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.
92 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Off-Road Driving Tips .................. 345
▫ When To Use 4WD Low Range .......... 345
▫ Driving Through Water ................ 345
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ......... 346
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... 347
▫ Traction Downhill .................... 348
▫ After Driving Off-Road ................ 348
Power Steering ....................... 349
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 350
Parking Brake ........................ 351
Anti-Lock Brake System ................. 353
Electronic Brake Control System ........... 355
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 356▫
Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 356
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 357
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ......... 358
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................ 358
▫ Hill Descent Control (HDC) – If Equipped . . 361
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 363
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 366
Tire Safety Information ................. 368
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 368
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 371
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 372
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 373
316 STARTING AND OPERATING
•After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or
similar dirty conditions, have the radiator, fan, brake
rotors, wheels, brake linings, and axle yokes inspected
and cleaned as soon as possible.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may cause
excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You might
not have full braking power when you need it to
prevent a collision. If you have been operating your
vehicle in dirty conditions, get your brakes checked
and cleaned as necessary.
•If you experience unusual vibration after driving in
mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for
impacted material. Impacted material can cause a
wheel imbalance and freeing the wheels of it will
correct the situation.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
•Increased noise levels at the end of the steering wheel
travel are considered normal and do not indicate that
there is a problem with the power steering system.
•Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steer-
ing pump may make noise for a short amount of time.
This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 349
system. This noise should be considered normal, and it
does not in any way damage the steering system.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and it should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
Power Steering Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only bechecked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an autho-
rized dealer.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your power steering
system as the chemicals can damage your power
steering components. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to ensure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturer’s recommended
power steering fluid.
350 STARTING AND OPERATING
CAUTION!
•Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or per-
form repairs and service when necessary could
result in more costly repairs, damage to other
components or negatively impact vehicle perfor-
mance. Immediately have potential malfunctions
examined by an authorized Chrysler Group LLC
dealership or qualified repair center.
•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 a
fully warmed up engine is shut off.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the
dipstick. Adding 1 quart (0.9 L) of oil when the reading is
at the bottom of the SAFE zone will result in a reading at
the top of the safe zone on these engines.
462 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission MOPARATF+4Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent licensed
ATF+4 product.
Transfer Case MOPARATF+4Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent licensed
ATF+4 product.
Front Axle SAE 80W-90 Multi-Purpose Type, GL-5 Gear Lubricant or equivalent.
Rear Axle SAE 75W-90 Gear Lubricant or equivalent.
Brake Master Cylinder MOPARDOT 3 Brake Fluid, SAE J1703 should be used. If DOT 3, SAE
J1703 brake fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only rec-
ommended brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir MOPARPower Steering Fluid +4, MOPAR ATF+4Automatic Trans-
mission Fluid or equivalent licensed ATF+4 product.
504 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Bulbs, Light.......................... 92,498
Calibration, Compass ..................... 246
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 502
Caps, Filler Fuel .............................. 404
Oil (Engine) ........................ 464
Power Steering ...................... 350
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 476
Car Washes ............................ 487
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............89,403
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 406
Cargo Area Cover ....................... 212
Cargo Area Features ...................... 208
Cargo Compartment ...................... 208
Light ............................. 164
Cargo Light ............................ 164
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 208
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 210 Cellular Phone
....................... 103,301
Certification Label ....................... 406
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 435
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 369
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............226,459
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 88
Checks, Safety ........................... 88
Child Restraint .................... 78,79,83,85
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............82,83
Child Safety Locks ........................ 33
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 400
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 489
Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 469
Climate Control ......................... 301
Clock ........................... 256,275,284
Coin Holder ........................... 207
Cold Weather Operation ................... 320
536 INDEX
FlashersHazard Warning ..................... 434
Turn Signal .............. 92,162,227,500,501
Flipper Glass, Liftgate ..................... 40
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 320
Floor Console .......................... 207
Fluid Capacities ......................... 502
Fluid Leaks ............................. 92
Fluid Level Checks .................... 482,483
Automatic Transmission ................ 480
Brake ............................. 479
Cooling System ...................... 473
Engine Oil ......................... 462
Power Steering ...................... 350
Fluid, Brake ........................... 504
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 503
Fog Light Service ........................ 500
Fog Lights .................... 158,161,227,500
Folding Rear Seat ........................ 149 Four Wheel Drive
Shifting ................... 333,335,339,341
Systems ........................ 333,339
Four Wheel Drive Operation ................ 333
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 448
Front Axle (Differential) ................... 483
Fuel ................................. 399
Additives .......................... 402
Clean Air .......................... 400
Ethanol ........................... 400
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................. 404
Gasoline ........................... 399
Gauge ............................ 224
Materials Added ..................... 402
Methanol .......................... 400
Octane Rating .................... 399,503
Requirements ....................... 399
Specifications ....................... 503
Tank Capacity ....................... 502
540 INDEX