Page 388 of 475
WARNING!
Use of brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point, or is unidentified, as to specifications
may result in sudden brake failure during hard
prolonged braking. You could have an accident.
WARNING!
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching on fire.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture.
CAUTION!
Do not allow a petroleum-base fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid. Seal damage may result.
Brake Hoses
Inspection should be performed whenever the brake
system is serviced or at intervals specified. Inspect hy-
draulic brake hoses for surface cracking, scuffing or worn
spots. If there is any evidence of cracking, scuffing, or
worn spots, the hose should be replaced immediately!
Eventual deterioration of the hose can take place with
possible burst failure.
388 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 389 of 475

WARNING!
Worn brake hoses can burst and cause brake failure.
You could have an accident. If you see any sign of
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, have the brake
hoses replaced immediately.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level while the transmission is at normal
operating temperature 180°F (82°C). This occurs after at
least 15 miles (24 km) of driving. At normal operating
temperature the fluid cannot be held comfortably be-
tween the fingertips.
To check the automatic transmission fluid level properly,
the following procedure must be used:1. Operate the engine at idle speed and normal operating
temperature.
2. The vehicle must be on level ground.
3. Fully apply the parking brake and press the brake
pedal.
4. Place the gear selector momentarily in each gear
position ending with the lever in P (Park).
5. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until
seated.
6. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level should be between the “HOT”
(upper) reference holes on the dipstick at normal operat-
ing temperature. Verify that solid coating of oil is seen on
both sides of the dipstick. If the fluid is low, add as
required into the dipstick tube.Do not overfill.After
adding any quantity of oil through the oil fill tube, wait
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 389
7
Page 396 of 475

MoparTotal Clean is specifically recommended for
leather upholstery.
Your leather upholstery can be best preserved by regular
cleaning with a damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt
can act as an abrasive and damage the leather upholstery
and should be removed promptly with a damp cloth.
Stubborn soils can be removed easily with a soft cloth
and MoparTotal Clean. Care should be taken to avoid
soaking your leather upholstery with any liquid. Please
do not use polishes, oils, cleaning fluids, solvents, deter-
gents, or ammonia based cleaners to clean your leather
upholstery. Application of a leather conditioner is not
required to maintain the original condition.WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights that are lighter and
less susceptible to stone breakage than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.
To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other aggressive material to clean the lenses.
396 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 445 of 475
Inspection and service should also be performed anytime
a malfunction is observed or suspected. Retain all re-
ceipts.
* This maintenance is recommended by the manufacturer
to the owner, but not required to maintain the emissions
warranty.WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the right equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent me-
chanic.
SCHEDULE “A” 445
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S
Page 454 of 475

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, andmay depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
454 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
Page 455 of 475
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 455
9
Page 458 of 475

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............188,271
Adding Fuel........................... 314
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 372
Air Conditioner Maintenance............230,375
Air Conditioning........................ 230
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips............ 242
Air Conditioning, Rear Zone................ 234
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............375,377
Air Conditioning System................230,375
AirFilter .....................360,361,362,372
Air Pressure, Tires....................294,303
Airbag............................. 51,194
Airbag Light.......................... 59,73
Alarm, Panic............................ 22
Alarm (Security Alarm)................. 17,188
Alignment and Balance................... 302
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 8
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 226
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...........382,383,417Disposal............................ 384
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............271,275
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 188
Anti-Theft System..................... 17,188
Appearance Care........................ 393
Arming Theft System (Security Alarm)......... 18
AutomaticDimmingMirror ............... 80,83
Automatic Door Locks..................... 28
Automatic Headlights.................... 133
Automatic Transaxle.................... 12,254
Automatic Transmission.............251,254,389
Adding Fluid......................... 389
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 390
Fluid Level Check...................... 389
FluidType ........................390,419
Gear Ranges.......................... 254
Special Additives...................... 391
Torque Converter...................... 258
AxleFluid ............................. 419
458 INDEX
Page 459 of 475

Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid)............... 392
BallJoints ............................. 377
Battery.......................360,361,362,374
Charging............................ 353
Emergency Starting..................... 353
Gas Caution.......................... 353
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)....... 25
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 132
Belts,Drive ............................ 371
Belts, Seat.............................. 39
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 378
B-Pillar Location........................ 289
Brake Assist System...................... 276
Brake Control System, Electronic............. 275
Brake Fluid............................ 419
Brake System........................271,387
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................271,275
Disc Brakes.......................... 387Fluid Check.......................... 387
Hoses.............................. 388
Master Cylinder....................... 387
Parking............................. 269
Warning Light.....................188,191
Brakes............................... 271
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 254
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 71
Bulb Replacement....................... 408
Bulbs,Light ............................ 407
Calibration, Compass..................... 158
Capacities, Fluid........................ 417
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 314
Oil (Engine).......................... 369
Power Steering........................ 377
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 383
Car Washes............................ 393
INDEX 459
10