Folding Rear Seat
To provide additional storage area, the rear seatback can
be folded forward. Pull on the loops shown in the picture
to fold down either or both seatbacks.
When returning the rear seat back to the upright position,
be sure the seatback is latched.WARNING!
•Be certain that the seatback is securely locked into
position. If the seatback is not securely locked into
position the seat will not provide the proper
stability for child seats and/or passengers. An
improperly latched seat could cause serious injury.
•The rear cargo area of the vehicle (with the rear
seatbacks in the locked-up or folded down posi-
tion) should not be used as a play area by children.
They could be seriously injured in a collision.
Children should be seated and using the proper
restraint system.
Folding Rear Seats
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 145
WARNING!
Do not operate this vehicle with a console compart-
ment lid in the open position. Cellular phones, music
players, and other handheld electronic devices
should be stowed while driving. Use of these devices
while driving can cause an accident due to distrac-
tion, resulting in death or injury.
CARGO AREA FEATURES
The 60/40 split-folding rear seat provides cargo-carrying
versatility. The seatbacks fold down easily by pulling
nylon tabs between the seatbacks and the bolsters. When
the seats are folded down, they provide a continuous,
nearly flat extension of the load floor.
When the seatback is folded to the upright position, make
sure it is latched by strongly pulling on the top of the
seatback above the seat strap.
WARNING!
•Be certain that the seatback is securely locked into
position. If the seatback in not securely locked
into position, the seat will not provide the proper
stability for child seats and/or passengers. An
improperly latched seat could cause serious injury.
•The cargo area in the rear of the vehicle (with the
rear seatbacks in the locked-up or folded down
position) should not be used as a play area by
children when the vehicle is in motion. They could
be seriously injured in a collision. Children should
be seated and using the proper restraint system.
•To help protect against personal injury, passengers
should not be seated in the rear cargo area. The
rear cargo space is intended for load carrying
purposes only, not for passengers, who should sit
in seats and use seat belts.(Continued)
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 179
STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children
to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake
pedal or the shift lever.
Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:The ignition switch must be in the ON position,
and you must press the brake pedal before shifting out of
PARK.
Normal Starting
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
For vehicles not equipped with Tip Start (Four-Speed
Transmission), turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release it when the engine starts. If the
engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
288 STARTING AND OPERATING
WARNING! (Continued)
•Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should
always shift the vehicle into PARK, remove the
key from the ignition, and apply the parking
brake. Once the key is removed from the ignition,
the shift lever is locked in the PARK position,
securing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
Furthermore, you should never leave children un-
attended inside a vehicle.
Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
Systems
These systems prevent the key fob from being removed
unless the shift lever is in PARK. They also prevent
shifting out of PARK unless the ignition switch is out of
the LOCK position and the brake pedal is applied.
Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the shift lever to be placed in PARK
prior to rotating the key to the LOCK position. The key
can only be removed from the ignition when the ignition
is in the LOCK position. Once the key is removed, the
shift lever is locked in PARK.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped, but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 293
When parking on a flat surface, place the shift lever in the
PARK position first, and then apply the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism may
make it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As
an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the
curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an
uphill grade.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for
the parking brake. Always apply the parking
brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle
movement and possible injury or damage.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Do not leave the
ignition key in the ignition switch. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
CAUTION!
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK
or NEUTRAL positions into another gear range as
this can damage the drivetrain.
REVERSE
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 295
NOTE:
•When the parking brake is applied and the transmis-
sion is placed in gear, the “Brake Warning Light” will
flash. If vehicle speed is detected, a chime will sound
to alert the driver. Fully release the parking brake
before attempting to move the vehicle.
•This light only shows that the parking brake is ap-
plied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front
wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away
from the curb on an uphill grade. Apply the parking
brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism may
make it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. The
parking brake should always be applied whenever the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for
the parking brake. Always apply the parking
brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle
movement and possible injury or damage.
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children
to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake
pedal or the shift lever. (Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 305
Capacities, Fluid........................ 442
Caps, Filler Fuel .............................. 354
Oil (Engine) ..................... 397,405
Power Steering ...................... 303
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 418
Car Washes ............................ 427
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............85,350
Cellular Phone ........................ 97,268
Chains, Tire ............................ 335
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 374
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 318
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 400
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 84
Checks, Safety ........................... 84
Child Restraint .................... 72,74,78,81
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............76,78
Child Safety Locks ........................ 34 Cigar Lighter
........................... 175
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 346
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 429
Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 412
Climate Control ......................... 268
Clock ........................... 217,235,245
Coin Holder ........................... 177
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 267
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 330
Compass ........................... 201,209
Compass Calibration ..................... 210
Compass Variance ....................... 210
Computer, Trip/Travel .................. 20,207
Connector UCI .............................. 259
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 259
Console .............................. 146
Console, Floor ....................... 146,177
474 INDEX
Tires .............................. 322
Locks Auto Unlock ......................... 32
Automatic Door ...................... 32
Child Protection ...................... 34
Power Door ......................... 32
Low Tire Pressure System .................. 337
Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren (LATCH) ....................... 78
Lubrication, Body ....................... 411
Lumbar Support ........................ 140
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 407
Maintenance Procedures ................... 402
Maintenance Schedule .................... 446
Maintenance, General ..................... 402
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 199,400
Manual, Service ......................... 467
Map/Reading Lights ..................... 153 Master Cylinder (Brakes)
.................. 421
Methanol ............................. 347
Mini-Trip Computer ................... 201,207
Mirrors ................................ 93
Automatic Dimming ................... 94
Electric Powered ...................... 95
Outside ............................ 96
Rearview ........................... 93
Vanity ............................. 97
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ............... 337
Mopar Parts ......................... 401,466
MTBE/ETBE ........................... 347
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 83
Occupant Restraints ..................... 64,68
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ...........40,62,64,67
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 346
482 INDEX