THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
A Word About Your Keys.................11
▫Ignition Key Removal...................11
▫Key-In-Ignition Reminder................12
▫Horn...............................12
Sentry Key............................12
▫Replacement Keys......................13
▫Customer Key Programming..............14
▫General Information....................15
Illuminated Entry System.................15
Door Locks...........................15
▫Manual Door Locks.....................15▫Power Door Locks.....................16
▫Child Protection Door Lock...............19
Remote Keyless Entry....................20
▫To Unlock The Doors...................21
▫To Lock The Doors.....................22
▫To Unlatch The Trunk...................22
▫Using The Panic Alarm..................22
▫General Information....................23
▫Transmitter Battery Service...............24
Vehicle Theft Alarm—If Equipped..........25
Windows.............................26
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If your Remote Keyless Entry transmitter fails to operate
from a normal distance, check for these two conditions.
1. A weak battery in the transmitter. The expected life of
the battery is a minimum of three years.
2. Closeness to a radio transmitter such as a radio station
tower, airport transmitter, and some mobile or CB radios.
Transmitter Battery Service
The recommended replacement battery is one CR2032
battery.
NOTE:Do not touch the battery terminals that are on
the back housing or the printed circuit board.
1. With the transmitter buttons facing down, remove the
small screw, and separate the two halves of the transmit-
ter. Make sure not to damage the rubber gasket during
removal.2. Remove and replace the battery. Avoid touching the
new battery with your fingers. Skin oils may cause
battery deterioration. If you touch a battery, clean it with
rubbing alcohol.
3. To reassemble the transmitter case, join the two halves
of the case together. Install and tighten the screw until
snug. Make sure there is an even“gap”between the two
halves. Test transmitter operation.
Separating Transmitter Halves
24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
2.7L Engine..........................292
3.5L Engine..........................293
5.7L Engine..........................294
Onboard Diagnostic System—OBD II......295
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs
............................296
Replacement Parts.....................297
Dealer Service........................297
Maintenance Procedures.................298
▫Engine Oil..........................298
▫Engine Oil Filter......................303▫Drive Belts—Check Condition And
Tensioner...........................303
▫Spark Plugs.........................303
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................304
▫Fuel Filter..........................304
▫Catalytic Converter....................304
▫Maintenance-Free Battery................306
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............307
▫A/C Air Filter—If Equipped............308
▫Power Steering—Fluid Check............309
▫Front & Rear Suspension Ball Joints........309
▫Steering Linkage......................309
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EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states which have an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance) requirement, this check verifies the
following: the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light)
is functioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the OBD (On Board Diagnostic) system is ready
for testing.
Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, if you recently had a dead battery, or a battery
replacement. If the OBD system should be determined
not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key actuated test
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD system is ready, you must do
the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
4. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see your MIL symbol come on as part of a normal
bulb check.
5. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn off
the ignition key or start the engine. This means that
your vehicle’s OBD system isnot readyand you
shouldnotproceed to the I/M station.
b. The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn off the ignition key or
start the engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD
system isreadyand you can proceed to the I/M
station.
296 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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If your OBD system isnot ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL symbol is illuminated
during normal vehicle operation, you should have your
vehicle serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M
station can fail your vehicle because the MIL symbol is on
with the engine running.REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine Moparparts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to in-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-Moparparts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.
DEALER SERVICE
Your dealer has the qualified service personnel, special
tools and equipment to perform all service operations in
an expert manner. Service Manuals are available which
include detailed service information for your vehicle.
Refer to these manuals before attempting any procedure
yourself.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 297
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environment. Contact your dealer, service station, or
governmental agency for advice on how and where used
oil and oil filters can be safely discarded in your area.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be replaced at every engine
oil change.
Engine Oil Filter Selection
This manufacture’s engines have a full-flow type oil filter.
Use a filter of this type for replacement. The quality of
replacement filters varies considerably. Only high quality
filters should be used to assure most efficient service.
MoparEngine Oil Filters are a high quality oil filter and
are recommended.
Drive Belts—Check Condition and Tensioner
Belt tension is controlled by means of an automatic
tensioner. No belt tension adjustments are required.
However, belt and belt tensioner condition should be
inspected at the specified intervals, and replaced if re-
quired. See your authorized dealer for service.At the mileage indicated in the maintenance schedule, all
belts and tensioner should be checked for condition.
Improper belt tension can cause belt slippage and failure.
Belts should be inspected for evidence of cuts, cracks,
glazing, or frayed cords and replaced if there is indication
of damage which could result in belt failure. Low gen-
erator belt tension can cause battery failure.
Also check belt routing to make sure there is no interfer-
ence between the belts and other engine components.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs must fire properly to assure engine perfor-
mance and emission control. New plugs should be in-
stalled at the specified mileage. The entire set should be
replaced if there is any malfunction due to a faulty spark
plug. Malfunctioning spark plugs can damage the cata-
lytic converter. For proper type of replacement spark
plugs, refer to the“Vehicle Emission Control Informa-
tion”label in the engine compartment.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 303
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Ball Joints............................ 309
Battery............................... 306
Jump Starting........................ 282
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)..... 24
Location.........................283,306
Bearings.............................. 321
Belts, Drive........................... 303
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 309
B-Pillar Location....................... 239
Brake Assist System..................... 116
Brake, Parking......................... 223
Brake System.......................225,317
Anti-Lock (ABS)...................... 225
Fluid Check......................318,347
Hoses.............................. 317
Warning Light....................... 144
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 222
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 60
Bulb Replacement...................... 334
Bulbs, Light........................... 333
Calibration, Compass.................... 155
Capacities, Fluid....................... 344Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 257
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 314
Car Washes........................... 322
Carbon Monoxide Warning.............60,256
Cargo Tie-Downs....................... 135
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 191
Catalytic Converter..................... 304
CD (Compact Disc) Player.............164,171
Cellular Phone.......................... 70
Chains, Tire........................... 251
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 275
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 236
Child Restraint...................52,55,56,58
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 56
Child Safety Locks....................... 19
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 254
Climate Control........................ 192
Clock.......................162,166,172,188
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance........... 192
Compact Spare Tire..................... 246
Compass............................. 154
Compass Calibration.................... 155
INDEX 375
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