
WARNING!
The BAS (Brake Assist System) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevail-
ing road conditions. The BAS cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of a
BAS-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner, which could jeopar-
dize the user’s safety or the safety of others.
ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. The ESP
corrects for oversteering and understeering the vehicle
by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel. Engine
power may also be reduced to assist in counteracting the
condition of oversteer or understeer and help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.The ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the path
that the driver intends to steer the vehicle and compares
it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path
does not match the intended path, the ESP applies the
brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting
the condition of oversteer or understeer.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
TheESP/TCS Indicator Light,located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. TheESP/TCS Indicator Lightalso
flashes when TCS is active. If theESP/TCS Indicator
Lightbegins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the
accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure
to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
216 STARTING AND OPERATING

Full Off
This mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use
only and should not be used on any public roadways.
In this mode, all TCS and ESP stability features are
turned off. To enter the “Full Off” mode, depress and
hold the “ESP OFF” button for 5 seconds while the
vehicle is stopped with the engine running. After 5
seconds, a chime will sound, theESP/TCS Indicator
Lightwill illuminate, and theESP OFFmessage will
display in the vehicle odometer. Press and release the
trip odometer button located on the instrument cluster
to clear this message. The “ESP OFF” message may
appear in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC). Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Cen-
ter (EVIC)” in Section 4 of this manual. To turn ESP on
again, momentarily depress theESP OFF Button.
NOTE:
TheESP OFF,or “ESP System Deactivated”
message will display and the audible chime will sound
when the gear selector is moved into the PARK position
from any position other than PARK and then moved out
of the PARK position. This will occur when the message
was previously cleared.
WARNING!
In the ESP Full Off mode, the engine torque reduc-
tion and stability features are cancelled. Therefore,
the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP is
unavailable.
NOTE:When the ESP is switched off a feature of the
system remains active. This feature controls wheel spin
across an axle quite similarly to a limited slip differential.
If one wheel on an axle is spinning faster than the other,
the system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel
and allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel
that is not spinning. To improve the vehicle’s traction
when driving with tire chains, or when starting-off in
deep snow, sand, or gravel, it may be desirable to switch
to the “Partial Off” mode by momentarily depressing the
“ESP OFF” button.
218 STARTING AND OPERATING

Overloading
The load carrying components (axle, springs, tires,
wheels, etc.) of your vehicle will provide satisfactory
service as long as you do not exceed the GVWR and front
and rear GAWR.
The best way to figure out the total weight of your
vehicle is to weigh it when it is fully loaded and ready for
operation. Weigh it on a commercial scale to insure that it
is not over the GVWR.
Figure out the weight on the front and rear of the vehicle
separately. It is important that you distribute the load
evenly over the front and rear axles.
Overloading can cause potential safety hazards and
shorten useful service life. Heavier axles or suspension
components do not necessarily increase the vehicle’s
GVWR.
Loading
To load your vehicle properly, first figure out its empty
weight, axle by axle and side by side. Store heavier items
down low and be sure you distribute their weight as
evenly as possible. Stow all loose items securely beforedriving. If weighing the loaded vehicle shows that you
have exceeded either GAWR, but the total load is within
the specified GVWR, you must redistribute the weight.
Improper weight distribution can have an adverse effect
on the way your vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.
A loaded vehicle is shown in the illustration. Note that
neither the GVWR nor the GAWR capacities have been
exceeded.
STARTING AND OPERATING 253
5

WARNING!
•Do not attempt to repair a tire on the side of the vehicle
close to traffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid the
danger of being hit when operating the jack or repairing
a tire.
•Cuts or punctures larger than approximately 0.16 in. (4
mm), tire damage caused by driving with extremely low
tire pressure or on a flat tire, or a damaged wheel can
pose a hazard while driving. TIREFIT should not be
used in such circumstances. Do not drive the vehicle
under such circumstances. Contact your nearest autho-
rized dealer for assistance.
•Take care not to allow the contents of TIREFIT to come
in contact with hair, eyes or clothing. TIREFIT is harm-
ful if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin:
It causes skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. Any con-
tact with eyes or skin should be flushed immediately
with plenty of water. If clothing comes in contact with
TIREFIT, change clothing as soon as possible.
•In case of allergic reaction or rash, consult a physician
immediately. Keep TIREFIT out of reach of children. If
swallowed, rinse mouth immediately with plenty of
water and drink plenty of water. Do not induce vomit-
ing! Consult a physician immediately.
•Keep away from open flame or heat source.
Sealing tire with TIREFIT
1. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
2. Move the transmission selector lever to the PARK
position, turn off the engine, and set the parking brake.
3. Remove the TIREFIT kit from the trunk.
4. Pull the power plug (2) and the TIREFIT sealant hose
(6) out from the TIREFIT kit.
Hazard Flasher Switch
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 259
6

