Recirculation
Select this position when the outside air contains
smoke, odors, high humidity, or if rapid cooling is
desired. This feature allows for recirculation of
interior air only. Air flows through the panel outlets in
this mode. Also, a slight amount of airflow may be
noticed at the defrost outlet located at the base of the
windshield.
Panel
Outside air flows through the air conditioning
system, and then through the outlets located in the
instrument panel. Also, a slight amount of airflow
may be noticed at the defrost outlet located at the base of
the windshield.
Bi-Level
Outside air flows through the air conditioning
system, and then through the outlets located in the
instrument panel and those located on the floor. Also, aslight amount of airflow may be noticed at the defrost
outlet located at the base of the windshield.
Panel
Outside air comes from the outlets in the instrument
panel. Each of these outlets can be individually
adjusted to direct the flow of air. Also, a slight amount of
airflow may be noticed at the defrost outlet located at the
base of the windshield.
Floor
Outside air comes from the floor outlets. Also, a
slight amount of airflow may be noticed at the
defrost outlet located at the base of the windshield.
Mix
Outside air comes from the floor and defrost out-
lets. This mode works best in cold or snowy con-
ditions. It allows you to stay comfortable while
keeping the windshield clear.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 173
4
Defrost
Outside air comes from the windshield outlets
with a small amount being directed through the
floor outlets. Use this setting when necessary to defrost
your windshield.
NOTE:For improved safety, the A/C compressor is
activated when “Mix” or “Defrost” modes are selected.
This is done to assist in drying the air and it will help in
keeping the windshield from fogging.
Operating Tips
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A 50% solution of ethylene
glycol antifreeze coolant in water is recommended.
Winter Operation
The air from the heater system will heat faster in cold
weather if you use lower blower speeds until the engine
warms up. When operating the system during the winter
months, make sure the air intake, located directly in front
of the windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other
obstructions.
Window Fogging
In mild but rainy or humid weather, the windows might
fog on the inside. To clear the fog off all of the windows,
turn the mode control knob to the “Panel” position (with
snowflake). Adjust the temperature control and blower
speed to maintain comfort. Direct the panel outlets
toward the side windows. Interior fogging on the wind-
shield can be quickly removed by selecting the “Defrost”
position.
174 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE:With extended use, the flasher may wear down
your battery.
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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 237
6
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............262
▫Power Steering Fluid Check..............263
▫Driveline And Steering Component
Lubrication..........................264
▫Body Lubrication.....................264
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................265
▫Windshield Washers...................265
▫Exhaust System......................266
▫Cooling System.......................266
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......271
▫Brake System........................272
▫Automatic Transmission................274
▫Hydraulic Clutch Fluid — Manual
Transmission........................276▫Manual Transmission..................276
▫Transfer Case........................277
▫Front/Rear Axle Fluid..................278
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................279
Fuse Panel...........................286
▫Interior Fuses........................286
▫Underhood Fuses
(Power Distribution Center)..............288
Vehicle Storage........................290
Replacement Bulbs — If Equipped...........290
Bulb Replacement......................291
▫Head Light..........................291
▫Front Park/Turn Signal.................292
246 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING!
Commercial windshield washer solvents are flam-
mable. They could ignite and burn you. Care must
be exercised when filling or working around the
washer solution.
Exhaust System
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
If you notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system;
or if the exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle;
or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged;
have an authorized technician inspect the complete ex-
haust system and adjacent body areas for broken, dam-
aged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams
or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seepinto the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the
exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised for lubri-
cation or oil change. Replace as required.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot antifreeze/
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 radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check antifreeze/coolant protection every 12 months
(before the onset of freezing weather, where applicable).
If antifreeze/coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
266 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
antifreeze/coolant. Check the front of the A/C condenser
(if equipped) or radiator for any accumulation of bugs,
leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently spraying water from a
garden hose vertically down the face of the A/C con-
denser (if equipped) or the back of the radiator core.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the connection at
the coolant recovery bottle and radiator. Inspect the
entire system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
antifreeze/coolant from the radiator drain cock. If the cap
is sealing properly, the antifreeze/coolant will begin to
drain from the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT RE-
MOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.Cooling System — Drain, Flush, And Refill
At the intervals shown in the appropriate “Maintenance
Schedule,” the system should be drained, flushed, and
refilled.
If the solution is dirty and contains a considerable
amount of sediment, clean and flush with reliable cooling
system cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing to remove
all deposits and chemicals. Properly dispose of old
antifreeze/coolant solution.
Discard old antifreeze/coolant solution according to rec-
ommended procedure.
Selection Of Engine Coolant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended antifreeze/
coolant, refer to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts for correct antifreeze/coolant type.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 267
7
CAUTION!
•Mixing of antifreeze/coolant other than the speci-
fied HOAT antifreeze/coolant may result in de-
creased corrosion protection and engine damage.
If a non-HOAT antifreeze/coolant is introduced
into the cooling system in an emergency, it should
be replaced with the specified antifreeze/coolant
as soon as possible.
•Do not use plain water alone or alcohol base
antifreeze/coolant products. Do not use additional
rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they may
not be compatible with the antifreeze/coolant and
may plug the radiator.
•This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based antifreeze/coolant. Use of
Propylene Glycol base antifreeze/coolant is not
recommended.
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)
antifreeze/coolant.
When adding antifreeze/coolant, a minimum solution of
50% recommended Mopar Antifreeze/ 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.
268 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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 reserve tank.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 ethylene glycol based antifreeze/coolant is a regu-
lated substance requiring proper disposal. Check with
your local authorities to determine the disposal rules for
your community. To prevent ingestion by animals or
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 269
7