For vehicles with manual
transmissions, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission out of
gear and the parking brake applied,
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, seeEngine Overheating
on page 9-24.
Parking on Hills
{WARNING
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not
shift into P (Park) yet for vehicles
with an automatic transmission,
or into gear for vehicles with a
manual transmission. Turn the
wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then
apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park) for vehicles with an
automatic transmission or into
gear for vehicles with a manual
transmission.
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on
a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal
while you:
•start the engine,
•shift into a gear, and
•release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
8-52 Driving and Operating
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See this
manual’s Maintenance Schedule or
Index for more information. Things
that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission
fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system and brake system.
It is a good idea to inspect these
before and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 9-24.
Trailer Towing
Before pulling a trailer, there are
three important considerations that
have to do with weight:
•The weight of the trailer.
•The weight of the trailer tongue.
•The total weight on your
vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
1,000 lbs (454 kg). But even
that can be too heavy.
It depends on how the rig is used.
For example, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature and
how much the vehicle is used to pull
a trailer are all important. It candepend on any special equipment
on the vehicle, and the amount of
tongue weight the vehicle can carry.
See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue”
later in this section for more
information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming only the driver is in the tow
vehicle and it has all the required
trailering equipment. The weight
of additional optional equipment,
passengers and cargo in the tow
vehicle must be subtracted from
the maximum trailer weight.
Ask your dealer/retailer for our
trailering information or advice, or
you can write us at our Customer
Assistance Offices. SeeCustomer
Assistance Offices on page 12-3
for more information.
Driving and Operating 8-53
Vehicle Care
General InformationGeneral Information...............9-2
California Proposition 65
Warning.............................9-2
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements........9-3
Accessories and
Modifications.......................9-3
Vehicle ChecksDoing Your Own
Service Work......................9-4
Hood...................................9-5
Engine Compartment
Overview............................9-6
Engine Cover.......................9-9
Engine Oil..........................9-10
Engine Oil Life System.........9-13
Automatic Transmission
Fluid................................9-14
Manual Transmission Fluid. . . .9-15
Hydraulic Clutch..................9-15
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......9-16
Cooling System...................9-17
Engine Coolant...................9-19
Engine Overheating.............9-24
Power Steering Fluid............9-25Washer Fluid......................9-26
Brakes...............................9-27
Brake Fluid.........................9-28
Battery...............................9-29
Rear Axle...........................9-30
Starter Switch Check............9-31
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
System Check...................9-32
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check.......................9-32
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check..............9-32
Wiper Blade Replacement......9-33Headlamp AimingHeadlamp Aiming................9-34
Bulb ReplacementBulb Replacement...............9-37
Halogen Bulbs....................9-37
High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Lighting....................9-37
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal and Parking Lamps
(Base Vehicle)...................9-37
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal and Parking Lamps
(Up-Level Vehicle)..............9-38
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)....................9-39
Fog Lamps.........................9-40Taillamps, Turn Signal, and
Stoplamps.........................9-40
License Plate Lamp.............9-40
Replacement Bulbs..............9-41
Electrical SystemElectrical System
Overload...........................9-41
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers...........................9-42
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block.......................9-42
Instrument Panel
Fuse Block.......................9-45
Rear Compartment
Fuse Block.......................9-46
Wheels and TiresTires..................................9-48
Winter Tires........................9-48
Tire Sidewall Labeling..........9-49
Tire Designations.................9-51
Tire Terminology and
Definitions.........................9-52
Tire Pressure......................9-54
Tire Pressure for
High-Speed Operation........9-56
Tire Pressure Monitor
System.............................9-56
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation..........................9-57
Tire Inspection....................9-61
Vehicle Care 9-1
A. Underhood Electrical Center.
SeeEngine Compartment
Fuse Block on page 9-42.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Bottle
and Cap. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 9-19.
C.Engine Cover on page 9-9.
D. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of
View). SeeCooling System
on page 9-17.
E. Radiator Fill Cap (Out of View).
SeeEngine Coolant on
page 9-19.
