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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.
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 235 of 436

▫Five-Speed Automatic Transmission ....... 254
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 254
AutoStick .......................... 257
▫ Operation ......................... 258
▫ General Information .................. 259
Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 259
▫ Acceleration ........................ 259
▫ Traction ........................... 260
Driving Through Water ................. 260
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 261
Power Steering ....................... 263
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 263
Parking Brake ........................ 264
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ....... 265
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ..... 266
Brake System ........................ 267
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 267
Electronic Brake Control System ........... 270
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 271
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 271
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 272
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – Manual
Transmission Only ................... 273
▫ Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ........ 274
▫ Synchronizing ESP ................... 278
234 STARTING AND OPERATING
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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 steeringsystem. 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 be
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 263
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checked 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.If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied and place the shift lever in the
PARK or REVERSE (manual transmission only) position.
When the parking brake is applied and the ignition
switch is in the ON position (RUN position with Keyless
Go™), the “Brake Warning Light” in the instrument
cluster will illuminate.
264 STARTING AND OPERATING
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If the sealant (white fluid) does flowthrough the clear
Sealant Hose (7):
1. Continue to operate pump until sealant is no longer
flowing through hose (typically takes 30 - 70 seconds). As
the sealant flows through hose (7), the pressure gauge (2)
can read as high as 70 psi (5 Bar). The pressure gauge (2)
will decrease quickly from approximately 70 psi to the
actual tire pressure when the sealant bottle is empty.
2. The pump will start to inject air into the tire immedi-
ately after the sealant bottle is empty. Continue to operate
pump and inflate the tire to the pressure indicated on the
tire pressure label on the driver-side latch pillar (recom-
mended pressure). Check the tire pressure by looking at
the pressure gauge (2). If the tire does not inflate to at least 26 psi (1.8 Bar)
pressure within 15 minutes:
•The tire is too badly damaged. Do not attempt to drive
the vehicle further. Call for assistance.
If the tire inflates to the recommended pressure or is at
least 26 psi (1.8 Bar) pressure within 15 minutes:
1. Press the power button (3) to turn off the TIREFIT kit.
2. Remove the Speed Limit sticker from the top of the
Sealant Bottle (1) and place the sticker on the steering
wheel.
3. Immediately disconnect the Clear Sealant Hose (7)
from the valve stem, reinstall the Yellow Cap on the
fitting at the end of the hose, and place the TIREFIT kit in
the vehicle storage location. Quickly proceed to (D)
“Securing TIREFIT Sealant in the Tire”.
324 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
Page 339 of 436
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 6.1L
1 — Remote Jump Start (Positive Battery Post)6 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
2 — Integrated Power Module 7 — Air Cleaner Filter
3 — Coolant Pressure Cap 8 — Engine Oil Fill
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir Access Cover 9 — Engine Oil Dipstick
5 — Engine Coolant Reservoir 10 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
338 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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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 tocheck the engine oil level is about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off or before starting the
engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level in the “SAFE” range. Adding 1.0 qt (1.0 L) of
oil when the reading is at the bottom of the “SAFE” range
will result in an oil level at the top of the “SAFE” range
on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause oil aeration or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
7
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Page 385 of 436
Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Manual Transmission – If Equipped MOPAR ATF+4Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent licensed
ATF+4 product.
Automatic Transmission – If
Equipped MOPAR
ATF+4Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent licensed
ATF+4 product.
Brake Master Cylinder MOPARDOT 3, SAE J1703 should be used. If DOT 3, SAE J1703 brake
fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only recommended
brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir MOPARPower Steering Fluid + 4, MOPAR ATF+4Automatic Trans-
mission Fluid or equivalent licensed ATF+4 product.
Rear Axle MOPARSynthetic Gear Lubricant SAE 75W90 (API GL-5) or equivalent
(with MOPAR Friction Modifier — Hypoid Gear Additive).
384 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE