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•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug
wires disconnected or removed, such as
when diagnostic testing, or for prolonged
periods during very rough idle or malfunc-
tioning operating conditions.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot
engine coolant (antifreeze) 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 or coolant bottle is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protec-
tion every 12 months (before the onset of
freezing weather, where applicable). If the en-
gine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or rusty in
appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh engine coolant
(antifreeze). Check the front of the A/C con-
denser 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.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for
brittle rubber, cracking, tears, cuts, and tight-
ness of the connection at the coolant recovery
bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system
for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating tempera-
ture (but not running), check the cooling sys-
tem pressure cap for proper vacuum sealing by
draining a small amount of engine coolant
(antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock. If the
cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant
(antifreeze) will begin to drain from the coolant
recovery bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOL-
ANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE COOLING
SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System – Drain, Flush, and Refill
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty and
contains a considerable amount of sediment,
clean and flush with reliable cooling system
cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing to re-
move all deposits and chemicals. Properly dis-
pose of the old engine coolant (antifreeze).
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the
proper maintenance intervals.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended en-
gine coolant (antifreeze). Refer to “Fluids, Lu-
bricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining
Your Vehicle” for further information.CAUTION!
•
Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze), other
than the specified HOAT engine coolant
(antifreeze), may result in engine damage
and may decrease corrosion protection. If a
non-HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) is
introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the
specified engine coolant (antifreeze) as
soon as possible.
(Continued)
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•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 nec-
essary, install ONLY the correct type thermo-
stat. Other designs may result in unsatisfac-
tory cooling performance, poor gas mileage,
and increased emissions.
Brake SystemIn order to assure brake system performance,
all brake system components should be peri-
odically inspected. Refer to the “Maintenance
Schedule” for the proper maintenance inter-
vals.
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. Fluid Level Check – Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level of the master cylinder should be
checked when performing under the hood ser-
vice, or immediately if the brake system warn-
ing lamp indicates system failure.
The brake master cylinder has a translucent
plastic reservoir. On the outboard side of the
reservoir, there is a “MAX” dot and a “MIN” dot.
The fluid level must be kept within these two
dots. Do not add fluid above the MAX mark,
because leakage may occur at the cap.
With disc brakes, the fluid level can be ex-
pected to fall as the brake linings wear. How-
ever, an unexpected drop in fluid level may be
caused by a leak and a system check should
be conducted.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
WARNING!
•
Use only manufacturer’s recommended
brake fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants,
and Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for further information. Using the
wrong type of brake fluid can severely
damage your brake system and/or impair
its performance. The proper type of brake
fluid for your vehicle is also labeled on the
original factory installed hydraulic master
cylinder reservoir.
• To avoid contamination from foreign matter
or moisture, use only new brake fluid or
fluid that has been in a tightly closed con-
tainer. Keep the master cylinder reservoir
cap secured at all times. Brake fluid in a
open container absorbs moisture from the
air resulting in a lower boiling point. This
may cause it to boil unexpectedly during
hard or prolonged braking, resulting in sud-
den brake failure. This could result in a
accident.
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8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
•MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE .................... 302
• Maintenance Schedule – Gasoline Engine ......... 302
• Maintenance Schedule – Diesel Engine ........... 313
301
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MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Maintenance Schedule – Gasoline
Engine
The oil change indicator system will remind you
that it is time to take your vehicle in for sched-
uled maintenance.
On Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) equipped vehicles “Oil Change Re-
quired” will be displayed in the EVIC and a
single chime will sound, indicating that an oil
change is necessary.
The oil change indicator message will illumi-
nate approximately 7,000 miles (11 200 km)
after the most recent oil change was per-
formed. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as
possible, within 500 miles (800 km).
NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not
monitor the time since the last oil change.
Change your vehicles oil if it has been
6 months since your last oil change even
if the oil change indicator message is
NOT illuminated. •
Change your engine oil more often if you
drive your vehicle off-road for an ex-
tended period of time.
