When the seatback is folded to the upright position, make
sure it is latched by strongly pulling on the top of the
seatback above the seat strap.
WARNING!
•Be certain that the seatback is securely locked into
position. If the seatback in not securely locked
into position, the seat will not provide the proper
stability for child seats and/or passengers. An
improperly latched seat could cause serious injury.
•The cargo area in the rear of the vehicle (with the
rear seatbacks in the locked-up or folded down
position) should not be used as a play area by
children when the vehicle is in motion. They could
be seriously injured in an accident. Children
should be seated and using the proper restraint
system.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•To help protect against personal injury, passengers
should not be seated in the rear cargo area. The
rear cargo space is intended for load carrying
purposes only, not for passengers, who should sit
in seats and use seat belts.
•The weight and position of cargo and passengers
can change the vehicle center of gravity and ve-
hicle handling. To avoid loss of control resulting
in personal injury, follow these guidelines for
loading your vehicle:
Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor. Put heavier
objects as low and as far forward as possible.
Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear axle.
Too much weight or improperly placed weight over or
behind the rear axle can cause the rear of the vehicle to
sway.
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 135
STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Do not leave the keys
in the ignition. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Automatic Transaxle
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:The ignition switch must be in the ON position,
and you must press the brake pedal before shifting out of
PARK.
Normal Starting
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
For vehicles not equipped with Tip Start (Four-Speed
Transaxle), turn the ignition switch to the START posi-
tion and release it when the engine starts. If the engine
fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
“Normal Starting” procedure.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 235
WARNING! (Continued)
•Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should
always shift the vehicle into PARK, remove the
key from the ignition, and apply the parking
brake. Once the key is removed from the ignition,
the shift lever is locked in the PARK position,
securing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
Furthermore, you should never leave children un-
attended inside a vehicle.
Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the shift lever to be placed in PARK
prior to rotating the key to the LOCK position. The keycan only be removed from the ignition when the ignition
is in the LOCK position and once removed the shift lever
is locked in PARK.
Brake/Transaxle Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in the
PARK position when the ignition switch is in the LOCK
position. To move the shift lever out of the PARK
position, the ignition switch must be turned to any other
switch position (ACC, ON, or START) (engine running or
not) and the brake pedal must be pressed.
NOTE:
If a malfunction occurs, the transaxle will not
shift out of PARK. Battery power is required to release the
Brake/Transaxle Interlock system. However, an override
system allows you to shift out of PARK in case of loss of
power. To activate the override system:
•Firmly apply the parking brake.
240 STARTING AND OPERATING
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key in
the ignition. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving: failure to do so can lead to brake
failure, and an accident.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) provides increased
vehicle stability and brake performance under most
braking conditions. The system operates with a separate
computer to modulate the hydraulic pressure to prevent
wheel lock-up and avoid skidding on slippery surfaces.
WARNING!
•Pumping of the anti-lock brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to an accident.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need
to slow down or stop.
•The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of phys-
ics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and
tires or the traction afforded.
•The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.(Continued)
254 STARTING AND OPERATING
Caps, FillerFuel ............................... 299
Oil (Engine) .................. 335,336,337,344
Power Steering ........................ 251
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 357
Car Washes ............................ 366
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............82,294
Cargo Area Features ...................... 134
Cargo Compartment ...................... 134
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 134
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 134
Cellular Phone ........................ 93,217
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 385
Chains, Tire ............................ 279
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 318
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 265
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 339
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 82Checks, Safety
........................... 82
Child Restraint .................... 70,71,76,79
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............74,76
Child Safety Locks ........................ 32
Cigar Lighter ........................... 131
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 291
Cleaning Wheels ............................. 367
Windshield Wiper Blades ................ 351
Climate Control ......................... 217
Clock ..................... 169,172,186,189,198
Coin Holder ........................... 136
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 217
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 275
Compass .............................. 164
Compass Calibration ..................... 165
Compass Variance ....................... 165
Computer, Trip/Travel .................. 20,162
Console ............................ 104,136
420 INDEX
Ignition............................... 12
Key ................................ 12
Lock ................................ 12
Ignition Key Removal ..................... 12
Illuminated Entry ........................ 20
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ................... 15
Infant Restraint ........................ 70,71
Information Center, Vehicle ................. 159
Inside Rearview Mirror .................... 89
Instrument Cluster .................... 145,146
Instrument Panel and Controls .............. 144
Instrument Panel Cover ................... 368
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ............. 370
Integrated Power Module (Fuses) ............ 371
Interior Appearance Care .................. 368
Interior Lights .......................... 111
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) ........... 113
Introduction ............................. 4 Jack Location
........................... 318
Jack Operation ....................... 318,320
Jacking Instructions ...................... 320
Jump Starting .......................... 325
Key, Programming ........................ 16
Key, Replacement ........................ 16
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer) ................... 15
Key-In Reminder ......................... 14
Keyless Entry System ...................... 20
Keyless Entry System (Sedan) ................ 20
Keys ................................. 12
Knee Bolster .......................... 54,56
Lane Change and Turn Signals .............. 154
Lane Change Assist ...................... 109
Lap/Shoulder Belts ....................... 40
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether
for CHildren) ........................... 76
426 INDEX
Voltage............................. 147
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ..... 146
Loading Vehicle ...................... 302,303
Capacities ........................... 303
Tires ............................... 268
Locks Auto Unlock .......................... 31
Child Protection ........................ 32
Power Door ........................... 30
Low Tire Pressure System .................. 281
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH) .............................. 76
Lubrication, Body ....................... 350
Lumbar Support ......................... 97
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 346
Maintenance, General ..................... 341
Maintenance Procedures ................... 341
Maintenance Schedule .................... 390 Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 157,339
Manual, Service
......................... 413
Map/Reading Lights ..................... 111
Master Cylinder (Brakes) .................. 360
Methanol ............................. 291
Mini-Trip Computer ...................... 162
Mirrors ................................ 89
Automatic Dimming ..................... 90
Electric Powered ....................... 90
Outside .............................. 92
Rearview ............................. 89
Vanity ............................... 93
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ............... 281
Mopar Parts ......................... 340,412
MTBE/ETBE ........................... 291
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 81
428 INDEX