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
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
Points to Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulation on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot water to
enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
²Do not overfill the coolant bottle.
²Check coolant freeze point in the system.
²If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the recovery bottle does not drop when the
engine cools, the cooling system should be pressure
tested for leaks.
²Maintain a coolant concentration of a minimum of 50%
ethylene glycol Extended Life Coolant and high qual-
ity water with recommended antifreeze for proper
corrosion protection of your engine cooling system
that contains aluminum components.
²Make sure that the radiator and coolant bottle hoses
are not kinked or obstructed.
²Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle has
air conditioning, keep the front of the condenser clean,
also.
²Do not change the thermostat for summer or winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory coolant performance, poor fuel
economy, and increased emissions.
Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses
Inspect surfaces of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence
of heat and mechanical damage. Hard or soft spots,
brittle rubber, cracking, checking, tears, cuts, abrasions,
and excessive swelling indicate deterioration of the rub-
ber.
Pay particular attention to the hoses nearest to high heat
sources such as the exhaust manifold. Inspect hose rout-
ing to be sure hoses do not touch any heat source or
moving component that may cause heat damage or
mechanical wear.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 241
7
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
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
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
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)............. 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
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
10