The best time to check the engine oil level is about five
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, will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level between the MIN and MAX markings on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the MIN mark will result in a MAX reading on these
engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling the crankcase as indicated by an oil level
above the “MAX” mark on the engine oil dipstick
will cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil
pressure and an increase in oil temperature. This
could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to decide if any apply to you.
•Day and night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C).
•Stop and go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).
•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, Police, or delivery service (commercial service).
•Off-road or desert operation.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 313
WARNING!
•Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer to
Section 3 of the Warranty Information book for
further warranty information.
•The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced repairman.
Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
R-134a air conditioning refrigerant is a hydrofluoro-
carbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the EnvironmentalProtection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by dealers or other service facilities
using recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE:
Use only manufacturer approved A/C System
Sealers, Stop Leak Products, Seal Conditioners, Compres-
sor Oil, or Refrigerants.
Body Lubrication
Locks and all body pivot points, including such items as
seat tracks, door hinge pivot points and rollers, liftgate,
tailgate, sliding doors and hood hinges, should be lubri-
cated periodically with a lithium-based grease such as
MOPAR Spray White Lube to assure quiet, easy opera-
tion and to protect against rust and wear. Prior to the
application of any lubricant, the parts concerned should
be wiped clean to remove dust and grit; after lubricating
excess oil and grease should be removed. Particular
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 319
At Each Stop for Fuel
•
Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy 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 and transaxle, and add as needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
•Check rubber seals on each side of the radiator for
proper fit.
At Each Oil Change
•
Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•Inspect the brake hoses.
•Inspect the CV joints and front suspension compo-
nents.
•Check the automatic transaxle fluid level.
•Check the manual transaxle fluid level and fill plug
condition.
•Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
8
MA I
N T
E
N A
N CE
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
S356 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
Special Additives...................... 333
Autostick ............................. 234
Back-Up Lights ......................... 348
Battery ............................... 317
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ....... 26
Belts, Seat .............................. 72
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 319
B-Pillar Location ........................ 252
Brake, Parking .......................... 241
Brake System ........................ 243,329
Anti-Lock (ABS) ....................... 244
Fluid Check .......................... 329
Master Cylinder ....................... 329
Parking ............................. 241
Warning Light ........................ 169
Brakes ............................. 243,329
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 230
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 70Bulb Replacement
..................... 344,345
Bulbs, Light .......................... 73,344
Calibration, Compass .................. 176,185
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........ 349
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 349
Caps, Filler Fuel ............................... 274
Oil (Engine) .................... 307,308,315
Power Steering ........................ 241
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 326
Car Washes ............................ 335
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............71,273
CD (Compact Disc) Player ...............187,201
Cellular Phone ........................ 82,213
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 348
Chains, Tire ............................ 263
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 294
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 249
10
INDEX 391
Low Fuel............................ 172
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ........ 168
Map Reading ......................... 125
Oil Pressure .......................... 173
Rear Servicing ........................ 347
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... 171
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ............19,172
Service ............................. 345
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . . 168
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) .............. 172
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ........165,265
Traction Control ....................... 247
Turn Signal ...................... 73,128,346
Voltage ............................. 169
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ..... 164
Loading Vehicle ...................... 276,278
Capacities ........................... 278
Tires ............................... 252 Locks
Child Protection ........................ 30
Door ................................ 27
Power Door ........................... 28
Steering Wheel ......................... 14
Low Tire Pressure System .................. 265
Lubrication, Body ....................... 319
Lumbar Support ........................ 112
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 317
Maintenance, General ..................... 312
Maintenance Procedures ................... 312
Maintenance Schedule Schedule “A”-Non Turbo ................ 368
Schedule “A”-Turbo .................... 373
Schedule “B” ......................... 357
Schedule “B”-All Engines ................ 357
Maintenance Schedules .................... 354
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 168,309
398 INDEX
Manual, Service......................... 385
Manual Transaxle .................. 224,226,334
Downshifting ......................... 229
Fluid Level Check ..................... 334
Frequency of Fluid Change ............... 334
Lubricant Selection ..................... 334
Map/Reading Lights ..................... 125
Master Cylinder (Brakes) .................. 329
Methanol ............................. 270
Mini-Trip Computer ...................... 174
Mirrors ................................ 79
Electric Remote ........................ 80
Outside .............................. 79
Rearview ............................. 79
Vanity ............................... 81
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ............... 265
Mopar Parts ......................... 31 1,384New Vehicle Break-In Period
................ 70
Occupant Classification System (OCS) .......... 50
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ................. 35
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 270
Odometer ............................. 167
Trip ............................. 167,169
Oil, Engine ......................... 312,349
Capacity ............................ 349
Change Interval ....................... 313
Checking ............................ 312
Disposal ............................ 315
Filter ............................... 316
Identification Logo ..................... 314
Materials Added to ..................... 315
Quality ............................. 314
Recommendation ................... 314,349
Synthetic ............................ 315
Viscosity ............................ 315
Oil Filter, Selection ....................... 316
10
INDEX 399
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................. 263
Snow Tires ............................ 264
Spare Tire .......................... 259,295
Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...........133,168
Speedometer ........................... 165
Speedometer and Odometer ................ 161
Starting ............................... 224
Automatic Transmission ................. 224
Engine Fails to Start .................... 225
Manual Transmission ................... 224
Starting and Operating .................... 224
Starting Procedures ...................... 224
Steering Power ........................... 240,241
Tilt Column .......................... 132
Wheel Lock ........................... 14
Storage ............................ 147,344
Stuck, Freeing .......................... 302
Sun Roof .............................. 143 Sun Visor Extension
....................... 81
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag ........ 45
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 315
Tachometer ............................ 165
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......164,293
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............... 66
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ................ 18
Theft System (Security Alarm) ............... 18
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 132
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 252
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 251
Tire Markings .......................... 248
Tire Safety Information .................... 248
Tires ............................ 73,256,387
Aging (Life of Tires) .................... 262
Air Pressure .......................... 256
Chains .............................. 263
Changing ............................ 294
10
INDEX 403