
NOTE:Watch for the Seat Belt Reminder Light to turn
on while unbuckling the seat belt and turn off while
re-buckling the seat belt. It may be necessary to retract
the seat belt.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position. A
single chime will sound to signify that you have success-
fully completed the programming.
The BeltAlertcan be reactivated by repeating this pro-
cedure.
NOTE:When the BeltAlertis deactivated, the Seat Belt
Reminder Light will continue to illuminate as long as the
driver’s seat belt is unbuckled.
Automatic Locking Mode — If Equipped
In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-
locked. However, the belt will still retract to remove slack
in the shoulder belt. Use The Automatic Locking mode
any time a child safety seat is installed in a seatingposition that has a seat belt with this feature. Seat belts
that have the Automatic Locking mode feature have a
distinctive label on the webbing. Children 12 years old
and younger should be properly restrained in the rear
seat whenever possible.
How To Engage The Automatic Locking Mode
1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder belt.
2. Grasp the shoulder portion and pull downward until
the entire belt is extracted.
3. Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will
here a clicking sound. This indicates the safety belt is
now in the Automatic Locking mode.
How To Disengage The Automatic Locking Mode
Unbuckle the combination lap and shoulder belt and
allow it to retract completely to disengage the Automatic
Locking mode and activate the vehicle sensitive (emer-
gency) locking mode.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

the child restraint belt path and then buckle it. This
should stow the seat belt out of the reach of an
inquisitive child. Remind all children in the vehicle
that the seat belts are not toys and should not be
played with, and never leave your child unattended in
the vehicle.
WARNING!
Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of an infant or
child restraint. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly
when installing an infant or child restraint.
Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat
Belt
The passenger seat belts are equipped with either cinch-
ing latch plates or automatic locking retractors, which aredesigned to keep the lap portion tight around the child
restraint so that it is not necessary to use a locking clip.
Pulling up on the shoulder portion of the lap/shoulder
belt will tighten the belt. The cinching latch plate will
keep the belt tight; however, any seat belt system will
loosen with time, so check the belt occasionally and pull
it tight if necessary.
Seat belts with an automatic locking retractor have a
distinctive label on the seat belt webbing. The seat belt
must be in the Automatic Locking mode in order to
enable a child restraint to be tightly installed. Refer to
“Automatic Locking Mode” in this section. A locking clip
should not be necessary once the automatic locking
feature is enabled. Position the shoulder and lap belt on
the child restraint. The automatic locking retractor is
activated by first attaching the child seat, then pulling all
of the webbing out of the retractor, then allowing the
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

When the seatback is folded to the upright position, make
sure it is latched by strongly pulling on the top of the
seatback above the seat strap.
WARNING!
•Be certain that the seatback is securely locked into
position. If the seatback is not securely locked into
position, the seat will not provide the proper
stability for child seats and/or passengers. An
improperly latched seat could cause serious injury.
•The cargo area in the rear of the vehicle (with the
rear seatbacks in the locked-up or folded down
position) should not be used as a play area by
children when the vehicle is in motion. They could
be seriously injured in an accident. Children
should be seated and using the proper restraint
system.
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
Two latches must be released to open the hood. First, pull
the hood release lever located under the left side of the
instrument panel.
Hood Release Lever
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 123
3

WARNING!
•Be certain that the seatback is securely locked into
position. If the seatback in not securely locked
into position, the seat will not provide the proper
stability for child seats and/or passengers. An
improperly latched seat could cause serious injury.
•The cargo area in the rear of the vehicle (with the
rear seatbacks in the locked-up or folded down
position) should not be used as a play area by
children when the vehicle is in motion. They could
be seriously injured in an accident. Children
should be seated and using the proper restraint
system.
•To help protect against personal injury, passengers
should not be seated in the rear cargo area. The
rear cargo space is intended for load carrying
purposes only, not for passengers, who should sit
in seats and use seat belts.
WARNING!
•The weight and position of cargo and passengers
can change the vehicle center of gravity and ve-
hicle handling. To avoid loss of control resulting
in personal injury, follow these guidelines for
loading your vehicle:
•Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor. Put
heavier objects as low and as far forward as possible.
•Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear
axle. Too much weight or improperly placed weight
over or behind the rear axle can cause the rear of the
vehicle to sway.
•Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of the
seatback. This could impair visibility or become a
dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or collision.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 157
3

