
BAS (Brake Assist System)
This system complements the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) by optimizing the vehicle braking capability dur-
ing emergency braking maneuvers. This system detects
an emergency braking situation by sensing the rate and
amount of brake application and then applies optimum
pressure to the brakes. This can help reduce braking
distances.
Applying the brakes very quickly results in the best BAS
assistance. To receive the benefits of this system, you
must apply continuous brake pedal pressure during the
stopping sequence. Do not reduce brake pedal pressure
unless braking is no longer desired. Once the brake pedal
is released, the BAS is deactivated.WARNING!
The BAS (Brake Assist System) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevail-
ing road conditions. The BAS cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of a
BAS-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner, which could jeopar-
dize the user's safety or the safety of others.
ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. The ESP
corrects for oversteering and understeering the vehicle
by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel. Engine
power may also be reduced to assist in counteracting the
condition of oversteer or understeer and help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.
STARTING AND OPERATING 209
5

The ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the path
that the driver intends to steer the vehicle and compares
it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path
does not match the intended path, the ESP applies the
brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting
the condition of oversteer or understeer.
²Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
²Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
The9ESP/TCS Indicator Light,9located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. The9ESP/TCS Indicator Light9also
flashes when TCS is active. If the9ESP/TCS Indicator
Light9begins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the
accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure
to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
WARNING!
The ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. The ESP cannot prevent
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ESP-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner, which could jeopar-
dize the user's safety or the safety of others.
The ESP system has 3 available operating modes:
ESP On
This is the normal operating mode for the ESP. When-
ever the vehicle is started, the ESP system will be in
this mode. This mode should be used for most all
driving situations. The ESP should only be turned off
for specific reasons as noted in the following para-
graphs.
210 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
In the ESP Full Off mode, the engine torque reduc-
tion and stability features are cancelled. Therefore,
the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP is
unavailable.
NOTE:When the ESP is switched off a feature of the
system remains active. This feature controls wheel spin
across an axle quite similarly to a limited slip differential.
If one wheel on an axle is spinning faster than the other,
the system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel
and allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel
that is not spinning. To improve the vehicle's traction
when driving with tire chains, or when starting-off in
deep snow, sand, or gravel, it may be desirable to switch
to the ªPartial Offº mode by momentarily depressing the
ªESP OFFº button.
WARNING!
With the ESP switched off, the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by ESP is unavailable. In an emer-
gency evasive maneuver, the ESP system will not
engage to assist in maintaining stability. The ªFull
Offº ESP mode is intended for off-highway or off-
road only.
Synchronizing ESP
The malfunction indicator light for the ESP is
combined with BAS indicator. If the power
supply is interrupted (battery disconnected or
discharged), the ESP/BAS malfunction indica-
tor light may illuminate with the engine running. If this
should occur, turn the steering wheel completely to the
left and then to the right. The ESP/BAS malfunction
indicator light should go out. However, if the light
remains on, have the ESP and BAS checked at your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
212 STARTING AND OPERATING

driving. If weighing the loaded vehicle shows that you
have exceeded either GAWR, but the total load is within
the specified GVWR, you must redistribute the weight.
Improper weight distribution can have an adverse effect
on the way your vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.
A loaded vehicle is shown in the illustration. Note that
neither the GVWR nor the GAWR capacities have been
exceeded.EXAMPLE ONLY Front
AxleRear Axle
Empty Weight 2054 lbs
(932 kg)1805 lbs
(819 kg )
Load (Including driver, pas-
sengers, and cargo)271 lbs
(123 kg)579 lbs
(263 kg)
Total 2325 lbs
(1055 kg)2384 lbs
(1081 kg)
GAWR 2546 lbs
(1155 kg)2708 lbs
(1228 kg)
NOTE:Refer to the ªVehicle Certification Labelº at-
tached to the rear of the driver's door for your vehicle's
GVWR and GAWRs. This table is only an example.
STARTING AND OPERATING 245
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WARNING!
²Do not attempt to repair a tire on the side of the vehicle
close to traffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid the
danger of being hit when operating the jack or repairing
a tire.
²Cuts or punctures larger than approximately 0.16 in. (4
mm), tire damage caused by driving with extremely low
tire pressure or on a flat tire, or a damaged wheel can
pose a hazard while driving. TIREFIT should not be
used in such circumstances. Do not drive the vehicle
under such circumstances. Contact your nearest autho-
rized dealer for assistance.
²Take care not to allow the contents of TIREFIT to come
in contact with hair, eyes or clothing. TIREFIT is harm-
ful if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin:
It causes skin, eye and respiratory irritation. Any contact
with eyes or skin should be flushed immediately with
plenty of water. If clothing comes in contact with
TIREFIT, change clothing as soon as possible.
²In case of allergic reaction or rash, consult a physician
immediately. Keep TIREFIT out of reach of children. If
swallowed, rinse mouth immediately with plenty of
water and drink plenty of water. Do not induce vomit-
ing! Consult a physician immediately.
Keep away from open flame or heat source.
Sealing tire with TIREFIT
1. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
2. Move the transmission selector lever to the PARK
position, turn off the engine, and set the parking brake.
3. Remove the TIREFIT kit from the trunk.
4. Pull the power plug (2) and the TIREFIT sealant hose
(6) out from the TIREFIT kit.
Hazard Flasher Switch
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 251
6

