Page 361 of 454

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.The best time to check the engine oil level is about 5
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not
check oil level before starting the engine after it has sat
overnight. Checking engine oil level when the engine is
cold will give you an incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. Either the range mark-
ings consist of a crosshatch zone marked SAFE or a
crosshatch zone marked with MIN at the low end of the
range and MAX at the high end of the range. Adding one
quart of oil when the reading is at the low end of the
range marking will raise the oil level to the high end of
the range marking.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 361
7
Page 362 of 454
CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine
will cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil
pressure and an increase in oil temperature. This
could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to ªMaintenance Scheduleº in Section 8 of this
manual for information on this system.
NOTE: Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months,
whichever occurs first.
Engine Oil Dipstick
362 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 384 of 454

WARNING!
²Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
²Use of a brake fluid that has a lower initial boiling
point than the recommended MOPARtDOT 3
product or a brake fluid that is unidentified as to
FMVSS specification may result in sudden brake
failure during hard prolonged braking. You could
have an accident.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture.
CAUTION!
Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid, all brake seal components could be
damaged causing partial or complete brake failure.
Automatic Transaxle
The automatic transaxle and differential assembly are
contained within a single housing.
The fluid level in the automatic transaxle should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transaxle and the fluid.
Fluid Level Check Ð Vehicles with 3.5L Engine
The automatic transaxle has no dipstick and is dealer
serviced only.
384 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 436 of 454

Cup Holder.........................164,392
Heated/Cooled (Beverage Holder).......... 164
Customer Assistance..................... 423
Customer Programmable Features............ 194
Data Recorder, Event...................... 60
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights........... 145
Daytime Running Lights................... 140
Dealer Service.......................... 360
Deck Lid, Emergency Release................ 38
Deck Lid, Power Release................... 36
Defroster, Rear Window................... 246
Defroster, Windshield................75,235,241
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 147
Deploying, Airbag........................ 53
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 357
Digital Video Disc (DVD) Player..........213,217
Dimmer Control........................ 144
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 142Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle.................384,385
Oil (Engine).......................... 361
Disabled Vehicle Towing................... 349
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 379
Engine Oil........................... 364
Door Locks............................. 29
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 31
Door Opener, Garage..................... 155
Drive Belts............................ 365
Driver's Seat Back Tilt.................... 133
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 271
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water......................... 272
E-85 Fuel............................. 312
Electric Rear Window Defrost............... 246
436 INDEX
Page 445 of 454

Occupant Restraints.................39,53,54,56
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel)............307,410
Odometer............................. 178
Trip .............................178,180
Oil Change Indicator................179,189,414
Oil Change Indicator, Reset..............179,189
Oil, Engine.........................361,410
Capacity............................ 409
Change Interval...............179,189,362,414
Checking............................ 361
Dipstick............................. 361
Disposal............................ 364
Filter............................365,410
Filter Disposal........................ 364
Identification Logo..................... 363
Materials Added to..................... 364
Recommendation...................363,409
Synthetic............................ 364
Viscosity..........................363,409Oil Filter, Change........................ 365
Oil Filter, Selection....................... 365
Oil Pressure Light....................... 177
Onboard Diagnostic System..............357,358
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLinkt) ........... 155
Operating Precautions.................... 357
Outside Rearview Mirrors.................. 97
Overdrive............................. 260
Overheating, Engine...................... 336
Owner's Manual (Operator Manual).......... 428
Paint Care............................. 387
Panic Alarm............................ 25
Parking Brake.......................... 264
Parking On Hill......................... 265
Passenger Seat Back Tilt (Easy Entry System).... 133
Passing Light........................... 143
Personal Settings........................ 194
Pets.................................. 72
INDEX 445
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