NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
•If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
Engine Oil Overheating — 2.4L Engine Only (If
Equipped)
During sustained high-speed driving or trailer tow up
long grades on hot day, the engine oil temperature may
become too hot. If this happens, the “HOTOIL” message
flashes, the vehicle speed will be reduced to 53 mph
(85 km/h) until the engine oil temperature is reduced.
NOTE: Engine speed is reduced to 53 mph (85 km/h) at
the maximum. You may of course, reduce your speed
further if needed.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 331
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position. The fan is tempera-
ture controlled and can start at anytime the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
•You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the
hood, do not open the hood until the radiator has
had time to cool. Never try to open a cooling
system pressure cap when the radiator is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty orrusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed, and refilled with fresh engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Check the front of the A/C condenser for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
Cooling System – Drain, Flush, and Refill
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains a
considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with a
reliable cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough
rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly
dispose of the old engine coolant (antifreeze).
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 369
replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance 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
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below34°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.
NOTE: Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent coolant changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 371
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 cool-
ant. 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 addi-
tional 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 recovery bottle.
•Check engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in the
radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If engine
coolant (antifreeze) needs to be added, contents of
coolant recovery bottle must also be protected against
freezing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain 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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 373
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow 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 “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
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.
Master Cylinder – Brake Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder immediately
if the brake system warning light indicates system fail-
ure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when per-
forming underhood services.
374 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 371
Cooling System ......................... 369
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 370
Coolant Capacity ...................... 403
Coolant Level ...................... 369,372
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 372
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 369
Inspection ........................... 372
Points to Remember .................... 373
Pressure Cap ......................... 371
Radiator Cap ......................... 371
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......370,403,404
Corrosion Protection ..................... 379
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 135
Cruise Light ........................... 165
Cupholders ......................... 148,384
Customer Assistance ..................... 427
Customer Programmable Features ............ 179Daytime Running Lights
................... 127
Dealer Service .......................... 354
Deck Lid, Emergency Release ................ 37
Deck Lid, Power Release ................... 35
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 151
Defroster, Windshield .............80,232,233,238
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 131
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 352
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................. 128
Dipsticks Automatic Transaxle ................. 377,378
Oil (Engine) .......................... 356
Power Steering ........................ 264
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 344
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............... 372
Engine Oil ........................... 359
Door Locks ............................. 29
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 31
10
INDEX 439
Radial Ply Tires......................... 289
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .......... 371
Radio Operation ........................ 230
Radio Remote Controls .................... 228
Radio, Satellite (Uconnect studios)........... 223
Rear Cupholder ......................... 148
Rear Window Defroster ................... 151
Rear Window Features .................... 151
Recreational Towing ...................... 328
Reformulated Gasoline .................... 305
Refrigerant ............................ 363
Release, Hood .......................... 121
Reminder, Lights On ..................... 124
Reminder, Seat Belt ....................... 50
Remote Control Security Alarm ......................... 18
Starting System ........................ 27
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................. 21
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ........ 228Remote Starting System
.................... 27
Remote Trunk Release ..................... 35
Replacement Bulbs ....................... 394
Replacement Keys ........................ 16
Replacement Parts ....................... 354
Replacement Tires ....................... 292
Reporting Safety Defects ................... 430
Resetting Oil Change Indicator ...........164,174
Restraint, Head ......................... 118
Restraints, Child ......................... 66
Restraints, Occupant ...................... 37
Reverse Lights .......................... 398
Rotation, Tires .......................... 294
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ................. 79
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle ............... 81
Safety Defects, Reporting .................. 430
Safety, Exhaust Gas ....................... 78
Safety Information, Tire ................... 277
10
INDEX 449