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Radial-Ply Tires
WARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires
on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle
poorly. The instability could cause an accident. Al-
ways use radial tires in sets of four. Never combine
them with other types of tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
dealer for radial tire repairs.
Tire Spinning
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not
spin your vehicle’s wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster
than 35 mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck, and do
not let anyone near a spinning wheel no matter what
the speed.
266 STARTING AND OPERATING
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MMT In Gasoline
MMT is a manganese containing metallic additive that is
blended into some gasoline to increase octane. Gasoline
blended with MMT provides no performance advantage
beyond gasoline of the same octane number without
MMT. Gasoline blended with MMT reduces spark plug
life and reduces emission system performance in some
vehicles. The manufacturer recommends that gasoline
without MMT be used in your vehicle. The MMT content
of gasoline may not be indicated on the gasoline pump,
therefore, you should ask your gasoline retailer whether
or not his/her gasoline contains MMT.
It is even more important to look for gasoline without
MMT in Canada because MMT can be used at levels
higher than allowed in the United States. MMT is pro-
hibited in Federal and California reformulated gasoline.
Materials Added To Fuel
All gasoline sold in the United States is required to
contain effective detergent additives. Use of additional
detergents or other additives is not needed under normal
conditions.
Fuel System Cautions
CAUTION!
Follow these guidelines to maintain your vehicle’s
performance:
•The use of leaded gas is prohibited by Federal law.
Using leaded gasoline can impair engine performance,
damage the emission control system.
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•Guard against carbon monoxide with proper mainte-
nance. Have the exhaust system inspected every time
the vehicle is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.
•Keep the liftgate closed when driving your vehicle to
prevent carbon monoxide and other poisonous ex-
haust gases from entering the vehicle.
FUEL TANK FILLER CAP (GAS CAP)
The fuel cap is located on the left side of the vehicle. If the
fuel cap is lost or damaged, be sure the replacement cap
is for use with this vehicle.
Fuel Filler Cap Location
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Cooling System Tips—Trailer Towing
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating in high ambient conditions, take the following
actions:
•City Traffic
When stopped, put transmission in N (Neutral) and
increase engine idle speed.
•Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
•Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
To reduce the potential for transmission overheating,
turn the “TOW/HAUL” feature on when driving in hilly
areas or downshift the transmission to the next lower
gear range to eliminate excessive transmission shifting.
This action will also reduce the possibility of transmis-
sion overheating and provide better engine braking.
7–Pin Connector
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IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — Slow down.
•In city traffic — While stopped, put transmission in N
(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 the temperature gauge reads “H”,
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 “H”, and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call for service.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
3.7L Engine...........................310
4.7L Engine...........................311
5.7L Engine...........................312
Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II........313
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............313
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................314
Replacement Parts......................315
Dealer Service.........................316Maintenance Procedures..................316
▫Engine Oil..........................316
▫Drive Belts - Check Condition And Tension . . . 320
▫Spark Plugs.........................321
▫Catalytic Converter....................321
▫Ignition Cables.......................323
▫Crankcase Emission Control System........323
▫Fuel Filter..........................323
▫Air Cleaner Filter.....................323
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▫Maintenance-Free Battery................324
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............325
▫Power Steering Fluid Check..............326
▫Body Lubrication.....................327
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................327
▫Windshield Washers — Front And Rear.....328
▫Exhaust System......................328
▫Cooling System.......................329
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......334
▫Brake System........................334
▫Automatic Transmission................336
▫Transfer Case........................339
▫Front/Rear Axle Fluid..................340▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................340
Fuse Panel...........................345
▫Interior Fuses........................345
▫Underhood Fuses
(Power Distribution Center)..............346
▫Underhood Fuses
(Integrated Power Module)..............348
Vehicle Storage........................350
Replacement Bulbs......................350
Bulb Replacement......................351
▫Head Light..........................351
▫Front Turn Signal.....................353
▫Front Fog Light......................354
308 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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Materials Added to Engine Oils
The manufacturerstrongly recommendsagainst the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and it’s
performance may be impaired by supplemental addi-
tives.
Disposing of Used Engine Oil
Care should be taken in disposing of the used engine oil
from your vehicle. Used oil, indiscriminately discarded,
can present a problem to the environment. Contact your
local authorized dealer, service station, or governmental
agency for advice on how and where used oil can be
safely discarded in your area.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be replaced with a new filter
at every oil change.
Engine Oil Filter Selection
All of the manufacturer’s engines have a full-flow type
disposable oil filter. Use a filter of this type for replace-
ment. The quality of replacement filters varies consider-
ably. Only high quality filters should be used to assure
most efficient service. Moparengine oil filters are high
quality oil filters and are recommended.
Drive Belts - Check Condition and Tension
At the mileages shown in the appropriate “Maintenance
Schedule,” check all drive belts for condition and proper
tension. Improper belt tension can cause belt slippage
and failure.
Inspect the drive belt for evidence of cuts, cracks, or
glazing and replace them if there is any sign of damage
which could result in belt failure. If adjustment is re-
quired, adjust the belts according to the specifications
and procedures shown in the Service Manual.
320 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE