichever comes first. This applies to both Maintenance
Schedule A and B.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 249
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A
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Page 250 of 291

SCHEDULE“B”
Follow schedule“B”if you usually operate your vehicle
under one or more of the following conditions. Change
the automatic transmission fluid and filter every 60,000
miles (96 000 km) if the vehicle is usually operated under
one or more of the conditions marked with an.
•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 (16.2 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 ser-
vices).
•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”of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
NOTE:IFANYof these apply to you then flush and
replace the engine coolant every 100,000 miles (160,000
km) or 60 months, whichever comes first, and follow
schedule B of theMaintenance Schedulessection of this
manual.
250 SCHEDULE“B”
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Page 254 of 291
Miles 57,000 60,000 63,000 66,000 69,000 72,000
(Kilometers) (91 000) (96 000) (101 000) (106 000) (110 000) (115 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, if not re-
placed at 3 months.XXXXX X
Inspect theair cleaner filterand replace if neces-
sary.*X XXX X
Replace theair cleaner filter.X
Inspect and check tension for power steering belt
(2.4 Liter Engine). Adjust or replace if required.X
Inspect the front and rear brake pads, linings, ro-
tors, rear drums and shoes.XX
Replace theignition cableson 2.4 liter engine. ** X
Replace the accessory drive belts on the 2.7 liter
engine.X
Replace thespark plugson the 2.4 liter engine. ** X
Check and replace, if necessary, thePCV valve.*‡X
Change the automatic transmission fluid and fil-
ter.X
Rotate the tires. X X X
Flush and replace engine coolant at 60 months, if
not done at 100,000 miles.X
254 SCHEDULE“B”
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Page 257 of 291
Miles 108,000 111,000 114,000 117,000 120,000 123,000
(Kilometers) (174 000) (179 000) (183 000) (188 000) (193 000) (198 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, if not
replaced at 3 months.XXXXX X
Inspect theair cleaner filterand replace if
necessary.*XXXX X
Replace theair cleaner filter.X
Replace thespark plugson the 2.4 liter en-
gine. **X
Replace theignition cableson the 2.4 liter en-
gine. **X
Inspect the front and rear brake pads, linings,
rotors, rear drums and shoes.XX
Replace the accessory drive belts on 2.7 liter
engine.X
Check and replace, if necessary, thePCV
valve.*X
Change the automatic transmission fluid and
filter.X
Flush and replace engine coolant at 120
months, if not done at 100,000 miles.X
Rotate the tires. X X X
SCHEDULE“B”257
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Page 279 of 291

Special Additives..................... 229
Autostick............................. 173
Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 81
Ball Joints............................ 216
Battery............................... 212
Emergency Starting.................... 192
Gas Caution......................194,213
Heater............................. 146
Jump Starting........................ 192
Keyless Transmitter Replacement.......... 22
Location.........................192,213
Belts, Drive........................... 210
Belts, Engine.......................... 212
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 216
B-Pillar Location....................... 160
Brake, Parking......................... 151
Brake System.......................153,224
Anti-Lock........................... 153
Fluid Check......................... 226
Hoses.............................. 225
Master Cylinder...................... 226
Warning Light........................ 94Brake/Transmission Interlock...........147,149
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 48
Bulb Replacement...................237,239
Bulbs, Light........................... 237
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...... 243
Capacities, Fluid....................... 243
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 178
Oil (Engine)......................... 209
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 222
Car Washes........................... 230
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 177
Carpeting............................. 231
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 124
Cassette Tape Player...............101,109,112
Catalytic Converter..................... 211
CD Changer..................108,113,118,120
CD Player....................106,114,116,124
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 241
Central Locking......................... 17
Chains, Tire........................... 171
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 187
INDEX 279
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