
9. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned ON, this
light will come on for about six seconds. A chime
will sound if you have not pulled the shoulder belt
out of the retractor. This is a reminder to “buckle up”. If
you do not buckle up, the light will remain on.
10. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates 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 during starting,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
If the 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.The light does not show the quantity of oil in the engine.
This can be determined using the procedure shown in
Section 7.
11. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. If the engine is critically hot, a warning chime
will sound 10 times. After the chime turns off, the
engine will still be critically hot until the light goes out.
12. Tachometer
The silver area of the scale shows the permissible engine
revolutions-per-minute (rpm x 1000) for each gear range.
Before reaching the red area, ease up on the accelerator to
prevent engine damage.
13. Shift Lever Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transmission
shift lever selection.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 183
4

NOTE:You must apply the brakes before shifting from
PARK.
14. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. U.S. federal regulations require that upon
transfer of vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the
purchaser the correct mileage that the vehicle has been
driven. Therefore, if the odometer reading is changed
during repair or replacement, be sure to keep a record of
the reading before and after the service so that the correct
mileage can be determined.
The two trip odometers show individual trip mileage. To
switch from odometer to trip odometers, press and
release the Trip Odometer button. To reset a trip odom-
eter, display the desired trip odometer to be reset then
push and hold the button until the display resets (ap-
proximately 2 seconds). Refer to “Trip Odometer Button”
for additional information.Vehicle Warning Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, “door,” “deck,”
“LoW TirE,” “CHAngE OIL,” “GASCAP” or “HOTOIL”
will display in the odometer.
NOTE:If the instrument cluster is equipped with the
optional Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC),
then all warnings including ”Low Tire,” “Door Ajar” and
“Trunk Ajar” will only display in the EVIC. (Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in this
section for specific messages).
LoW TirE
When the appropriate condition exists the odometer
display will toggle between LoW and TirE for three
cycles.
HOTOIL
When this message is displayed there is an engine
over-temperature condition.
184 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Selection of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) and Gasoline Vehicles
FFV vehicles operated on E85 require specially formu-
lated engine oils. These special requirements are included
in MOPARengine oils, and in equivalent oils meeting
Chrysler Specification MS-6395. The manufacturer only
recommends engine oils that are API Certified and meet
the requirements of Material Standard MS-6395. MS-6395
contains additional requirements, developed during ex-
tensive fleet testing, to provide additional protection to
the manufacturer’s engines. Use MOPARor an equiva-
lent oil meeting the specification MS-6395.
NOTE:Your engine oil filler cap also describes the
correct engine oil to use.
Starting
The characteristics of E-85 fuel make it unsuitable for use
when ambient temperatures fall below 0°F (-18°C). In the
range of 0°F (-18°C) to 32°F (0°C), you may experience an
increase in the time it takes for your engine to start, and
a deterioration in driveability (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 fuel economy and driving
range to decrease by about 30% compared to gasoline
operation.
Replacement Parts
All 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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 333
5

the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the pointer rises to the H (red) mark,
the instrument cluster will sound a chime. Pull over
and stop the vehicle with the engine at idle, when
safe. Turn off the air conditioning and wait until the
pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on the H (red) mark for more than a
minute, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
Engine Oil Overheating — 2.4L Engine Only (If
Equipped)
During sustained high-speed driving or trailer tow up
long grades on hot day, the engine oil temperature may
become too hot. If this happens, the “HOTOIL” message
flashes, the vehicle speed will be reduced to 53 mph
(85 km/h) until the engine oil temperature is reduced.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 353
6

CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine
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
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 of this
manual for information on this system.
NOTE: Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months,
whichever occurs first.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer recom-
mends engine oils that are API Certified and meet the
requirements of Chrysler 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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 377
7

Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade) — 2.4L and 2.7L
Engines
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy. Your engine oil filler
cap also shows the recommended engine oil viscosity for
your vehicle.
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 “Engine Compart-
ment” in this section.
Lubricants which do not have both the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade) — 3.5L Engine
SAE 10W-30 engine oil is preferred for all operating
temperatures. The engine oil filler cap also shows the
recommended engine oil viscosity for your vehicle.Lubricants which do not have both the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
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 “Engine Compart-
ment” in this section.
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.
378 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Exhaust Gas Caution..................74,330
Fuel Requirements..................325,420
Jump Starting......................... 361
Oil ...........................376,420,421
Oil Change Interval............185,196,377,424
Oil Filler Cap.................369,370,371,378
Oil Filter............................ 379
Oil Filter Disposal...................... 379
Oil Selection.......................377,420
Oil Synthetic......................... 378
Overheating.......................... 352
Temperature Gauge..................... 181
Engine Oil Viscosity...................... 378
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 58
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 20
Ethanol............................... 327
Event Data Recorder...................... 60
Exhaust Gas Caution................74,330,386
Exhaust System.......................74,386Extender, Seat Belt........................ 48
Exterior Lights.......................... 76
Fabric Care.........................400,401
Filler Location Fuel....................181,334
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 380
Air Conditioning....................261,383
Automatic Transaxle.................... 397
Engine Oil........................379,421
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 379
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 352
Turn Signal........................76,147
Flash-To-Pass........................... 148
Flat Tire Changing....................... 354
Flat Tire Stowage........................ 361
Flexible Fuel Vehicles..................... 330
Cruising Range........................ 333
INDEX 457
10

Power.............................. 282
Tilt Column.......................... 154
Wheel, Tilt........................... 154
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls.............................. 248
Storage............................170,411
Storage, Vehicle......................... 260
Stuck, Freeing.......................... 364
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag......48,55
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 378
System, Remote Starting.................... 28
Tachometer............................ 183
Taillights.............................. 416
Telescoping Steering Column............... 154
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC)........ 254
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......181,353
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 66
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)................ 18Theft System (Security Alarm)............... 18
Tilt Steering Column..................... 154
Time Delay, Headlight.................... 145
Tip Start.............................. 268
Tire and Loading Information Placard......... 302
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 301
Tire Markings.......................... 297
Tire Safety Information.................... 297
Tires ............................75,306,449
Aging (Life of Tires).................... 313
Air Pressure.......................... 306
Chains.............................. 315
Changing............................ 354
Compact Spare........................ 310
Flat Changing......................354,361
General Information.................... 306
High Speed.......................... 309
Inflation Pressures..................... 307
Jacking............................. 354
468 INDEX