Page 425 of 517
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir6 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 7 — Engine Oil Fill
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 8 — Coolant Pressure Cap
4 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses) 9 — Engine Oil Dipstick
5 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 10 — Washer Fluid Reservoir7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 423
Page 426 of 517
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir5 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 6 — Engine Oil Dipstick
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 7 — Engine Oil Fill
4 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 8 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
424 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 431 of 517

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
Page 454 of 517

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
Page 479 of 517

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
Required Maintenance Intervals.
Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following
page for the required maintenance intervals.At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil Change Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter.
• Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregu-
lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required.
• Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped
with dipstick.
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses
and park brake.
•
Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses.
• Inspect exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions.8
M
A I
N T
E
N
A
N
C E
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 477
Page 501 of 517

Pressure Cap......................... .445
Radiator Cap ......................... .445
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .............443
Corrosion Protection ...................... .454
Crankcase Ventilation Module .................21
Cruise Light ............................ .217
Cupholders ............................ .162
Customer Assistance ...................... .485
Customer Programmable Features .............237
Data Recorder, Event .......................74
Daytime Running Lights ....................169
Dealer Service ........................... .428
Deck Lid, Power Release .....................40
Defroster, Rear Window .....................204
Defroster, Windshield .......................99
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ..................173
Diagnostic System, Onboard .................425
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ...................168 Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission ..................451
Oil (Engine) .......................... .429
Disabled Vehicle Towing ....................417
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................446
Door Locks ..............................32
Door Locks, Automatic ......................34
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water ............................... .321
E-85 Fuel .............................. .373
Electrical Power Outlets .....................193
Electric Rear Window Defrost .................204
Electric Remote Mirrors .....................109
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ........177
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..............332
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) ......226
10
INDEX 499
Page 508 of 517

Lubrication, Body........................ .438
Lumbar Support ......................... .156
Maintenance Free Battery ....................433
Maintenance Procedures ....................428
Maintenance Schedule ..................... .476
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) .......222
Manual, Service ......................... .490
Map/Reading Lights ...................... .170
Master Cylinder (Brakes) ....................449
Methanol .............................. .370
Mini-Trip Computer ...................... .224
Mirrors ............................... .107
Automatic Dimming .....................107
Electric Powered ....................... .109
Heated ...............................110
Outside ..............................110
Rearview ............................ .107
Vanity ...............................111 Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle
...............7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ................360
Mopar Parts ............................ .427
MTBE/ETBE ........................... .370
New Vehicle Break-In Period ..................96
Occupant Restraints ........................67
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ..................42
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ................369
Odometer .............................. .214
Trip ................................ .214
Oil Change Indicator ...................... .216
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ..................216
Oil, Engine ............................. .429
Capacity ............................ .471
Change Interval ....................... .216
Checking ............................ .429
Dipstick ............................. .429
506 INDEX