• Under no circumstances should oil
change intervals exceed 7,500 miles
(12 000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change
indicator message after completing the sched-
uled oil change. If this scheduled oil change is
performed by someone other than your autho-
rized dealer the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under ”Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further in-
formation.
At Each Stop for Fuel
• Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes
after a fully warmed engine is shut off.
Checking the oil level while the vehicle is on
level ground will improve the accuracy of the
oil level reading. Add oil only when the level
is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
• Check the windshield washer solvent and
add if required. Once a Month
•
Check tire pressure and look for unusual
wear or damage.
• Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the
terminals as required.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reser-
voir, brake master cylinder, power steering
and transmission (5.7L only) and add as
needed.
• Check all lights and other electrical items for
correct operation.
At Each Oil Change
• Change the engine oil filter.
• Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance
items may result in damage to the vehicle.
302
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7,500 Miles (12,000 km) or
6 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule
❏Change the engine oil and engine oil
filter.††
❏ Rotate tires.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
15,000 Miles (24,000 km) or 12 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule
❏Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.††
❏ Rotate tires.
❏ If using your vehicle for any of the following: Dusty or off-road conditions. Inspect the
engine air cleaner filter; replace if necessary.
❏ Replace the air conditioning filter.
❏ Inspect the brake linings, replace if necessary.
❏ Inspect the CV joints.
❏ Inspect exhaust system.
❏ Inspect the front and rear axle fluid, change if using your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet,
off-road or frequent trailer towing.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
303
Page 308 of 350
22,500 Miles (36,000 km) or
18 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule
❏Change the engine oil and engine oil
filter.††
❏ Rotate tires.
❏ Inspect the CV joints.
❏ Inspect exhaust system.
❏ Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends
and boot seals; replace if necessary.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
30,000 Miles (48,000 km) or 24 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule
❏ Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.††
❏ Rotate tires.
❏ Replace the engine air cleaner filter.
❏ Replace the air conditioning filter.
❏ Replace the spark plugs (5.7L Engine).
❏ Adjust parking brake on vehicles equipped with four-wheel disc brakes.
❏ Inspect the brake linings, replace if necessary.
❏ Inspect the front and rear axle fluid, change if using your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet,
off-road or frequent trailer towing.
❏ Inspect the transfer case fluid.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
304
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37,500 Miles (60,000 km) or
30 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule
❏Change the engine oil and engine oil
filter.††
❏ Rotate tires.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
45,000 Miles (72,000 km) or 36 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule
❏Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.††
❏ Rotate tires.
❏ If using your vehicle for any of the following: Dusty or off-road conditions. Inspect the
engine air cleaner filter; replace if necessary.
❏ Replace the air conditioning filter.
❏ Inspect the brake linings, replace if necessary.
❏ Inspect the front and rear axle fluid, change if using your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet,
off-road or frequent trailer towing.
❏ Inspect the CV joints.
❏ Inspect exhaust system.
❏ Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals; replace if necessary.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
305
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52,500 Miles (84,000 km) or
42 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule
❏Change the engine oil and engine oil
filter.††
❏ Rotate tires.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
60,000 Miles (96,000 km) or 48 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule
❏Change the engine oil and engine oil filter.††
❏ Rotate tires.
❏ Replace the engine air cleaner filter.
❏ Replace the air conditioning filter.
❏ Replace the spark plugs (5.7L Engine).
❏ Adjust parking brake on vehicles equipped with four-wheel disc brakes.
❏ Inspect the brake linings, replace if necessary.
❏ Inspect the front and rear axle fluid, change if using your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet,
off-road or frequent trailer towing.
❏ Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter(s) if using your vehicle for any of the
following: police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing.
❏ Change the transfer case fluid if using your vehicle for any of the following: police, taxi,
fleet, or frequent trailer towing.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
306