A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in or
out of the area.
If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine
running, adjust your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
WARNING!
If you are required to drive with the deck lid open,
make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn
webbing, etc. If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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
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
Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluorocar-
bon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by dealers or other service facilities
using recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE:Use only manufacturer approved A/C System
Sealers, Stop Leak Products, Seal Conditioners, Compres-
sor Oil, or Refrigerants.
Power Steering — Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through a certified
DaimlerChrysler Dealership.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to insure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturers recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts
for correct fluid types.
Front Suspension Ball Joints
There are two front suspension lower ball joints that are
permanently lubricated. Inspect these ball joints when-
ever under vehicle service is done. Damaged seals and
their corresponding potentially damaged ball joints must
be replaced.
302 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
coolant every 102,000 miles (170 000 km) or 60 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
Second is Schedule“A”. It is for vehicles that are not
operated under any of the conditions listed under Sched-
uleB.
Use the schedule that best describes your driving condi-
tions. Where time and mileage are listed, follow the
interval that occurs first.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
At Each Stop for Fuel
•
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. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add, if
required.
Once a Month
•
Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 333
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S
Electrical Power Outlets...............124,125
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)..... 113
Electronic Stability Program (ESP).......... 222
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) . . 147
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 274
JumpStarting ........................ 280
Towing ............................. 283
Emergency Trunk Release................. 30
Emission Control System Maintenance....291,332
Engine.........................287,288,289
Break-In Recommendations............... 63
Checking Oil Level.................... 293
Coolant (Antifreeze)................... 328
Cooling ............................ 305
Exhaust Gas Caution.................. 253
Fuel Requirements.................250,327
JumpStarting ........................ 280
Oil ..........................293,327,328
Oil Change Interval................... 294
Oil Filler Cap...............287,288,289,296
OilSelection ......................295,327
Oil Synthetic......................... 297Overheating......................... 272
Temperature Gauge................... 139
Event Data Recorder..................... 52
Exhaust Gas Caution............... 64,253,304
Exhaust System........................ 304
Extender, Seat Belt....................... 40
FabricCare ........................315,316
Filler Location Fuel..................... 139
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 299
Air Conditioning..................... 200
Engine Fuel......................... 299
Engine Oil.......................297,328
Flashers.............................. 272
Hazard Warning...................... 272
Turn Signal.......................... 324
Flash-To-Pass.......................... 106
Flat Tire Stowage....................... 279
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Cruising Range....................... 255
Engine Oil.......................... 255
Fuel Requirements.................253,254
INDEX 361
10
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel)............. 250
Odometer............................ 142
Trip ............................142,143
Oil, Engine.........................293,328
Capacity............................ 327
Change Interval...................... 294
Checking........................... 293
Disposal............................ 297
Filter...........................297,328
Identification Logo.................... 295
Materials Added to.................... 297
Recommendation..................295,327
Synthetic........................... 297
Viscosity.........................296,327
Oil Pressure Light...................... 140
Onboard Diagnostic System............290,291
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ......... 115
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual).......... 4
Overdrive............................ 213
Overheating, Engine..................... 272
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual)....... 4,353
PaintCare ............................ 313Panic Alarm........................... 19
Parking Brake......................... 216
Passing Light.......................... 106
Personal Settings....................... 155
Pets .................................. 63
Phone, Cellular......................... 73
Phone, Hands-Free (UConnect™)............ 73
Placard, Tire and Loading Information....... 231
Power
Distribution Center (Fuses).............. 318
Door Locks.......................... 24
Mirrors ............................. 71
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet).....124,125
Seats............................... 98
Steering .........................225,302
Steering, Checking.................... 302
Sunroof............................ 121
Windows............................ 26
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts............. 39
Preparation for Jacking................... 275
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................ 38
Programmable Electronic Features..... 115,119,155
366 INDEX