Page 300 of 568

Tire Rotation Recommendations............377
▫Dual Rear Wheels.....................379
Fuel Requirements......................380
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................381
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............381
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................381
▫Materials Added To Fuel................382
▫Fuel System Cautions..................382
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............383
Adding Fuel..........................384
▫Adding Fuel (Gas Engines)..............384
Flexible Fuel— (Fleet Vehicles Only).........386
▫E-85 General Information................386▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................386
▫Fuel Requirements....................387
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.......387
▫Starting............................388
▫Cruising Range.......................388
▫Replacement Parts.....................388
▫Maintenance.........................388
Vehicle Loading........................389
▫Certification Label.....................389
Trailer Towing.........................392
▫Common Towing Definitions.............392
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............396
300 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 454 of 568
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 lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. The
best time to check the engine oil level is about 5 minutes
after a fully warmed up engine is shut off or before
starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the bottom of the SAFE zone will result in a reading at the
top of the safe zone on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could dam-
age your engine.
454 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 481 of 568

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 asrequired into the dipstick tube.Do not overfill.After
adding any quantity of oil through the oil fill tube, wait
a minimum of two (2) minutes for the oil to fully drain
into the transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
NOTE:If it is necessary to check the transmissionbelow
the operating temperature, the fluid level should be
between the two “COLD” (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at approximately 70°F (21°C) (room tem-
perature). If the fluid level is correctly established at
room temperature, it should be between the “HOT”
(upper) reference holes when the transmission reaches
180°F (82°C). Remember it is best to check the level at the
normal operating temperature.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 481
7
Page 555 of 568

Starting............................. 388
Flooded Engine Starting................... 303
Fluid, Brake........................... 515
Fluid Capacities......................... 512
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 480
Brake............................... 476
Power Steering........................ 464
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 514
Fog Lights.......................168,233,502
Fold Flat Load Floor..................... 210
Four Wheel Drive....................... 316
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 420
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 442
Front Axle (Differential)................... 477
Front Wheel Bearings..................... 482
Fuel................................. 380
Adding............................. 384
Filter............................... 459Gauge.............................. 235
Hoses.............................. 474
Octane Rating......................380,514
Requirements......................380,512
System Hoses......................... 474
Tank Capacity........................ 512
Fuel, Flexible.............See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fuses................................ 492
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 186
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)...............385,450
Gasoline (Fuel)......................... 380
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 381
Gauges............................... 227
Coolant Temperature.................... 229
Fuel................................ 235
Oil Pressure.......................... 228
Speedometer......................... 228
Tachometer.......................... 227
INDEX 555
10