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5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery and then to the engine of the
vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure you have
a good contact on the engine.
WARNING!
•You should not try to start your vehicle by push-
ing or towing.
•Do not connect the cable to the negative post of
the discharge battery. The resulting electrical
spark could cause the battery to explode.
•During cold weather when temperatures are be-
low freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged
battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The
battery temperature must be brought up above
freezing point before attempting jump start.
6. Start the engine in the vehicle which has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
7. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
1. Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting
out the battery vent;
2. Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
3. Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
310 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment – 3.7L...............316
Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II........317
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............317
Emissions Inspection And
Maintenance Programs...................318
Replacement Parts......................319
Dealer Service.........................319
Maintenance Procedures..................320
▫Engine Oil..........................320▫Drive Belts — Check Condition And Tension . . 323
▫Spark Plugs.........................324
▫Spark Plug Wires.....................324
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................324
▫Catalytic Converter....................325
▫Crankcase Emission Control System........327
▫Maintenance-Free Battery................327
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............329
▫Power Steering Fluid Check..............330
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the fuel filler cap properly to turn the message off (light
will time out). If the problem continues, the message will
appear the next time the vehicle is started.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states, which have an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance) requirement, this check verifies the
following: the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)
is functioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the OBD (On Board Diagnostic) system is ready
for testing.
Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, if you recently had a dead battery, or a batteryreplacement. If the OBD system should be determined
not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD system is ready, you must do
the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
4. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see your MIL symbol come on as part of a normal
bulb check.
5. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
318 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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a. The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn off the
ignition key or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD system isnot readyand you shouldnot
proceed to the I/M station.
b. The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn off the ignition key or start
the engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD system
isreadyand you can proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD system isnot ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL symbol is illuminatedduring normal vehicle operation, you should have your
vehicle serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M
station can fail your vehicle because the MIL symbol is on
with the engine running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine Moparparts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to in-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-Moparparts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.
DEALER SERVICE
Your dealer has the qualified service personnel, special
tools, and equipment to perform all service operations in
an expert manner. Service Manuals are available which
include detailed service information for your vehicle.
Refer to these manuals before attempting any procedure
yourself.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 319
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Crankcase Emission Control System
Proper operation of this system depends on freedom
from sticking or plugging due to deposits. As vehicle
mileage builds up, the PCV valve and passages may
accumulate deposits. If a valve is not working properly,
replace it with a new valve. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
CLEAN THE OLD PCV VALVE!
Check ventilation hose for indication of damage or
plugging deposits. Replace if necessary.
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic main-
tenance required.
WARNING!
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Don’t allow battery fluid
to contact your eyes, skin or clothing. Don’t lean
over a battery when attaching clamps. If acid
splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area imme-
diately with large amounts of water.
•Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep
flame or sparks away from the battery. Don’t use
a booster battery or any other booster source with
an output greater than 12 volts. Don’t allow cable
clamps to touch each other.
•Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Always wash
hands after handling the battery.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 327
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To determine the battery charge, check the battery test
indicator (if equipped) on top of the battery. Refer to the
illustration.
CAUTION!
•It is essential when replacing the cables on the
battery that the positive cable is attached to the
positive post and the negative cable is attached to
the negative post. Battery posts are marked (+)
positive and negative (-) and identified on the
battery case.
•If a “fast charger” is used while battery is in the
vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables
before connecting the charger to battery. Do not
use a “fast charger” to provide starting voltage.
328 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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Underhood Fuses (Power Distribution Center)
Your vehicle is equipped with an electrical power distri-
bution center located in the engine compartment near the
battery. This power center houses plug-in “Cartridge”
fuses which replace in-line fusible links. The power
center also contains “Mini” fuses and plug-in full and
micro ISO relays. A label inside the latching cover of the
center identifies each component for ease of replacement,
if necessary. “Cartridge” fuses and relays can be obtained
from your authorized dealer.
Power Distribution Center
356 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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VEHICLE STORAGE
If you are leaving your vehicle dormant for more than 21
days you may want to take steps to protect your battery.
You may:
•Remove Cartridge fuse #15 in the Power Distribution
Center labeled Ignition-Off Draw (IOD).
•Store the removed IOD fuse in the Power Distribution
Center location #11 labeled “IOD Storage.”
•Or, disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
•Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of
service (i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the
air conditioning system at idle for about five minutes
in the fresh air and high blower setting. This will
insure adequate system lubrication to minimize the
possibility of compressor damage when the system is
started again.
REPLACEMENT BULBS
Interior Lights Bulb Type
A/C Heater.................... NotServiceable
Ashtray Receiver Light.................... 161
Climate Control (Manual A/C)................ 74
Front Reading........................... 192
Rear Cargo Light.......................214–2
Lighted Vanity Mirror *.............. P/N6501966
Underpanel Courtesy Lights................. 906
Instrument Cluster (General Illumination)....... 103
Telltale/Hazard Light...................... 74
* Available only from authorized dealers.
Exterior Lights Bulb Type
Backup Lights....................3157 P27/7W
Center High-Mounted Stoplight.........921/W16W
Fog Lights (Sport/Limited Only).............9145
Front Park/Turn Lights.............3157 P27/7W
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 361
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