▫Tire Spinning........................142
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................142
▫Life Of Tire.........................143
▫Replacement Tires.....................143
▫Alignment And Balance.................145
Low Tire Pressure (Ltp) System.............145
▫Low Tire Indicator....................145
Tire Chains...........................147
Snow Tires...........................147
Tire Storage...........................147
Tire Rotation Recommendations............147
Ground Clearance......................148Fuel Requirements......................148
▫Spark Knock.........................148
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................149
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............149
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................150
▫Materials Added To Fuel................150
▫Fuel System Cautions..................150
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............151
Adding Fuel..........................152
Vehicle Loading........................153
Trailer Towing.........................153
118 STARTING AND OPERATING
This placard tells you important information about
the:
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) the total weight your vehicle can carry
3) the tire size designed for your vehicle
4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear
and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and the Vehicle Loading section of
this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR’s) for the front and rearaxles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR’s, vehicle loading and trailer towing, see the
Vehicle Loading section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds” on
your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 135
5
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lb. (since 5 x 150 = 750,
and 1400 – 750 = 650 lb.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in step 4.6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:The following table shows examples on how to
calculate total load, cargo/luggage and towing capacities
of your vehicle with varying seating configurations and
number and size of occupants. This table is for illustra-
tion purposes only and may not be accurate for the
seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:For the following example the combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs. (392
Kg).
136 STARTING AND OPERATING
VEHICLE LOADING
Vehicle Loading Capacities
Front Seat Occupants....................... 2
Luggage....................... 115lbs.(51kg)
Rated Vehicle Capacity............ 415lbs.(187kg)
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with this vehicle is not recommended.
STARTING AND OPERATING 153
5
•Trailer towing
•Off-road or desert driving
•If equipped for and operating with E–85 (ethanol) fuel
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
every 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first and follow the maintenance recommenda-
tions in ScheduleA.
CAUTION!
Overfilling the crankcase will cause oil aeration and
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends full synthetic engine oils that are API rated
as SL/CF and meet the requirements of DaimlerChrysler
Material Standard MS-10725. Use Mopar or an equivalent
oil meeting the specification MS-10725.
If you choose to operate this vehicle in a very aggres-
sive driving style, the manufacturer recommends the
use of a full synthetic engine oil, such as Mobil 1SAE
0W-40.
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart
The proper SAE viscosity grade of engine oil should be
selected based on the following recommendation and be
within the operating temperature shown in the engine oil
viscosity chart.
174 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The “Scheduled” maintenance services, listed inbold
typemust be done at the times or mileages specified to
assure the continued proper functioning of the emission
control system. These, and all other maintenance services
included in this manual, should be done to provide best
vehicle performance and reliability. More frequent main-
tenance may be needed for vehicles in severe operating
conditions such as dusty areas and very short trip
driving.
Inspection and service also should be done any time a
malfunction is suspected.
NOTE:Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emis-
sion control devices and systems on your vehicle may be
performed by any automotive repair establishment or
individual using any automotive part which has been
certified pursuant to U.S. EPA or, in the State of Califor-
nia, California Air Resources Board regulations.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
There are two maintenance schedules that show the
requiredservice for your vehicle.
First is Schedule“B”. It is for vehicles that are operated
under the conditions that are listed below and at the
beginning of the schedule.
•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).
•Trailer towing.
226 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.
•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).
•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial service).
•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 102,000 miles (164,000
km) or 60 months, whichever comes first, and follow
schedule B of theMaintenance Schedulessection of this
manual.
SCHEDULE “B” 229
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Spinning............................ 142
Storage............................. 147
Tread Wear Indicators................... 142
Top Cover.............................. 61
Towing............................153,163
Disabled Vehicle....................... 163
Trailering............................ 153
Traction.............................. 162
Trailer Towing.......................... 153
Transmission........................... 198
Fluid............................... 222
Shifting..........................122,123
Transmitter Battery Service.................. 20
Transmitter Programming................... 19
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry..........16,20
Transporting Pets........................ 52
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 142
Trip Odometer Reset Button................. 90
Trunk Release, Emergency.................. 25Turn Signals..........................80,91
Underbody Maintenance.................. 202
Uniform Tire Quality Grades................ 247
Unleaded Gasoline....................... 148
Upholstery Care........................ 200
Vehicle Identification Number................ 6
Vehicle Loading......................135,153
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations.............. 7
Vehicle Storage......................... 208
Vehicle Theft Alarm....................... 21
Ventilation System....................... 111
Vinyl Trim............................. 200
Viscosity, Engine Oil...................174,220
Voltmeter.............................. 97
Warning Flasher, Hazard.................. 156
Warnings and Cautions..................... 6
262 INDEX