
WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than
that specified for your vehicle. Some combinations
of unapproved tires and wheels may change sus-
pension dimensions and performance characteris-
tics, resulting in changes to steering, handling, and
braking of your vehicle. This can cause unpredict-
able handling and stress to steering and suspen-
sion components. You could lose control and have
a collision resulting in serious injury or death. Use
only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings
approved for your vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Never use a tire with a smaller load index or
capacity, other than what was originally equipped
on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load
index could result in tire overloading and failure.
You could lose control and have a collision.
• Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 359

Loose Filler Cap Message
If the vehicles diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap in loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
“gASCAP” message will be displayed in the instrument
cluster. Tighten the gas cap until a “clicking” sound is
heard. This is an indication that the gas cap is properly
tightened. Press the trip odometer reset button to turn off
the message. If the problem persists, the message will
appear the next time the vehicle is started. This might
indicate a damaged cap. If the problem is detected twice
in a row, the system will turn on the MIL. Resolving the
problem will turn the MIL off.
VEHICLE LOADING
Vehicle Certification Label
Your vehicle has a Vehicle Certification Label affixed to
the drivers side “B” Pillar or the rear of the driver ’s door.The label contains the following information:
•
Name of manufacturer
• Month and year of manufacture
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
• Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) front
• Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) rear
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Type of Vehicle
• Month Day and Hour of Manufacture (MDH)
The bar code allows a computer scanner to read the VIN.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, and cargo. The total load
must be limited so that you do not exceed the GVWR.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 381

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,
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
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.
NOTE:The vehicle speed is reduced to a maximum of
53 mph (85 km/h). You may of course, reduce your
vehicle speed further if needed.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 399

the gas cap is properly tightened. Press the trip odometer
“Reset” button to turn off the message. If the problem
persists, the message will appear the next time the
vehicle is started. This might indicate a damaged cap. If
the problem is detected twice in a row, the system will
turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).” Resolv-
ing the problem will turn the MIL light off.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not
on when the engine is running, and that the OBD II
system is ready for testing. Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may
notbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not crank or start the engine.
2. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start this test over.
3. As soon as you cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part
of a normal bulb check.
428 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Ethanol............................. .371
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .....................213
Filler Door (Gas Cap) ....................213
Gasoline ............................. .370
Gauge .............................. .213
Light ............................... .214
Materials Added ....................... .373
Methanol ............................ .371
Octane Rating ......................... .370
Requirements ......................... .370
Tank Capacity ......................... .474
Fuel, Flexible ........................... .375
Fueling ............................... .379
Fuel System Caution ...................... .380
Fuses ................................. .462
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) ............182
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...................379
Gasoline, Clean Air ....................... .371Gasoline, Reformulated
.....................371
Gauges Coolant Temperature .....................213
Fuel ................................ .213
Odometer ............................ .217
Tachometer ........................... .217
Gear Ranges ............................ .306
Gear Select Lever Override ..................418
General Information ........................19
Glass Cleaning .......................... .461
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...................382
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ..................381
GVWR ................................ .381
Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect®) ...............112
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ........................ .324
504 INDEX

Manual, Service......................... .492
Map/Reading Lights ...................... .171
Master Cylinder (Brakes) ....................450
Methanol .............................. .371
Mini-Trip Computer ...................... .227
Mirrors ............................... .107
Automatic Dimming .....................108
Electric Powered ....................... .109
Heated ...............................111
Outside ............................. .109
Rearview ............................ .107
Vanity ...............................111
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ...............7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ................361
Mopar Parts ............................ .429
MTBE/ETBE ........................... .371
New Vehicle Break-In Period ..................96Occupant Restraints
........................67
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ..................42
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ................370
Odometer .............................. .217
Trip ................................ .217
Oil Change Indicator ...................... .219
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ..................219
Oil, Engine ............................. .431
Capacity ............................ .474
Change Interval ....................... .219
Checking ............................ .431
Dipstick ............................. .431
Disposal ............................. .434
Filter ............................... .434
Filter Disposal ........................ .434
Identification Logo ..................... .432
Materials Added to ..................... .434
Recommendation ...................... .432
508 INDEX

Trailer and Tongue Weight.................387
Wiring .............................. .391
Trailer Towing Guide ...................... .386
Trailer Weight ........................... .386
Transaxle Automatic .............................13
Autostick ............................ .321
Transmission ........................... .452
Automatic ........................... .303
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry) ....................27
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) ......................... .182
Transporting Pets ..........................95
Tread Wear Indicators ..................... .357
Trip Computer .......................... .227
Trip Odometer .......................... .217
Trip Odometer Reset Button ..................220
Trunk Release, Emergency ....................42 Trunk Release Remote Control
.................41
Turn Signals ............................ .168
UCI Connector .......................... .268
Uconnect® (Hands-Free Phone) ...............112
Understanding Your Instrument Panel ...........210
Uniform Tire Quality Grades .................493
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) Connector . . . .268
Universal Transmitter ..................... .182
Unleaded Gasoline ....................... .370
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt ................51
Upholstery Care ......................... .460
Vanity Mirrors ...........................111
Variance, Compass ....................... .235
Vehicle Certification Label ...................381
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) .............6
Vehicle Loading ......................... .346
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations ...............7
514 INDEX