Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always use
washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt
from a dry windshield. Avoid using the wiper blades to
remove frost or ice from the windshield. Make sure that
they are not frozen to the glass before turning them on to
avoid damaging the blade. Keep the blade rubber out of
contact with petroleum products such as engine oil,
gasoline, etc.
Adding Washer Fluid
The washer fluid reservoir is located in the engine
compartment, and the fluid level should be checked at
regular intervals. Fill the reservoir with windshield
washer solvent only (not radiator antifreeze).
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around
the washer solution.
Exhaust System
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
If you notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system,
or if exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle or
when the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged,
have a competent technician inspect the complete ex-
haust system and adjacent body areas for broken, dam-
aged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams
or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep
into the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the
356 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug. The fluid
level should be between the bottom of the fill hole and a
point not more that 3/16 in (4.7 mm) below the bottom of
the hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
Frequency Of Fluid Change
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will give satisfactory lubrication for the life of
the vehicle. Fluid changes are not necessary unless lubri-
cant has become contaminated with water.
NOTE:If contaminated with water, the fluid should be
changed immediately.
Rear Drive Assembly (RDA) – AWD/4WD Models
Only
Lubricant Selection
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended fluid. Refer
to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this section
for the correct fluid type.
Fluid Level Check
Visually inspect the unit at each oil change for leakage. If
leakage is detected, check the fluid level by removing the
fill plug. The fluid level should be maintained between
the bottom of the fill hole to 1/8 in (4 mm) below the fill
hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
Frequency Of Fluid Change
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 for the
correct maintenance interval.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 367
7
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) – AWD/4WD Models
Only
Lubricant Selection
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended fluid. Refer
to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this section
for the correct fluid type.
Fluid Level Check
Visually inspected the unit at each oil change for leakage.
If leakage is detected, Check the fluid level by removing
the fill plug. The fluid level should be maintained be-
tween the bottom of the fill hole to 1/8 in (4 mm) below
the fill hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
Frequency Of Fluid Change
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 for the
correct maintenance interval.
Appearance Care And Protection From Corrosion
Protection Of Body And Paint From Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of
paint and protective coatings from your vehicle.
368 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicle’s
oil if it has been six months since your last oil change
and even if the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
•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 miles (10 000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If this
scheduled oil change is performed by someone otherthan your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Oil Change
Required” in “Use Factory Settings” of the EVIC section
in this manual or under “Odometer/Trip Odometer” in
the Instrument Cluster Descriptions section of this
manual.
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.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 391
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Once a Month
•Check the 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.At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
•Check the manual transmission fluid level.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
392 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Towing............................. 341
Emission Control System Maintenance......347,390
Engine............................... 345
Break-In Recommendations................ 68
Checking Oil Level..................... 349
Cooling............................. 358
Exhaust Gas Caution.................... 311
Fuel Requirements..................... 307
Jump Starting......................... 338
Oil ...........................349,386,387
Oil Change Interval.................... 350
Oil Filler Cap......................345,351
Oil Filter............................ 387
Oil Selection.......................... 350
Oil Synthetic......................... 351
Overheating.......................... 330
Temperature Gauge..................... 168
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 56
Event Data Recorder...................... 58Exhaust Gas Caution............35,69,311,356,357
Exhaust System......................... 356
Fabric Care............................ 371
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 352
Engine Oil........................352,387
Flashers.............................. 330
Hazard Warning....................... 330
Turn Signal........................164,381
Flat Tire Stowage........................ 337
Flooded Engine Starting................... 253
Fluid, Brake........................... 388
Fluid Capacities......................... 386
Fluid Leaks............................. 70
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle.................... 366
Power Steering........................ 266
Fluids................................ 387
422 INDEX
Headlights........................... 121
High Beam Indicator.................... 165
Instrument Cluster..................... 121
License............................. 382
Lights On Reminder.................... 122
Low Fuel............................ 164
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)........ 172
Map Reading......................... 126
Off-Road............................ 125
Oil Pressure.......................... 164
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 165
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)............20,168
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm).............. 168
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)........... 169
Traction Control....................... 275
Turn Signal.....................121,123,381
Voltage............................. 163
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 163Loading Vehicle......................314,315
Capacities........................... 315
Tires ............................... 284
Locks
Child Protection........................ 31
Door................................ 26
Power Door........................... 27
Steering Wheel......................... 15
Lubrication, Body....................... 355
Lumbar Support........................ 114
Maintenance Free Battery.................. 353
Maintenance, General..................... 349
Maintenance Procedures................... 349
Maintenance Schedule.................... 390
Malfunction Indicator Light
(Check Engine).......................172,347
Manual, Service......................... 413
426 INDEX
Manual Transaxle..................251,254,366
Downshifting......................... 255
Fluid Level Check...................367,368
Frequency of Fluid Change............367,368
Lubricant Selection...............366,367,368
Map/Reading Lights..................... 126
Master Cylinder (Brakes).................. 364
Mirrors................................ 75
Automatic Dimming..................... 76
Electric Powered....................... 77
Outside.............................. 76
Rearview............................. 75
Vanity............................... 79
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 8
Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 298
Mopar Parts.........................348,412
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 121
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 68Occupant Restraints....................... 36
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel).............. 307
Odometer............................. 171
Trip .............................169,171
Oil Change Indicator..................... 176
Oil Change Indicator, Reset................. 176
Oil, Engine.........................349,386
Capacity............................ 386
Change Interval....................... 350
Checking............................ 349
Disposal............................ 352
Filter............................... 352
Identification Logo..................... 351
Materials Added to..................... 351
Recommendation...................350,386
Synthetic............................ 351
Viscosity............................ 351
Onboard Diagnostic System..............346,347
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ........... 134
INDEX 427
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