Flexible Fuel (3.6L Engine Only) —
If Equipped .......................... 350
▫ E-85 General Information ............... 350
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ................... 351
▫ Fuel Requirements ................... 352
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles ...... 352
▫ Starting ........................... 353
▫ Cruising Range ...................... 353
▫ Replacement Parts ................... 353
▫ Maintenance ........................ 354
Adding Fuel ......................... 354
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 354
▫ Loose Filler Cap Message .............. 356
Vehicle Loading ...................... 357
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 357
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ...... 357
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ........ 357
▫ Overloading ........................ 358
▫ Loading ........................... 358
Trailer Towing ........................ 358
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 359
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 361
286 STARTING AND OPERATING
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 to
check the engine oil level is about five minutes after afully warmed engine is shut off. Do not check oil level
before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking engine oil level when the engine is cold will
give you an incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. Either the range mark-
ings consist of a crosshatch zone marked SAFE or a
crosshatch zone marked with MIN at the low end of the
range and MAX at the high end of the range. Adding one
quart of oil when the reading is at the low end of the
range marking will raise the oil level to the high end of
the range marking.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 399
CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine
will cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil
pressure and an increase in oil temperature. This
could damage your engine. Also, be sure the oil fill
cap is replaced and tightened after adding oil.
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.
NOTE: Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 8,000 miles (13 000 km) or six months,
whichever occurs first.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer recom-
mends engine oils that are API Certified and meet the
requirements 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
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
400 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Adding Washer Fluid
The fluid reservoir for the windshield washers is located
in the engine compartment. Be sure to check the fluid
level in the reservoir at regular intervals. Fill the reservoir
with windshield washer solvent (not radiator antifreeze)
and operate the system for a few seconds to flush out the
residual water.
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around
the washer solution.
Exhaust System
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
If you notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system;
or if the exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle;
or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged;
have an authorized technician inspect the complete ex-
haust system and adjacent body areas for broken, dam-
aged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams
or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep
into the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the
exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised for lubri-
cation or oil change. Replace as required.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 409
About Your Brakes....................... 304
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) .............. 307
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 413
Adding Fuel ........................... 354
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... 409
Additives, Fuel ......................... 348
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 403
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 405
Air Conditioning ........................ 268
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 268
Air Conditioning Filter .................280,406
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............405,406
Air Conditioning System .............268,273,405
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 281
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 327
Airbag .............................. 57,67
Airbag Deployment ....................... 68
Airbag Light ................... 65,66,70,85,189
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 69 Airbag, Side
...................... 61,64,66,67
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ...........62,64,67
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............18,196
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................231,256
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............. 307
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 307
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 18
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..............413,438
Disposal ........................... 415
Appearance Care ........................ 422
Ashtray ............................... 174
Assistance Towing ....................... 111
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 35
Auto Unlock, Doors ....................... 32
Auto Up Power Windows .................. 36
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 94
Automatic Door Locks ................... 31,32
Automatic Oil Change Indicator ..........194,206
468 INDEX
Contract, Service........................ 461
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 414
Cooling System ......................... 412
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 413
Coolant Capacity ..................... 438
Coolant Level .................... 412,415
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 415
Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 412
Inspection .......................... 415
Points to Remember .................. 416
Pressure Cap ........................ 414
Radiator Cap ....................... 414
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....413,438,439
Corrosion Protection ..................... 422
Crankcase Ventilation Module ............... 20
Cruise Light ........................... 195
Cupholders ...................... 144,174,428
Customer Assistance ..................... 459
Customer Programmable Features ............ 212Data Recorder, Event
...................... 71
Daytime Running Lights ................... 150
Dealer Service .......................... 398
Deck Lid, Power Release ................... 38
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 181
Defroster, Windshield ................86,271,277
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ...............30,154
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 395
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................. 149
Dipsticks Automatic Transaxle ...............421,422
Oil (Engine) ........................ 399
Power Steering ...................... 304
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 388
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 415
Engine Oil ......................... 402
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 31
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 160
10
INDEX 471
Fluid Capacities......................... 438
Fluid Leaks ............................. 87
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transaxle ...............421,422
Brake .......................... 417,440
Cooling System ...................... 412
Engine Oil ......................... 399
Power Steering ................... 304,440
Fluids ................................ 439
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 439
Fog Light Service ........................ 435
Fog Lights ....................... 150,196,435
Folding Rear Seat ..................... 143,144
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 386
Fuel ................................. 346
Adding ........................... 354
Additives .......................... 348
Clean Air .......................... 346 Ethanol
........................... 347
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............188,354
Filler Door (Gas Cap) .................. 188
Gasoline ........................... 346
Gauge ............................ 188
Light ............................. 189
Materials Added ..................... 348
Methanol .......................... 347
Octane Rating .................... 346,439
Requirements .................... 346,438
Tank Capacity ....................... 438
Fuel System Caution ..................... 355
Fuel, Flexible ........................... 350
Fueling ............................... 354
Fuses ................................ 428
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) ........... 160
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............354,356,395
474 INDEX
Vehicle Theft Alarm (Security Alarm).......... 18
Viscosity, Engine Oil ...................... 401
Voice Recognition System (VR) .............. 127
Warning Lights
(Instrument Cluster Description) ............. 188
Warnings and Cautions ..................... 6
Warranty Information ..................... 462
Washer Adding Fluid ....................... 409
Washers, Windshield ................ 152,155,409
Washing Vehicle ......................... 423
Water Driving Through ..................... 301
Wheel and Wheel Trim .................... 425 Wheel and Wheel Trim Care
................ 425
Wind Buffeting ....................... 37,169
Window Fogging ........................ 280
Windows .............................. 34
Power ............................. 34
Windshield Defroster ................86,271,277
Windshield Washers ................... 152,155
Fluid ............................. 409
Windshield Wiper Blades .................. 408
Windshield Wipers ....................... 152
Wiper Blade Replacement .................. 408
Wipers, Intermittent ...................... 154
486 INDEX