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Air Conditioner
Check the air conditioning system at the start of the
warm weather season.
NOTE:If your air conditioning performance seems
lower than expected, check the front of the A/C con-
denser for an accumulation of dirt or insects. Clean with
a gentle water spray from behind the radiator and
through the condenser as required. Fabric front fascia
protectors may reduce air flow to the condenser, reducing
air conditioning performance.WARNING!
The air conditioning system contains refrigerant un-
der high pressure. To avoid risk of personal injury or
damage to the system, adding refrigerant or any
repair requiring lines to be disconnected should be
done by an experienced repair person.
Refrigerant Recovery And Recycling
The air conditioning system of your vehicle contains
R-134a, a refrigerant that does not deplete the ozone layer
in the upper atmosphere. The DaimlerChrysler
Corporation recommends that air conditioning service be
done by facilities using refrigerant recycling and recovery
equipment that meets SAE standard J1991.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 273
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²Maintain a coolant concentration of a minimum of 50%
ethylene glycol Extended Life Coolant and high qual-
ity water with recommended antifreeze for proper
corrosion protection of your engine cooling system
that contains aluminum components.
²Make sure that the radiator and coolant bottle hoses
are not kinked or obstructed.
²Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle has
air conditioning, keep the front of the condenser clean,
also.
²Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory coolant performance, poor fuel
economy, and increased emissions.
Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses
Inspect surfaces of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence
of heat and mechanical damage. Hard or soft spots,
brittle rubber, cracking, checking, tears, cuts, abrasions,
and excessive swelling indicate deterioration of the rub-
ber.
Pay particular attention to the hoses nearest to high heat
sources such as the exhaust manifold. Inspect hose rout-
ing to be sure hoses do not touch any heat source or
moving component that may cause heat damage or
mechanical wear.
Ensure the nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed. Inspect all hose connections such as clamps
and couplings to make sure they are secure and no leaks
are present. Components should be replaced immedi-
ately if there is any evidence of degradation that could
cause failure.
284 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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Frequency of Fluid Change
Under normal operation conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will give satisfactory lubrication for the life of
the vehicle. Fluid changes are not necessary unless the
lubricant has become contaminated with water. If con-
taminated with water, the fluid should be changed im-
mediately.
Special Additives
Do not add any fluid additives to the transmission. The
only exception to this policy is the use of special dyes to
aid in detecting fluid leaks. The use of transmission
sealers should be avoided as this may adversely affect
seals.
Appearance Care and Protection from Corrosion
Protection of Body and Paint from Corrosion
Vehicle body protection requirements vary according to
geographic locations and usage. Chemicals that make
roads passable in snow and ice, and those that aresprayed on trees and road surfaces during other seasons,
are highly corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside
parking, which exposes your vehicle to airborne contami-
nants, road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated,
extreme hot or cold weather and other extreme condi-
tions will have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and
underbody protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of
paint and protective coatings from your vehicle.
The most common causes are:
²Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation.
²Stone and gravel impact.
290 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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The use of Special lubricant additives is not recom-
mended. The use of such additives may affect your
warranty rights. With regard to legal stipulations con-
cerning emissions control, please note that engines have
to be serviced and adjusted in accordance with special
instructions and using special measuring equipment.
Modifications to or interference with the emissions con-
trol systems are not permissible.
All DaimlerChrysler Corporation authorized dealers are
familiar with the relevant and applicable regulations.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The ªScheduledº maintenance services, listed inbold
typemust be done at the times or mileages specified to
assure the continued proper functioning of the emission
control system. These, and all other maintenance services
included in this manual, should be done to provide bestvehicle performance and reliability. More frequent main-
tenance may be needed for your Crossfire in severe
operating conditions such as dusty areas and very short
trip driving.
Inspection and service also should be done any time a
malfunction is suspected.
