Page 199 of 302

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”, pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle in Park
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the “H”, turn the engine off immediately,
and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
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. Never start
or run the engine while the vehicle 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.
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
•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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 199
6
Page 218 of 302

WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the proper equipment.
If you have any doubt about your ability to perform
a service job, take your vehicle to a competent
mechanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained, at the correct level. Check
the oil level at regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
The best time to check the oil level is about 5 minutes
after a fully warmed engine is shut off or before starting
the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level between the MIN and MAX markings on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the MIN mark will result in a MAX reading on these
engines.
218 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 224 of 302

WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your ex-
haust system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in
areas where your exhaust system can contact any-
thing that can burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, to the manufacturer’s specifications, should be
obtained immediately.To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transaxle is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected for prolonged period.
Engine Timing Belt
Replace the engine timing belt (2.4L Only) 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 Positive Crankshaft Ventilation (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.
224 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 289 of 302

Autostick............................. 176
Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 79
Ball Joints............................ 228
Battery............................... 225
Emergency Starting.................... 204
Gas Caution......................206,225
Heater............................. 148
Jump Starting........................ 204
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)..... 18
Location.........................204,225
Belts, Drive........................... 222
Belts, Engine.......................... 224
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 228
Boot, Convertible Top.................... 50
B-Pillar Location....................... 163
Brake, Parking......................... 153
Brake System.......................155,236
Anti-Lock (ABS)...................... 155
Fluid Check......................... 238
Hoses.............................. 237
Master Cylinder...................... 238
Warning Light........................ 93Brake/Transmission Interlock...........149,151
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 42
Bulb Replacement...................... 251
Bulbs, Light........................... 251
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...... 257
Capacities, Fluid....................... 257
Capacity, Cargo Weight.................. 185
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 183
Oil (Engine)......................... 221
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 234
Car Washes........................... 242
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 180
Carpeting............................. 243
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 128
Cassette Tape Player...............100,109,112
Catalytic Converter..................... 223
CD (Compact Disc) Changer......108,113,118,120
CD (Compact Disc) Player.......105,114,116,127
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 255
Central Locking......................... 14
Chains, Tire........................... 175
INDEX 289
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