UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
CONTENTS
Instrument Panel Features................ 161
Instrument Cluster — Premium............ 162
Instrument Cluster Descriptions............ 163
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) —
If Equipped........................... 175
▫Engine Oil Change Indicator System....... 176
▫EVIC Functions...................... 177
▫Compass/Temperature/Audio........... 178▫Average Fuel Economy................ 178
▫Distance To Empty (DTE)............... 179
▫Elapsed Time....................... 179
▫Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)............. 179
▫Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable
Features)........................... 179
Electronic Digital Clock................. 185
▫Clock Setting Procedure................ 1854
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON position.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
15. Transmission Temperature Indicator
During sustained high speed driving on hot
days, the automatic transmission oil may be-
come too hot. If this happens, the transmission
overheat indicator light will come on and the
vehicle will slow slightly until the automatic transmis-
sion cools down enough to allow a return to the re-
quested speed. If the high speed is maintained, the
overheating will reoccur as before in a cyclic fashion.
16. Vehicle Security Light — If Equipped
This light will flash at a fast rate for approxi-
mately 16 seconds, when the vehicle security
alarm is arming, and then will flash slowly
until the vehicle is disarmed.17. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call an authorized deal-
ership for service.
168 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
release the Trip Odometer button on the instrument
cluster. To reset the oil change indicator system (after
performing the scheduled maintenance) refer to the fol-
lowing procedure.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.Do not
start the engine.
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal, slowly, three times
within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary repeat this procedure.EVIC Functions
Press the EVIC button until one of the following func-
tions is displayed on the EVIC:
•Compass/Temperature/Audio
•Average Fuel Economy
EVIC Button
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 177
4
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 and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. The range markings will
consist of a crosshatch zone that says SAFE or a cross-
hatch zone that says MIN at the low end of the range and
MAX at the high end of the range. Adding 1 qt (1L) of oil
when the reading is at the low end of the indicated range
will result in the oil level at the full end of the indicator
range.CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine as
indicated by the range markings, as described above,
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
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 Chrysler Material
Standard MS-6395.
350 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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 (SAE Grade)
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 states the recommended engine oil viscosity
grade for your engine.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.
Materials Added To Engine Oils
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
the engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and its
performance may be impaired by supplemental
additives.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 351
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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
Speed Control (Cruise Control)...........131,169
Speedometer........................... 164
Starting............................... 251
Automatic Transmission................. 251
Engine Fails to Start.................... 253
Manual Transmission................... 251
Starting Procedures...................... 251
Steering
Power...........................265,266
Tilt Column.......................... 130
Wheel Lock........................... 15
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound
System Controls......................... 235
Storage............................147,377
Storage Bin............................ 147
Stuck, Freeing.......................... 340
Sun Roof.............................. 140
Sun Visor Extension....................... 79
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag........ 48Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 351
Tachometer............................ 165
Taillights.............................. 381
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......168,331
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 64
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)................ 19
Theft System (Security Alarm)............... 19
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo................... 153
Tilt Steering Column..................... 130
Tire and Loading Information Placard......... 284
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 283
Tire Markings.......................... 279
Tire Safety Information.................... 279
Tires ............................70,288,414
Aging (Life of Tires).................... 294
Air Pressure.......................... 288
Chains.............................. 297
Changing............................ 332
INDEX 431
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