Page 30 of 368

Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
•Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) Module
•Airbag Warning Light
•Driver Airbag
•Passenger Airbag
•Steering Wheel And Column
•Instrument Panel
•Crash Sensor
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Knee Impact Bolsters
How The Airbag System Works
•
The Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) Module de-
termines if a frontal collision is severe enough to
require the airbags to inflate.
•The ORC will not detect side, roll over, or rear impacts.
•The ORC also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or ON position. These include all of the
items listed above except the knee bolster, the instru-
ment panel, and the steering wheel and column. If the
ignition key is in the OFF or ACC position, or not in
the ignition, the airbags are not on and will not inflate.
•Also, the ORC turns on the “Airbag Warning Light” in
the instrument panel for 6 to 8 seconds when the
ignition is first turned on, then turns the light off. If it
detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it turns
on the light either momentarily or continuously. If the
30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 33 of 368
WARNING!
Deployed airbags cannot protect you in another
collision. Have the airbags replaced by an autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could be
injured because the airbags are not there to protect
you. Do not modify the components or wiring,
including adding any kind of badges or stickers to
the steering wheel hub trim cover or the upper right
side of the instrument panel. Do not modify the
front bumper, vehicle body structure, or frame.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolster.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 33
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Page 92 of 368
6. Locate the wiring harness at the rear left side corner of
the vehicle.
7. Disconnect the washer hose and install the tethered
cap.
CAUTION!
Make sure storage cap is installed to prevent foreign
materials from entering tube and clogging system.
92 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 245 of 368

CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights & Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may includ ea4and7pin
wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness
and connector.
STARTING AND OPERATING 245
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Page 246 of 368
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.
4 - Pin Connector
7- Pin Connector
246 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 263 of 368
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
2.4L Engine ...........................266
4.0L Engine ...........................267
Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II ........268
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs ............................269
Replacement Parts ......................270
Dealer Service .........................270
Maintenance Procedures ..................271
▫ Engine Oil ..........................271 ▫
Drive Belts — Check Condition And Tension . . 275
▫ Spark Plugs .........................275
▫ Catalytic Converter ....................275
▫ Engine Timing Belt — 2.4L Engine .........277
▫ Ignition Wiring System — 2.4L Engine ......277
▫ Crankcase Emission Control System ........277
▫ Fuel Filter ..........................278
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................278
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ................278
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Page 277 of 368

To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission 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 or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing.
•Do not idle the engine for prolonged periods during
very rough idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
•Do not allow vehicle to run out of fuel.
NOTE: Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
Engine Timing Belt — 2.4L Engine
Replace the engine timing belt at the intervals described
in the appropriate maintenance schedule.
Ignition Wiring System — 2.4L Engine
Replace the ignition cables 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 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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 277
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Page 361 of 368

Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 240
Torque Converter Clutch .................. 194
Towing ............................ 236,261
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 261
Guide .............................. 239
Recreational .......................... 248
Weight .............................. 239
Trac-Lok Rear Axle ...................... 198
Trailer Towing .......................... 236
Cooling System Tips .................... 248
Hitches .......................... 229,238
Minimum Requirements ................. 242
Trailer and Tongue Weight ................ 240
Wiring .............................. 245
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 239
Trailer Weight .......................... 239
Transfer Case ........................... 295
Four-Wheel-Drive Operation .............. 195
Maintenance .......................... 295 Transmission
Automatic ........................... 188
Maintenance ....................... 292,294
Manual ............................. 185
Shifting ............................. 185
Transporting Pets ........................ 44
Tread Wear Indicators .................... 225
Trip Odometer .......................... 150
Trip Odometer Reset Button ................ 150
Turn Signals .................... 66,147,311,313
Underhood Fuses ........................ 307
Uniform Tire Quality Grades ................ 345
Upholstery Care ........................ 300
Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses ................. 289
Variance, Compass ....................... 55
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ............ 8
Vehicle Loading ......................... 218
INDEX 361
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