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!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
Engine Oil Overheating (2.4L Engine Only) — If
Equipped
During sustained high-speed driving or trailer tow up
long grades on a hot day, the engine oil temperature may
become too hot. If this happens, the “HOTOIL” message
flashes in the odometer and the vehicle speed will be
reduced to 53 mph (85 km/h) until the engine oil
temperature is reduced.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 317
WARNING! (Continued)
•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 or
rusty 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 the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 for the
proper maintenance intervals.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended coolant. Re-
fer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this
section for the correct fluid type.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 355
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
(antifreeze) and distilled water. Use higher concentra-
tions (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 the 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 357
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, the contents of
the 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 359
•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 the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 for the
proper maintenance intervals.
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.
360 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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
Console, Floor....................... 104,136
Contract, Service ........................ 411
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 357
Cooling System ......................... 354
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 356
Coolant Capacity ...................... 386
Coolant Level ...................... 355,358
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 358
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 355
Inspection ........................... 358
Points to Remember .................... 359
Pressure Cap ......................... 357
Radiator Cap ......................... 357
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......355,386,387
Corrosion Protection ..................... 365
Crankcase Ventilation Module ............... 20
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 117
Cruise Light ........................... 152
Cupholders ...................... 104,132,370Customer Assistance
..................... 409
Customer Programmable Features ............ 167
Daytime Running Lights ................... 110
Dealer Service .......................... 341
Deck Lid, Power Release ................... 37
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 139
Defroster, Windshield ................84,220,226
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ...............29,113
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 338
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................. 109
Dipsticks Automatic Transaxle ................. 363,364
Oil (Engine) .......................... 342
Power Steering ........................ 251
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 329
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............... 358
Engine Oil ........................... 345
10
INDEX 421
Phone, Hands-Free (uconnect) ............... 93
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 268
Power Deck Lid Release ....................... 37
Door Locks ........................... 30
Mirrors .............................. 90
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .......... 129
Seats ................................ 97
Steering .......................... 250,251
Sunroof ............................. 126
Windows ............................. 33
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 54
Preparation for Jacking .................... 319
Pretensioners Seat Belts ............................ 48
Programmable Electronic Features ............ 167
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 25 Radial Ply Tires
......................... 275
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .......... 357
Radio Operation ........................ 217
Radio Remote Controls .................... 215
Radio, Satellite (uconnect studios)........... 209
Rear Cupholder ......................... 133
Rear Seat, Folding .................... 103,104
Rear Window Defroster ................... 139
Rear Window Features .................... 139
Rearview Mirrors ........................ 89
Recreational Towing ...................... 314
Reformulated Gasoline .................... 291
Refrigerant ............................ 349
Reminder, Seat Belt ..................... 52,53
Remote Control Door Locks ........................... 20
Security Alarm ......................... 18
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................. 20
Remote Keyless Entry (Sedan) ............... 20
430 INDEX