•The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating. Therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt or soft until after the
break-in period. This is a normal condition, and pre-
cision shifts will develop within a few shift cycles.
The shift lever is automatically locked while in the PARK
position. To move the shift lever out of the PARK
position, the brake pedal must be firmly depressed before
the shift lock will release.
Move the shift lever to the desired position only when the
engine is idling normally and the brake pedal is applied.
Do not release the brake pedal until ready to drive. The
vehicle may otherwise accelerate quickly when the shift
lever is in DRIVE or REVERSE position.WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the transmission into PARK, remove the key
from the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once
the key is removed from the ignition, the transmis-
sion shift lever is locked in the PARK position,
securing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
Furthermore, you should never leave unattended
children inside a vehicle.
Over-Temperature Mode
The transmission electronics constantly monitor the
transmission oil temperature. If the transmission exceeds
normal operating temperature, the transmission will
STARTING AND OPERATING 267
5

Brake System........................281,371
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................281,285
Fluid Check.......................373,397
Hoses.............................. 372
Master Cylinder....................... 373
Parking............................. 279
Warning Light.....................169,281
Brakes.............................281,371
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 268
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 72
Brightness, Interior Lights.................. 131
Bulb Replacement.....................388,389
Bulbs,Light .......................... 76,388
Calibration, Compass..................... 184
Capacities, Fluid........................ 395
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 324
Oil (Engine).......................... 354Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 368
Car Washes............................ 376
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 74,324
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 327
Catalytic Converter...................... 357
CD (Compact Disc) Player...............194,213
Cellular Phone..................... 85,213,214
Certification Label....................... 327
Chains, Tire............................ 307
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 293
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light) ................................ 350
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............. 73
Checks, Safety........................... 73
Child Restraint.................. 63,64,65,68,70
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 67,68
Child Safety Locks........................ 30
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 321
420 INDEX

Interior Lights.......................... 130
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)........... 132
Introduction............................. 4
Jump Starting.......................... 338
Key, Programming........................ 17
Key, Replacement........................ 16
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer)................... 15
Key-In Reminder......................... 15
Keyless Entry System...................... 20
Keys................................. 12
Knee Bolster............................ 48
Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 129
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 39
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren) ............................ 67,68
Latch Plate............................. 40Latches................................ 76
Hood............................... 123
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 321
Leaks, Fluid............................ 76
LifeofTires ............................ 305
LightBulbs .......................... 76,388
Lights .............................. 76,125
Airbag........................ 55,60,75,167
Anti-Lock.........................173,283
Automatic Headlights................... 126
Brake Assist Warning................... 291
Brake Warning.....................169,281
Bulb Replacement...................388,389
Courtesy/Reading...................130,141
Cruise .............................. 165
Daytime Running...................... 128
Dimmer Switch, Headlight.............129,130
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . . 291
Electronic Throttle Control Warning......... 166
INDEX 427
10

Auto Unlock.......................... 29
Automatic Door........................ 28
Child Protection........................ 30
Door................................ 26
Power Door........................... 28
Low Tire Pressure System.................. 311
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH)............................ 67,68
Lubrication, Body....................... 363
Lumbar Support........................ 119
Maintenance Free Battery.................. 358
Maintenance, General..................... 352
Maintenance Procedures................... 352
Maintenance Schedule.................... 400
Maintenance, Sunroof..................... 151
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 173,350
Manual, Service......................... 413
Map/Reading Lights..................130,141Master Cylinder (Brakes).................. 373
Methanol............................. 322
Mini-Trip Computer...................... 178
Mirrors ................................ 81
Automatic Dimming..................... 82
Electric Powered....................... 84
Electric Remote........................ 84
Exterior Folding........................ 83
Heated.............................. 84
Outside.............................. 82
Rearview............................. 81
Vanity ............................... 85
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 311
Mopar Parts.........................351,412
MP3 Player.........................194,213
MTBE/ETBE........................... 322
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 129
INDEX 429
10