WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
After Starting
The idle speed is automatically controlled on fuel injected
engines and will decrease as the engine warms up.
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling can cause excessive
exhaust temperatures which can damage your ve-
hicle. Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the
engine running.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three wire extension cord.
The 3.7L/4.7L engine block heater cord is located at the
front of the engine compartment near the radiator cap.
The 5.7L engine block heater cord is located on the left
side of the engine compartment and rearward of the
power distribution center.
220 STARTING AND OPERATING
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing CO, fol-
low the preceding safety tips.
Cooling System
Inspection
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
coolant. Check face of radiator for any accumulation of
bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean the radiator core by gently
spraying water from a garden hose at the back of the core.Check the coolant bottle tubing for condition and tight-
ness of connection at coolant bottle and radiator. Inspect
the entire system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the coolant pressure cap for proper
vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of coolant
from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing prop-
erly, the coolant will begin to drain from the coolant
bottle. Do not remove the pressure cap when the cooling
system is hot.
324 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant or
steam from your radiator. If you see or hear steam
coming from under the hood don’t open the hood
until the radiator has had time to cool. If you open
the hood and see steam or hot coolant escaping from
the radiator, don’t touch anything. Get away quickly.
Never try to open a pressure cap when the radiator is
hot.
Cooling System Maintenance
At the intervals shown in the Maintenance Schedules
section of this manual, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled. See your authorized dealer for
proper cooling system maintenance.
Cooling System — Drain, Flush And Refill
If the solution is dirty and contains a considerable
amount of sediment, it should be cleaned and flushed.
See your authorized dealer for proper draining, flushing
and refilling of your vehicle’s cooling system.
Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for your
community. Do not store ethylene glycol based engine
coolant in open containers or allow it to remain in
puddles on the ground. Prevent ingestion by animals and
children. If ingested by a child contact a physician
immediately. Clean up any ground spills immediately.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 325
7
Adding Coolant
When adding coolant, or refilling the system, a minimum
solution of 50% recommended HOAT ethylene glycol
engine coolant (antifreeze) and distilled water should be
used. Use higher concentrations (not to exceed 70%) if
temperatures below34°F (37°C) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/engine coolant solution.
The use of lower quality water will reduce the amount of
corrosion protection in the engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:Mixing coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.WARNING!
Never add coolant to the radiator when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove pressure cap to
cool overheated engine. The coolant is under pres-
sure and severe scalding could result.
Coolant Pressure Cap
The coolant pressure cap must be fully tightened to
prevent loss of coolant, and to insure that coolant will
return to the radiator from the coolant coolant bottle.
The pressure cap should be inspected and cleaned if there
is any accumulation of foreign material on the sealing
surfaces.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 327
7
WARNING!
The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on the
coolant pressure cap are a safety precaution. Heat
causes pressure to build up in the cooling system. To
prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the pres-
sure cap when the system is hot or under pressure.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle system provides a quick visual method
for determining that the coolant level is adequate. With
the engine idling, and warmed to normal operating
temperature, remove the cap from the bottle, remove the
dipstick and wipe the excess coolant from it. Reinsert the
dipstick and remove. Observe the dipstick checking the
holes along the stem for coolant. Check the coolant level
whenever the hood is raised.The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the pressure cap except checking
coolant freeze point or replacement with new antifreeze
coolant. Your service attendant should be advised of this.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do
not overfill.
Points To Remember
A. Do not overfill the coolant bottle.
B. Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant bottle. If antifreeze needs to be added, contents of
coolant bottle also must be protected against freezing.
C. If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant bottle does not drop when the engine
cools, the cooling system should be pressure tested for
leaks.
328 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Axle Lubrication........................ 335
Ball Joints............................. 321
Battery............................... 318
Charging............................ 296
Emergency Starting..................... 296
Gas Caution.......................... 296
Keyless Transmitter Replacement............ 24
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 121
Belts, Drive............................ 315
Belts, Seat.............................. 29
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 321
B-Pillar Location........................ 244
Brake Fluid............................ 360
Brake System........................236,330
Anti-Lock........................... 236
Disc Brakes.......................... 330
Fluid Check.......................... 331
Hoses.............................. 332Master Cylinder....................... 331
Parking............................. 234
Warning Light.....................167,169
Brakes............................... 236
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 221
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 64
Bulb Replacement....................... 349
Bulbs, Light............................ 348
Calibration, Compass..................... 140
Capacities, Fluid........................ 357
Caps, Filler
Fuel.............................262,263
Oil (Engine).......................... 313
Power Steering........................ 320
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 324
Car Washes............................ 337
Carbon Monoxide Warning............65,144,266
Cargo Management System................. 156
INDEX 395
10
Points to Remember.................... 328
Radiator Cap......................... 327
Selection of Coolant...............326,357,359
Temperature Gauge..................... 164
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 132
Cup Holder............................ 154
Customer Assistance..................... 385
Data Recorder, Event...................... 52
Daytime Running Lights................... 123
Dealer Service.......................... 310
Defroster, Rear Window................... 213
Defroster, Windshield................66,200,205
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 126
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 307
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 165
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission................. 332
Oil (Engine).......................... 311Power Steering........................ 320
Disarming, Theft System................... 25
Disc Brakes............................ 330
Disposal
Used Coolant......................... 325
Door Ajar Light......................... 169
Door Locks............................. 13
Door Opener, Garage..................... 142
Drive Belts............................ 315
Drive Shaft Universal Joints................ 321
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 76
Electrical Power Outlets................... 151
Electronic Speed Control................... 132
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 239
Jacking............................. 291
Overheating.......................... 327
Tow Hooks.......................... 298
INDEX 397
10
Outside Rearview Mirrors.................. 75
Overdrive..........................167,223
Overdrive OFF Switch.................... 223
Overhead Console....................135,136
Overhead Travel Information Center.......... 136
Overheating, Engine...................166,327
Owner’s Manual........................ 390
Panic Alarm............................ 21
Parking Brake.......................... 234
Parking On Hill......................... 234
Passing Light........................... 125
Pedals, Adjustable....................... 130
Pets.................................. 64
Pets, Transporting........................ 64
Phone, Cellular.......................... 78
Phone, Hands-Free....................... 78
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 245
Positive Crankcase Valve.................. 330Power
Brakes.............................. 330
Distribution Center..................341,345
Door Locks.........................13,14
Mirrors.............................. 76
Outlet.............................. 151
Steering..........................238,320
Sunroof............................. 149
Windows............................. 27
Power Steering Fluid..................... 360
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 37
Preparation for Jacking.................... 291
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 35
Programmable Electronic Features.........144,148
Programming Transmitters............22,144,148
Radial Ply Tires......................... 252
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......... 327
404 INDEX