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.
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. Open
seams 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.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for four to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see your
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 79
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. The best time to
check the engine oil level is about five minutes after afully 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. Either the range mark-
ings consist of a crosshatch zone marked SAFE or a
crosshatch zone marked with MIN at the low end of the
range and MAX at the high end of the range. Adding one
quart of oil when the reading is at the low end of the
range marking will raise the oil level to the high end of
the range marking.
356 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicles oil
if it has been 6 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 authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” or under “In-
strument Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
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.
8
M
A I
N T
E
N A
N CE
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 409
Caps, FillerFuel ............................... 314
Oil (Engine) .................. 349,350,351,358
Power Steering ........................ 264
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 371
Car Washes ............................ 380
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............78,309
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 316
Cellular Phone ....................... 1 12,230
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 402
Certification Label ....................... 316
Chains, Tire ............................ 294
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 332
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 278
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 353
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 78
Checks, Safety ........................... 78
Child Restraint .................... 66,68,72,74Child Restraint Tether Anchors
.............70,72
Cigar Lighter ........................... 147
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 305
Cleaning Wheels ............................. 381
Windshield Wiper Blades ................ 365
Climate Control ......................... 230
Clock .................. 182,184,198,200,203,213
Coin Holder ........................... 149
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 229
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 289
Compass .............................. 176
Compass Calibration ..................... 177
Compass Variance ....................... 178
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 175
Console, Floor .......................... 149
Contract, Service ........................ 429
Convertible ............................. 87
Convertible Top .......................... 87
438 INDEX
Door Opener, Garage..................... 138
Driver’s Seat Back Tilt .................... 117
Driving On Slippery Surfaces ................... 260
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ........................ 261
E-85 Fuel ............................. 310
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 151
Electric Remote Mirrors ................... 110
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 144
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 135
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ............ 273
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 172
Emergency Deck Lid Release ................ 37
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................. 332
Jump Starting ......................... 339
Overheating .......................... 330 Towing
............................. 344
Emergency Trunk Release ................... 37
Emission Control System Maintenance ......353,408
Engine .......................... 349,350,351
Air Cleaner .......................... 360
Block Heater ......................... 250
Break-In Recommendations ................ 77
Checking Oil Level ..................... 356
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................. 369,404
Cooling ............................. 369
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 78,309
Fails to Start .......................... 248
Flooded, Starting ...................... 248
Fuel Requirements .................. 304,403
Jump Starting ......................... 339
Oil ........................... 356,403,404
Oil Change Interval ............164,174,357,408
Oil Filler Cap ................ 349,350,351,358
Oil Filter ............................ 359
440 INDEX
Master Cylinder (Brakes).................. 374
Memory Feature (Memory Seat) ............. 117
Methanol ............................. 305
Mini-Trip Computer ...................... 175
Mirrors ............................... 109
Automatic Dimming .................... 109
Electric Powered ....................... 110
Electric Remote ....................... 110
Heated .............................. 111
Outside ............................. 110
Vanity .............................. 112
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ............... 295
Mopar Parts ......................... 354,430
MTBE/ETBE ........................... 305
Multi-Function Control Lever ............... 123
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 77Occupant Restraints
................... 37,58,61
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ...............55,58
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 304
Odometer ............................. 162
Trip ............................. 162,165
Oil Change Indicator ................ 164,174,408
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ..............164,174
Oil, Engine ......................... 356,404
Capacity ............................ 403
Change Interval ............... 164,174,357,408
Checking ............................ 356
Dipstick ............................. 356
Disposal ............................ 359
Filter ............................ 359,404
Filter Disposal ........................ 359
Identification Logo ..................... 357
Materials Added to ..................... 359
Recommendation ................... 357,403
Synthetic ............................ 359
10
INDEX 447