5. Unscrew the valve cap from the valve on the deflated
tire.
6. Screw the fitting at the end of TIREFIT sealant hose (6)
coming from the sealant bottle (5) onto the tire valve.
7. Insert the power plug (2) into the power point on the
instrument panel.
8. Leave the parking brake set and the transmission
selector lever in PARK and start the engine.
9. Press the switch (3) on the air pump to I (ON). The air
pump should start to inflate the tire and the tire sealant
(white fluid) will flow from the sealant bottle (5) through
the TIREFIT sealant hose (6) and into the tire.
10. Allow the air pump to run for five minutes and then
read the pressure gauge (4). If the tire inflates to 26 psi
(1.8 bar) or greater, proceed to Step 19 of this procedure.
If not, proceed to the following step.
11. Press the air pump switch (3) to 0 (OFF). Then,
disconnect the TIREFIT system from the tire and place it
back in the vehicle.12. Release the parking brake and drive the vehicle back
and forth approximately 30 feet (9.1 m) to distribute the
sealant more evenly within the tire.
13. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
14. Move the transmission selector lever to the PARK
position, turn off the engine, and set the parking brake.
15. Disconnect the air pump hose (1) from the underside
of the sealant bottle (5) by flipping the hose valve open.
16. Connect the air pump hose valve to the tire valve and
flip the hose valve closed.
17. Leave the parking brake set and the transmission
selector lever in PARK and start the engine.
18. Press the switch (3) on the air pump to I (ON). The air
pump should inflate the tire to at least 26 psi (1.8 bar)
within five minutes. If the tire inflates to this level,
proceed to the following step.NOTE:If a tire pressure of
26 psi (1.8 bar) is not obtained within five minutes, the
tire is too badly damaged. Do not attempt to drive the
vehicle further. Call for assistance.
252 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

19. With a tire pressure of no less than 26 psi (1.8 bar)
press the air pump switch (3) to 0 (OFF) and turn off the
engine. Then, disconnect the TIREFIT system from the
tire and place it back in the vehicle.
20. Release the parking brake and drive the vehicle for
approximately 10 minutes to ensure optimum distribu-
tion of the tire sealant within the tire.
21. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
22. Move the transmission selector lever to the PARK
position, turn off the engine, and set the parking brake.
23. Disconnect the air pump hose (1) from the underside
of the sealant bottle (5) by flipping the hose valve open.
24. Connect the air pump hose valve to the tire valve and
flip the hose valve closed.
25. Check the pressure in the tire by reading the pressure
gauge (4). If the pressure is 19 psi (1.3 bar) or greater,
proceed to the following step.NOTE:If the pressure is
less than 19 psi (1.3 bar), the tire is too badly damaged.
Do not attempt to drive the vehicle further. Call for
assistance.26. Leave the parking brake set and the transmission
selector lever in PARK and start the engine.
27. Inflate the tire to the pressure indicated on the tire
pressure label on the driver-side latch pillar by pressing
the switch (3) on the air pump to I (ON) and watching the
pressure gauge. When the tire pressure is set to the
pressure indicated on the tire pressure label, press the air
pump switch (3) to 0 (OFF) and turn off the engine.
28. Disconnect the TIREFIT system from the tire and
reinstall the valve cap.
29. Place the sealant kit back in the trunk of the vehicle.
Replace the sealant bottle at your nearest authorized
MOPARtparts dealership.
30. Have the tire inspected at the earliest opportunity at
an authorized dealer or tire service center.
NOTE:
²
If a pressure of at least 19 psi (1.3 bar) cannot be
maintained in the tire, the tire is too badly damaged.
Do not attempt to drive the vehicle further, and call for
assistance.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 253
6

NOTE:The battery is stored under an access cover in
the trunk. Remote battery terminals are located in the
engine compartment for jump-starting.
1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watchbands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.
2. When boost is provided by a battery in another
vehicle, park that vehicle within booster cable reach, but
do not allow the vehicles to touch one another.
WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
3. Set the parking brake, place the automatic transmis-
sion in PARK, and turn the ignition switch to the OFF (or
LOCK) position on both vehicles.
4. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal loads.5. Connect one end of the jumper cable to the remote
jump-start positive battery post(+)in the engine com-
partment. Connect the other end of the same cable to the
positive terminal of the booster battery. Refer to the
following illustration for jump-starting connections.
6. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery andthen to the engine ground (-)
of the vehicle with the discharged battery.Make sure
you have a good contact on the engine ground. Refer to
the following illustration for jump-starting connections.
Jump-Starting
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 255
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