removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and
the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads 240°F
(116°C) or greater pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle
the vehicle with the air conditioner turned off until
the pointer drops back into the normal range (200–
230°F). If the pointer remains at 240°F (116°C) or
greater and you hear a chime, 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.
TIREFIT TIRE REPAIR
Small punctures, particularly those in the tread, can be
sealed with TIREFIT. Foreign objects (e.g., screws or
nails) should not be removed from the tire. TIREFIT can
be used in outside temperatures down to approximately
-4°F (-20°C).
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 243
6
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 temperature
controlled 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.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, whereapplicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
coolant. Check the front of the A/C condenser for any
accumulation 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.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
coolant from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing
properly, the engine coolant (antifreeze) will begin to
drain from the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT RE-
MOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 271
7
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 273
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.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do
not overfill.
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
274 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Location.........................248,266
Bearings.............................. 279
Belts, Drive........................... 262
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 269
B-Pillar Location....................... 213
Brake Assist System..................... 103
Brake Control System, Electronic........... 103
Brake, Parking......................... 203
Brake System.......................204,276
Anti-Lock........................103,205
Fluid Check......................277,296
Hoses.............................. 276
Warning Light....................... 136
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 201
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 57
Bulb Replacement...................... 290
Bulbs, Light........................... 289
Calibration, Compass.................... 143
Capacities, Fluid....................... 295
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 235
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 273Car Washes........................... 280
Carbon Monoxide Warning.............57,234
Cargo Tie-Downs....................... 124
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 176
Catalytic Converter..................... 264
CD Player.........................150,156
Cellular Phone.......................... 68
Chains, Tire........................... 228
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 210
Child Restraint...................50,52,54,55
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 54
Child Safety Locks....................... 18
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 232
Climate Control........................ 178
Clock..........................151,157,173
Compact Disc Maintenance............... 177
Compass............................. 142
Compass Calibration.................... 143
Compass Variance...................... 144
Computer, Trip/Travel................... 141
Console.............................. 124
Console, Floor......................... 124
Console, Overhead...................... 111
INDEX 323
10
Contract, Service....................... 316
Coolant Pressure Cap.................... 273
Cooling System........................ 271
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 273
Coolant Capacity..................... 295
Coolant Level.....................271,274
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 274
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 272
Inspection........................... 274
Points to Remember................... 274
Pressure Cap........................ 273
Radiator Cap........................ 273
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)....272,295,296
Cruise Control (Speed Control)............. 108
Cup Holder........................122,283
Customer Assistance.................... 314
Data Recorder, Event..................... 48
Dealer Service......................... 258
Defroster, Rear Window.................. 178
Defroster, Windshield...............58,180,185
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers............... 101
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 256Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 99
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............. 274
Door Locks............................ 15
Door Locks, Automatic................... 17
Door Opener, Garage.................... 112
Drive Belts............................ 262
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 249
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System).... 168
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 67
Electrical Power Outlets.................. 120
Electronic Brake Control System............ 103
Electronic Speed Control................. 108
Electronic Stability Program............... 104
Electronic Vehicle Information Center........ 139
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 250
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 242
Jump Starting........................ 247
Overheating......................... 242
Towing............................. 251
324 INDEX
Outlet.............................. 120
Seats............................... 88
Steering............................ 207
Steering, Checking.................... 268
Sunroof............................ 117
Windows............................ 24
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts............. 35
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................ 33
Programmable Electronic Features..... 112,116,147
Programming Transmitters............. 112,116
Radial Ply Tires........................ 220
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap)........ 273
Radio Broadcast Signals.................. 175
Radio Operation..................150,156,178
Radio Remote Controls.................. 174
Radio, Satellite......................... 170
Radio (Sound Systems)................150,156
Rear Seat, Folding....................... 92
Rear Window Defroster.................. 178
Rearview Mirrors........................ 65
Reclining Front Seats..................... 89Recorder, Event Data..................... 48
Recreational Towing..................... 239
Refrigerant............................ 268
Reminder, Seat Belt...................... 34
Remote Keyless Entry.................... 19
Remote Sound System Controls............ 174
Remote Trunk Release.................... 27
Replacement Tires...................... 222
Reporting Safety Defects................. 317
Restraint, Head......................... 91
Restraints, Occupant..................... 28
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck.............. 250
Rotation, Tires......................... 229
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle............... 58
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle.............. 58
Safety Defects, Reporting................. 317
Safety Information, Tire.................. 208
Safety Tips............................. 57
Satellite Radio......................... 170
Satellite Radio Antenna.................. 172
Schedule, Maintenance................... 298
Seat Belt Maintenance................... 283
330 INDEX