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FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)15.8 Gallons 60.0 Liters
Fuel Tank Reserve2 Gallons 7.5 Liters
Engine Oil (with filter)
3.2 L Engine 8.5 Qts. 8.0 Liters
Cooling System *
3.2 L Engine 11.8 Qts. 11.2 Liters
Manual Transmission1.9 Qts. 1.8 Liters
Automatic Transmission8.5 Qts. 8.0 Liters
Rear Axle1.4 Qts. 1.3 Liters
Power Steering Reservoir1.1 Qts. 1.0 Liters
Brake Reservoir.5 Qts. .5 Liters
Windshield Washer Reservoir(MAX fill when empty) 7.4 Qts. 7.0 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 267
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RECOMMENDED FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
Engine Coolant Use coolant approved to MB 325.0, such as Valvoline GO5, or an equivalent
extended life coolant.
Engine Oil 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.
Engine Oil Filter Mopart5102905AA or equivalent
Spark Plugs Bosch F 8 DPER/NGK PFR 5-11
Spark Plug Gap 0.039 in (1.0 mm)
Fuel Selection Premium Unleaded 91 Octane
268 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 271 of 299
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
CONTENTS
mIntroduction..........................272
mWarranty............................272
mEmission Control System Maintenance......273
mMaintenance Schedules..................273
NScope Of Work For ªAº Schedule
Maintenance Service...................274
NScope Of Work For ªBº Schedule
Maintenance Service...................275
mFSS System...........................276
mRegular Check-Ups.....................278
NAdditional Periodic Maintenance..........279
mSpecial Maintenance Requirements.........280
NCoolant............................280
NDust Filter For Heating/Ventilation
Replacement (If Equipped)...............280
mEngine Oil Change And Filter Replacement...2808
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REGULAR CHECK-UPS
To maintain the safe operation of your vehicle, it is
recommended that you perform the following tasks on a
regular basis (i.e., weekly or whenever the vehicle is
refueled).
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
At Each Stop for Fuel
²
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. See the procedure de-
scribed in Checking Your Engine Oil in the Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel section or under
Engine Oil in the Maintaining Your Vehicle section.
Add oil only when the level is at or below the ADD or
MIN mark.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
²Inspect wiper blade condition.
²Check operation of lighting systems.
²Inspect tires for unusual wear, damage, and pressure
(at least every 14 days).
²Mechanical assemblies (e.g., engine, transmission, etc.)
- check for leaks.
Once a Month
²
Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder and power steering and add as
needed.
²Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
278 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Additional Periodic Maintenance
The following maintenance items should be performed
during the scheduled maintenance nearest the time
elapsed and/or distance shown. Follow the interval that
occurs first.
Every 2 years:
²Inspect body for paint damage.
²Check chassis and supporting body parts for damage
and corrosion.
At approximately every 50,000 miles (80,000 km) or 4
years:
²Check condition of driveshaft flex discs.
²Retighten locking bolts for steering (observe torque).
At approximately every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 4
years:
²Replace fuel filter.
²Replace air cleaner filter element.
At approximately 80,000 miles (129,000 km):
²Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter.
Use the recommended automatic transmission fluid.
After this change it is filled for life. The manual
transmission comes filled for life from the factory.
At approximately every 100,000 miles (161,000 km) or 5
years:
²Replace spark plugs.
Every 100,000 miles (161,000 km) or 5 years:
²Replace engine coolant using coolant approved to MB
325.0, such as Valvoline GO5, or an equivalent ex-
tended life coolant.
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the right equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
maintenance service, take your vehicle to a compe-
tent technician.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 279
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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
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ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............. 118
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 239
Adding Fuel.......................... 189
Aiming Headlights...................... 262
Air Cleaner, Engine
(Engine Air Cleaner Filter)................ 229
Air Conditioning....................135,232
Air Conditioning Filter................... 280
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 233
Air Conditioning System................. 232
Air Pressure, Tires...................... 176
Airbag................................ 30
Airbag Deployment...................... 36
Airbag Light........................35,123
Airbag Maintenance...................... 46
Airbag On/Off Switch..................43,48
Alignment and Balance.................. 181
Antenna.............................. 134
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 267
Anti-Lock Warning Light................. 118
Appearance Care....................... 246
Ashtrays and Lighter..................... 74
Automatic Door Locks.................... 13Automatic Transmission...............149,244
Fluid and Filter Changes................ 245
Fluid Level Check..................... 245
Fluid Type.......................... 244
Special Additives..................... 246
Autostick............................. 152
Ball Joints............................ 234
Battery............................ 119,231
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 85
Belts, Drive........................... 229
Belts, Seat............................. 23
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 235
Brake Assist System...................... 98
Brake, Parking......................... 156
Brake System.......................157,242
Anti-Lock (ABS)...................... 157
Hoses.............................. 242
Master Cylinder...................... 243
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle . . . 55,166
Bulbs, Light........................... 259
Capacities, Fluid....................... 265
290 INDEX
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Capacity, Cargo Weight.................. 191
Carbon Monoxide Warning................ 55
Cargo Compartment
Capacity............................ 191
Catalytic Converter..................... 230
CD (Compact Disc) Player.............126,130
Chains, Tire........................... 183
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 195
Charging System Light................... 119
Checks, Safety.......................... 55
Child Restraint......................... 47
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 53
Cigar Lighter........................... 75
Circuit Breakers........................ 253
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 187
Cleaning
Glass.............................. 250
Headlights.......................... 249
Climate Control........................ 135
Coin Holder........................... 75
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance........... 134
Console............................... 72
Contract, Service....................... 284Converter, Catalytic..................... 198
Convertible............................ 62
Convertible Top......................... 62
Convertible Top Maintenance.............. 251
Convertible Top Manual Override........... 211
Coolant (Antifreeze)..................239,280
Cooling System........................ 238
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 239
Coolant Level........................ 238
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 239
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 238
Points to Remember................240,241
Pressure Cap........................ 240
Rubber and Plastic Components.......... 241
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze).......... 239
Corrosion Protection.................... 246
Crankcase Emission Control System......... 231
Cup Holder............................ 76
Customer Assistance.................... 282
Cylinders, Lock........................ 235
Dealer Service......................... 224
Deck Lid.............................. 20
INDEX 291
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