WARNING! (Continued)
•Always make sure that objects cannot fall into the
driver footwell while the vehicle is moving. Ob-
jects can become trapped under the brake pedal
and accelerator pedal causing a loss of vehicle
control.
•If required, mounting posts must be properly
installed, if not equipped from the factory.
Failure to properly follow floor mat installation or
mounting can cause interference with the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal operation causing loss
of control of the vehicle.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objectslodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 89
flash or remain on continuously. Refer to “Occupant
Restraints” in “Things To Know Before Starting Your
Vehicle” for further information.
9. Oil Pressure Warning LightThis light indicates low engine oil pressure. The
light will come on and remain on when the
ignition switch is turned from the OFF to the ON/RUN
position, and the light will turn off after the engine is
started. If the bulb does not come on during starting,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
If the light comes on and remains on while driving, stop
the vehicle and shut off the engine. DO NOT OPERATE
THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CAUSE IS CORRECTED.
The light does not show the quantity of oil in the engine.
This can be determined using the procedure shown in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle”. 10. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. As engine coolant temperatures rise and the
gauge approaches H, this indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound after reaching a set
threshold. Further overheating will cause the tempera-
ture gauge to pass H, the indicator will continuously
flash and a continuous chime will occur until the engine
is allowed to cool.
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 further information.
198 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
•Right Rear Turn Signal Lamp Out (with a single
chime)
•RKE (Remote Keyless Entry) Battery Low (with a
single chime)
•Personal Settings Not Avail – Vehicle Not In PARK
•Personal Settings Not Avail – Vehicle in Motion
•Door Ajar (with vehicle graphic showing which door
is open. A single chime sounds if the vehicle is in
motion).
•Doors Ajar (with vehicle graphic showing which doors
are open. A single chime sounds if the vehicle is in
motion).
•Trunk Open (with vehicle graphic showing an open
trunk and A single chime )
•Lights On
•Key In Ignition
•Remote start aborted — Door ajar
•Remote start aborted — Hood ajar
•Remote start aborted — Trunk ajar
•Remote start aborted — Fuel low
•Remote start disabled — System fault
•Oil Change Required (with a single chime)
•Low Tire (with a graphic of the car showing which
tire(s) is/are low - with a single chime). Refer toTi re
Pressure Monitoring System inStarting and Operat-
ing.
•Check TPM System (with a single chime) Refer to Ti re
Pressure Monitoring System inStarting and
Operating.
214 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
WARNING!
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after six years,
regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to follow
this warning can result in sudden tire failure. You
could lose control and have a collision resulting in
serious injury or death.
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease, and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-
lent to the originals in size, quality and performance
when replacement is needed (refer to the paragraph on
“Tread Wear Indicators”). Refer to the “Tire and Loading Information” placard for the size designation of your tire.
The Load Index and Speed Symbol for your tire will be
found on the original equipment tire sidewall. See the
Tire Sizing Chart example found in the Tire Safety
Information section of this manual for more information
relating to the Load Index and Speed Symbol of a tire.
It is recommended to replace the two front tires or two
rear tires as a pair. Replacing just one tire can seriously
affect your vehicle’s handling. If you ever replace a
wheel, make sure that the wheel’s specifications match
those of the original wheels.
It is recommended you contact your original equipment
or an authorized tire dealer with any questions you may
have on tire specifications or capability. Failure to use
equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the
safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 353
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
•If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine 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 Oil Overheating (2.4L Engine Only) — If
Equipped
During sustained high-speed driving or trailer tow up
long grades on a hot day, the engine oil temperature may
become too hot. If this happens, the “HOTOIL” message
flashes in the odometer and the vehicle speed will be
reduced to 53 mph (85 km/h) until the engine oil
temperature is reduced.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 393
•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.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
8
M A I
N T
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N A
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C
H E
D
U L
E
SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 469
Lights.............................. 89,150
Airbag .................... 65,66,71,87,197
Back-Up ........................... 461
Brake Assist Warning .................. 335
Brake Warning ...................... 199
Bulb Replacement .................... 459
Daytime Running .................... 154
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . 335
Engine Temperature Warning ............ 198
Exterior ............................ 89
Fog ......................... 153,205,461
Headlight Switch ..................... 150
Headlights ......................... 150
Headlights On With Wipers ............. 159
High Beam Indicator .................. 209
Illuminated Entry ..................... 21
Instrument Cluster ................... 150
Interior ............................ 155
License ............................ 462 Lights On Reminder
.................. 154
Low Fuel .......................... 197
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ...... 207
Map Reading ....................... 155
Oil Pressure ........................ 198
Passing ............................ 153
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 197
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ............. 19
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ............ 204
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .......205,356
Traction Control ..................... 335
Turn Signal ................. 89,152,204,461
Voltage ............................ 197
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 196
Loading Vehicle ...................... 376,377
Capacities .......................... 377
Tires .............................. 341
Locks Auto Unlock ......................... 32
10
INDEX 501
Automatic Door...................... 32
Child Protection ...................... 34
Power Door ......................... 32
Low Tire Pressure System .................. 356
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH) .............................. 79
Lubrication, Body ....................... 431
Lumbar Support ........................ 141
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 427
Maintenance Procedures ................... 422
Maintenance Schedule .................... 468
Maintenance, General ..................... 422
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 207,420
Manual, Service ......................... 487
Map/Reading Lights ..................... 155
Master Cylinder (Brakes) .................. 441
Methanol ............................. 366
Mini-Trip Computer ................... 210,215Mirrors
................................ 95
Automatic Dimming ................... 95
Electric Powered ...................... 97
Outside ............................ 98
Rearview ........................... 95
Vanity ............................. 99
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ............... 356
Mopar Parts ......................... 421,486
MTBE/ETBE ........................... 366
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 84
Occupant Restraints ..................... 64,68
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) .........40,61,62,64,67
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 365
Odometer ............................. 200
Trip ........................... 200,203
Oil Change Indicator .................. 202,215
502 INDEX