11. Temperature Gage
Indicates engine coolant temperature. Any read-
ing within the normal range indicates that the
cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gage pointer will likely indicate a higher temperature
(above center scale) when driving in hot weather, up
mountain grades, in heavy stop and go traffic, or when
towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to exceed the
upper limits of the normal operating range.
If the pointer rises to the red zone (five chimes will
occur), 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. If the engine remains in the high range, turn the
engine off and call for service.12. Reset Button
Press this button to toggle between the odometer and trip
odometer display. When in the trip odometer mode,
holding the button in resets the trip odometer. Also,
pressing the “Reset” button will clear out any warning
messages in the odometer display.
13. Odometer/Trip Odometer
A vacuum fluorescent display indicates the total distance
the vehicle has been driven. Also, the cluster will display,
replacing the odometer/trip odometer, vehicle warning
messages such as: door/gate/glass ajar and low washer
fluid. See appropriate sections for more information.
NOTE:If vehicle is equipped with the optional Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) in the overhead
console, all warnings including “door”, “GATE”,
“GLASS”, and “LOWASH” will only be displayed in the
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 171
4
Over Temperature Mode
The transmission electronics constantly monitor the
transmission oil temperature. If the transmission gets too
hot, the transmission will change the way it shifts to help
control the condition. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during normal operation in
D (Drive) position. If the transmission becomes hot
enough the TRANS TEMP warning light in the instru-
ment cluster will come on. After the transmission cools
down, it will return to normal operation.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
added to the automatic transmission of this vehicle. A
clutch within the torque converter engages automatically
at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly differ-
ent feeling or response during normal operation in high
gear. When the vehicle speed drops or during accelera-
tion, the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages.NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch (TCC) will not engage
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are
warm (usually after 1–3 miles (1.6–4.8 km) of driving)
and the vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph
(48 km/h). To understand the difference in operation,
drive the vehicle so that TCC engagement conditions
are correct, and then press and release the “O/D OFF”
button once to disengage the TCC. Wait a few seconds,
and then press and release the “O/D OFF” button
again to engage the TCC. You will notice that the
engine runs at a higher RPM when driving at vehicle
speeds above approximately 30 mph (48 km/h) with
the TCC not engaged. This is a normal condition.
•If the vehicle has not been driven for several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
transmission fluid partially draining from the torque
converter into the transmission. This is considered a
STARTING AND OPERATING 235
5
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
Adding Engine Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved antifreeze/
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
antifreeze/coolant can be used up to 5 Years or 100,000
miles before replacement. To prevent reducing this ex-
tended maintenance period, it is important that you use
the same antifreeze/coolant throughout the life of your
vehicle. Please review these recommendations for using
Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) coolant.
When adding antifreeze/coolant, a minimum solution of
50% recommended MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/
100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive
Technology), or equivalent, in water should be used. Use
higher concentrations (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures
below -34°F (-37°C) are anticipated.Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/antifreeze (coolant) solu-
tion. 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 antifreeze/coolant types will decrease
the life of the antifreeze/coolant and will require more
frequent antifreeze/coolant changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
antifreeze/coolant, and to insure that antifreeze/coolant
will return to the radiator from the coolant recovery
bottle.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 327
7
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
The warning words DO NOT OPEN HOT on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precaution.
Never add antifreeze/coolant when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to cool
an overheated engine. Heat causes pressure to build
up in the cooling system. To prevent scalding or
injury, do not remove the pressure cap while the
system is hot or under pressure.
Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT)
antifreeze/coolant is a regulated substance requiring
proper disposal. Check with your local authorities to
determine the disposal rules for your community. Toprevent ingestion by animals or children, do not store
HOAT antifreeze/coolant in open containers, or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a
child, contact a physician immediately. Clean up ground
spills immediately.
Engine Coolant Level
The coolant recovery bottle provides a quick visual
method for determining that the antifreeze/coolant level
is adequate. With the engine idling, and warm to normal
operating temperature, the level of the antifreeze/coolant
should be between the ranges indicated on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
antifreeze/coolant freeze point or replacing coolant. Ad-
vise your service attendant of this. As long as the engine
operating temperature is satisfactory, the coolant bottle
need only be checked once a month.
328 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Schedule “B” — Gasoline Engines
Follow schedule “B” if you usually operate your vehicle
under one or more of the following conditions.
•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 service).
•Off-road or desert driving.
•If equipped for and operated 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 Schedules” section of this manual.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then flush and
replace your engine coolant/anti-freeze every 102,000
miles (163 000 km) or 60 months, whichever comes first,
and follow “Schedule B” of the “Maintenance Schedules”
section of this manual.
SCHEDULE “B” — GASOLINE ENGINES 363
8
M
A
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E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S
Selection of Coolant..................326,356
Temperature Gauge..................... 171
Crankcase Emission Control System.......... 319
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 127
Cruise Light........................... 172
Cup Holder............................ 150
Customer Assistance..................... 390
Cylinder, Retest Requirements............... 120
Daytime Running Lights................... 120
Dealer Service.......................... 312
Defroster, Rear Window................... 158
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 309
Diesel Engine Maintenance................. 378
Diesel Fuel System, Re-Priming.............. 225
Diesel Fuel Water Separator................ 225
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 119
Dipsticks
Oil (Engine).......................... 312Power Steering........................ 322
Disabled Vehicle Towing................... 302
Disarming, Theft System................... 31
Disposal
Engine Oil........................... 316
Used Engine Fluids..................... 316
Door Locks............................. 20
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 23
Door Opener, Garage..................... 139
Doors................................. 20
Drive Belts............................ 316
Driving............................... 249
Off-Pavement......................... 249
Off-Road............................ 249
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 83
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary................. 148
Electrical Power Outlets................... 148
Electronic Speed Control................... 127
INDEX 403
10
Requirements...................276,280,356
Tank Capacity........................ 356
Fuel System Caution...................279,283
Fuses................................ 342
Garage Door Opener..................... 139
GasCap ...........................281,309
Gasoline.............................. 276
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 277
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends................ 278
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 171
Fuel................................ 174
Odometer........................... 171
Speedometer......................... 168
Tachometer.......................... 168
Gear Ranges........................229,231
General Information...................... 273
Glass Cleaning.......................... 340Hands-Free Phone........................ 85
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 292
Head Restraints......................... 110
Head Rests............................ 110
Headlights............................ 119
Bulb Replacement...................... 351
High Beam........................... 168
Lights On Reminder.................... 120
Passing............................. 119
Replacing............................ 351
Switch.............................. 119
Heated Mirrors.......................... 84
Heated Seats........................... 112
Heater, Engine Block..................... 226
Holder, Cup........................... 150
Homelink Transmitter.................... 139
Hood Release.......................... 116
Hoses................................ 330
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid.................... 335
406 INDEX