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Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) and Gasoline Vehicles
Whether operating the vehicle on an E-85 ethanol fuel or
unleaded gasoline the engine oil requirements are the
same. Refer to “Engine Oil Selection in the “Maintenance
Procedures” section of this manual for the proper quality
and viscosity engine oil.
NOTE:Your engine oil filler cap also describes the
correct engine oil to use.
Starting
The characteristics of E-85 fuel make it unsuitable for use
when ambient temperatures fall below 0° F. In the range
of 0° F to 32° F, you may experience an increase in the
time it takes for your engine to start, and a deterioration
in drivability (sags and/or hesitations) until the engine is
fully warmed up.
Cruising Range
Because E-85 fuel contains less energy per gallon than
gasoline, you will experience an increase in fuel con-
sumption. You can expect your mpg and your driving
range to decrease by about 30% compared to gasoline
operation.
Replacement Parts
Many components in your Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) are
designed to be compatible with ethanol. Always be sure
that your vehicle is serviced with correct ethanol com-
patible parts.
CAUTION!
Replacing fuel system components with non-ethanol
compatible components can damage your vehicle.
Maintenance
If you operate the vehicle using E-85 fuel, follow Sched-
ule B in the maintenance schedule section of this manual.
CAUTION!
Do not use ethanol mixture greater than 85% in your
vehicle. It will cause difficulty in cold starting and
may affect drivability.
STARTING AND OPERATING 255
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher.................272
If Your Engine Overheats................272
▫Engine Oil Overheating — 2.4L Engine Only
(If Equipped)........................273
Jacking And Tire Changing...............274
▫Jack Location........................274
▫Spare Tire Stowage....................274
▫Preparations For Jacking................275▫Jacking Instructions....................276
Jump-Starting Procedures Due To A
Low Battery
..........................280
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................282
Towing A Disabled Vehicle...............283
▫With Ignition Key.....................283
▫Without The Ignition Key...............284
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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 engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum 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 engine cooling system.
Engine Oil Overheating — 2.4L Engine Only (If
Equipped)
During sustained high speed driving or trailer tow up
long grades on hot day, the engine oil temperature may
become too hot. If this happens, the “HOTOIL” message
flashes, the vehicle speed will be reduced to 53 mph (85
km/h) until the engine oil temperature is reduced.
NOTE:Engine speed is reduced to 53 mph (85 km/h) at
the maximum. You may, of course, reduce your speed
further if needed.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”, pull
over and stop the vehicle with the engine at idle,
when safe. Turn the air conditioner off and wait until
the pointer drops back into the normal range. After
appropriate action has been taken, if the pointer
remains on the “H”, turn the engine off immediately,
and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to Section 7, Maintenance, of
this manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 273
6
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
2.4L Engine Compartment...............287
2.7L Engine Compartment...............288
3.5L Engine Compartment...............289
Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II......290
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............290
Emissions Inspection And
Maintenance Programs
..................291
Replacement Parts.....................292
Dealer Service........................292
Maintenance Procedures.................293
▫Engine Oil..........................293
▫Spark Plugs.........................297▫Catalytic Converter....................298
▫Crankcase Emission Control System........299
▫Fuel Filter..........................299
▫Air Cleaner Element (Filter)..............299
▫Maintenance-Free Battery................300
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............301
▫Power Steering — Fluid Check............302
▫Front Suspension Ball Joints..............302
▫Body Lubrication.....................303
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................303
▫Windshield Washer Reservoir.............304
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WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Only do service work for which you
have the knowledge and the proper equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent me-
chanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
The best time to check the engine oil level is about 5
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not
check oil level before starting the engine after it has sat
overnight. Checking engine oil level when the engine is
cold will give you an incorrect reading.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 293
7
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Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. The range markings will
consist of a crosshatch zone that says SAFE or a cross-
hatch zone that says “MIN” at the low end of the range
and MAX at the high end of the range. Adding one quart
of oil when the reading is at the low end of the indicated
range will result in the oil level at the full end of the
indicator range.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine as
indicated by the range markings, as described above,
on the engine oil dipstick will cause oil aeration,
which can lead to loss of oil pressure and an increase
in oil temperature. This could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to decide if any apply to you.
•Day and night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C).
•Stop and Go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).
Engine Oil Dipstick — Gasoline Engines
294 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, Police or delivery service (commercial service).
•Off-Road or desert operation.
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first, and follow schedule “B—All
Engines” of theMaintenance Schedulessection of this
manual.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine
oil at every interval shown on schedule “A” in the
maintenance schedule section of this manual.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever occurs first.
Engine Oil Selection (Gasoline Engines)
For best performance and maximum protection for all
engines under all types of operating conditions, the
manufacturer recommends engine oils that are API Cer-
tified and meet the requirements of DaimlerChrysler
Material Standard MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 295
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Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
SAE 5W-20 engine oil for 2.4L and 2.7L engines, is
recommended for all operating temperatures.SAE 10W-30 engine oil for 3.5L engines, is recom-
mended for all operating temperatures.
These engine oils are designed to improve low tempera-
ture starting and vehicle fuel economy. Refer to the
engine oil filler cap for the preferred engine oil viscosity
grade for each vehicle.
Lubricants which do not have both, the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
5W-20 Oil Viscosity Chart
10W-30 Oil Viscosity Chart
296 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE