MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
2.4L Engine..........................213
2.7L Engine..........................214
Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II......215
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs
............................216
Replacement Parts.....................217
Dealer Service........................217
Maintenance Procedures.................218
▫Engine Oil..........................218
▫Crankcase Emission Control System........224
▫Maintenance-Free Battery................224
▫Air Conditioner......................226▫Power Steering — Fluid Check............227
▫Suspension Ball Joints..................228
▫Body Mechanism Lubrication.............228
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................229
▫Windshield Washers...................230
▫Exhaust System......................231
▫Cooling System.......................231
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......235
▫Brakes.............................236
▫Fuel System Hoses....................238
▫Automatic Transmission................238
7
Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid, refer
to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct fluid
type.
WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that has a lower initial boiling
point than MOPAR DOT 3 Brake Fluid or that is
unidentified as to DOT FMVSS specification may
result in sudden brake failure during hard or pro-
longed braking. You could have an accident.
WARNING!
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter.Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid as seal damage will result!
Fuel System Hoses
Electronic Fuel Injection high pressure fuel systems are
designed with hoses and clamps which have unique
material characteristics to provide adequate sealing and
resist attack by deteriorated gasoline.
You are urged to use only manufacturer specified hoses
and clamps, or their equivalent in material and specifi-
cation, in any fuel system servicing. It is mandatory to
replace all clamps that have been loosened or removed
during service. Care should be taken in installing new
clamps to insure they are properly torqued.
Automatic Transmission
Your front wheel drive vehicle has a transmission and
differential assembly contained within a single housing.
This is referred to as a “Transaxle.”
238 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•
Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and transaxle and add as needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
•Check rubber seals on each side of the radiator for
proper fit.
At Each Oil Change
•
Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•Inspect the brake linings, hoses and calipers.
•Inspect the CV joints and front and rear suspension
components.
•Check the automatic transmission fluid level.
•Check the brake master cylinder fluid level.
•Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
NOTE:In 2.7L Engines equipped with Flex Fuel Engine
(FFV), change engine oil every 5 months or 5,000 miles,
whichever comes first. This applies to both Maintenance
Schedule A and B.
262 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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SCHEDULE “B”
Follow schedule “B” if you usually operate your vehicle
under one or more of the following conditions. Change
the automatic transmission fluid and filter every 60,000
miles (96 000 km) if the vehicle is usually operated under
one or more of the conditions marked with an.
•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 (16.2 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90° F (32° C).
•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, police or delivery service (commercial ser-
vices).
•Off-road or desert operation.
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
NOTE:IFANYof these apply to you then flush and
replace the engine coolant every 100,000 miles (160,000
km) or 60 months, whichever comes first, and follow
schedule B of theMaintenance Schedulessection of this
manual.
SCHEDULE “B” 263
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Miles 57,000 60,000 63,000 66,000 69,000 72,000
(Kilometers) (95 000) (100 000) (105 000) (110 000) (115 000) (120 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, if not
replaced at 3 months.XXXXX X
Inspect theair cleaner filterand replace if neces-
sary.*XXXXX
Replace theair cleaner filter.X
Inspect and check tension for power steering belt
(2.4 Liter Engine). Adjust or replace if required.X
Inspect the front and rear brake pads, linings,
rotors, rear drums and shoes.XX
Replace theignition cableson 2.4 liter engine. X
Replace the accessory drive belts on the 2.7 liter
engine.X
Replace thespark plugson the 2.4 liter engine. X
Check and replace, if necessary, thePCV valve.*‡ X
Change the automatic transmission fluid and
filter.X
Rotate the tires. X X X
Flush and replace engine coolant at 60 months, if
not done at 100,000 miles.X
SCHEDULE “B” 267
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Miles 108,000 111,000 114,000 117,000 120,000
(Kilometers) (185 000) (190 000) (195 000) (200 000) (205 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, if not re-
placed at 3 months.XXXXX
Inspect theair cleaner filterand replace if neces-
sary.*XXXX
Replace theair cleaner filter.X
Replace thespark plugson the 2.4 liter engine. X
Replace theignition cableson the 2.4 liter engine. X
Inspect the front and rear brake pads, linings, ro-
tors, rear drums and shoes.XX
Inspect and check tension for power steering belt
(2.4 Liter Engine). Adjust or replace if required.X
Replace the accessory drive belts on the 2.7 liter en-
gine.X
Check and replace, if necessary, thePCV valve.*X
Change the automatic transmission fluid and fil-
ter.X
Flush and replace engine coolant at 120 months, if
not done at 100,000 miles.X
Rotate the tires. X X
270 SCHEDULE “B”
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Selection Of Lubricant...............239,257
Shifting............................ 151
Special Additives..................... 240
Autostick............................. 176
Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 80
Ball Joints............................ 228
Battery............................... 224
Emergency Starting.................... 205
Gas Caution......................207,225
Heater............................. 148
Jump Starting........................ 205
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)..... 21
Location.........................205,224
Belts, Drive........................... 222
Belts, Engine.......................... 224
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 228
B-Pillar Location....................... 163
Brake, Parking......................... 153
Brake System.......................155,236
Anti-Lock (ABS)...................... 155
Fluid Check......................... 237
Hoses.............................. 236Master Cylinder...................... 237
Warning Light........................ 92
Brake/Transmission Interlock...........149,151
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 46
Bulb Replacement...................249,251
Bulbs, Light........................... 248
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...... 255
Capacities, Fluid....................... 255
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 183
Oil (Engine)......................... 221
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 233
Car Washes........................... 241
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 180
Carpeting............................. 243
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 127
Cassette Tape Player................99,108,110
Catalytic Converter..................... 223
CD (Compact Disc) Changer......106,111,116,119
CD (Compact Disc) Player.......104,113,115,126
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 253
Central Locking......................... 15
INDEX 287
10
Overdrive........................... 152
Selection of Lubricant.................. 239
Transmission
Range Indicator....................... 91
Transmission....................See Transaxle
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry)................... 21
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener
(HomeLink) ........................... 73
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)...... 18
Transporting Pets........................ 45
Tread Wear Indicators................... 172
Trip Computer.......................... 94
Trip Odometer.......................... 91
Trip Odometer Reset Button................ 91
Trunk Release, Emergency................. 23
Trunk Release Remote Control.............. 22
Turn Signals.........................66,89
Underhood Fuses....................... 245
Uniform Tire Quality Grades.............. 283
Universal Transmitter.................... 73
Unleaded Gasoline...................... 178Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses................ 235
Vanity Mirrors.......................... 56
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).......... 6
Vehicle Loading.....................164,185
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations............ 6
Vehicle Storage......................... 248
Vehicle Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)......... 21
Vinyl Trim............................ 243
Viscosity, Engine Oil..................... 255
Voltmeter.............................. 89
Warning, Door Ajar...................... 15
Warning Flasher, Hazard................. 198
Warnings and Cautions.................... 6
Warranty Information.................... 280
Washer, Adding Fluid................... 230
Washers, Windshield..................67,230
Washing Vehicle........................ 241
Waxing and Polishing................... 241
Wheel Alignment and Balance............. 174
Wind Buffeting.......................25,79
Window Airbag (Side Curtain)............32,37
Window Fogging....................... 132
INDEX 299
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