
Normal Starting – Diesel EngineObserve the following when the engine is op-
erating.
•All message center lights are off.
• Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is off.
• Low Oil Pressure Light is off.
Cold Weather Precautions
Operation in ambient temperature below 32°F
(0°C) may require special considerations. The
following chart suggests these options.
*No. 1 Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel (ULSD)
should only be used where extended arctic
conditions (-10°F/-23°C) exist. NOTE:
•
Use of Climatized ULSD Diesel Fuel or
Number 1 ULSD Diesel Fuel results in a
noticeable decrease in fuel economy.
• Climatized ULSD Diesel Fuel is a blend of
Number 2 ULSD and Number 1 ULSD
Diesel Fuels, which reduces the tempera-
ture at which wax crystals form in fuel.
NOTE:
This engine requires the use of “Ultra Low
Sulfur Diesel Fuel.” Use of incorrect fuel
could result in exhaust system damage. Re-
fer to “Fuel Requirements – Diesel Engine”
in “Starting and Operating” for further infor-
mation.
Battery Blanket Usage
A battery loses 60% of its cranking power as
the battery temperature decreases to 0°F
(-18°C). For the same decrease in temperature,
the engine requires twice as much power to
crank at the same RPM. The use of battery
blankets will greatly increase starting capability
at low temperatures. Suitable battery blankets
are available from your authorized MOPAR
dealer. Engine Starting Procedure
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into
the air inlet opening in an attempt to start the
vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
1. The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or
PARK position before you can start the engine.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
3. Watch for the “Wait To Start Light” in the
instrument cluster. Refer to “Instrument Cluster”
in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information. It will glow for two to ten
seconds or more, depending on engine tem-
perature. When the “Wait To Start Light” goes
out, the engine is ready to start.
4. Tip Start Feature
Do not press the accelerator. Use the Fob with
Integrated Key (FOBIK) to briefly turn the igni-
tion switch to the START position and then
release it. The starter motor will continue to run,
and it will automatically disengage when the
engine is running. If the engine fails to start, the
203

starter will disengage automatically in 20 sec-
onds. The starter can be disengaged by turn-
ing the ignition switch to the OFF position, if
required.
5. After the engine starts, allow it to idle for
approximately 30 seconds before driving. This
allows oil to circulate and lubricate the turbo-
charger.
Avoid prolonged idling in ambient tempera-
tures below 0°F (-18°C). Long periods of idling
may be harmful to your engine because com-
bustion chamber temperatures can drop so low
that the fuel may not burn completely. Incom-
plete combustion allows carbon and varnish to
form on piston rings and injector nozzles. Also,
the unburned fuel can enter the crankcase,
diluting the oil and causing rapid wear to the
engine.
Engine Warm Up
Avoid full throttle operation when the engine is
cold. When starting a cold engine, bring the
engine up to operating speed slowly to allow
the oil pressure to stabilize as the engine
warms up.NOTE:
High-speed, no-load running of a cold en-
gine can result in excessive white smoke
and poor engine performance. No-load en-
gine speeds should be kept under 1,200
RPM during the warm-up period, especially
in cold ambient temperature conditions.
If temperatures are below 32°F (0°C), operate
the engine at moderate speeds for five minutes
before full loads are applied.
Engine Idling – In Cold Weather
Avoid prolonged idling in ambient tempera-
tures below 0°F (-18°C). Long periods of idling
may be harmful to your engine because com-
bustion chamber temperatures can drop so low
that the fuel may not burn completely. Incom-
plete combustion allows carbon and varnish to
form on piston rings and injector nozzles. Also,
the unburned fuel can enter the crankcase,
diluting the oil and causing rapid wear to the
engine.
Stopping The Engine
Before turning off your turbo diesel engine,
always allow the engine to return to normal idle
speed and run for several seconds. This as-sures proper lubrication of the turbocharger.
This is particularly necessary after any period
of hard driving.
Idle the engine a few minutes before routine
shutdown. After full load operation, idle the
engine three to five minutes before shutting it
down. This idle period will allow the lubricating
oil and coolant to carry excess heat away from
the combustion chamber, bearings, internal
components, and turbocharger. This is espe-
cially important for turbocharged, charge air
cooled engines.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the
following precautions are not observed:
•
Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has
come to a complete stop.
• Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and
the engine is at idle speed.
(Continued)
204

