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²RKE (Remote Keyless Entry) Battery Low (with a
single chime)
²Personal Settings Not Available ± Vehicle Not in Park.
²Left/Right Door Ajar (one or more, with a single
chime if speed is above 1 mph)
²Door(s) Ajar (with a single chime if vehicle is in
motion)
²Trunk Ajar (with a single chime)
²Headlights On
²Key In Ignition
²Convertible Top In Operation (with a single chime)
²Convertible Top Complete (with a single chime)
²Secure Cargo Shield (with a single chime)
²Speed Too High (with a single chime)
²Convertible Top Malfunction (with a single chime)
²Oil Change Required (with a single chime)
Oil Change Required
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The ªOil Change Requiredº message
will flash in the EVIC display for approximately 10
seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate the
next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
release the Menu button. To reset the oil change indicator
system (after performing the scheduled maintenance)
perform the following procedure:
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 189
4
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1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (Do not
start the engine).
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three times
within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary repeat this procedure.
Trip Functions
Press and release the MENU button until one of the
following Trip Functions displays in the EVIC:
²Average Fuel Economy
²Distance To Empty
²Elapsed Time
²Display Units of Measure inPress and release the STEP button to advance the display
through the Trip Functions.
The Trip Functions mode displays the following informa-
tion:
²Average Fuel Economy
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset.
When the fuel economy is reset, the display will read,
RESET or show dashes for two seconds. Then, the history
information will be erased, and the averaging will con-
tinue from the last fuel average reading before the reset.
²Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be traveled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by a weighted average of the instantaneous
and average fuel economy, according to the current fuel
tank level. DTE cannot be reset through the RESET
button.
190 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 249 of 454

NLife Of Tire.........................295
NReplacement Tires.....................296
NAlignment And Balance.................297
mTire Chains...........................297
mSnow Tires...........................298
mTire Rotation Recommendations............298
mTire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Ð
If Equipped...........................299
NBase System Ð If Equipped..............302
NPremium System Ð If Equipped..........304
NGeneral Information...................307
mFuel Requirements......................307
N2.4L And 2.7L Engines..................307N3.5L Engine.........................308
NReformulated Gasoline.................309
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............309
NMMT In Gasoline.....................310
NMaterials Added To Fuel................310
NFuel System Cautions..................310
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............311
mFlexible FuelÐ 2.7L Engines Only
(Except California Emission States)..........312
NE-85 General Information................312
NEthanol Fuel (E-85)....................313
NFuel Requirements....................313
NSelection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.......314
STARTING AND OPERATING 249
5
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CAUTION!
²Always check the depth of the standing water before driving
through it. Never drive through standing water that is deeper
than the bottom of the tire rims mounted on the vehicle.
²Determine the condition of the road or the path that is under
water and if there are any obstacles in the way before driving
through the standing water.
²Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving through
standing water. This will minimize wave effects.
²Driving through standing water may cause damage to your
vehicle's drivetrain components. Always inspect your vehi-
cle'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
continue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears contami-
nated, as this may result in further damage. Such damage is
not covered by the new vehicle limited warranty.
²Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can cause it to
lockup 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 lockup 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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 273
5
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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:
²you do not switch when the fuel gauge indicates less
than1¤4full
²you do not add less than 5 gallons when refueling
²you operate the vehicle immediately after refueling for
a period of at least 5 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 90É F
(32É C), you may experience hard starting and rough idle
following start up even if the above recommendations are
followed.
Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) and Gasoline Vehicles
FFV vehicles operated on E85 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.
NOTE:Your engine oil filler cap also describes the
correct engine oil to use.
314 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 335 of 454
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mHazard Warning Flasher..................336
mIf Your Engine Overheats.................336
NEngine Oil Overheating Ð 2.4L Engine Only
(If Equipped)........................337
mJacking And Tire Changing................338
NPreparations For Jacking................338
NJack Location........................339
NSpare Tire Stowage....................339
NJacking Instructions....................340mJump-Starting Procedures.................344
mFreeing A Stuck Vehicle..................348
mTowing A Disabled Vehicle................349
NWithout The Ignition Key...............349
NTowing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................349
NTowing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
With A Tow Dolly.....................350
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Page 337 of 454

the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the pointer rises to the H (red) mark,
the instrument cluster will sound a chime. Pull over
and stop the vehicle with the engine at idle, when
safe. Turn off the air conditioning and wait until the
pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on the H (red) mark for more than a
minute, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
Engine Oil Overheating Ð 2.4L Engine Only (If
Equipped)
During sustained high-speed driving or trailer tow up
long grades on hot day, the engine oil temperature may
become too hot. If this happens, the ªHOTOILº message
flashes, the vehicle speed will be reduced to 53 mph (85
km/h) until the engine oil temperature is reduced.
NOTE:Engine speed is reduced to 53 mph (85 km/h) at
the maximum. You may of course, reduce your speed
further if needed.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 337
6
Page 351 of 454
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
m2.4L Engine Compartment................354
m2.7L Engine Compartment................355
m3.5L Engine Compartment................356
mOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II........357
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message............358
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................358
mReplacement Parts......................360
mDealer Service.........................360mMaintenance Procedures..................361
NEngine Oil..........................361
NEngine Oil Filter......................365
NDrive Belt...........................365
NSpark Plugs.........................365
NEngine Air Cleaner Filter................365
NCatalytic Converter....................366
NMaintenance-Free Battery................367
NAir Conditioner Maintenance.............369
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