
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for six to eight
seconds as a indicator check when the ignition switch is
first turned on. If the indicator is not lit during starting,
have it serviced. If the light stays on or comes on while
driving, have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is inoper-
able.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of all exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes
are detected, the cause should be located and corrected
immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 77
2

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
Your vehicle is equipped with the instrument cluster
described on the following pages.
1. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank.
NOTE:When the ignition switch is turned to OFF, the
fuel gauge, voltmeter, oil pressure and temperature
gauges may not show accurate readings. When the
engine is not running, turn the ignition switch to ON to
obtain accurate readings.
2. Charging System Warning Light This light shows the status of the electrical charg-
ing system. The light should come on for three
seconds when the ignition is first turned ON. If the light
comes back on immediately or comes on while driving, it
means that there is a problem with the charging system
or the battery is low. Also, a chime will sound if the light
comes back on. See your authorized dealer immediately. 3. Front Fog Light Indicator Light — If Equipped
This light shows when the front fog lights are on.
4. Low Fuel Warning Light When the fuel level reaches approximately 2.8 gal
(10.6L) this light will turn on and a single chime
will sound.
5. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
6. Front Axle Lock Indicator Light — If Equipped Indicates when the front axle lock has been
activated.
206 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

7. Seat Belt Indicator LightA warning chime and an indicator light will alert
you to buckle the seat belts. When the belt is
buckled, the chime will stop, but the light will stay
on until it times out (about six seconds).
8. Turn Signal Indicator Lights The arrows will flash with the exterior turn signals
when the turn signal lever is operated. A tone will
chime if the turn signals are left on for more than 1 mi (2
km).
9. Oil Pressure Warning Light Shows low engine oil pressure. The light will come
on and remain on when the ignition switch is
turned from the OFF to the ON position, and the light
will turn off after the engine is started. If the bulb does
not come on, have the system checked by your autho-
rized dealer. If the warning light comes on and remains on while
driving, stop the vehicle and shut off the engine. DO
NOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CAUSE IS
CORRECTED. Also, a single chime will sound.
10. High Beam Indicator Light
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Push the multifunction control lever away
from you to switch the headlights to high beam. Pull the
lever towards you to switch the headlights back to low
beam. If the driver’s door is open, and the headlights or
park lights are left on, the High Beam Indicator Light will
remain illuminated and a chime will sound.
11. Brake Warning Light After the ignition is turned on, this light illumi-
nates to indicate function check at vehicle start-
up. It also indicates if the parking brake is
applied. If the light stays on when the parking brake is
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 207
4

WARNING!
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after six years,
regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to follow
this warning can result in sudden tire failure. You
could lose control and have an accident resulting in
serious injury or death.
Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-
lent to the originals in size, quality and performance
when replacement is needed (see the paragraph on tread
wear indicators). Refer to the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion placard for the size designation of your tire. The
service description and load identification will be found
on the original equipment tire. Failure to use equivalent
replacement tires may adversely affect the safety, han-
dling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend that you
contact your original equipment or an authorized tire
dealer with any questions you may have on tire specifi-
cations or capability.
STARTING AND OPERATING 327
5

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 in Section 8 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 recommends engine oils that are API Cer-
tified 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 (3.8L 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 engine. For information on
engine oil filler cap location, refer to the “Engine Com-
partment” illustration in this section.
384 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

into the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the
exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised for lubri-
cation or oil change. Replace as required.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot antifreeze/
coolant or steam from your radiator. If you see or hear
steam coming from under the hood, don’t open the
hood until the radiator has had time to cool. Never
try to open a cooling system pressure cap when the
radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check antifreeze/coolant protection every 12 months
(before the onset of freezing weather, where applicable).
If antifreeze/coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, thesystem should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
antifreeze/coolant. Check the front of the A/C condenser
(if equipped) or radiator for any accumulation of bugs,
leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently spraying water from a
garden hose vertically down the face of the A/C con-
denser (if equipped) or the back of the radiator core.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the connection at
the coolant recovery bottle and radiator. Inspect the
entire system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
antifreeze/coolant from the radiator drain cock. If the cap
is sealing properly, the antifreeze/coolant will begin to
drain from the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT RE-
MOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
394 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

Back-Up............................. 422
Brake Assist Warning ................. 1 15,214
Brake Warning ........................ 207
Bulb Replacement ...................... 420
Cargo ............................... 95
Center Mounted Stop ................... 423
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) ........ 213
Cruise .............................. 209
Daytime Running ....................... 99
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................ 98
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Indicator ....................... 1 15,213,214
Electronic Throttle Control Warning ......... 214
Engine Temperature Warning .............. 209
Fog .............................. 99,422
Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 364
Headlight Switch ....................... 97
Headlights ........................... 420
High Beam ........................... 207 High Beam Indicator
.................... 207
Instrument Cluster ...................... 97
Interior .............................. 95
Lights On Reminder ..................... 98
Low Fuel ............................ 206
LowTire ............................ 210
Oil Pressure .......................... 207
Passing .............................. 99
Rear Servicing ........................ 422
Rear Tail ............................ 422
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... 207
Sentry Key ........................... 209
Service .............................. 420
Side Marker .......................... 422
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ........... 210
Traction Control ....................... 213
Turn Signal ................... 99,207,421,422
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ..... 206
Loading Vehicle ......................... 342
454 INDEX