FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .373
▫ E-85 General Information ...............373
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................375
▫ Fuel Requirements ....................375
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .......376
▫ Starting ........................... .376
▫ Cruising Range ...................... .376
▫ Replacement Parts ....................377
▫ Maintenance ....................... .377
ADDING FUEL ....................... .377
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............377
▫ Loose Filler Cap Message ...............379
VEHICLE LOADING ....................380
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............380
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) .......380
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) .........380
▫ Overloading ........................ .381
▫ Loading ........................... .381
TRAILER TOWING .....................381
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............382
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............384
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... .385
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............386
▫ Towing Requirements ..................387
294 STARTING AND OPERATING
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L ..........423
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L ..........424
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II . .425
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............425
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS .............426
REPLACEMENT PARTS ..................427
DEALER SERVICE ..................... .428
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ...........428
▫ Engine Oil ......................... .429▫
Engine Oil Filter ..................... .432
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................433
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ...............433
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance .............435
▫ A/C Air Filter – If Equipped .............436
▫ Body Lubrication .....................438
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ...............439
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ..................439
▫ Exhaust System ..................... .440
7
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 a
fully 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 429
CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine
will cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil
pressure and an increase in oil temperature. This
could damage your engine. Also, be sure the oil fill
cap is replaced and tightened after adding oil.
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for further informa-
tion.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve months,
whichever occurs first.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends engine oils that are API Certified and meet
the requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American Pe-
troleum Institute (API). The manu-
facturer only recommends API Cer-
tified engine oils.
430 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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 depending
on geographical area and frequency of use. Poor perfor-
mance 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 necessary.
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 439
3. Fully apply the parking brake, and press the brakepedal.
4. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi- tion (allowing time for the transmission to fully en-
gage in each position), ending with the shift lever in
PARK.
5. Wipe the area around the dipstick clean to prevent dirt from entering the transmission.
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.
452 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
About Your Brakes....................... .324
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) ................327
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) ............444
Adding Fuel ............................ .377
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... .439
Additives, Fuel .......................... .371
Airbag ..................................60
Airbag Deployment ........................71
Airbag Light .............................68
Airbag Maintenance ........................73
Airbag, Side ..............................64
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ................64
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . .433
Air Conditioner Maintenance .................435
Air Conditioning ......................... .276
Air Conditioning Controls ...................276
Air Conditioning Filter .....................289
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ..............290
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .................435Air Conditioning System
....................276
Air Pressure, Tires ........................ .348
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ................19
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ...............7
Antenna, Satellite Radio .....................264
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..................443
Disposal ............................. .446
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ................327
Anti-Lock Warning Light ....................327
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ..........19
Appearance Care ........................ .454
Ashtray ............................... .197
Assistance Towing ........................ .126
Auto Down Power Windows ..................37
Automatic Dimming Mirror ..................107
Automatic Door Locks ......................34
Automatic Oil Change Indicator ...............216
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ..........281
Automatic Transaxle ........................12
496 INDEX
Automatic Transmission....................301
Adding Fluid ......................... .451
Fluid and Filter Changes ..................453
Fluid Level Check ...................... .451
Fluid Type ........................... .450
Gear Ranges .......................... .304
Special Additives ...................... .451
Autostick .............................. .318
Auto Unlock, Doors ........................34
Auto Up Power Windows ....................38
Battery ................................ .433
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........27
Location ............................. .433
Belts, Seat ...............................99
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................438
B-Pillar Location ......................... .343
Brake Assist System ...................... .331
Brake, Parking .......................... .324Brake System
........................... .448
Anti-Lock (ABS) ....................... .327
Fluid Check .......................... .449
Master Cylinder ....................... .449
Parking ............................. .324
Warning Light ........................ .213
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................303
Bulb Replacement ........................ .465
Bulbs, Light ............................ .101
Calibration, Compass ..................... .233
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........21
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .471
Caps, Filler Fuel ................................ .377
Oil (Engine) .......................... .423
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................445
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...................98
Car Washes ............................ .454
10
INDEX 497