Page 394 of 474

To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transaxle is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected for a prolonged period.
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at any time the ignition
switch is in the ON position.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 393
Page 395 of 474

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
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
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 old engine coolant (antifreeze).
Selection Of Coolant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
CAUTION!
•Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified Hybrid Organic Additive Technology
(HOAT) engine coolant (antifreeze), may result in
engine damage and may decrease corrosion pro-
tection. If a non-HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze)
is introduced into the cooling system in an emer-
gency, it should be replaced with the specified
engine coolant (antifreeze) as soon as possible.
•Do not use water alone or alcohol based engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use addi-
tional rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they
may not be compatible with the radiator engine
coolant and may plug the radiator.(Continued)
394 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 396 of 474

CAUTION! (Continued)
•This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Use of Propylene Glycol based engine
coolant (antifreeze) is not recommended.
Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant (antifreeze) that allows extended maintenance
intervals. This engine coolant (antifreeze) can be used up
to five years or 102,000 miles (170 000 km) before
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), a minimum
solution of 50% recommended MOPAR
Antifreeze/
Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology), or equivalent, in water
should be used. Use higher concentrations (not to exceed
70%) if temperatures below 34°F (37°C) are antici-
pated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 395
Page 397 of 474

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.
WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze)
when the engine is overheated. Do not loosen or
remove the cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat
causes pressure to build up in the cooling system.
To prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the
pressure cap while the system is hot or under
pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal Of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
396 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 399 of 474

•Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant recovery bottle. If engine coolant (anti-
freeze) 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.
•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 engine coolant (antifreeze) per-
formance, 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.
398 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 422 of 474
FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate) 13.6 Gallons51.5 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
2.0L and 2.4L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 4.5 Quarts4.26 Liters
Cooling System *
2.0L and 2.4L Engine (MOPAR Engine Coolant/Antifreeze 5
Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 7.2 Quarts
6.8 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 421
Page 459 of 474

Cargo Light............................ 169
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 172
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 173
Carrier, Luggage ........................ 176
Cellular Phone ........................ 93,259
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 419
Chains, Tire ............................ 324
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 360
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 309
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 380
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 81
Checks, Safety ........................... 81
Child Restraint .......................... 72
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 76
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts ........... 75
Child Safety Locks ........................ 32
Child Seat .............................. 78
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 335 Cleaning
Wheels ............................. 405
Climate Control ......................... 259
Clock ..................... 208,222,224,227,236
Clutch ............................... 399
Clutch Fluid ........................... 399
Coin Holder ........................... 168
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 258
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 320
Compass Variance ....................... 204
Connector UCI ................................ 247
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ......... 247
Console .............................. 168
Contract, Service ........................ 449
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................... 421,422
Cooling System ......................... 393
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 395
Coolant Level ...................... 393,397
458 INDEX
Page 461 of 474

Electronic Stability Program............... 303
Traction Control System ................. 299
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 148
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ............ 303
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 196
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................. 360
Jump Starting ......................... 366
Towing ............................. 371
Emission Control System Maintenance ......380,426
Engine ............................... 378
Block Heater ......................... 279
Break-In Recommendations ................ 80
Checking Oil Level ..................... 383
Cooling ............................. 393
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 81,339
Fuel Requirements ..................... 335
Jump Starting ......................... 366
Oil ........................... 383,421,422Oil Change Interval
.................... 384
Oil Filler Cap ...................... 378,385
Oil Filter ............................ 422
Oil Selection .......................... 384
Oil Synthetic ......................... 385
Overheating .......................... 358
Temperature Gauge .................... 189
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 67
Exhaust Gas Caution ..............36,81,339,391
Exhaust System ....................... 81,391
Exterior Lights .......................... 83
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 386
Air Conditioning ...................... 271
Engine Oil ........................ 386,422
Flashers .............................. 358
Hazard Warning ....................... 358
Turn Signal ...................... 83,184,416
460 INDEX