CAUTION! (Continued)
•This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Use of Propylene Glycol base engine cool-
ant (antifreeze) is not recommended.
Adding Engine Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant (antifreeze) that allows extended maintenance
intervals. This engine coolant (antifreeze) can be used up
to 5 Years or 102,000 miles (170 000 km) before replace-
ment. To prevent reducing this extended maintenance
period, it is important that you use the same engine
coolant (antifreeze) throughout the life of your vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolant
(antifreeze).When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•The manufacturer recommends using MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) or
equivalent.
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
(antifreeze) and distilled water. Use higher concentra-
tions (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below -34°F
(-37°C) are anticipated.
•Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
(antifreeze) solution. The use of lower quality water
will reduce the amount of corrosion protection in the
engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
418 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child
or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up
any ground spills immediately.
Engine Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine idling, and warm to normal operating tempera-
ture, the level of the engine coolant (antifreeze) in the
bottle should be between the ranges indicated on the
bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing en-
gine coolant (antifreeze). Advise your service attendant
of this. As long as the engine operating temperature is
satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only be checked once
a month.When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, it should be added to the
coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
Points to Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant bottle.
•Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in
the radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If
420 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
engine coolant (antifreeze) needs to be added, the
contents of the coolant recovery bottle must also be
protected against freezing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the recovery bottle does not
drop when the engine cools, the cooling system should
be pressure-tested for leaks.
•Maintain the engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration
at 50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum)
and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of
your engine which contains aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory cooling performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 for the
proper maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 421
FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate) — Two Door Models 18.5 Gallons 70 Liters
Fuel (Approximate) — Four Door Models 22.5 Gallons 85 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
3.8 Liter Engine 6 Quarts 5.7 Liters
Cooling System *
3.8 Liter Engine (MOPAR Antifreeze/Engine Coolant 5
Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 13 Quarts
12 Liters
* Includes coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 447
•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 “Odometer/Trip Odometer” in the “In-
strument Cluster Description” 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.
•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.
8
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 453
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............203,316
Adding Fuel ........................... 361
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 409
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 410
Air Conditioning ..................... 266,269
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 269
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 270
Air Conditioning Refrigerant ................ 411
Air Conditioning System .................. 269
Air Filter .............................. 409
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 343
Airbag ................................ 48
Airbag Deployment ....................... 56
Airbag Light ....................... 58,76,204
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 58
Airbag, Side ............................ 55
Alarm Light ........................... 204
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................... 17
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 8Antenna, Satellite Radio
................... 259
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................ 447
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............316,319
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 203
Appearance Care ........................ 428
Arming Theft System (Security Alarm) ......... 18
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 36
Automatic Transmission ................... 423
Fluid and Filter Changes ................. 423
Fluid Level Check ..................... 424
Fluid Type ........................... 423
Gear Ranges ......................... 288
Shifting ............................. 287
Special Additives ...................... 425
Torque Converter ...................... 291
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet) ...... 106
Auxiliary Power Outlet ................... 106
Axle Lock .......................... 296,297
482 INDEX
Child Seat.............................. 65
Climate Control ......................... 264
Clock ........................ 220,234,238,247
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 263
Compass .............................. 213
Compass Calibration ..................... 215
Computer, Trip/Travel .................212,213
Console .............................. 109
Console, Floor .......................... 109
Contract, Service ........................ 475
Cooling System ......................... 416
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 418
Coolant Capacity ...................... 447
Coolant Level ......................... 420
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 419
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 417
Inspection ........................... 416
Points to Remember .................... 420
Pressure Cap ......................... 419 Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)
.........417,447
Corrosion Protection ..................... 428
Cruise Light ........................... 205
Cupholders ............................ 108
Customer Assistance ..................... 473
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 59
Daytime Running Lights ................... 97
Dealer Service .......................... 405
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 193
Defroster, Windshield ................76,265,267
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 100
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 402
Dimmer Switch, Headlight .................. 96
Dipsticks Oil (Engine) .......................... 406
Power Steering ........................ 314
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 397
Disarming, Theft System ................... 18
484 INDEX