If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine
running, adjust your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
If you are required to drive with the trunk/liftgate open,
make sure that all windows are closed and the climate
control BLOWER switch is set at high speed. DO NOT
use the recirculation mode.
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Openseams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes
to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,
inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt
or retractor condition, replace the belt.
82 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
your vehicle. Refer to these manuals before attempting
any procedure yourself.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Only do service work for which you
have the knowledge and the proper equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent me-
chanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain the requiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle. Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
The best time to check the engine oil level is about five
minutes after a fully warmed up engine is shut off.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 413
7
NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicles oil
if it has been six months since your last oil change even
if the oil change indicator message is NOT illumi-
nated.
•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 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 “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.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 455
8
M A I
N T
E
N A
N CE
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
S
Brakes............................... 429
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 295
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 80
Brightness, Interior Lights .................. 148
Bulb Replacement ..................... 446,447
Bulbs, Light .......................... 83,446
Calibration, Compass ..................... 221
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 450
Caps, Filler Fuel ............................... 370
Oil (Engine) .......................... 415
Power Steering ........................ 319
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 426
Car Washes ............................ 435
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............81,369
Cargo Area Cover ....................... 190
Cargo Area Features ...................... 186
Cargo Compartment ...................... 186 Light
............................... 148
Cargo Light ............................ 148
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 186
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 188
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 371
Cellular Phone .......................... 94
Certification Label ....................... 371
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 395
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 339
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............204,411
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 81
Checks, Safety ........................... 81
Child Restraint .................... 71,72,76,78
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............74,76
Child Safety Locks ........................ 33
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 366
Cleaning Windshield Wiper Blades ................ 420
482 INDEX
Engine............................... 409
Air Cleaner .......................... 416
Block Heater ......................... 293
Break-In Recommendations ................ 80
Checking Oil Level ..................... 413
Compartment ......................... 409
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................. 423,451
Cooling ............................. 423
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 81,369
Fails to Start .......................... 292
Flooded, Starting ...................... 292
Fuel Requirements ..................... 365
Jump Starting ......................... 402
Oil ........................... 413,450,451
Oil Change Interval ...............212,218,414
Oil Filler Cap ......................... 415
Oil Filter ............................ 415
Oil Filter Disposal ..................... 415
Oil Selection ....................... 414,450Oil Synthetic
......................... 415
Overheating .......................... 394
Starting ............................. 291
Temperature Gauge .................... 209
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 415
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ................. 415
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 66
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 19
Ethanol ............................... 366
Exhaust Gas Caution ................81,369,421
Exhaust System ....................... 81,421
Exterior Finish Care ...................... 435
Exterior Lights .......................... 83
Fabric Care ............................ 438
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 370
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 416
Air Conditioning .................... 284,419
INDEX 485
10
Manual TransmissionLubricant Selection ..................... 452
Map/Reading Lights ..................... 147
Marker Lights, Side ...................... 448
Master Cylinder (Brakes) .................. 429
Memory Feature (Memory Seat) ............. 136
Memory Seat ........................... 136
Memory Seats and Radio .................. 136
Methanol ............................. 366
Mini-Trip Computer ...................... 219
Mirrors ................................ 90
Automatic Dimming ..................... 90
Electric Powered ....................... 92
Electric Remote ........................ 92
Heated .............................. 93
Outside .............................. 91
Rearview ............................. 90
Vanity ............................... 93
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ............. 8Monitor, Tire Pressure System
............... 356
Mopar Parts ......................... 412,474
MTBE/ETBE ........................... 366
Multi-Function Control Lever ............... 142
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 80
Occupant Restraints ....................... 42
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ............365,451
Odometer Trip ................................ 210
Off-Pavement Driving (Off-Road) ............ 314
Off-Road Driving (Off-Pavement) ............ 314
Oil Change Indicator .................. 212,218
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ..............212,218
Oil, Engine ......................... 413,451
Capacity ............................ 450
Change Interval .................. 212,218,414
Checking ............................ 413
492 INDEX