NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and
the fan control to HI. 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 “H”, pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the
air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H”, 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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 313
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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, 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 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 349
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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 (160
000 km) before replacement. To prevent reducing this
extended maintenance period, it is important that you
use the same coolant throughout the life of your vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) coolant.
When adding coolant:
•The manufacturer recommends using Mopar
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology).
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below34°F (37°C) are
anticipated.
•Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolantsolution. 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 351
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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 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
(kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
352 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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Autostick........................... 249
Fluid and Filter Changes................ 357
Fluid Change........................ 357
Fluid Level Check..................... 356
Fluid Type.......................... 384
Gear Ranges......................... 241
Shifting..........................240,245
Special Additives..................... 357
Torque Converter..................... 243
Automatic Transmission Limp Home Mode . . . 244
Autostick..........................247,249
Ball Joints............................ 346
Battery............................... 343
Emergency Starting.................... 322
Jump Starting........................ 322
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)..... 21
Location.........................322,343
Bearings.............................. 358
Belts, Drive........................... 340
Belts, Seat............................. 33
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 346
B-Pillar Location....................... 267Brake Assist System..................... 258
Brake, Parking......................... 251
Brake System.......................253,354
Anti-Lock (ABS)...................... 253
Fluid Check......................355,384
Hoses.............................. 354
Master Cylinder...................... 355
Parking............................ 251
Warning Light....................165,253
Brakes............................... 253
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 240
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 58
Bulb Replacement...................... 372
Bulbs, Light........................... 371
Calibration, Compass.................... 178
Capacities, Fluid....................... 382
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 293
Oil (Engine)......................338,339
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 351
Car Washes........................... 359
Carbon Monoxide Warning.............59,292
INDEX 415
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Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 217
Catalytic Converter..................... 341
CD (Compact Disc) Player.............188,195
Cellular Phone.......................... 72
Chains, Tire........................... 279
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 314
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 264
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light).............. 333
Child Restraint...................50,52,55,56
Child Restraint Tether Anchors...........54,55
Child Safety Locks....................... 25
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 290
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 360
Climate Control........................ 219
Clock.......................186,190,196,207
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance........... 218
Compact Spare Tire..................... 274
Compass............................. 178
Compass Calibration.................... 178
Compass Variance...................... 179
Computer, Trip/Travel................... 175Console.............................. 153
Console, Floor......................... 153
Console, Overhead...................... 140
Contract, Service....................... 408
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap)........ 351
Cooling System........................ 349
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 351
Coolant Capacity..................... 382
Coolant Level.....................349,352
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 352
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 350
Inspection........................... 352
Points to Remember................... 352
Pressure Cap........................ 351
Radiator Cap........................ 351
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)....350,382,383
Cruise Control (Speed Control).......... 118,121
Cruise Light........................... 163
Cup Holder.....................151,362,363
Customer Assistance.................... 406
Data Recorder, Event..................... 49
Daytime Running Lights................. 106
416 INDEX
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Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet)........ 149
Seats............................... 92
Steering.........................255,346
Steering, Checking.................... 346
Sunroof............................ 146
Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column......... 116
Windows............................ 27
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts............. 40
Preparation for Jacking................... 314
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................ 38
Programmable Electronic Features....142,145,182
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry).............21,142,145
Radial Ply Tires........................ 274
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap)........ 351
Radio Broadcast Signals.................. 187
Radio, Navigation...................... 206
Radio Operation..................188,195,219
Radio Remote Controls.................. 215
Radio, Satellite......................207,212
Radio (Sound Systems)................188,195Rain Sensitive Wiper System............... 111
Rear Park Assist System.................. 136
Rear Seat, Folding....................... 97
Rear Window Defroster.................. 229
Rear Window Features................... 229
Rearview Mirrors........................ 68
Reclining Front Seats..................... 93
Recorder, Event Data..................... 49
Recreational Towing..................... 309
Reformulated Gasoline................... 290
Refrigerant............................ 345
Reminder, Seat Belt...................... 38
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)............... 17
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls...... 215
Remote Trunk Release.................... 31
Replacement Parts...................... 334
Replacement Tires...................... 277
Reporting Safety Defects................. 409
Restraint, Head......................... 94
Restraints, Child........................ 50
Restraints, Occupant..................... 32
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck.............. 324
Rotation, Tires......................... 280
424 INDEX
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