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NOTE:Refer to Section 8 of this manual for Mainte-
nance Schedules.
Manual Transmission
Selection of Lubricant
No fluid service is required. Use only fluid approved to
MB 236.2. SAE 5W-20 engine oil, meeting API SL or GF-3,
may be substituted. Refer to the Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants and Genuine Parts section for the correct fluid
type.
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug. The fluid
level should be between the bottom of the fill hole and a
point not more than 3/16 inch (4.76 mm) below the
bottom of the hole.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill. Dirt and water in the transmission
can cause serious damage. To prevent dirt and water
from entering the transmission after checking or
replenishing fluid, make certain that the dipstick cap
is seated properly.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
Frequency of Fluid Change
Under normal operation conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will give satisfactory lubrication for the life of
the vehicle. Fluid changes are not necessary unless the
lubricant has become contaminated with water. If con-
taminated with water, the fluid should be changed im-
mediately.
Special Additives
Do not add any fluid additives to the transmission. The
only exception to this policy is the use of special dyes to
aid in detecting fluid leaks. The use of transmission
sealers should be avoided as this may adversely affect
seals.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 229
7
Page 255 of 296
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
CONTENTS
Introduction..........................256
Warranty............................256
Emission Control System Maintenance......257
Maintenance Schedules..................257
▫Scope Of Work For “A” Schedule Maintenance
Service.............................258
▫Scope Of Work For “B” Schedule Maintenance
Service.............................259
FSS System...........................260
Regular Check-Ups.....................261
▫Additional Periodic Maintenance..........262
Special Maintenance Requirements.........264
▫Coolant............................264
▫Dust Filter For Heating/Ventilation Replacement
(If Equipped)........................264
Engine Oil Change And Filter Replacement...2648
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INTRODUCTION
This is intended as a guide to the service requirements of
your vehicle.
It contains all necessary instructions concerning service
intervals and operations which have to be carried out.
Scope and frequency of maintenance work primarily
depend on the vehicle’s operating conditions. In the
interest of maintaining the vehicle’s operating safety, the
specified work should be performed regularly and in
good time.
Our vehicles are subject to ongoing development. Tech-
nical progress may also affect the scope of service work
performed.
“Daily vehicle checks” before starting a journey are the
responsibility of the driver.
WARRANTY
The DaimlerChrysler Corporation Dealer network is at
your disposal for maintenance work. Each of these work-
shops has the equipment and tools, the specially trained,
skilled and experienced personnel and receives regular
technical instruction from DaimlerChrysler Corporation
to ensure that your vehicle is inspected and maintained
thoroughly and in accordance with the latest procedures.
Please follow the instructions given in this Owner’s
Manual and ensure that they are observed, even if you
hand the vehicle over to a third party for use or care. By
not observing these instructions you may void your
warranty rights.
If the specified oil and maintenance services are not
carried out regularly or at the time intervals specified, a
decision as to the validity of a warranty claim can only be
made after DaimlerChrysler Corporation has investi-
gated your claim.
256 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Your Flexible Service System (FSS) — see Understanding
Your Instrument Panel section — should give you an
exact indication of when your vehicle should be sched-
uled for service and which schedule to follow.
Additional Periodic Maintenanceitems should also be
performed beyond the items listed in the following charts
to assure the optimum performance of your Crossfire.
SCOPE OF WORK FOR “A” SCHEDULE
MAINTENANCE SERVICE
Oil Change
•Change oil and replace filter
Maintenance
•Lubricate hood hinges, latch, and secondary latch
•Reset FSS Display
Function Check
•Horn, hazard warning flashers, turn signals, and indi-
cator lamps
•Headlamps and exterior lighting
•Windshield wipers and washer system
Inspection
•Check front and rear brake pads for lining thickness
•Check tires for damage and general condition
•Check tire inflation pressures and correct if necessary
Fluid Levels
Check fluid levels for the following systems and correct if
necessary. Should there be a loss of fluid that cannot be
explained by regular use, trace and eliminate the cause.
•Engine cooling system (check corrosion inhibitor/
antifreeze)
•Hydraulic brake system
•Power steering system
•Windshield washer system
258 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Page 259 of 296

