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 423
oil if it has been six 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 extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 8,000 miles (13,000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” or under “In-
strument Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information. At Each Stop For Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about five 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 coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and transmission and add as needed.
8
M A I
N T
E
N A
N CE
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 471
Caps, FillerFuel .............................. 372
Oil (Engine) ..................... 417,425
Power Steering ...................... 323
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 438
Car Washes ............................ 446
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............82,368
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 375
Cellular Phone ....................... 1 14,285
Certification Label ....................... 375
Chains, Tire ............................ 354
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 394
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 336
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light) ................................ 420
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 81
Checks, Safety ........................... 81
Child Restraint .................. 69,70,71,75,77
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............73,75Cigar Lighter
........................... 188
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 364
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 447
Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 432
Climate Control ......................... 285
Clock ........................ 230,233,252,261
Coin Holder ........................... 190
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 284
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 348
Compass ........................... 216,223
Compass Calibration ..................... 223
Compass Variance ....................... 224
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 222
Connector UCI .............................. 276
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 276
Console, Floor .......................... 190
Contract, Service ........................ 487
496 INDEX
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 32
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 176
Driver’s Seat Back Tilt .................... 155
Driving On Slippery Surfaces .................. 319
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water ............................. 320
E-85 Fuel ............................. 368
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 194
Electric Remote Mirrors ................... 112
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 185
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 173
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ............. 331
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 218
Emergency Deck Lid Release ................ 38
Emergency Trunk Release ................... 38
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................ 394 Jump Starting
....................... 404
Overheating ........................ 392
Towing ............................ 411
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 420
Engine ............................... 417
Air Cleaner ......................... 427
Block Heater ........................ 307
Break-In Recommendations .............. 80
Checking Oil Level ................... 423
Compartment ....................... 418
Compartment Identification ............. 418
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................ 436,466
Cooling ........................... 436
Exhaust Gas Caution ................82,368
Fuel Requirements ................. 364,465
Jump Starting ....................... 404
Oil ......................... 423,465,466
Oil Change Interval .............208,221,424
Oil Filler Cap .................... 417,425
498 INDEX
Methanol............................. 365
Mini-Trip Computer ................... 216,222
Mirrors ............................... 111
Automatic Dimming .................. 111
Electric Powered ..................... 112
Electric Remote ...................... 112
Heated ............................ 113
Outside ........................... 112
Vanity ............................ 114
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ............... 355
Mopar Parts ......................... 421,488
MTBE/ETBE ........................... 365
Multi-Function Control Lever ............... 161
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 80
Occupant Restraints ................... 39,61,65
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ...............60,61Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel)
.............. 364
Odometer ............................. 206
Trip ........................... 206,209
Oil Change Indicator .................. 208,221
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ..............208,221
Oil Filter, Change ........................ 426
Oil Filter, Selection ....................... 426
Oil Pressure Light ....................... 204
Oil, Engine ......................... 423,466
Capacity ........................... 465
Change Interval ................ 208,221,424
Checking .......................... 423
Dipstick ........................... 423
Disposal ........................... 426
Filter .......................... 426,466
Filter Disposal ....................... 426
Identification Logo ................... 424
Materials Added to ................... 426
Recommendation .................. 424,465
10
INDEX 505