
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 exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle; or
when the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged;
have a competent mechanic inspect the complete exhaust
system and adjacent body areas for broken, damaged,
deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams or
loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep
into the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the
exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised for lubri-
cation or oil change. Replace as required.
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing CO, fol-
low the preceding safety tips.
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is controlled
by both the temperature of the engine cooling
system and the pressure in the air conditioning
system and can start at any time the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
•You or others can be badly burned by hot 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 is hot.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 231
7

Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
coolant. Check the front of the radiator for any accumu-
lation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
Cooling System — Drain, Flush and Refill
At the intervals shown on the Maintenance Schedules,
the system should be drained, flushed and refilled.
If the solution is dirty or contains a considerable amount
of sediment, clean and flush with a reliable cooling
system cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing to remove
all deposits and chemicals. Properly dispose of old
antifreeze solution.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended coolant, refer
to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct
coolant type.
CAUTION!
Mixing of coolants other than specified HOAT en-
gine coolants, may result in engine damage and may
decrease corrosion protection. If a non-HOAT cool-
ant is introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the specified
coolant as soon as possible.
Do not use plain water alone or alcohol base engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use additional
rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not
be compatible with the radiator engine coolant and
may plug the radiator.
This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based coolants. Use of Propylene
Glycol based coolants is not recommended.
232 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
coolant can be used up to 5 Years or 100,000 miles before
replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance period, it is important that you use the same
coolant throughout the life of your vehicle. Please review
these recommendations for using Hybrid Organic Addi-
tive Technology (HOAT) coolant.
When adding coolant, a minimum solution of 50% rec-
ommended Mopar Antifreeze/ Coolant 5 Year/100,000
Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technol-
ogy), 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/engine coolant solution.
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 coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
coolant, and to insure that coolant will return to the
radiator from the coolant recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 233
7

WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add 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.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or
engine damage may result.
Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for your
community. To prevent ingestion by animals or children
do not store ethylene glycol based engine coolant in open
containers or allow it to remain in puddles on theground. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
immediately. Clean up any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine off and cold, the level of the coolant in the bottle
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
coolant freeze point or replacing coolant. Advise your
service attendant of this. As long as the engine operating
temperature is satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only
be checked once a month. Heater performance may also
be adversely affected by low coolant levels.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do
not overfill. Special procedures are required when filling
the engine cooling system of the 2.7L Engine. See your
authorized dealer for details.
234 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Points To Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles (a
few kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor
coming from the front of the engine compartment. This is
normally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot coolant to
enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
•Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, contents of coolant recovery bottle must also be
protected against freezing.
•If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop when
the engine cools, the cooling system should be pres-
sure tested for leaks.
•Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled water for proper
corrosion protection of your engine which contains
aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean, also.
•Do not change the thermostat for summer or winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory coolant performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
Hoses and Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses
Inspect surfaces of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence
of heat and mechanical damage. Hard or soft spots,
brittle rubber, cracking, checking, tears, cuts, abrasions,
and excessive swelling indicate deterioration of the rub-
ber.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 235
7

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (approximate)
2.4 and 2.7 Liter Engines (87 Octane) 16 Gallons 61 Liters
Engine Oil-With Filter
2.4 and 2.7 Liter Engines (Refer to the engine oil fill cap for the correct
SAE grade)5 qts. 4.7 Liters
Cooling System *
2.4 Liter Engines* (MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile
Formula) or equivalent.8 qts. 7.5 Liters
2.7 Liter Engines (MoparAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile
Formula) or equivalent.9.5 qts. 9.0 Liters
* Includes 1 qt. for coolant tank.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 255
7

Chains, Tire........................... 175
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 200
Charging System Light................... 89
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 160
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light).............. 216
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............ 46
Child Restraint...................38,41,42,44
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 42
Child Safety Locks....................... 17
Cigar Lighter........................... 97
Circuit Breakers.....................245,246
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 178
Cleaning
Glass.............................. 244
Headlights.......................... 244
Instrument Panel..................... 244
WoodTrim .......................... 244
Climate Control........................ 129
Clock................................. 97
Coin Holder........................... 52
Compact Disc (CD) Changer............... 119
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance........... 127Compact Disc (CD) Player..............99,104
Compact Spare Tire..................... 170
Compass.............................. 94
Compass Calibration..................... 95
Console............................... 52
Console, Floor.......................... 52
Contract, Service....................... 280
Coolant Pressure Cap.................... 233
Cooling System........................ 231
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 233
Coolant Capacity..................... 255
Coolant Level.....................232,234
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 234
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 232
Inspection........................... 232
Points to Remember................... 235
Pressure Cap........................ 233
Radiator Cap........................ 233
Rubber and Plastic Components.......... 235
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)....232,255,256
Corrosion Protection.................... 241
Crankcase Emission Control System......... 224
Cruise Control (Speed Control)............. 70
288 INDEX

Cruise Light........................... 88
Customer Assistance.................... 278
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights.......... 63
Daytime Running Lights.................. 66
Dealer Service......................... 217
Defroster, Rear Window.................. 138
Defroster, Windshield...............47,132,138
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 215
Dimmer Control........................ 63
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 66
Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle................... 239
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............. 234
Engine Oil.......................... 221
Door Ajar Warning...................... 15
Door Locks............................ 13
Door Locks, Automatic................... 15
Door Opener, Garage..................... 73
Drive Belts............................ 222
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 208E-85 Fuel............................. 181
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary (Power Outlet)..... 80
Electrical Power Outlets................... 80
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 70
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 209
Jacking............................. 200
Jump Starting........................ 205
Overheating......................... 198
Towing............................. 209
Emergency Trunk Release................. 23
Emission Control System Maintenance....216,260
Engine............................213,214
Air Cleaner Filter..................... 222
Block Heater......................... 148
Break-In Recommendations............... 46
Checking Oil Level.................... 218
Compartment.....................213,214
Coolant (Antifreeze)................232,256
Cooling............................ 231
Exhaust Gas Caution.................. 180
Fails to Start......................... 148
Fuel Requirements.................178,255
INDEX 289
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