25. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads
“H” pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the “H” and you hear continuous chimes,
turn the engine off immediately, and call an autho-
rized dealership for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer-
ship for service if your vehicle overheats. If you
decide to look under the hood yourself, see “Main-
taining Your Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the
Cooling System Pressure Cap paragraph.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 257
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and
stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also,
shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the ve-
hicle. If the temperature reading does not return to
normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service. Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in “What To
Do In Emergencies” for more information.
•Transmission Temperature Warning LightThis light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It may
also occur when operating the vehicle in a high
torque converter slip condition, such as 4-wheel-drive
operation (e.g., snow plowing, off- road operation). If this
light comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the Transmission Tempera-
ture Warning Light illuminated will eventually cause
severe transmission damage or transmission failure.
WARNING!
If the Transmission Temperature Warning Light is
illuminated and you continue operating the vehicle,
in some circumstances you could cause the fluid to
boil over, come in contact with hot engine or exhaust
components and cause a fire.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 271
Vehicle Info (Customer Information Features)
Press and release the UP or DOWN button until “Vehicle
Info” displays in the EVIC and press the SELECT button.
Press the UP and DOWN button to scroll through the
available information displays, then press SELECT to
display anyone of the following choices.
•Coolant Temp
Displays the actual coolant temperature.
•Oil Temperature
Displays the actual oil temperature.
•Oil Pressure
Displays the actual oil pressure.
•Trans Temperature
Displays the actual transmission temperature.
•Engine Hours
Displays the hours of engine operation.
Tire PSI
Press and release the UP or DOWN button until “Tire
PSI” displays highlighted in the EVIC and press the
SELECT button. Press and release the UP/DOWN but-
tons until one of the following System Status messages
displays in the EVIC:
•System OK
•System Warnings Displayed (will display all currently
active System Warnings)
•Tire Pressure Monitor System (shows the current pres-
sure of all four road tires). For additional information,
refer to “Tire Pressure Monitor System” in “Starting
And Operating”.
276 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
When you do switch fuel types it is recommended that:
•you do not switch when the fuel gauge indicates less
than 1/4 full
•you do not add less than 5 gallons (19 Liters) when
refueling
•you operate the vehicle immediately after refueling for
a period of at least 5 minutes
Observing these precautions will avoid possible hard
starting and/or significant deterioration in driveability
during warm up.
NOTE:
•When the ambient temperature is above 90° F (32° C),
you may experience hard starting and rough idle
following start up even if the above recommendations
are followed.
•Some additives used in regular gasoline are not fully
compatible with E-85 and may form deposits in your
engine. To eliminate driveability issues that may be
caused by these deposits, a supplemental gasoline
additive, such as MOPAR Injector Cleanup or
Techron may be used.
Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) and Gasoline Vehicles
FFV vehicles operated on E-85 require specially formu-
lated engine oils. These special requirements are included
in MOPAR engine oils, and in equivalent oils meeting
Chrysler Specification MS-6395. The manufacturer re-
quires engine oils that are API Certified and meet the
requirements of Material Standard MS-6395. MS-6395
contains additional requirements, developed during ex-
tensive fleet testing, to provide additional protection to
Chrysler Group LLC engines. Use MOPAR or an
equivalent oil meeting the specification MS-6395.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 431
Engine Oil Viscosity – 3.6L Engine
SAE 5W-30 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy.
The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended
engine oil viscosity for your vehicle. For information on
engine oil filler cap location, refer to “Engine Compart-
ment” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
Lubricants, which do not have both the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber, should not be used.
Engine Oil Viscosity – 5.7L Engine
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy.The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended
engine oil viscosity for your vehicle. For information on
engine oil filler cap location, refer to “Engine Compart-
ment” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
NOTE:
Vehicles equipped with a 5.7L engine must use
SAE 5W-20 oil. Failure to do so may result in improper
operation of the Multiple Displacement System (MDS).
Refer to “Multi-Displacement System” in “Starting and
Operating” for further information.
Lubricants, which do not have both the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber, should not be used.Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils if the recommended oil
quality requirements are met, and the recommended
maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes are
followed.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 491
clean the wiper blades, this will help blade performance.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.
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 499
6. Remove the dipstick again, and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level should be between the “HOT”
(upper) reference holes on the dipstick at normal operat-
ing temperature. The fluid level is only valid if there is a
solid coating of oil on both sides of the dipstick. If the
fluid is low, add as required into the dipstick tube.Do
not overfill. After adding any quantity of oil through the
oil fill tube, wait a minimum of two minutes for the oil to
fully drain into the transmission before rechecking the
fluid level.
NOTE: If it is necessary to check the transmission below
the operating temperature, the fluid level should be
between the two “COLD” (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at approximately 70°F (21°C) (room tem-
perature). If the fluid level is correctly established at
room temperature, it should be between the “HOT”
(upper) reference holes when the transmission reaches
180°F (82°C). Remember it is best to check the level at the
normal operating temperature.CAUTION!
Be aware that if the fluid temperature is below 50°F
(10°C) it may not register on the dipstick. Do not add
fluid until the temperature is elevated enough to
produce an accurate reading.
7. Check for leaks. Release parking brake.
To prevent dirt and water from entering the transmission
after checking or replenishing fluid, make certain that the
dipstick cap is properly reseated. It is normal for the
dipstick cap to spring back slightly from its fully seated
position, as long as its seal remains engaged in the
dipstick tube.
514 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Oil Synthetic......................... 491
Overheating .......................... 462
Starting ............................. 343
Temperature Gauge .................... 257
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 491
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ................. 491
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 78
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 23
Ethanol ............................... 425
Event Data Recorder ...................... 81
Exhaust Gas Caution ................. 48,97,428
Exhaust System ....................... 97,499
Exterior Finish Care ...................... 515
Exterior Lights .......................... 100
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 492
Engine Oil ........................... 492
Engine Oil Disposal .................... 492 Finish Care
............................ 515
Flashers .............................. 462
Hazard Warning ....................... 462
Turn Signal .................. 100,250,528,530
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ....................... 432
Engine Oil ........................... 431
Fuel Requirements .................. 429,430
Maintenance ......................... 432
Replacement Parts ..................... 432
Starting ............................. 432
Flipper Glass, Liftgate ..................... 45
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 347
Fluid Capacities ......................... 533
Fluid Leaks ............................ 100
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ............ 511,512,513
Brake .............................. 508
Engine Oil ........................... 489
10
INDEX 569