SCOPE OF WORK FOR “B” SCHEDULE
MAINTENANCE SERVICE
Oil Change
•Change oil and replace filter
Maintenance
•Rotate tires
•Replace dust filter (if equipped)
•Lubricate hood hinges, latch, and secondary latch
•Reset FSS Display
Function Check
•Horn, hazard warning flashers, turn signals, and indi-
cator lamps
•Headlamps and exterior lighting
•Windshield wipers and washer system
•Check seat belts for damage and proper function
•Test hydraulic brakes and check parking brake func-
tionInspection
•Check front and rear brake pads for lining thickness
•Check condition of front and rear brake discs
•Check tires for damage and general condition
•Check tire inflation pressures and correct if necessary
•Check major underbody components for leakage or
damage (if there are signs of leakage, determine cause
and repair)
•Check condition of front axle ball joints and rubber
boots
•Check condition of steering components and rubber
boots
•Check underhood components for leakage or damage
(if there are signs of leakage determine cause and
repair)
•Check condition of accessory drive belt
•Check headlamp aiming, adjust if necessary
•Check windshield wiper blades, replace if necessary
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 259
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Page 260 of 296

Fluid Levels
Check fluid levels for the following systems and correct if
necessary. Should there be a loss of fluid that cannot be
explained by regular use, trace and eliminate the cause.
•Engine cooling system (check corrosion inhibitor/
antifreeze)
•Hydraulic brake system
•Power steering system
•Windshield washer system
FSS SYSTEM
The Flexible Service System (FSS) permits a flexible service
schedule that is directly related to the operating conditions
of the vehicle. See the Understanding Your Instrument
Panel section for details on how to use the FSS.
The oil change interval for your Crossfire is initially set at
7,000 miles (Canada: 11,000 km). Very light duty driving
cycles (most trips more than 10 miles [16 km] at moderate
speeds in moderate temperature conditions) can extend
the service interval beyond 7,000 miles (Canada: 11,000km). IfANYof the following apply to your driving, the
oil change interval can be reduced significantly:
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 km).
More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).
There are two symbols which will appear in the main
odometer display field prior to the next suggested service.
This symbol represents Service A.
This second symbol represents Service B. Ser-
vice B rotates with Service A and includes
additional service tasks.
260 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Page 262 of 296

At Each Stop for Fuel
•
Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. See the procedure de-
scribed in Checking Your Engine Oil in the Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel section or under
Engine Oil in the Maintaining Your Vehicle section.
Add oil only when the level is at or below the ADD or
MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
•Inspect wiper blade condition.
•Check operation of lighting systems.
•Inspect tires for unusual wear, damage, and pressure
(at least every 14 days).
•Mechanical assemblies (e.g., engine, transmission, etc.)
- check for leaks.
Once a Month
•
Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder and power steering and add as
needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
Additional Periodic Maintenance
The following maintenance items should be performed
during the scheduled maintenance nearest the time
elapsed and/or distance shown. Follow the interval that
occurs first.
Every 2 years:
•Inspect body for paint damage.
•Check chassis and supporting body parts for damage
and corrosion.
262 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Page 264 of 296

SPECIAL MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Coolant
Have the corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze concentration in
the coolant checked before the onset of winter (once a
year in countries with high prevailing temperatures).
Have the coolant replaced every five years or 100,000
miles (160,000 km).
Dust Filter for Heating/Ventilation Replacement (If
Equipped)
The dust filter is replaced during routine maintenance
service. The filter element must be replaced with “B”
Schedule service or every 18,500 miles (30,000 km) to
maintain effectiveness. However, if operating conditions
are dusty, these filters should be replaced more fre-
quently. A cover in the HVAC unit that can be reached
from the passenger foot well provides access to the filter
element.
ENGINE OIL CHANGE AND FILTER
REPLACEMENT
The recommended oil and filter change interval is based
on FSS or 1 year. Please refer to the heading FSS System
in this section for a full description of the use and
interpretation of symbols in the FSS system. Only use
synthetic engine oils, approved to MB 229.3 or MB 229.5,
such as Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40. The FSS may not alert for an
oil change at the proper interval if an unapproved engine
oil is used; engine damage and reduced engine life may
result. Information is available from your authorized
dealer. The oil filter should always be changed when the
oil is changed.
264 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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