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CAUTION!
Towing faster than 25 mph (40 km/h) or farther than
15 mi (24 km) with front wheels on the ground can
cause severe damage to the transmission. Such dam-
age is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. Flatbed towing is
the preferred towing method. However, if a flatbed
towing vehicle is not available, wheel lift towing equip-
ment may be used. Rear towing (with the front wheels onthe ground) is not allowed, as transmission damage will
occur. If rear towing is the only alternative, the front
wheels must be placed on a towing dolly. Proper towing
equipment is necessary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these towing methods could result
in damage to the transmission. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 399
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Page 403 of 505
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment — 2.4L ............. 403
Engine Compartment — 3.6L ............. 404
Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II ...... 405
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 405
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs ............................ 406
Replacement Parts ..................... 407
Dealer Service ........................ 407
Maintenance Procedures ................. 408
▫ Engine Oil ......................... 409
▫ Engine Oil Filter ..................... 412
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............... 413
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .............. 413
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ............ 415
▫ A/C Air Filter – If Equipped ............ 416
▫ Body Lubrication .................... 417
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 418
7
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▫Adding Washer Fluid ................. 419
▫ Exhaust System ..................... 419
▫ Cooling System ..................... 422
▫ Brake System ....................... 427
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 429
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 432
▫ Cleaning Center Console Cupholders ...... 438
▫ Convertible Top Care ................. 438
▫ Weather Strip Care – Soft And Hard Top .... 440
Fuses .............................. 441
▫ Totally Integrated Power Module ......... 441
Vehicle Storage ....................... 446
Replacement Bulbs .................... 446
Bulb Replacement ..................... 447
▫ Headlamp ......................... 447
▫ Front Turn Signal .................... 449
▫ Front Fog Lamp ..................... 449
▫ Backup Lamps ...................... 450
▫ License Plate Lamp ................... 451
Fluid Capacities ...................... 451
Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts ....... 452
▫ Engine ............................ 452
▫ Chassis ........................... 453
402 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 405 of 505
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir7 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 8 — Engine Oil Fill
3 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick 9 — Coolant Pressure Cap
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Engine Oil Dipstick
5 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 11 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
6 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 403
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir5 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 6 — Engine Oil Dipstick
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 7 — Engine Oil Fill
4 — Totally Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 8 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
404 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light” (MIL). It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and drivability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
•If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
After fuel is added, the vehicle diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel filler cap is possibly loose or
improperly installed. A “GASCAP” message will be
displayed in the instrument cluster. Tighten the gas cap
until aclicking sound is heard. This is an indication that
the gas cap is properly tightened. Press the trip odometer
“Reset” button to turn off the message. If the problem
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 405
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persists, the message will appear the next time the
vehicle is started. This might indicate a damaged cap. If
the problem is detected twice in a row, the system will
turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).” Resolv-
ing the problem will turn the MIL light off.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not
on when the engine is running, and that the OBD II
system is ready for testing. Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may
notbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not
crank or start the engine.
2. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
3. As soon as you turn the ignition switch to the ON
position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part of
a normal bulb check.
406 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE