Adding Engine Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved antifreeze/
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
antifreeze/coolant can be used up to 5 Years or 100,000
mi (160 000 km) before replacement. To prevent reducing
this extended maintenance period, it is important that
you use the same antifreeze/coolant throughout the life
of your vehicle. Please review these recommendations for
using Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT)
antifreeze/coolant. When adding antifreeze/coolant:
•The manufacturer recommends using MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology).
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below -34°F (-37°C) are
anticipated.
•Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
solution. The use of lower quality water will reduce
the amount of corrosion protection in the engine
cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE: Mixing antifreeze/coolant types will decrease
the life of the antifreeze/coolant and will require more
frequent antifreeze/coolant changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
antifreeze/coolant, and to ensure that antifreeze/coolant
will return to the radiator from the coolant reserve tank.
396 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
The warning words DO NOT OPEN HOT on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precaution.
Never add antifreeze/coolant when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to cool
an overheated engine. Heat causes pressure to build
up in the cooling system. To prevent scalding or
injury, do not remove the pressure cap while the
system is hot or under pressure.
Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based antifreeze/coolant is a regu-
lated substance requiring proper disposal. Check with
your local authorities to determine the disposal rules for
your community. To prevent ingestion by animals orchildren, do not store ethylene glycol based antifreeze/
coolant in open containers or allow it to remain in
puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child, contact a
physician immediately. Clean up any ground spills im-
mediately.
Engine Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine idling, and warm to normal operating tempera-
ture, the level of the antifreeze/coolant in the bottle
should be between the ranges indicated on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
antifreeze/coolant freeze point or replacing antifreeze/
coolant. Advise your service attendant of this. As long as
the engine operating temperature is satisfactory, the
coolant bottle need only be checked once a month.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 397
7
When additional antifreeze/coolant is needed to main-
tain the proper level, it should be added to the coolant
bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles of
operation, you may observe vapor coming from the front
of the engine compartment. This is normally a result of
moisture from rain, snow, or high humidity accumulat-
ing on the radiator and being vaporized when the
thermostat opens, allowing hot antifreeze/coolant to
enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant bottle.
•Check antifreeze/coolant freeze point in the radiator
and in the coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze/ coolant needs to be added, contents of coolant recov-
ery bottle must also be protected against freezing.
•If frequent antifreeze/coolant additions are required,
or if the level in the recovery bottle does not drop
when the engine cools, the cooling system should be
pressure-tested for leaks.
•Maintain antifreeze/coolant concentration at 50%
HOAT antifreeze/coolant (minimum) and distilled
water for proper corrosion protection of your engine
which contains aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean, also.
•Do not change the thermostat for summer or winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
398 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate) — 2–Door Models 18.5 Gallons70 Liters
Fuel (Approximate) — 4–Door Models 22.5 Gallons85 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
3.8 Liter Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified Engine Oil) 6 Quarts5.7 Liters
Cooling System *
3.8 Liter Engine (MOPAR Antifreeze/Engine Coolant 5 Year/
100,000 Mile Formula) 13 Quarts
12 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
424 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 mi (10,000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first.
Your dealer will reset the oil change indicator message
after completing the scheduled oil change. If this sched-
uled oil change is performed by someone other than your
dealer the message can be reset by referring to the steps
described under “Odometer/Trip Odometer” in the “In-
strument Cluster Description” section of this manual.
At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 429
8
M A I
N T
E
N A
N CE
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
S
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............208,309
Adding Fuel ........................... 340
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... 198
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 389
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 390
Air Conditioning ..................... 261,264
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 264
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 265
Air Conditioning Refrigerant ............... 391
Air Conditioning System .................. 264
Air Filter .............................. 389
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 322
Airbag ................................ 51
Airbag Deployment ....................... 57
Airbag Light ......................... 60,208
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 59
Airbag, Side ............................ 57
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................... 18
Alignment and Balance ................... 328 Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle
............. 8
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 255
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................ 424
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............105,309
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 208
Appearance Care ........................ 406
Arming Theft System (Security Alarm) ......... 18
Audio Systems (Radio) .................... 250
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 37
Automatic Transmission ................... 401
Fluid and Filter Changes ................. 401
Fluid Level Check ...................... 401
Fluid Type ........................... 401
Gear Ranges .......................... 281
Shifting ............................. 281
Special Additives ...................... 403
Torque Converter ...................... 285
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet) ....... 116
Auxiliary Power Outlet .................... 116
446 INDEX
Charging System Light.................... 206
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 314
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............213,380
Child Restraint .................... 62,63,69,72
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............68,69
Child Seat .............................. 67
Climate Control ......................... 259
Clock ........................... 224,236,251
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 258
Compass .............................. 215
Compass Calibration ..................... 217
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 215
Console ............................... 118
Console, Floor .......................... 118
Contract, Service ........................ 439
Converter, Catalytic ...................... 386
Cooling System ......................... 394
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 396Coolant Capacity
...................... 424
Coolant Level ......................... 397
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 397
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 395
Inspection ........................... 394
Points to Remember .................... 398
Pressure Cap ......................... 396
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .........395,424
Temperature Gauge ..................... 209
Corrosion Protection ..................... 406
Crankcase Emission Control System .......... 388
Cruise Light ........................... 209
Cup Holder ............................ 117
Customer Assistance ..................... 437
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 60
Daytime Running Lights ................... 99
Dealer Service .......................... 382
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 198
448 INDEX