MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
m3.2L Engine..........................221
mOnboard Diagnostic System (OBD II).......222
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs
............................223
mReplacement Parts.....................224
mDealer Service........................224
mMaintenance Procedures.................225
NEngine Oil..........................225
NIgnition Wiring System.................231
NCrankcase Emission Control System........231
NMaintenance-Free Battery................231
NAir Conditioner......................232NPower Steering Fluid...................233
NChassis Lubrication....................234
NBody Lubrication.....................235
NWindshield Wiper Blades................235
NWindshield Wiper Blade Replacement.......236
NWindshield Washer Reservoir.............236
NExhaust System......................237
NCooling System.......................238
NHoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......241
NBrakes.............................242
NAutomatic Transmission................244
7
WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point or unidentified as to specification, may
result in sudden brake failure during hard prolonged
braking. You could have an accident.
WARNING!
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign mat-
ter. Use of contaminated fluid may result in reduced
brake performance or a sudden brake failure. You
could have an accident.
CAUTION!
Do not allow petroleum-based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid as seal damage will result!
Automatic Transmission
The fluid in the automatic transmission should be
changed at 80,000 miles (129,000 km), along with the
transmission fluid filter. After that, the transmission fluid
is filled for life.
Selection of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transmission to assure optimum transmission perfor-
mance. Use only ATF approved to MB 236.10, MB 236.12.
Synthetic Dexron IIItAutomatic Transmission Fluid may
be substituted. Refer to the Recommended Fluids, Lubri-
cants and Genuine Parts section for the correct fluid type.
It is important that the transmission fluid be maintained
at the prescribed level using the recommended fluid.
244 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the fluid rec-
ommended by DaimlerChrysler Corporation may
cause deterioration in transmission shift quality
and/or torque converter shudder. Using a transmis-
sion fluid other than that recommended by the
DaimlerChrysler Corporation will result in more
frequent fluid and filter changes. Refer to the Rec-
ommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
section for correct fluid type.
Fluid Level Check
Regular automatic transmission fluid level checks and
changes are not required. For this reason the dipstick is
omitted.
If you notice fluid loss or gear shift malfunction, have
your authorized dealer check the transmission fluid level.
Fluid and Filter Changes
Automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed at 80,000 miles (129,000 km). The fluid is then
filled for life.
NOTE:Refer to Section 8 of this manual for Mainte-
nance Schedules.
Manual Transmission
Selection of Lubricant
No fluid service is required. Use only fluid approved to
MB 236.2. SAE 5W-20 engine oil, meeting API SL or GF-3,
may be substituted. Refer to the Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants and Genuine Parts section for the correct fluid
type.
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug. The fluid
level should be between the bottom of the fill hole and a
point not more than 3/16 inch (4.76 mm) below the
bottom of the hole.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 245
7
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
7
Chassis
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
Automatic Transmission Only use ATF approved to MB 236.10, MB 236.12. Synthetic Dexron IIIt
Transmission Fluid may be substituted.
Brake Master Cylinder Use brake fluid approved to MB 331.0, or a DOT 4 brake fluid with: mini-
mum dry boiling point (ERBP) 500ÉF (260ÉC), minimum wet boiling point
(WERBP) 356ÉF (180ÉC), maximum viscosity 1500 mm
2/s, conforming to
FMVSS 116 and ISO 4925.
Clutch Fluid Use brake fluid approved to MB 331.0, or a DOT 4 brake fluid with: mini-
mum dry boiling point (ERBP) 500ÉF (260ÉC), minimum wet boiling point
(WERBP) 356ÉF (180ÉC), maximum viscosity 1500 mm
2/s, conforming to
FMVSS 116 and ISO 4925.
Manual Transmission Fluid No fluid service required. Only use fluid approved to MB 236.2. SAE
5W-20 engine oil, meeting API SL or GF-3, may be substituted.
Power Steering Reservoir No fluid service required. Filled at the factory with Pentosin CHF 11S.
Steering noise and reduced component life may result if an unapproved
fluid is used.
Rear Axle Fluid Only use synthetic SAE 75W-85 axle lubricant that meets MB 231.1. Re-
duced axle durability may result if an unapproved product is used.
Tire Pressure Refer to label on driver's door frame.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 269
7
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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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
Defroster, Windshield..................... 56
Disposal
Engine Oil.......................... 228
Door Locks, Automatic................... 13
Drive Belts............................ 229
Drive Shaft Universal Joints............... 234
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 205
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)..... 102
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)........... 99
Emergency, In Case of
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 194
Jump Starting........................ 203
Overheating......................... 194
Towing............................. 206
Emergency Trunk Release................. 20
Emission Control System Maintenance....223,273
Engine
Break-In Recommendations............... 55
Checking Oil Level.................... 225
Compartment........................ 221
Oil .............................225,267Oil Change Interval................... 227
Oil Selection......................... 228
Exhaust Gas Caution..................... 55
Exhaust System........................ 237
Exterior Lights......................... 259
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 229
Air Conditioning..................... 280
Engine Fuel......................... 229
Engine Oil.......................... 228
Fluid Capacities.....................265,267
Fluid Leaks............................ 57
Fluid Level Checks
Manual Transmission.................. 245
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts........ 268
Four-Way Hazard Flasher................. 194
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 206
Fuel................................. 186
Adding............................. 189
Additives........................... 188
Filler Cap (Gas Cap)................... 189
Filter.............................. 229
292 INDEX