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.
Engine Oil Dipstick
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 381
7
WARNING!
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
•Use of a brake fluid that has a lower initial boiling
point than the recommended MOPARDOT 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 — Vehicles with 3.5L Engine
The automatic transaxle has no dipstick and is dealer
serviced only.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 403
7
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers............... 29,138
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 377
Digital Video Disc (DVD) Player..........222,225
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 136
Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle.................403,404
Oil (Engine).......................... 380
Disabled Vehicle Towing................... 368
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 398
Engine Oil........................... 384
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 31
Door Opener, Garage..................... 144
DriveBelts ............................ 384
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 291
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water................................ 292
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System)...... 240E-85 Fuel............................. 328
Electric Rear Window Defrost............... 258
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 87
Electrical Power Outlets................... 154
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 141
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 287
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 183
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 356
Jump Starting......................... 364
Towing ............................. 368
Emergency Trunk Release................. 39,40
Emission Control System Maintenance......378,434
Engine........................ 78,374,375,376
Air Cleaner.......................... 385
Block Heater......................... 269
Break-In Recommendations................ 78
Checking Oil Level..................... 380
Coolant (Antifreeze).................395,430
456 INDEX
Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 314
Mopar Parts.........................379,446
MP3 Player.........................222,225
MTBE/ETBE........................... 324
Navigation Radio........................ 225
Navigation System....................... 225
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 78
Occupant Restraints..................... 59,62
Occupant Restraints (Sedan)......... 40,54,55,59,61
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel).............. 323
Odometer............................. 174
Trip .............................174,176
Oil Change Indicator................175,185,434
Oil Change Indicator, Reset..............175,185
Oil, Engine.........................380,430
Capacity............................ 429
Change Interval...............175,185,382,434Checking............................ 380
Dipstick............................. 380
Disposal............................ 384
Filter ............................384,430
Filter Disposal........................ 384
Identification Logo..................... 382
Materials Added to..................... 384
Recommendation...................382,429
Synthetic............................ 383
Viscosity..........................383,429
Oil Filter, Change........................ 384
Oil Filter, Selection....................... 384
Oil Pressure Light....................... 173
Onboard Diagnostic System..............377,378
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ........... 144
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual)............ 4
Overdrive............................. 274
Overheating, Engine...................... 353
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual)......... 4,447
INDEX 463
10
Pressure Cap......................... 397
Radiator Cap......................... 397
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......395,429,430
Corrosion Protection..................... 406
Crankcase Ventilation Module............... 20
CruiseLight ........................... 176
CupHolder ......................129,160,411
Customer Assistance..................... 443
Customer Programmable Features............ 190
Data Recorder, Event...................... 65
Dealer Service.......................... 380
Deck Lid, Power Release................... 38
Defroster, Rear Window................... 258
Defroster, Windshield............. 80,245,246,252
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers............... 29,138
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 377
Digital Video Disc (DVD) Player..........222,225
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 136Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle.................403,404
Oil (Engine).......................... 380
Disabled Vehicle Towing................... 368
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 398
Engine Oil........................... 384
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 31
Door Opener, Garage..................... 144
DriveBelts ............................ 384
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 291
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water ................................ 292
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System)...... 240
E-85 Fuel............................. 328
Electric Rear Window Defrost............... 258
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 87
INDEX 475
10
Maintenance, General..................... 380
Maintenance Procedures................... 380
Maintenance Schedule.................... 434
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 182,378
Manual, Service......................... 447
Map/Reading Lights..................... 131
Master Cylinder (Brakes).................. 402
Methanol............................. 324
Mini-Trip Computer...................... 186
Mirrors ................................ 85
Automatic Dimming..................... 86
Electric Powered....................... 87
Outside.............................. 88
Rearview............................. 85
Vanity ............................... 89
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 314
Mopar Parts.........................379,446
MP3 Player.........................222,225MTBE/ETBE........................... 324
Navigation Radio........................ 225
Navigation System....................... 225
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 78
Occupant Restraints..................... 59,62
Occupant Restraints (Sedan)......... 40,54,55,59,61
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel).............. 323
Odometer............................. 174
Trip .............................174,176
Oil Change Indicator................175,185,434
Oil Change Indicator, Reset..............175,185
Oil, Engine.........................380,430
Capacity............................ 429
Change Interval...............175,185,382,434
Checking............................ 380
Dipstick............................. 380
Disposal............................ 384
482 INDEX