sink into deeper water. Determine exit point(s)
that are downstream of your entry point to allow
for drifting.
Standing Water
Avoid driving in standing water deeper than
20 in (51 cm), and reduce speed appropriately
to minimize wave effects. Maximum speed in
20 in (51 cm) of water is less than 5 mph
(8 km/h).
Maintenance
After driving through deep water, inspect your
vehicle fluids and lubricants (engine oil, trans-
mission oil, axle, transfer case) to assure the
fluids have not been contaminated. Contami-
nated fluid (milky, foamy in appearance) should
be flushed/changed as soon as possible to
prevent component damage.
Driving in Snow, Mud and SandIn heavy snow, when pulling a load, or for
additional control at slower speeds, shift the
transmission to a low gear and shift the transfer
case to 4WD LOW if necessary. Refer to “Four-
Wheel Drive Operation” in “Starting and Oper-
ating” for further information. Do not shift to a
lower gear than necessary to maintain forwardmotion. Over-revving the engine can spin the
wheels and traction will be lost.
Avoid abrupt downshifts on icy or slippery
roads, because engine braking may cause
skidding and loss of control.
Hill Climbing
NOTE:
Before attempting to climb a hill, determine
the conditions at the crest and/or on the
other side.
Before climbing a steep hill,
shift the trans-
mission to a lower gear and shift the transfer
case to 4WD LOW. Use first gear and 4WD
LOW for very steep hills.
If you stall or begin to lose forward motion
while climbing a steep hill, allow your vehicle to
come to a stop and immediately apply the
brakes. Restart the engine, and shift into RE-
VERSE. Back slowly down the hill, allowing the
compression braking of the engine to help
regulate your speed. If the brakes are required
to control vehicle speed, apply them lightly and
avoid locking or skidding the tires.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls, you lose forward motion,
or cannot make it to the top of a steep hill or
grade, never attempt to turn around. To do so
may result in tipping and rolling the vehicle.
Always back carefully straight down a hill in
REVERSE gear. Never back down a hill in
NEUTRAL using only the brake.
Remember, never drive diagonally across a
hill always drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the
crest of a hill, ease off the accelerator and
maintain forward motion by turning the front
wheels slowly. This may provide a fresh “bite”
into the surface and will usually provide traction
to complete the climb.
Traction DownhillShift the transmission into a low gear, and the
transfer case into 4WD LOW range. Let the
vehicle go slowly down the hill with all four
wheels turning against engine compression
drag. This will permit you to control the vehicle
speed and direction. 219

7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
•ENGINE COMPARTMENT – 3.6L ................. 270
• ENGINE COMPARTMENT – 5.7L ................. 271
• ENGINE COMPARTMENT – 3.0L DIESEL ............ 272
• ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM – OBD II ........... 273
• Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ................ 273
• REPLACEMENT PARTS ...................... 273
• MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES .................. 273
• Engine Oil – Gasoline Engines ................ 274
• Engine Oil – Diesel Engine .................. 275
• Synthetic Engine Oils ..................... 275
• Materials Added to Engine Oils ................ 276
• Disposing of Used Engine Oil and Filters .......... 276
• Engine Oil Filter ......................... 276
• Engine Air Cleaner Filter .................... 276
• Maintenance-Free Battery ................... 276
• Air Conditioner Maintenance ................. 277
267

ENGINE COMPARTMENT – 3.6L
1 — Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) 6 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Engine Oil Dipstick 7 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator)
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
5 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
270

ENGINE COMPARTMENT – 5.7L
1 — Totally Integrated Power Module 6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
2 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick 7 — Engine Oil Dipstick
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator)
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
5 — Air Cleaner Filter
271

ENGINE COMPARTMENT – 3.0L DIESEL
1 — Engine Oil Dipstick 5 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
2 — Engine Oil Fill 6 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 7 — Totally Integrated Power Module
4 — Engine Air Cleaner Filter
272

CAUTION!
•Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or
perform repairs and service when neces-
sary could result in more costly repairs,
damage to other components or negatively
impact vehicle performance. Immediately
have potential malfunctions examined by
an authorized dealership or qualified repair
center.
• 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 malfunc-
tion, use only the specified fluid for the
flushing procedure.Engine Oil – Gasoline Engines
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s
engine, the engine oil must be maintained at
the correct level. The best time to check the
engine oil level is about five minutes after a fully
warmed up 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 level
range. Adding 1 U.S. Quart (0.95L) of oil when
the level is at the bottom of the SAFE range will
result in the level being at the top of the SAFE
range.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will
cause aeration or loss of oil pressure. This
could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the
proper maintenance intervals. NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 7,500 miles (12 000 km) or
six months whichever comes first.
Engine Oil Selection – Non ACEA
Categories
For best performance and maximum protection
under all types of operating conditions, the
manufacturer only recommends engine oils
that are API certified and meet the require-
ments of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine
Oil Identification Symbol
This symbol means
that the oil has
been certified by
the American Pe-
troleum Institute
(API). The manu-
facturer only rec-
ommends API Cer-
tified engine oils.
274