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After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER Ð IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the heater
cord to a ground-fault interrupter protected 110-115 volt
AC electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire exten-
sion cord.
Use the heater when temperatures below 0ÉF (-18ÉC) are
expected to last for several days.
The block heater must be plugged in at least one hour to
have an adequate warming effect on the coolant.The engine block heater cord is located:
²3.7L/4.7L Engine Ð coiled and strapped to the engine
oil dipstick tube.
²5.7L Engine Ð bundled and fastened to the injector
harness.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt AC electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
280 STARTING AND OPERATING
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CAUTION!
When driving through water, do not exceed 5 mph (8
km/h). Always check water depth before entering as
a precaution, and check all fluids afterward. Driving
through water may cause damage that may not be
covered by the new vehicle limited warranty.
Driving through water more than a few inches deep will
require extra caution to ensure safety and prevent dam-
age to your vehicle. If you must drive through water, try
to determine the depth and the bottom condition (and
location of any obstacles) prior to entering. Proceed with
caution and maintain a steady controlled speed less than
5 mph (8 km/h) in deep water to minimize wave effects.
Flowing Water
If the water is swift flowing and rising (as in storm
run-off) avoid crossing until the water level recedesand/or the flow rate is reduced. If you must cross
flowing water avoid depths in excess of 9 inches. The
flowing water can erode the streambed causing your
vehicle to sink into deeper water. Determine exit point(s)
that are downstream of your entry point to allow for
drifting.
Standing Water
Avoid driving in standing water deeper than 20 inches,
and reduce speed appropriately to minimize wave ef-
fects. Maximum speed in 20 inches of water is less than 5
mph (8 km/h).
Maintenance
After driving through deep water, inspect your vehicle
fluids and lubricants (engine oil, transmission oil, axle,
transfer case) to assure the fluids have not been contami-
nated. Contaminated fluid (milky, foamy in appearance)
should be flushed/changed as soon as possible to pre-
vent component damage.
STARTING AND OPERATING 297
5
Page 340 of 478

Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) and Gasoline Vehicles
Whether operating the vehicle on an E-85 ethanol fuel or
unleaded gasoline the engine oil requirements are the
same. Refer to ªMaintenance Proceduresº in Section 7 of
this manual for the proper quality and viscosity engine
oil.
Starting
The characteristics of E-85 fuel make it unsuitable for use
when ambient temperatures fall below 0ÉF (-18ÉC). In the
range of 0ÉF (-18ÉC) to 32ÉF (0ÉC), you may experience an
increase in the time it takes for your engine to start, and
a deterioration in drivability (sags and/or hesitations)
until the engine is fully warmed up.
Cruising Range
Because E-85 fuel contains less energy per gallon than
gasoline, you will experience an increase in fuel con-
sumption. You can expect your MPG and your driving
range to decrease by about 30% compared to gasoline
operation.
Replacement Parts
Many components in your Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) are
designed to be compatible with ethanol. Always be sure
that your vehicle is serviced with correct ethanol com-
patible parts.
340 STARTING AND OPERATING
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mEngine Compartment ± 3.7L...............382
mEngine Compartment ± 4.7L...............383
mEngine Compartment ± 5.7L...............384
mOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II........385
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message............386
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................386
mReplacement Parts......................388
mDealer Service.........................388mMaintenance Procedures..................389
NEngine Oil..........................389
NDrive Belts Ð Check Condition And Tension . . 392
NSpark Plugs.........................392
NSpark Plug Wires.....................392
NEngine Air Cleaner Filter................393
NCatalytic Converter....................393
NCrankcase Emission Control System........395
NMaintenance-Free Battery................395
7
Page 389 of 478

WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the proper equipment.
If you have any doubt about your ability to perform
a service job, take your vehicle to a competent
mechanic.
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 or before starting the engine
after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level in the SAFE level range. Adding 1 U.S. Quart
(0.95L) of oil when the level is at the bottom of the SAFE
range will result in the level being at the top of the SAFE
range.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 389
7
Page 390 of 478

CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule for recommended
engine oil change intervals.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection for all
engines under all types of operating conditions, the
manufacturer only recommends 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 (3.7L/4.7L/5.7L Engines)
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy. The engine oil filler
cap also shows the recommended engine oil viscosity for
your vehicle. For information on engine oil filler cap
location, refer to the ªEngine Compartmentº illustration
in this section.
390 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 391 of 478

NOTE:Vehicles equipped with a 5.7L engine must use
SAE 5W-20 oil. Failure to do so may result in improper
operation of the Multiple Displacement System (MDS).
Refer to ªMulti Displacement Systemº in Section 5 for
more details.
Lubricants which do not have both, the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils provided the recom-
mended oil quality requirements are met, and the recom-
mended maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes
are followed.
Materials Added to Engine Oils
The manufacturerstrongly recommendsagainst the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) toengine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and it's
performance may be impaired by supplemental addi-
tives.
Disposing of Used Engine Oil and Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of the used engine oil
and oil filters from your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to the
environment. Contact your local authorized dealer, ser-
vice station, or governmental agency for advice on how
and where used oil and oil filters can be safely discarded
in your area.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be replaced with a new filter
at every oil change.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 391
7
Page 392 of 478

Engine Oil Filter Selection
All of the manufacturer's engines have a full-flow type
disposable oil filter. Use a filter of this type for replace-
ment. The quality of replacement filters varies consider-
ably. Only high quality filters should be used to assure
most efficient service. Mopartengine oil filters are high
quality oil filters and are recommended.
Drive Belts Ð Check Condition and Tension
Belt tension is controlled by means of an automatic
tensioner. No belt tension adjustments are required.
However, belt and belt tensioner condition should be
inspected at the specified intervals, and replaced if re-
quired. See your authorized dealer for service.
At the mileage indicated in the Maintenance Schedule, all
belts and tensioner should be checked for condition.
Improper belt tension can cause belt slippage and failure.
Belts should be inspected for evidence of cuts, cracks,
glazing, or frayed cords and replaced if there is indicationof damage which could result in belt failure. Low gen-
erator belt tension can cause battery failure.
Also, check belt routing to make sure there is no inter-
ference between the belts and other engine components.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs must fire properly to assure engine perfor-
mance and emission control. New spark plugs should be
installed at the specified mileage. The entire set should be
replaced if there is any malfunction due to a faulty spark
plug. Refer to ªFluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Partsº in
this section for spark plug information.
Spark Plug Wires
The spark plug wires should be kept clean and properly
connected. Terminals should be fully seated. Cracked,
damaged, or faulty wires should be replaced.
392 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE