Page 250 of 472

If the rear wiper is operating when the ignition is turned
off, the wiper will automatically return to the “Park”
position. When the vehicle is restarted, the wiper will
resume operation.
Rear Window Defrosting
A push-button type switch is located in the climate
control panel. Press the switch and the rear win-
dow defroster and electric remote control heated mirrors
(if equipped) will turn On. An amber indicator on the
push-button will light when the defroster is turned On.
An symbol will be displayed when the defroster is turned
on with an ATC control. Push again to turn Off prior to
time-out. The defroster will automatically turn Off after
fifteen minutes. For ten more minutes of operation, push
the button again. To prevent excessive battery drain, use
the defroster only when the engine is operating.
CAUTION!
Use care when washing the inside of the rear win-
dow to prevent damage to heating elements. Use a
soft cloth and a mild washing solution, wiping
parallel to the heating elements. Also, keep all
objects a safe distance from the window to prevent
damaging the heating elements.
250 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS
Page 255 of 472

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by inad-
vertently moving the gear selection lever or by
pressing the accelerator pedal. This may cause exces-
sive heat in the exhaust system, resulting in over-
heating and vehicle fire which may cause serious or
fatal injuries.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the selector lever in NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
Normal Starting
Normal Starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal.
Tip Start Feature
Your vehicle has a “Tip Start” starting system. With “Tip
Start” the driver does not need to hold the key in the
STARTING AND OPERATING 255
5
Page 262 of 472

The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to Drive
if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at vehicle
speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
When To Use “TOW/HAUL” Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the “TOW/HAUL” button. This will improveperformance and reduce the potential for transmission
overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When
operating in “TOW/HAUL” mode, 5th gear (if
equipped) is disabled and 2-3 and 3-4 shift patterns are
modified. Shifts into Overdrive (4th gear) are allowed
during steady cruise (for improved fuel economy) and
automatic closed-throttle downshifts to 3rd gear (for
improved braking) will occur during steady braking.
The “TOW/HAUL” light will illuminate in the instru-
ment cluster to indicate when the switch has been
activated. Pressing the switch a second time restores
normal operation. If the “TOW/HAUL” mode is desired,
the button must be pressed each time the engine is
started.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy is included
in all automatic transmissions. A clutch within the torque
converter engages automatically at a calibrated speed at
262 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 288 of 472
ROCKING THE VEHICLE
If vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the gear
selector rhythmically between FIRST and REVERSE,
while applying slight pressure to the accelerator.
The least amount of accelerator pedal pressure to main-
tain the rocking motion without spinning the wheels or
racing the engine is most effective. Allow the engine to
idle with the transmission selector in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion cycles.
This will minimize overheating and reduce the risk of
transmission failure during prolonged efforts to free a
stuck vehicle.
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
•P (Passenger)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P” molded
into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: P215/65R15 95H.
288 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 337 of 472

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
Page 374 of 472

CAUTION!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In
the event of engine malfunction, particularly involv-
ing engine misfire or other apparent loss of perfor-
mance, have your vehicle serviced promptly. Contin-
ued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and the
vehicle.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your ex-
haust system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in
areas where your exhaust system can contact any-
thing that can burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may indicate severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, the
vehicle should be stopped, the engine shut off and the
vehicle allowed to cool. Thereafter, service, including a
tune-up to manufacturer’s specifications, should be ob-
tained immediately.
374 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 400 of 472
F8 10 Amp RedIgnition Run/Start for
Cluster/Transfer
Case/Seat Sw. Back
lighting
F9 10 Amp RedSatellite Digital Audio
Receiver (SDAR)/
Digital Video Disc
(DVD) Battery Feed
F10 10 Amp Red Spare
F11 10 Amp Red Heated Mirrors
F12 20 Amp Yellow Cluster Battery Feed
F13 10 Amp RedIgnition Run HVAC
Module/Heated Rear
Glass (EBL) Relay
F14 10 Amp RedABS Module Ignition
RunF15 15 Amp BlueBattery Feed Blue
Tooth, Compass/Trip
Computer (CMTC),
Sentry Key Diagnos-
tics
F16 20 Amp YellowReconfigurable Power
Outlets
F17 20 Amp YellowIgnition Run / Rear
Park Assist / Second
Row Heated Seats
F18 20 Amp Yellow Cigar Lighter Ignition
F19 10 Amp Red Spare Fuse
F20 15 Amp BlueHeating & Air Condi-
tioning w/ATC Only
Battery Feed
F21 25 Amp Natural Amplifier Battery Feed
400 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 460 of 472

Mopar Parts.........................366,445
Multi-Displacement Engine System........... 287
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 135
Navigation Radio........................ 222
Navigation System....................... 222
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 71
Occupant Classification System (OCS).......... 55
Occupant Restraints....................... 38
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel).............. 311
Oil, Engine.........................368,415
Capacity............................ 414
Change Interval....................... 369
Dipstick............................. 368
Disposal............................ 371
Filter............................371,415
Filter Disposal........................ 371
Identification Logo..................... 370Materials Added to..................... 371
Recommendation...................370,414
Synthetic............................ 371
Viscosity..........................370,414
Onboard Diagnostic System..............364,365
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ........... 160
Outside Rearview Mirrors.................. 81
Overdrive..........................191,261
Overdrive OFF Switch.................... 261
Overhead Console....................150,151
Overheating, Engine...................... 189
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual).......... 446
Panic Alarm............................ 22
Parking Brake.......................... 273
Parking On Hill......................... 273
Passing Light........................... 137
Pedals, Adjustable....................... 141
Personal Settings........................ 155
460 INDEX