5. Unscrew the valve cap from the valve on the deflated
tire.
6. Screw the fitting at the end of TIREFIT sealant hose (6)
coming from the sealant bottle (5) onto the tire valve.
7. Insert the power plug (2) into the power point on the
instrument panel.
8. Leave the parking brake set and the transmission
selector lever in PARK and start the engine.
9. Press the switch (3) on the air pump to I (ON). The air
pump should start to inflate the tire and the tire sealant
(white fluid) will flow from the sealant bottle (5) through
the TIREFIT sealant hose (6) and into the tire.
10. Allow the air pump to run for five minutes and then
read the pressure gauge (4). If the tire inflates to 26 psi
(1.8 bar) or greater, proceed to Step 19 of this procedure.
If not, proceed to the following step.
11. Press the air pump switch (3) to 0 (OFF). Then,
disconnect the TIREFIT system from the tire and place it
back in the vehicle.12. Release the parking brake and drive the vehicle back
and forth approximately 30 feet (9.1 m) to distribute the
sealant more evenly within the tire.
13. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
14. Move the transmission selector lever to the PARK
position, turn off the engine, and set the parking brake.
15. Disconnect the air pump hose (1) from the underside
of the sealant bottle (5) by flipping the hose valve open.
16. Connect the air pump hose valve to the tire valve and
flip the hose valve closed.
17. Leave the parking brake set and the transmission
selector lever in PARK and start the engine.
18. Press the switch (3) on the air pump to I (ON). The air
pump should inflate the tire to at least 26 psi (1.8 bar)
within five minutes. If the tire inflates to this level,
proceed to the following step.NOTE:If a tire pressure of
26 psi (1.8 bar) is not obtained within five minutes, the
tire is too badly damaged. Do not attempt to drive the
vehicle further. Call for assistance.
260 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

19. With a tire pressure of no less than 26 psi (1.8 bar)
press the air pump switch (3) to 0 (OFF) and turn off the
engine. Then, disconnect the TIREFIT system from the
tire and place it back in the vehicle.
20. Release the parking brake and drive the vehicle for
approximately 10 minutes to ensure optimum distribu-
tion of the tire sealant within the tire.
21. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
22. Move the transmission selector lever to the PARK
position, turn off the engine, and set the parking brake.
23. Disconnect the air pump hose (1) from the underside
of the sealant bottle (5) by flipping the hose valve open.
24. Connect the air pump hose valve to the tire valve and
flip the hose valve closed.
25. Check the pressure in the tire by reading the pressure
gauge (4). If the pressure is 19 psi (1.3 bar) or greater,
proceed to the following step.NOTE:If the pressure is
less than 19 psi (1.3 bar), the tire is too badly damaged.
Do not attempt to drive the vehicle further. Call for
assistance.26. Leave the parking brake set and the transmission
selector lever in PARK and start the engine.
27. Inflate the tire to the pressure indicated on the tire
pressure label on the driver-side latch pillar by pressing
the switch (3) on the air pump to I (ON) and watching the
pressure gauge. When the tire pressure is set to the
pressure indicated on the tire pressure label, press the air
pump switch (3) to 0 (OFF) and turn off the engine.
28. Disconnect the TIREFIT system from the tire and
reinstall the valve cap.
29. Place the sealant kit back in the trunk of the vehicle.
Replace the sealant bottle at your nearest authorized
MOPARparts dealership.
30. Have the tire inspected at the earliest opportunity at
an authorized dealer or tire service center.
NOTE:
•
If a pressure of at least 19 psi (1.3 bar) cannot be
maintained in the tire, the tire is too badly damaged.
Do not attempt to drive the vehicle further. Call for
assistance.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 261
6

NOTE:The battery is stored under an access cover in
the trunk. Remote battery terminals are located in the
engine compartment for jump-starting.
1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watchbands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.
2. When boost is provided by a battery in another
vehicle, park that vehicle within booster cable reach, but
do not allow the vehicles to touch one another.
WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
3. Set the parking brake, place the automatic transmis-
sion in PARK, and turn the ignition switch to the OFF (or
LOCK) position on both vehicles.
4. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal loads.5. Connect one end of the jumper cable to the remote
jump-start positive battery post(+)in the engine com-
partment. Connect the other end of the same cable to the
positive terminal of the booster battery. Refer to the
following illustration for jump-starting connections.
6. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery andthen to the engine ground (-)
of the vehicle with the discharged battery.Make sure
you have a good contact on the engine ground. Refer to
the following illustration for jump-starting connections.
Jump-Starting
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 263
6

WARNING!
•You should not try to start your vehicle by push-
ing or towing.
•Do not connect the cable to the negative post of
the discharge battery. The resulting electrical
spark could cause the battery to explode.
•During cold weather when temperatures are be-
low freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged
battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The
battery temperature must be brought up above
freezing point before attempting jump-start.
7. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery. Let the engine idle a few minutes. Then, start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
NOTE:Refer toSynchronizing ESPunderElectronic
Brake Control Systemin Section 5 of this manual if the
ESP/BAS light (in the instrument cluster) remains on
continuously after starting the engine of the vehicle with
the discharged battery.8. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
1. Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting
out the battery vent;
2. Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
3. Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
264 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES