Page 317 of 454
After removing the gas cap, lay the cap tether in the hook
on the inside of the fuel door. This keeps the gas cap
suspended away from the vehicle's surface.
NOTE:If the gas cap is lost or damaged, be sure the
replacement cap is for use with this vehicle.CAUTION!
²Damage to the fuel system or emission control
system could result from using an improper fuel
tank filler tube cap (gas cap).
²A poorly fitting gas cap could let impurities into
the fuel system.
²A poorly fitting gas cap may cause the Malfunc-
tion Indicator Light to turn on.
²To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not ªtop
offº the fuel tank after filling. When the fuel
nozzle ªclicksº or shuts off, the fuel tank is full.
Fuel Filler Door Features
STARTING AND OPERATING 317
5
Page 318 of 454

WARNING!
²Never have any smoking materials lit in or near
the vehicle when the gas cap is removed or the
tank filled.
²Never add fuel when the engine is running. This is
in violation of most state and federal fire regula-
tions and doing so will cause the malfunction
indicator light to turn on.
²A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on
the ground while filling.
NOTE:
²Tighten the gas cap until you hear a ªclickingº sound.
This is an indication that the gas cap is tightenedproperly. The Malfunction Indicator Light in the in-
strument cluster may turn on if the gas cap is not
secured properly. Make sure that the gas cap is tight-
ened each time the vehicle is refueled.
²When the fuel nozzle ªclicksº or shuts off, the fuel
tank is full.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap in loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
ªgASCAPº message will display in the instrument clus-
ter. Tighten the gas cap until a ªclickingº sound is heard.
This is an indication that the gas cap is properly tight-
ened. Press the trip odometer reset button to turn off the
message. If the problem persists, the message will appear
the next time the vehicle is started. This might indicate a
damaged cap. If the problem is detected twice in a row,
the system will turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL). Resolving the problem will turn the MIL light off.
318 STARTING AND OPERATING
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
7
Page 358 of 454

Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap in loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
ªgASCAPº message will display in the instrument clus-
ter. Tighten the gas cap until a ªclickingº sound is heard.
This is an indication that the gas cap is properly tight-
ened. Press the trip odometer reset button to turn off the
message. If the problem persists, the message will appear
the next time the vehicle is started. This might indicate a
fuel evaporation system error. If the problem is detected
twice in a row, the system will turn on the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL). Resolving the problem will turn
the MIL light off.
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 Light)
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 battery
replacement. If the OBD system should be determined
not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
358 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 363 of 454

Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer recom-
mends 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.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade) Ð 2.4L and 2.7L
Engines
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy. Your engine oil filler
cap also shows the recommended engine oil viscosity for
your vehicle.
The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended
engine oil viscosity for your engine. For information on
engine oil filler cap location, refer to the ªEngine Com-
partmentº illustration in this section.
Lubricants which do not have both, the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade) Ð 3.5L Engine
SAE 10W-30engine oil is preferred for all operating
temperatures. The engine oil filler cap also shows the
recommended engine oil viscosity for your vehicle.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 363
7
Page 409 of 454
FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
EngineU.S. Metric
Fuel (approximate)
All Engines 16.9 gallons 64 liters
Engine Oil with Filter
2.4L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 4.5 quarts 4.26 liters
2.7L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 5.5 quarts 5.2 liters
3.5L Engine (SAE 10W-30, API Certified) 5.5 quarts 5.2 liters
Cooling System *
2.4L Engine (MopartAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile For-
mula) or equivalent.7.7 quarts. 7.3 liters
2.7L Engine (MopartAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile For-
mula) or equivalent.9.8 quarts. 9.3 liters
3.5L Engine (MopartAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile For-
mula) or equivalent.11.6 quarts. 11.0 liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 409
7
Page 434 of 454

Fluid Check.......................383,412
Hoses.............................. 382
Master Cylinder....................... 383
Parking............................. 264
Warning Light........................ 182
Brakes.............................267,381
Brake/Transaxle Interlock.................. 256
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 72
Brightness, Interior Lights.................. 144
Bulb Replacement.....................400,401
Bulbs, Light..........................76,400
Calibration, Compass..................... 192
Capacities, Fluid........................ 409
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 316
Oil (Engine)..................354,355,356,363
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 378
Car Washes............................ 388Carbon Monoxide Warning...............74,311
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 319
Catalytic Converter...................... 366
CD (Compact Disc) Player...............213,217
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance........ 231
Cellular Phone..................99,217,218,231
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 408
Certification Label....................... 319
Chains, Tire............................ 297
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 338
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 281
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . 358
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............. 73
Checks, Safety........................... 73
Child Restraint..................62,63,64,68,69
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............66,68
Cigar Lighter........................... 163
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 309
434 INDEX
Page 437 of 454

Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 98
Electrical Power Outlets................... 161
Electronic Brake Control System
Brake Assist System.................... 275
Electronic Stability Program............... 276
Traction Control System................. 274
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 151
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 276
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 187
Emergency Deck Lid Release................ 38
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 348
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 336
Jacking............................. 338
Jump Starting......................... 344
Overheating.......................... 336
Towing............................. 349
Emergency Trunk Release................... 38
Emission Control System Maintenance......358,414Engine........................72,354,355,356
Air Cleaner.......................... 365
Block Heater......................... 255
Break-In Recommendations................ 72
Checking Oil Level..................... 361
Compartment......................... 354
Coolant (Antifreeze).................376,410
Cooling............................. 375
Exhaust Gas Caution..................74,311
Fails to Start.......................... 253
Flooded, Starting...................... 253
Fuel Requirements..................... 307
Jump Starting......................... 344
Oil ...........................361,409,410
Oil Change Interval............179,189,362,414
Oil Filler Cap.................354,355,356,363
Oil Filter............................ 365
Oil Filter Disposal...................... 364
Oil Selection.......................363,409
INDEX 437
10