F. Power Steering Reservoir and
Cap (Out of View). SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 9-25.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine
Oil on page 9-10.H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of
View). SeeEngine Oil on
page 9-10.
I. Brake Master Cylinder and
Hydraulic Clutch (if equipped with
manual transmission) Reservoir.
SeeBrakes on page 9-27or
Hydraulic Clutch on page 9-15.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal.
SeeBattery on page 9-29.
K.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 9-16.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. SeeWasher
Fluid on page 9-26.
Vehicle Care 9-7
A. Underhood Electrical Center.
SeeEngine Compartment
Fuse Block on page 9-42.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Bottle
and Cap. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 9-19.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine
Oil on page 9-10.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap (Out of
View). SeeEngine Oil on
page 9-10.
E.Engine Cover on page 9-9.
F. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of
View). SeeCooling System
on page 9-17.
G. Power Steering Reservoir and
Cap (Under Engine Cover).
SeePower Steering Fluid
on page 9-25.H. Brake Master Cylinder and
Hydraulic Clutch (if equipped
with manual transmission)
Reservoir. SeeBrakes on
page 9-27orHydraulic Clutch
on page 9-15.
I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal.
SeeBattery on page 9-29.
J.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 9-16.
K. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. SeeWasher Fluid
on page 9-26.
L. Radiator Fill Cap. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 9-19.Engine Cover
3.6 L V6 Engine Cover
To remove:
1. Remove the engine oil fill
cap (B).
2. Lift the engine cover (A) to
disengage one front attachment
point.
3. Pull engine cover forward to
disengage from two rear tabs.
4. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to
reinstall engine cover.
Vehicle Care 9-9
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer’s warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your own
oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal. Never dispose
of oil by putting it in the trash, pouring
it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects
used oil.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check
the transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the
only reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer service department
and have it repaired as soon as
possible.
There is a special procedure
for checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, you should
have this done at your dealer/
retailer service department.Contact your dealer/retailer for
additional information or the
procedure can be found in the
service manual. To purchase a
service manual, seeService
Publications Ordering Information
on page 12-12.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed inScheduled
Maintenance on page 10-2, and
be sure to use the fluid listed
inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-7.
9-14 Vehicle Care
Manual Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
manual transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak occurs,
take the vehicle to your dealer/
retailer service department and
have it repaired as soon as possible.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-7for the
proper fluid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
It is not necessary to regularly
check brake/clutch fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the
system. Adding fluid will not correct
a leak. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What
to Use
The brake/hydraulic clutch fluid
reservoir cap has this symbol
on it. The common hydraulic clutch
and brake master cylinder fluid
reservoir is filled with DOT 3 brake
fluid as indicated on the reservoir
cap. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 9-6for reservoir
location.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Visually check the brake/clutch
fluid reservoir to make sure the
fluid level is at the MIN (minimum)
line on the side of the reservoir.
The brake/hydraulic clutch fluid
system should be closed and
sealed.
Do not remove the cap to check
the fluid level or to top-off the fluid
level. Remove the cap only when
necessary to add the proper fluid
until the level reaches the MIN line.
Vehicle Care 9-15
Vehicle Storage
{WARNING
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. SeeJump Starting
on page 9-84for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: If the vehicle
is driven infrequently, remove
the black, negative (−) cable
from the battery. This helps keep
the battery from running down.Extended Storage: For extended
storage of the vehicle, remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger. This helps maintain the
charge of the battery over an
extended period of time.
Rear Axle
When to Check Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly
check rear axle fluid unless you
suspect there is a leak or you hear
an unusual noise. A fluid loss could
indicate a problem. Have it inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
A. Fill Plug Hole
B. Drain Plug Hole
To get an accurate reading, the
vehicle should be on a level surface.
If the level is below the bottom
of the filler plug hole, add some
lubricant. Add enough lubricant to
raise the level to the bottom of the
filler plug hole.V6 Automatic Transmission
shown, V6 Manual Transmission,
V8 Automatic and Manual
transmission similar
9-30 Vehicle Care