Page 270 of 358

Disposing of Used Engine Oil
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil from
your vehicle. Used oil, indiscriminately discarded, can
present a problem to the environment. Contact your
dealer, service station, or governmental agency for advice
on how and where used oil 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
All DaimlerChrysler Corporation engines have a full-
flow type disposable 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 high quality oil filters and are recommended.
Drive Belts - Check Condition and Tension
At the distance shown in the maintenance schedules,
check all drive belts for condition and proper tension.
Improper belt tension can cause belt slippage and failure.
Inspect the drive belts for evidence of cuts, cracks, or
glazing and replace them if there is any sign of damage
which could result in belt failure. If adjustment is re-
quired, adjust the belts according to the specifications
and procedures shown in the Service Manual.
Special tools are required to properly measure tension
and to restore belt tension to factory specifications. Also,
check belt routing to make sure there is no interference
between the belts and other engine components.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs must fire properly to assure engine perfor-
mance and emission control. New spark plugs should be
installed at the distance specified in the appropriate
maintenance chart. The entire set should be replaced if
268 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 291 of 358

Fluid and Filter Changes
Automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed at 80,000 mi (129 000 km). The fluid is then filled
for life.
NOTE:Refer to Section 8 of this manual for Mainte-
nance Schedules.
Manual Transmission
Selection of Lubricant
No fluid service is required. Use only fluid approved to
MB 236.2. SAE 5W-20 engine oil, meeting API SL or GF-3,
may be substituted. Refer to the Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants and Genuine Parts section for the correct fluid
type.
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug. The fluid
level should be between the bottom of the fill hole and a
point not more than 3/16 in (4.76 mm) below the bottom
of the hole.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill. Dirt and water in the transmission
can cause serious damage. To prevent dirt and water
from entering the transmission after checking or
replenishing fluid, make certain that the dipstick cap
is seated properly.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 289
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Page 317 of 358
FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)15.8 Gal 60.0 L
Fuel Tank Reserve2 Gal 7.5 L
Engine Oil (with filter)
3.2 L Engine 8.5 Qt 8.0 L
Cooling System *
3.2 L Engine 11.8 Qt 11.2 L
Manual Transmission1.9 Qt 1.8 L
Automatic Transmission8.5 Qt 8.0 L
Rear Axle1.4 Qt 1.3 L
Power Steering Reservoir1.1 Qt 1.0 L
Brake Reservoir.5 Qt .5 L
Windshield Washer Reservoir(MAX fill when empty) 7.4 Qt 7.0 L
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 315
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Page 318 of 358
RECOMMENDED FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
Engine Coolant Use coolant approved to MB 325.0, such as Valvoline GO5, or an equivalent
extended life coolant.
Engine Oil Only use synthetic engine oils, approved to MB 229.3 or MB 229.5, such as
Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40. The FSS may not alert for an oil change at the proper
interval if an unapproved engine oil is used; engine damage and reduced
engine life may result.
Engine Oil Filter Mopart5102905AA or equivalent
Spark Plugs Bosch F 8 DPER/NGK PFR 5-11
Spark Plug Gap 0.039 in (1.0 mm)
Fuel Selection Premium Unleaded 91 Octane
316 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 321 of 358
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
CONTENTS
mIntroduction..........................320
mWarranty.............................320
mEmission Control System Maintenance........321
mMaintenance Schedules...................322
NScope Of Work For ªAº Schedule Maintenance
Service.............................322
NScope Of Work For ªBº Schedule Maintenance
Service.............................323
mFSS System...........................325mRegular Check-Ups.....................326
NAdditional Periodic Maintenance..........327
mSpecial Maintenance Requirements..........329
NCoolant............................329
NDust Filter For Heating/Ventilation
Replacement (If Equipped)...............329
mEngine Oil Change And Filter Replacement....330
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MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
There are two maintenance schedules that show the
requiredservice for your vehicle.
Schedule ªAº typically rotates with Schedule ªB.º Follow
Schedule ªAº after the first service interval, Schedule ªBº
after the second service interval, and so on. In some cases
where the service interval has been extended due to very
light duty driving, a Schedule ªBº service may be indi-
cated following a previous Schedule ªBº service. There
are additional service tasks required under Schedule ªB.º
Your Flexible Service System (FSS) Ð see Understanding
Your Instrument Panel section Ð should give you an
exact indication of when your vehicle should be sched-
uled for service and which schedule to follow.
Additional Periodic Maintenanceitems should also be
performed beyond the items listed in the following charts
to assure the optimum performance of your vehicle.
SCOPE OF WORK FOR ªAº SCHEDULE
MAINTENANCE SERVICE
Oil Change
²Change oil and replace filter
Maintenance
²Lubricate hood hinges, latch, and secondary latch
²Reset FSS Display
Function Check
²Horn, hazard warning flashers, turn signals, and indi-
cator lamps
²Headlamps and exterior lighting
²Windshield wipers and washer system
Inspection
²Check front and rear brake pads for lining thickness
322 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Page 325 of 358
²Check tires for damage and general condition
²Check tire inflation pressures and correct 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
SCOPE OF WORK FOR ªBº SCHEDULE
MAINTENANCE SERVICE
Oil Change
²Change oil and replace filter
Maintenance
²Rotate tires
²Replace dust filter (if equipped)
²Lubricate hood hinges, latch, and secondary latch
²Reset FSS Display
Function Check
²Horn, hazard warning flashers, turn signals, and indi-
cator lamps
²Headlamps and exterior lighting
²Windshield wipers and washer system
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 323
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ENGINE OIL CHANGE AND FILTER
REPLACEMENT
The recommended oil and filter change interval is based
on FSS or 1 year. Please refer to the heading FSS System
in this section for a full description of the use and
interpretation of symbols in the FSS system. Only use
synthetic engine oils, approved to MB 229.3 or MB 229.5,
such as Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40. The FSS may not alert for an
oil change at the proper interval if an unapproved engine
oil is used; engine damage and reduced engine life may
result. Information is available from your authorized
dealer. The oil filter should always be changed when the
oil is changed.
330 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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