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.
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.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OVERHEATING
During sustained high speed driving or trailer towing up
long grades on hot days, the automatic transaxle oil may
become too hot.
If this happens, the transmission overheat in-
dicator light will come on, and the vehicle will
slow slightly until the automatic transaxle
cools down enough to allow a return to the
requested speed. If the high speed is maintained, the
overheating will reoccur, as before, in a cyclic fashion.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 267
6
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.
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
284 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, Police or delivery service (commercial service).
•Off-Road or desert operation.
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 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes 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.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low tempera-
ture starting and vehicle fuel economy. Your engine oil
filler cap also states the recommended engine oil vis-
cosity grade for your engine.
Lubricants which do not have both, the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
Synthetic Engine Oils
There are a number of engine oils being promoted as
either synthetic or semi-synthetic. If you chose to use
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 285
7
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You wouldn’t have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake And Power Steering System Hoses
When servicing the vehicle for scheduled maintenance,
inspect the surface of the hoses and nylon tubing for
evidence of heat and mechanical damage. Hard and
brittle rubber, cracking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and exces-
sive swelling suggest deterioration of the rubber. Particu-
lar attention should be made to examining those hose
surfaces nearest to high heat sources, such as the exhaust
manifold.
Inspect all hose clamps and couplings to make sure they
are secure and no leaks are present.
Insure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
NOTE:Often, fluids such as oil, power steering fluid,
and brake fluid are used during assembly plant opera-
tions to ease the assembly of hoses to couplings. There-
fore, oil wetness at the hose-coupling area is not neces-
sarily an indication of leakage. Actual dripping of hot
fluid when systems are under pressure (during vehicle
operation) should be noted before a hose is replaced
based on leakage.
NOTE:Inspection of brake hoses should be done
whenever the brake system is serviced and at every
engine oil change.
WARNING!
Worn brake hoses can burst and cause brake failure.
You could have an accident. If you see any signs of
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, have the brake
hoses replaced immediately.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 299
7
Schedule “B”
Follow schedule “B” if you usually operate your vehicle
under one or more of the following conditions.
•Day or 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).
•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial service).
•Off-road or desert operation.
•Heavy Loading
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.
SCHEDULE “B” 323
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S
Engine Oil.......................... 286
Door Locks............................ 14
Door Locks, Automatic................... 16
Door Opener, Garage.................... 112
Downshifting.......................... 217
DriveBelts ............................ 286
Driver’s Seat Back Tilt.................... 96
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 224
Economy............................. 213
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 70
Electrical Power Outlets.................. 124
Electronic Brake Control System............ 118
Brake Assist System................... 118
Electronic Stability Program............. 119
Traction Control System................ 118
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)..... 109
Electronic Stability Program (ESP).......... 119
Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)......................... 152
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 268Jump Starting........................ 272
Towing ............................. 275
Emission Control System Maintenance....281,320
Engine............................... 279
Break-In Recommendations............... 61
Checking Oil Level.................... 283
Cooling ............................ 294
Exhaust Gas Caution.................. 251
Fuel Requirements.................... 248
Jump Starting........................ 272
Oil ..........................283,316,317
Oil Change Interval................... 284
Oil Filler Cap.....................279,285
Oil Filter............................ 317
OilSelection ......................... 285
Oil Synthetic......................... 285
Overheating......................... 266
Temperature Gauge................... 144
Enhanced Accident Response Feature......... 50
Event Data Recorder..................... 52
Exhaust Gas Caution............. 27,61,251,293
Exhaust System........................ 293
INDEX 349
10
Snow Tires............................ 247
Spare Tire.......................236,237,268
Spark Plugs........................... 286
Specifications
Oil ................................ 285
Speed Control (Cruise Control)..........109,148
Speedometer.......................... 144
Speedometer and Odometer............... 142
Starting .............................. 208
Automatic Transmission................ 208
Engine Fails to Start................... 209
Manual Transmission.................. 208
Starting Procedures..................... 208
Steering
Power...........................223,291
TiltColumn ......................... 108
Wheel Lock.......................... 13
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound
System Controls........................ 196
Storage.............................. 310
Stuck, Freeing......................... 274
Sun Roof............................. 122
Sun Visor Extension...................... 71Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 39
Synthetic Engine Oil..................... 285
System, Navigation..................... 192
Tachometer........................... 144
Taillights............................. 312
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant......144,267
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint.............. 57
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)............... 24
Theft System (Security Alarm).............. 24
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo.................. 130
TiltSteeringColumn .................... 108
Tire and Loading Information Placard....... 229
Tire Identification Number (TIN)........... 228
TireMarkings ......................... 225
TireSafetyInformation ................... 225
Tires ........................... 62,233,342
Aging(LifeofTires) ................... 239
Air Pressure......................... 233
Alignment.......................... 240
Chains............................. 247
Changing........................... 268
Compact Spare....................... 236
INDEX 357
10