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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.
•An out-of-tune engine, or certain fuel or ignition
malfunctions, can cause the catalytic converter to
overheat. If you notice a pungent burning odor or
some light smoke, your engine may be out of tune or
malfunctioning and may require immediate service.
Contact your dealer for service assistance.
•The use of fuel additives which are now being sold as
octane enhancers is not recommended. Most of these
products contain high concentrations of methanol.
Fuel system damage or vehicle performance problems
resulting from the use of such fuels or additives is not
the responsibility of the manufacturer.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
STARTING AND OPERATING 279
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Carbon Monoxide Warnings
WARNING!
Carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaust gases is deadly.
Follow the precautions below to prevent carbon
monoxide poisoning:
•Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill.
Never run the engine in a closed area, such as a
garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for an extended period. If the vehicle is
stopped in an open area with the engine running for
more than a short period, adjust the ventilation system
to force fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
•Guard against carbon monoxide with proper mainte-
nance. Have the exhaust system inspected every timethe vehicle is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.
•Keep the swing gate closed when driving your vehicle
to prevent carbon monoxide and other poisonous
exhaust gases from entering the vehicle.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS (DIESEL ENGINES)
Use good quality diesel fuel from a reputable supplier.
For most year-round service, No. 2 diesel fuel meeting
ASTM specification D-975 will provide good perfor-
mance. If the vehicle is exposed to extreme cold (below
20°F or -7°C), or is required to operate at colder-than-
normal conditions for prolonged periods, use climatized
No. 2 diesel fuel or dilute the No. 2 diesel fuel with 50%
No. 1 diesel fuel. This will provide better protection from
fuel gelling or wax-plugging of the fuel filters.
280 STARTING AND OPERATING
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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.If the pointer rises to the “H” (hot mark) on a vehicle
equipped with agasoline engine, pull over and stop the
vehicle. Do not turn the engine off. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioning turned off, until the pointer drops
back into the normal range.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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 293
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If the coolant temperature of a vehicle equipped with a
diesel engineapproaches the “H” (hot mark) a warning
chime will sound to alert the driver. The air conditioning
system will turn off automatically and power loss will
occur until the engine temperature returns to the normal
range.
If the overheating condition persists a continuous chime
will sound to alert the driver. Reduce the vehicle speed
and or stop the vehicle while allowing the engine to idle
and cool the engine.JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never get any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
center where it can be raised on a lift.
•The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
294 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
2.4L Engine...........................306
3.7L Engine...........................307
2.8L Turbo Diesel Engine.................308
Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II........309
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............309
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................310
Replacement Parts......................311
Dealer Service.........................312Maintenance Procedures..................312
▫Engine Oil..........................312
▫Drive Belts — Check Condition And Tension . . 316
▫Spark Plugs.........................317
▫Catalytic Converter....................317
▫Engine Timing Belt — 2.4L Engine.........319
▫Ignition Wiring System — 2.4L Engine......319
▫Crankcase Emission Control System........319
▫Air Cleaner Filter.....................319
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▫Maintenance-Free Battery................320
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............321
▫Power Steering Fluid Check..............322
▫Driveline And Steering Component
Lubrication..........................322
▫Body Lubrication.....................323
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................323
▫Windshield Washers...................324
▫Exhaust System......................324
▫Cooling System.......................325
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......330
▫Brake System........................330
▫Automatic Transmission................333▫Hydraulic Clutch Fluid —
Manual Transmission..................335
▫Manual Transmission..................335
▫Transfer Case........................336
▫Front/Rear Axle Fluid..................337
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................337
Fuse Panel...........................342
▫Interior Fuses........................342
▫Underhood Fuses
(Power Distribution Center)..............345
Vehicle Storage........................349
Replacement Bulbs......................350
304 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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Engine Oil Selection (Diesel Engines)
For best performance and maximum protection for all
engines under all types of operating conditions, the
manufacturer recommends using synthetic engine oils
that are API Certified (SL/CF), and meet the require-
ments of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard MS-10725.
Engine Oil Viscosity (2.8L Diesel Engines)
Use SAE 0W-40 Mobil 1Synthetic Engine Oil that
meets API categories CF or better and the requirements
of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard MS-10725. If you
cannot find SAE 0W-40, then SAE 5W-40 Mobil 1
Synthetic Engine Oil is acceptable. Any engine oil that
does not meet the manufacturer’s requirements should
not be used.
Lubricants which do not have both, the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
Synthetic Engine Oils — All Engines
There are a number of engine oils being promoted as
either synthetic or semi-synthetic. If you chose to use
such a product, use only those oils that are certified by
the American Petroleum Institute (API) to display the
symbol on the front of the container or the proper ACEA
category and show the recommended SAE viscosity
grade. Follow the service schedule that describes your
driving type.
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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 315
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Engine Timing Belt — 2.4L Engine
Replace the engine timing belt at the intervals described
in the appropriate maintenance schedule.
Ignition Wiring System — 2.4L Engine
Replace the ignition cables at the intervals described in
the appropriate maintenance schedule.
Crankcase Emission Control System
Proper operation of this system depends on freedom
from sticking or plugging due to deposits. As vehicle
mileage builds up, the PCV valve and passages may
accumulate deposits. If a valve is not working properly,
replace it with a new valve. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
CLEAN THE OLD PCV VALVE!
Check ventilation hose for indication of damage or
plugging deposits. Replace if necessary.
Air Cleaner Filter
Under normal driving conditions, replace the air filter at
the intervals shown on “Maintenance Schedule A.” If,
however, you drive the vehicle frequently under dusty or
severe conditions, the filter element should be inspected
periodically and replaced if necessary at the intervals
shown on “Maintenance Schedule B.”
WARNING!
The air cleaner can provide protection in the case of
engine backfire. Do not remove the air cleaner
unless it is necessary for repair or maintenance.
Make sure that no one is near the engine compart-
ment before starting the vehicle with the air cleaner
removed. Failure to do so can result in serious
personal injury.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 319
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