CAUTION!
The TPMS is designed to monitor your tire pressure
and will not function as a tire pressure gauge. After
adjusting the air pressure in a tire, there will be a
delay before the system updated the display
NOTE:The TPMS can inform you about a low tire
pressure condition, but it does not replace normal tire
maintenance. The TPMS is not intended to provide you
with notification of a rapid pressure loss.
NOTE:The pressure in your tires changes with tem-
perature. A significant decrease in temperature could
reduce cold inflation pressure below the TPMS setpoint.
ALWAYS check pressure in your tires if the TPMS telltale
lamp is illuminated.
3. Coolant Indicator Light
This indicator illuminates when the engine
coolant has dropped below the requiredlevel in the reservoir or the coolant temperature is too
high (see the Temperature gauge section).
To check the coolant level, the vehicle must be parked on
level ground and the engine stopped.
Check coolant level only when the coolant is cold.
WARNING!
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
or coolant bottle is hot.
4. Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows engine coolant temperature. Any read-
ing between the Hot and Cold gauge marks show that the
engine cooling system is operating properly. The gauge
pointer may show a higher temperature when driving in
hot weather, up mountain grades, or in heavy stop-and-
go-traffic.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 115
4
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The flasher switch is located in the console. Push in
the flasher switch and all front and rear directional
signals will flash. Press the flasher switch a second
time to turn the flashers off.
Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE:With extended use, the flasher may run down
your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to the red
area on the gauge.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature in the red area. Doing so may cause serious
damage which is not covered by the DaimlerChrysler
Limited Warranty.
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways ±Slow down and use the highest
gear possible.
²In city traffic ±While stopped, put the transmission in
Neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
²In city traffic ±While moving, shift into the highest
gear possible to reduce engine RPM.
194 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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 cooling system and turning off the A/C removes this
heat. You can also turn the temperature control to maxi-
mum heat, the mode control to floor, and the fan control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement
to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the
cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads ªH,º 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
ªH,º turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WARNING!
A hot cooling system is dangerous. You or others
could be badly burned by steam or boiling coolant. If
your temperature gauge pointer is in the red area,
turn off the engine immediately. You may want to call
an authorized dealer for service. If you decide to look
under the hood yourself, see Section 7 of this manual.
Follow the warnings under the Cooling System Pres-
sure Cap paragraph.
TIREFIT TIRE REPAIR AND JACKING
TIREFIT
Small punctures, particularly those in the tread, can be
sealed with TIREFIT. Foreign objects (e.g., screws or
nails) should not be removed from the tire. TIREFIT can
be used in outside temperatures down to approximately
-4ÉF (-20ÉC).
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 195
6
Cooling System
WARNING!
²When 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
key is in the ON position.
²You 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 coolant protection every 12 months (before the
onset of freezing weather, where applicable). If the cool-
ant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the system should be
drained, flushed and refilled with fresh coolant.Check the front of the radiator and condenser for an
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. Clean the radiator and
condenser by gently spraying water from a garden hose
at the back of the radiator core.
Check the recovery bottle tank tubing for condition and
tightness of connection at the bottle and radiator. Inspect
the entire system for leaks.
Cooling System - Drain, Flush and Refill
At the intervals shown on the Maintenance Schedules,
the system should be drained, flushed and refilled.
238 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
NOTE:Mixing coolant types other than Mopartprod-
ucts will decrease the life of the engine coolant and will
require more frequent coolant changes.
Please note that it is the owner's responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing,
according to the temperatures occurring in the area
where the vehicle is operated.
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 reserve tank.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
The warning words ªDO NOT OPEN WHEN HOTº
near the cooling system reservoir cap are a safety
precaution. 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.
WARNING!
Do not use a pressure cap other than the one speci-
fied for your vehicle. Personal injury or engine
damage may result.
240 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
in hot temperatures. If battery voltage drops below 12.40,
follow the battery recharge procedure in the Service
Manual.
²Check that the radiator coolant level of protection is to
at least -20ÉF (-29ÉC).
²Block the wheels. Do not apply the parking brake.
²Make sure that all tires are inflated to the optimum
pressure.
²Cut blocks of plywood about the same size of the tires.
Cover each block with indoor/outdoor carpeting and
place them between the tires and concrete. This will
prevent tire flat spotting.
²For long term storage, remove the tires and put the
vehicle up on blocks. Stack the tires on plywood and
cover with a tarp to prevent flat spotting.
²Move the wiper blades away from the windshield.
NOTE:To help prevent the battery from discharging
during shorter periods of inactivity, perform the follow-
ing:
1. Make sure that the rear liftgate/decklid, hood, and
doors are completely closed.
2. Make sure that the remote transmitter is operating and
that the battery is good.
3. Make sure that the hood, rear liftgate and door
switches are in adjustment.
4. Use the remote transmitter to set the alarm.
264 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
SPECIAL MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Coolant
Have the corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze concentration in
the coolant checked before the onset of winter (once a
year in countries with high prevailing temperatures).
Have the coolant replaced every five years or 100,000
miles (160,000 km).
Dust Filter for Heating/Ventilation Replacement (If
Equipped)
The dust filter is replaced during routine maintenance
service. The filter element must be replaced with ªBº
Schedule service or every 18,500 miles (30,000 km) to
maintain effectiveness. However, if operating conditions
are dusty, these filters should be replaced more fre-
quently. A cover in the HVAC unit that can be reached
from the passenger foot well provides access to the filter
element.
ENGINE OIL CHANGE AND FILTER
REPLACEMENT
The recommended oil and filter change interval is based
on FSS or 1 year. Please refer to the heading FSS System
in this section for a full description of the use and
interpretation of symbols in the FSS system. Only use
synthetic engine oils, approved to MB 229.3 or MB 229.5,
such as Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40. The FSS may not alert for an
oil change at the proper interval if an unapproved engine
oil is used; engine damage and reduced engine life may
result. Information is available from your authorized
dealer. The oil filter should always be changed when the
oil is changed.
280 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S
Restraints, Child........................ 47
Restraints, Infant........................ 48
Restraints, Occupant..................... 23
Rotation, Tires......................... 185
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle............... 56
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle.............. 56
Safety Tips............................. 55
Schedule, Maintenance................... 273
Seat Belts.............................. 23
And Pregnant Women.................. 29
Extender............................ 29
Inspection........................... 56
Maintenance......................... 250
Operating Instructions.................. 25
Reminder........................... 118
Seats................................. 79
Cleaning............................ 249
Service Assistance...................... 282
Service Contract........................ 284
Service Manuals........................ 286
Shift Speeds........................147,148
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 205Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................ 183
Snow Tires............................ 184
Soft Top............................... 62
Spark Plugs........................... 229
Specifications.......................... 265
Standing Lights......................... 87
Starting.............................. 145
Cold Weather........................ 146
Emergency (Jump Starting).............. 203
Engine Fails to Start................... 146
Steering
Linkage............................ 234
Power............................. 166
Storage.............................. 263
Storage Bin............................ 73
Stuck, Freeing......................... 206
Sulfur in Gasoline...................... 188
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 30
Telescoping Steering Column............... 92
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant......... 195
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)............... 19
Theft System (Security Alarm).............. 19
296 INDEX