Page 78 of 368
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 77
Page 191 of 368

Driving Through Water ................. 203
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 203
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 203
Power Steering ....................... 205
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 206
Parking Brake ........................ 207
Brake System ........................ 209
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) — If
Equipped .......................... 210
Traction Control System — If Equipped ...... 212
Tire Safety Information ................. 214
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 214
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 217▫
Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 218
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 219
Tires — General Information ............. 223
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 223
Tire Chains .......................... 231
Snow Tires .......................... 231
Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 231
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ..... 232
▫ Base System ........................ 235
Fuel Requirements ..................... 237
▫ 2.4L Engine ........................ 237
Adding Fuel ......................... 241
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 242
190 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 206 of 368

WARNING!
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph
(8 km/h) when driving through standing water.
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and leave you
stranded.
•Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
•Increased noise levels at the end of the steering wheel
travel are considered normal and do not indicate that
there is a problem with the power steering system.
•Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steer-
ing pump may make noise for a short amount of time.
This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 205
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system. This noise should be considered normal, and it
does not in any way damage the steering system.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and it should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
Power Steering Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only bechecked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an autho-
rized dealer.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your power steering
system as the chemicals can damage your power
steering components. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to ensure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturer’s recommended
power steering fluid.
206 STARTING AND OPERATING
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
1 — Washer Fluid Reservoir7 — Battery
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 8 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick
3 — Engine Coolant Reservoir 9 — Engine Oil Dipstick
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Engine Oil Fill
5 — Power Distribution Center 11 — Coolant Pressure Cap
6 — Air Cleaner Filter
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 277
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MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items specified in the fixed
maintenance schedule, there are other components which
may require servicing or replacement in the future.
CAUTION!
•Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or per-
form repairs and service when necessary could
result in more costly repairs, damage to other
components or negatively impact vehicle perfor-
mance. Immediately have potential malfunctions
examined by an authorized Chrysler Group LLC
dealership or qualified repair center.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended maintenance
intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in these
components as the chemicals can damage your
engine, transmission, power steering or air condi-
tioning. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed
because of component malfunction, use only the
specified fluid for the flushing procedure.
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 281
Page 319 of 368
Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission MOPARATF+4Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent licensed
ATF+4 product.
Brake Master Cylinder MOPARDOT 3 and SAE J1703 should be used or equivalent. If DOT 3
brake fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only recom-
mended brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir MOPARPower Steering Fluid +4, MOPAR ATF+4Automatic Trans-
mission Fluid or equivalent licensed ATF+4 product.
318 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 331 of 368
Miles108,000 111,000 114,000 117,000 120,000
(Kilometers) (180 000) (185 000) (190 000) (195 000) (200 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, if not re-
placed at three months. XXXXX
Rotate tires. XXX
Inspect the brake linings. X
Adjust parking brake on vehicles equipped with
four-wheel disc brakes. X
Replace the engine air cleaner filter.* X
Inspect the tie rod ends and boot seals. X
Replace the make-up air filter.* X
Replace the generator belt. X
Replace the power steering/air conditioning belt. X
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter.\b X
Flush and replace the engine coolant at
120 months, if not replaced at 102,000 miles
(200 000 km). X
Replace the spark plugs and ignition cables. X
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S330 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES