CAUTION! (Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of your
vehicle and also allow extended maintenance inter-
vals. Do not use chemical flushes in these compo-
nents as the chemicals can damage your engine,
transmission, power steering or air conditioning.
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.CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine
will cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil
(Continued)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 429
Windshield Wiper Blades
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and the
windshield periodically with a sponge or soft cloth and a
mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will remove accumula-
tions of salt or road film.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always use
washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt
from a dry windshield.
Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice from
the windshield. Keep the blade rubber out of contact with
petroleum products such as engine oil, gasoline, etc.
NOTE:Life expectancy of wiper blades varies depend-
ing on geographical area and frequency of use. Poor
performance of blades may be present with chattering,
marks, water lines or wet spots. If any of these conditions
are present, clean the wiper blades or replace as neces-
sary.
Adding Washer Fluid
The windshield washer and the rear window washer
share the same fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir is
located in the engine compartment. Be sure to check the
fluid level in the reservoir at regular intervals. Fill the
reservoir with windshield washer solvent (not radiator
antifreeze) and operate the system for a few seconds to
flush out the residual water.
When refilling the washer fluid reservoir, apply some
washer fluid to a cloth or towel and wipe the wiper
blades clean. 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.
438 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING! (Continued)
•To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that has
been in a tightly closed container. 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 pro-
longed braking, resulting in sudden brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid. Brake seal components could be
damaged, causing partial or complete brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
Automatic Transmission
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important to use the proper transmission fluid to
ensure optimum transmission performance and life. Use
only the manufacturer’s recommended transmission
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further fluid specifica-
tions. It is important to maintain the transmission fluid at
the correct level using the recommended fluid.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 449
6. Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot
or cold. Hot fluid is approximately 180° F (82° C),
which is the normal operating temperature after the
vehicle is driven at least 15 miles (24 km). Hot fluid
cannot be held comfortably between the fingertips.
Cold fluid is at a temperature of approximately 80° F
(27° C).
7. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert it until seated.
Then, remove the dipstick and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level reading is only valid if there
is a solid coating of oil on both sides of the dipstick.
Note that the holes in the dipstick will be full of fluid
if the actual level is at or above the hole.
•If the fluid is hot, the fluid level should be in the
crosshatched area marked “HOT” (between the up-
per two holes in the dipstick).
•If the fluid is cold, the fluid level should be between
the lower two holes in the area marked “COLD.”If the fluid level is low, add fluid through the dipstick
tube to bring it to the proper level. Do not overfill. After
adding any quantity of oil through the dipstick tube, wait
at least two minutes for the oil to fully drain into the
transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
8. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake.
To prevent dirt and water from entering the transmission
after checking or replenishing fluid, make sure that the
dipstick cap is properly reseated.
452 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
All Engines — (Except 2.4L PZEV) 16.9 Gallons 64 Liters
2.4L PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) 18.5 Gallons 70 Liters
Engine Oil With Filter
2.4L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 4.5 Quarts 4.4 Liters
3.6L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 6 Quarts 5.6 Liters
Cooling System*
2.4L Engine (MOPARAntifreeze/Engine Coolant 10 Year/
150,000 Mile Formula or equivalent)7.7 Quarts 7.3 Liters
3.6L Engine (MOPARAntifreeze/Engine Coolant 10 Year/
150,000 Mile Formula or equivalent)11.6 Quarts 11 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 475
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that ser-
vice is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions
such as frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or
cold ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will
influence when the “Oil Change Required” message is
displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can cause the
change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles
(5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).
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 otherthan 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” for further in-
formation
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve months,
whichever comes first.
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
•Check engine oil level
•Check windshield washer fluid level
•Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual
wear or damage
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission as
needed
•Check function of all interior and exterior lights
8
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S480 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
Automatic Transmission....................305
Adding Fluid.........................451
Fluid and Filter Changes.................453
Fluid Level Check......................451
Fluid Type...........................449
Gear Ranges..........................308
Special Additives.......................450
Autostick...............................322
Auto Unlock, Doors........................33
Battery.................................433
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)........26
Location.............................433
Belts, Seat...............................43
Body Mechanism Lubrication.................437
B-Pillar Location..........................345
Brake Assist System.......................335
Brake, Parking...........................328
Brake System............................447Anti-Lock (ABS).......................331
Fluid Check...........................447
Master Cylinder........................447
Parking..............................328
Warning Light.........................223
Brake/Transmission Interlock.................307
Bulb Replacement.........................469
Bulbs, Light..............................95
Calibration, Compass......................242
Capacities, Fluid..........................475
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................379
Oil (Engine)..........................423
Power Steering........................327
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)...............444
Carbon Monoxide Warning...................91
Car Washes.............................454
Cellular Phone...........................129
10
INDEX 499
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)..............336
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)......236
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking..............................400
Jump Starting.........................410
Towing..............................417
Emission Control System Maintenance..........426
Engine.................................423
Air Cleaner...........................432
Block Heater..........................304
Break-In Recommendations................90
Checking Oil Level.....................429
Compartment.........................424
Compartment Identification...............424
Coolant (Antifreeze).....................442
Cooling..............................441
Exhaust Gas Caution.....................91
Fuel Requirements......................370
Jump Starting.........................410Oil .................................429
Oil Change Interval.....................227
Oil Filler Cap.........................423
Oil Selection..........................430
Oil Synthetic..........................431
Overheating..........................398
Starting..............................303
Temperature Gauge.....................220
Engine Oil Viscosity.......................431
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart...................431
Enhanced Accident Response Feature............64
Entry System, Illuminated....................21
Ethanol................................371
Event Data Recorder........................68
Exhaust Gas Caution........................91
Exhaust System...........................91
Extender, Seat Belt.........................56
Exterior Lights............................95
502 INDEX