Cooling System
Inspection
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. Never try to
open a cooling system pressure cap when the radia-
tor is hot.
Coolant Checks
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 the front of the radiator for any accumu-
lation of bugs, leaves, etc.
Check the coolant bottle tubing for condition and tight-
ness of connection at reserve tank and radiator. Inspect
the entire system for leaks.
NOTE:Check the front of the radiator for debris (leaves,
paper, etc.) regularly. A build up of such material could
lead to engine overheating.
Do not remove the cooling system pressure cap when the
cooling system is hot.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 183
7
the vehicle is not going to be driven in the next 3
weeks, follow the battery recharge procedure in the
Service Manual, then disconnect the battery at the
negative terminal or use the save feature described in
Maintaining your Vehicle section under the Mainte-
nance Procedures sub-section, within Maintenance-
Free Battery.
CAUTION!
Use care when disconnecting the remote positive
cable. It is connected to the battery and can short out
to any metal on the vehicle. Always tape or wrap the
exposed cable end to prevent electrical shorts.
•Disconnecting the battery causes the engine control
system to lose memory of some“learned”functions,
unless using the Battery Save feature described inMaintaining your Vehicle section under the Mainte-
nance Procedures sub-section, within Maintenance-
Free Battery. The engine may run rough when first
started after a battery disconnect until the control
module“relearns”these functions.
Check the battery every 4 to 6 weeks to ensure that the
voltage is above 12.40. Voltage will drop more rapidly
in hot temperatures. If battery voltage drops below
12.40, follow the battery recharge procedure in the
Service Manual.
•Check that the radiator coolant level of protection is to
at least -20°F (-29°C).
•Block the wheels. Do not apply the Parking Brake.
•Make sure that all tires are inflated to the optimum
pressure, (29 PSI).
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 203
7
At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•Inspect the brake hoses.
•Inspect the suspension components.
•Lubricate door hinges and check springs.
•Check the engine coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
•Check power steering fluid level.
220 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
M
A
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T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S
About Your Brakes....................... 117
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) System............... 87
Accessory Delay, Power..................13,26
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).......... 185
Adding Fuel........................... 145
Adding Washer Fluid..................... 182
Additives, Fuel......................... 144
Adjustable Pedals........................ 79
Aiming Headlights....................... 212
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 171
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 176
Air Conditioning.....................104,176
Air Conditioning Refrigerant............... 177
Air Pressure, Tires....................... 131
Airbag................................ 41
Airbag Deployment....................... 45
Airbag Light..........................44,91
Airbag Maintenance....................... 49
Airbag On/Off Switch...................35,46Alarm System........................... 20
Alignment and Balance................... 138
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 7
Antenna.............................. 103
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...........184,185,212
Capacities........................... 212
Disposal............................ 186
Anti-Lock Warning Light................... 87
Anti-Theft Security Alarm.................. 20
Appearance Care........................ 194
Auto Down Power Windows................ 26
Automatic Door Locks..................... 15
Automatic Transmission
Adding Fluid......................... 214
Fluid Type........................... 214
Ball Joints............................. 179
Battery.............................90,171
Emergency Starting..................... 150
244 INDEX
Gas Caution.......................... 173
Jump Starting......................... 150
Keyless Transmitter Replacement............ 19
Bearings.............................. 194
Belt System, Six Point..................... 32
Belts, Drive............................ 168
Belts, Seat.............................. 26
Body Damage.......................... 195
Body Mechanism Lubrication............179,180
Body Mechanisms....................... 181
Boot, Convertible Top...................59,64
B-Pillar Location........................ 126
Brake, Parking.......................... 116
Brake System........................ 117,188
Anti-Lock............................ 117
Fluid Check.......................190,214
Hoses.............................. 189
Master Cylinder....................... 191
Warning Light......................... 91Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle.....50,121
Bulb Replacement....................... 205
Bulbs, Light.........................204,205
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)........ 212
Capacities, Fluid........................ 212
Capacity, Cargo Weight................... 146
Caps, Filler
Power Steering........................ 178
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 185
Car Washes............................ 197
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............51,145
Cargo Compartment
Capacity............................ 146
Carpeting............................. 196
Catalytic Converter...................... 168
CD Player............................95,98
CD Player Maintenance................... 103
Chains, Tire............................ 140
INDEX 245
10
Charging System Light..................... 90
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 123
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . 162
Checks, Safety........................... 51
Child Restraint........................34,39
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 37
Circuit Breakers......................... 197
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 142
Climate Control......................... 104
Clock................................. 93
Compact Disc Maintenance................. 103
Compact Spare Tire...................... 134
Console............................... 66
Console, Floor........................... 66
Contract, Service........................ 236
Converter, Catalytic...................... 168
Convertible............................. 55
Convertible Boot.......................59,64
Convertible Top.......................55,196Convertible Top Maintenance............... 196
Coolant Pressure Cap..................... 185
Cooling System......................... 183
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 185
Coolant Capacity...................... 212
Coolant Level......................183,187
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 186
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 184
Inspection........................... 183
Points to Remember.................... 187
Pressure Cap......................... 185
Radiator Cap......................... 185
Rubber and Plastic Components............ 188
Selection of Coolant...............184,212,213
Crankcase Emission Control System.......... 171
Customer Assistance..................... 235
Daytime Running Lights................... 76
Dealer Service.......................... 163
246 INDEX
High Beam Indicator.................... 89
Instrument Cluster...................... 75
Interior.............................. 74
License............................. 211
Lights On Reminder..................... 76
Malfunction Indicator.................... 88
Map Reading.......................... 73
Oil Pressure........................... 90
Reading.............................. 73
Seat Belt Reminder...................... 89
Service...........................204,205
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator).... 88
Turn Signal.......................74,77,87
Loading Vehicle......................... 146
Capacities........................... 146
Tires ............................... 126
Locks
Door................................ 13
Low Tire Indicator....................... 139Low Tire Pressure System.................. 139
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH) . 36
Lubricants..........................179,180
Lubrication, Body....................... 179
Luggage/Cargo Capacity.................. 146
Maintenance Free Battery.................. 171
Maintenance Schedule.................... 218
Light Duty ScheduleB................. 221
ScheduleA......................... 228
ScheduleB.......................... 221
Malfunction Indicator Light..............88,162
Manual, Service......................... 240
Manual Transmission..................... 114
Shift Speeds.......................... 115
Master Cylinder......................... 191
Message Center.......................... 87
Mirrors................................ 67
Electric Remote........................ 68
INDEX 251
10
Outside.............................. 68
Rearview............................. 67
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 7
Mopar Parts.........................163,239
Multi-Function Control Lever................ 74
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 50
Occupant Restraints....................... 26
Oil, Engine.......................164,212,213
Capacity............................ 212
Change Interval....................... 165
Checking............................ 164
Disposal............................ 167
Filter............................167,213
Materials Added to..................... 167
Pressure Gauge........................ 92
Recommendation...................166,212
Viscosity............................ 212Oil Filter, Selection....................... 167
Onboard Diagnostic System..............161,162
Operator Manuals (Owner’s Manuals)........... 4
Overheating, Engine...................... 148
Owner’s Manual.......................4,240
Paint Care............................. 195
Panic Alarm............................ 17
Parking Brake.......................... 116
Parking On Hill......................... 117
Passing Light........................... 78
PCV Valve............................ 171
Pedals, Adjustable........................ 79
Pets.................................. 50
Pets, Transporting........................ 50
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 127
Power
Accessory Delay......................13,26
Brakes.............................. 117
252 INDEX