NOTE:Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emis-
sion control devices and systems on your vehicle may be
performed by any automotive repair establishment or
individual using any automotive part which has been
certified pursuant to U.S. EPA or, in the State of Califor-
nia, California Air Resources Board regulations.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 321
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²Check seat belts for damage and proper function
²Test hydraulic brakes and check parking brake func-
tion
Inspection
²Check front and rear brake pads for lining thickness
²Check condition of front and rear brake discs
²Check tires for damage and general condition
²Check tire inflation pressures and correct if necessary
²Check major underbody components for leakage or
damage (if there are signs of leakage, determine cause
and repair)
²Check condition of front axle ball joints and rubber
boots
²Check condition of steering components and rubber
boots
²Check underhood components for leakage or damage
(if there are signs of leakage determine cause and
repair)
²Check condition of accessory drive belt
²Check headlamp aiming, adjust if necessary
²Check windshield wiper blades, replace if necessary
Fluid Levels
Check fluid levels for the following systems and correct if
necessary. Should there be a loss of fluid that cannot be
explained by regular use, trace and eliminate the cause.
²Engine cooling system (check corrosion inhibitor/
antifreeze)
²Hydraulic brake system
²Power steering system
²Windshield washer system
324 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Page 330 of 358
Every 2 years:
²Inspect body for paint damage.
²Check chassis and supporting body parts for damage
and corrosion.
At approximately every 50,000 mi (80 000 km) or 4 years:
²Check condition of driveshaft flex discs.
²Retighten locking bolts for steering (observe torque).
At approximately every 60,000 mi (96 000 km) or 4 years:
²Replace fuel filter.
²Replace air cleaner filter element.At approximately 80,000 mi (128 000 km):
²Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter.
Use the recommended automatic transmission fluid.
After this change it is filled for life. The manual
transmission comes filled for life from the factory.
At approximately every 100,000 mi (160 000 km) or 5
years:
²Replace spark plugs.
Every 100,000 mi (160 000 km) or 5 years:
²Replace engine coolant using coolant approved to MB
325.0, such as Valvoline GO5, or an equivalent ex-
tended life coolant.
328 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Page 344 of 358

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System).............. 134
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).......... 282
Adding Fuel........................... 225
Aiming Headlights....................... 310
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 269
Air Conditioning.....................155,273
Air Conditioning Filter.................... 329
Air Conditioning Refrigerant............... 273
Air Conditioning System.................. 273
Air Pressure, Tires....................... 208
Airbag................................ 33
Airbag Deployment....................... 40
Airbag Light.........................38,140
Airbag Maintenance....................... 50
Airbag On/Off Switch...................47,53
Alignment and Balance................... 214
Antenna.............................. 154
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)................ 315
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 134Appearance Care........................ 290
Ashtrays and Lighter...................... 82
Automatic Door Locks..................... 15
Automatic Transmission................174,288
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 289
Fluid Level Check...................... 288
Fluid Type........................... 288
Special Additives...................... 290
Autostick............................. 178
Ball Joints............................. 275
Battery............................135,271
Saving Feature (Protection)................ 95
Belts, Drive............................ 268
Belts, Seat.............................. 26
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 276
B-Pillar Location........................ 203
Brake Assist System...................... 108
Brake, Parking.......................... 185
342 INDEX
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Engine
Break-In Recommendations................ 61
Checking Oil Level..................... 264
Compartment......................... 260
Oil ..............................264,315
Oil Change Interval.................... 266
Oil Selection.......................... 267
Exhaust Gas Caution...................... 61
Exhaust System......................... 279
Exterior Lights.......................... 305
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 269
Air Conditioning...................... 329
Engine Fuel.......................... 269
Engine Oil........................... 268
Fluid Capacities......................313,315
Fluid Leaks............................. 63Fluid Level Checks
Manual Transmission................... 289
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 316
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 232
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 244
Fuel................................. 222
Adding............................. 225
Additives............................ 224
Filler Cap (Gas Cap).................... 225
Filter............................... 269
Octane Rating........................ 222
Fuses................................ 297
Garage Door Opener (HomeLinkt) ........... 117
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap).................. 225
Gasoline (Fuel)......................... 315
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends................ 223
Gear Ratios............................ 313
General Information...................... 218
INDEX 345
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