2008 CHRYSLER ASPEN engine oil

NFuel Requirements....................340
NSelection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.......340
NStarting............................341
NCruising Range.......................341
NReplacement Parts.....................341
mVehicle Loading........................342
NCertification Label.....................342
NCurb Weight.........................343
NLoading............................343
mTrailer Towing.........................345
NCommon Towing Definitions.............345NTrailer Hitch Classification...............350
NTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................351
NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............351
NTowing Requirements..................352
NTowing Tips.........................357
mSnowplow............................359
mRecreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 360
NRecreational Towing 2WD Models.........360
NRecreational Towing 4WD Models.........360
mEquipment Identification Plate.............364
270 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
²Driving through standing water may cause dam-
age to your vehicle's drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle's fluids (i.e., engine oil,
transmission, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination
(i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance)
after driving through standing water. Do not con-
tinue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears
contaminated, as this may result in further dam-
age. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
²Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
²Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle's traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8
km/h) when driving through standing water.
²Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle's braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
²Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and leave you
stranded.
²Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
288 STARTING AND OPERATING

Fuel Requirements
Your vehicle will operate on both unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating of 87, or E-85 fuel, or any mixture of
these two.
For best results, a refueling pattern that alternates be-
tween E-85 and unleaded gasoline should be avoided.
When you do switch fuels, it is recommended that you:
²do not switch when the fuel gauge indicates less than
1/4 full
²do not add less than five gallons (19 Liters) when
refueling
²operate the vehicle immediately after refueling for a
period of at least five minutes
Observing these precautions will avoid possible hard
starting and/or significant deterioration in drivability
during warm up.NOTE:When the ambient temperature is above 90ÉF
(32ÉC), you may experience hard starting and rough idle
following startup, even if the above recommendations
are followed.
Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) and Gasoline Vehicles
FFV vehicles operated on E-85 require specially formu-
lated engine oils. These special requirements are included
in Mopartengine oils, and in equivalent oils meeting
DaimlerChrysler Specification MS-6395. The manufac-
turer only recommends engine oils that are API Certified
and meet the requirements of Material Standard MS-
6395. MS-6395 contains additional requirements, devel-
oped during extensive fleet testing, to provide additional
protection to DaimlerChrysler Corporation engines. Use
Mopartor an equivalent oil meeting the specification
MS-6395.
340 STARTING AND OPERATING

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mEngine Compartment 4.7L V-8..............384
mEngine Compartment 5.7L HEMI V-8.........385
mOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II........386
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message............386
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................387
mReplacement Parts......................388
mDealer Service.........................389
mMaintenance Procedures..................389NEngine Oil..........................390
NEngine Oil Filter......................393
NDrive Belts Ð Check Condition And Tension . . 393
NSpark Plugs.........................394
NEngine Air Cleaner Filter................394
NEngine Fuel Filter.....................395
NCatalytic Converter....................395
NMaintenance Free Battery................396
NPower Steering Ð Fluid Check............398
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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 five
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 1 quart/liter 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 damage
your engine.
390 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Change Engine Oil
Follow the Maintenance Schedule for recommended en-
gine oil and filter change intervals.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change in-
tervals exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months,
whichever comes first.
4x4 Models, If Used Primarily For Off-Road Operation
Every 50 hours of use.
Dusty Conditions
Driving through dust-laden air increases the problems of
keeping abrasive materials out of the engine. Under these
conditions, special attention should be given to the
engine air cleaner and the crankcase inlet air cleaner. The
crankcase ventilation system should also be checked
periodically. Make sure that these units are always clean.
This will tend to reduce to a minimum the amount of
abrasive material that may enter the engine.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends engine oils that are API certified 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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 391
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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. The engine oil
filler cap also shows the recommended engine oil
viscosity for your vehicle.
For information on engine oil filler cap location, see the
Engine Compartment illustration in this section.
NOTE:Vehicles equipped with a 5.7L engine must use
SAE 5W-20 oil. Failure to do so may result in improper
operation of the Multiple Displacement System (MDS).
Refer to ªMulti Displacement Systemº under ªStarting
and Operatingº in Section 5.
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
You may use synthetic engine oils provided the recom-
mended oil quality requirements are met, and the recom-
mended maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes
are followed.
Materials Added to Engine Oils
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
the engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and its
performance may be impaired by supplemental addi-
tives.
Disposing of Used Engine Oil and Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil and
oil filters from your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to the
environment. Contact your authorized dealer, service
392 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

station, or governmental agency for advice on how and
where used oil and oil filters can be safely discarded in
your area.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be replaced at every engine
oil change.
Engine Oil Filter Selection
The manufacturer's engines have a full-flow type oil
filter. Use a filter of this type for replacement. The quality
of replacement filters varies considerably. Only high
quality filters should be used to assure most efficient
service. MopartEngine Oil Filters are a high quality oil
filter and are recommended.
Drive Belts Ð Check Condition and Tension
Belt tension is controlled by means of an automatic
tensioner. No belt tension adjustments are required.
However, belt and belt tensioner condition should be
inspected at the specified intervals, and replaced if re-
quired. See your authorized dealer for service. At the
mileage indicated in the maintenance schedule, all belts
and tensioner should be checked for condition. Improper
belt tension can cause belt slippage and failure. Belts
should be inspected for evidence of cuts, cracks, glazing,
or frayed cords and replaced if there is indication of
damage which could result in belt failure. Low generator
belt tension can cause battery failure. Also check belt
routing to make sure there is no interference between the
belts and other engine components.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 393
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