NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
Towing Tips — Tow/Haul (If Equipped)
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, turn the “TOW HAUL” feature ON when driving in
hilly areas or shift the transmission to Drive position 2 on
more severe grades.
Towing Tips — Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)
Don’t use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips — Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
refer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
STARTING AND OPERATING 337
5
Check the Battery Test Indicator (if equipped). If a light or
bright colored dot is visible in the indicator (if equipped),
DO NOT jump-start the battery.
If the indicator (if equipped) is dark or shows a green dot,
proceed as follows:
1. Wear eye protection and remove all metal jewelry such
as watch bands or bracelets which might make an
unintended electrical contact.
2. Park the booster vehicle within cable reach but with-
out letting the vehicles touch. Set the parking brake, place
the automatic transmission in PARK and turn the ignition
OFF on both vehicles.
3. Turn OFF heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the booster battery. Connect the other end of
the same cable to the positive terminal of the discharged
battery.
WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery and then to the engine of the
vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure you have
a good contact on the engine.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 355
6
cap until aclickingsound is heard. This is an indication
that the gas cap is properly tightened. Press the odometer
reset button to turn the message off. If the problem
persists, the message will appear the next time the
vehicle is started. This might indicate a damaged cap. If
the problem is detected twice in a row, the system will
turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). Resolving
the problem will turn the MIL light off.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states which have an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance) requirement, this check verifies the
following: the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)is functioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the OBD (On Board Diagnostic) system is ready
for testing.
Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, if you recently had a dead battery, or a battery
replacement. If the OBD system is determined not ready
for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key actuated test
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD system is ready, you must do
the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine. If you crank or start the engine, you
will have to start this test over.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 365
7
3. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see your MIL symbol come on as part of a normal
bulb check.
4. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL light will blink for approximately 5 sec-
onds and then remain on until the first engine crank or
the key is turned off. This means that your vehicle’s
OBD system isnot readyand you shouldnotproceed
to the I/M station.
b. The MIL light will remain fully illuminated until the
first engine crank or the key is turned off. This means
that your vehicle’s OBD system isreadyand you can
proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD system isnot readyyou should see your
dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was recently
serviced or had a battery failure or replacement, you mayneed to do nothing more than drive your vehicle as you
normally would in order for your OBD system to update.
A recheck with the above test routine may then indicate
that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL symbol is illuminated
during normal vehicle operation, you should have your
vehicle serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M
station can fail your vehicle because the MIL symbol is on
with the engine running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine Moparparts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to in-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-Moparparts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.
366 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and transmission and add as needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•Inspect the brake hoses.
•Inspect the CV joints (if equipped) and front suspen-
sion components.
•Check the automatic transmission fluid level.
•Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
420 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............190,275
Adding Fuel........................... 316
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 373
Air Conditioner Maintenance............233,376
Air Conditioning........................ 233
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips............ 246
Air Conditioning, Rear Zone................ 237
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............376,377
Air Conditioning System................233,376
Air Filter........................362,363,373
Air Pressure, Tires....................298,306
Airbag.............................51,196
Airbag Light..........................59,73
Alarm, Panic............................ 22
Alarm (Security Alarm).................17,190
Alignment and Balance................... 305
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 8
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 229
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...........382,383,414Disposal............................ 384
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............275,279
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 190
Anti-Theft System.....................17,190
Appearance Care........................ 393
Arming Theft System (Security Alarm)......... 18
Automatic Dimming Mirror...............80,83
Automatic Door Locks..................... 28
Automatic Headlights.................... 133
Automatic Transaxle....................12,258
Automatic Transmission.............255,258,389
Adding Fluid......................... 389
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 390
Fluid Level Check...................... 389
Fluid Type........................390,416
Gear Ranges.......................... 258
Special Additives...................... 391
Torque Converter...................... 262
Axle Fluid............................. 416
450 INDEX
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid)............... 392
Ball Joints............................. 377
Battery..........................362,363,375
Charging............................ 354
Emergency Starting..................... 354
Gas Caution.......................... 354
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)....... 24
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 132
Belts, Drive............................ 372
Belts, Seat.............................. 39
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 378
B-Pillar Location........................ 293
Brake Assist System...................... 280
Brake Control System, Electronic............. 279
Brake Fluid............................ 416
Brake System........................275,387
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................275,279
Disc Brakes.......................... 387Fluid Check.......................... 387
Hoses.............................. 388
Master Cylinder....................... 387
Parking............................. 273
Warning Light.....................190,193
Brakes............................... 275
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 258
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 71
Bulb Replacement....................... 407
Bulbs, Light............................ 407
Calibration, Compass..................... 158
Capacities, Fluid........................ 414
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 316
Oil (Engine).......................... 370
Power Steering........................ 377
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 383
Car Washes............................ 393
INDEX 451
10
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 346
Turn Signal.....................135,187,409
Flat Tire Stowage.....................348,354
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Cruising Range........................ 320
Engine Oil........................... 320
Fuel Requirements..................318,319
Maintenance.......................... 321
Replacement Parts..................... 320
Starting............................. 320
Flooded Engine Starting................... 256
Floor Console.......................172,175
Fluid, Brake.........................387,416
Fluid Capacities......................... 414
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 389
Brake............................... 387
Engine Oil........................... 368Power Steering........................ 377
Transfer Case......................... 391
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 415
Fog Lights..........................135,413
Folding Rear Seat..................... 117,120
Four Wheel Drive....................... 263
Operation........................... 263
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 346
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 288
Front Axle (Differential)................... 392
Fuel................................. 311
Filler Cap (Gas Cap).................... 316
Filter............................... 373
Gauge.............................. 187
Octane Rating...................... 311,415
Requirements...................... 311,414
Tank Capacity........................ 414
Fuel, Flexible.............See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fuel System Caution..................... 318
INDEX 455
10