Page 514 of 599

Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed, and refilled with fresh coolant. Check the front
of the radiator for any accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc.
If dirty, clean by gently spraying water from a garden
hose vertically down the face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the connection at the
bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant (anti-
freeze) will begin to drain from the coolant recovery
bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE
CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System – Drain, Flush, And Refill
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains
visible sediment, clean and flush with OAT coolant
(antifreeze) that meets the requirements of Chrysler
Material Standard MS-12106.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Selection Of Coolant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
512 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 517 of 599

WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precaution.
Never add engine coolant (antifreeze) when the
engine is overheated. Do not loosen or remove the
cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat causes pres-
sure to build up in the cooling system. To prevent
scalding or injury, do not remove the pressure cap
while the system is hot or under pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one speci-
fied for your vehicle. Personal injury or engine
damage may result.
Disposal Of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant in open containers or allow it to remain in
puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child or pet, seek
emergency assistance immediately. Clean up any ground
spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine OFF and cold, the level of the engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the bottle should be between the ranges
indicated on the bottle.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 515
Page 518 of 599

The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing cool-
ant. Advise your service attendant of this. As long as the
engine operating temperature is satisfactory, the coolant
bottle need only be checked once a month.
When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, only OAT coolant that meets
the requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-
12106 should be added to the coolant bottle. Do not
overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is normally
a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vaporized when
the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine coolant (anti-
freeze) to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•
Do not overfill the coolant expansion bottle.
• Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant expansion bottle. If engine coolant (anti-
freeze) needs to be added, the contents of the coolant
expansion bottle must also be protected against freez-
ing.
• If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure tested
for leaks.
516 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 522 of 599

CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer ’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fluid speci-
fications.
Special Additives
The manufacturer strongly recommends against using
any special additives in the transmission.
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transmission. The only exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes for diagnosing fluid
leaks. Avoid using transmission sealers as they may
adversely affect seals.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission as
the chemicals can damage your transmission compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Fluid Level Check
The fluid level is preset at the factory and does not
require adjustment under normal operating conditions.
Routine fluid level checks are not required, therefore the
transmission has no dipstick. Your authorized dealer can
check your transmission fluid level using special service
tools.
If you notice fluid leakage or transmission malfunction,
visit your authorized dealer immediately to have the
transmission fluid level checked. Operating the vehicle
with an improper fluid level can cause severe transmis-
sion damage.
520 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 551 of 599

NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicle’s oil
if it has been six months since your last oil change,
even if the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
• Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
• Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first. 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 other
than 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.
At Each Stop For Fuel
•
Check the engine oil level. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures/Engine Oil” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle”
for further information.
• Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 549
Page 552 of 599
Once A Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
• Inspect the battery, and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and power steering, and add as
needed.
• Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation. At Each Oil Change
•
Change the engine oil filter.
• Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
550 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
Page 582 of 599

Caps, FillerOil (Engine) .......................... .501
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................514
Carbon Monoxide Warning ................96, 462
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ....................466
Car Washes ............................ .522
Cellular Phone .......................... .372
Certification Label ........................ .466
Chains, Tire ............................ .449
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ .429
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) ............314, 496
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ...............95
Checks, Safety ............................95
Child Restraint ............................74
Child Safety Locks .........................34
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... .458
Cleaning Wheels .............................. .524Climate Control
......................... .373
Coin Holder ............................ .302
Cold Weather Operation ....................394
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ..............372
Compact Spare Tire ....................... .444
Computer, Trip/Travel ..................... .332
Connector UCI................................ .369
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ..........369
Conserving Fuel ......................... .331
Console, Floor .......................... .302
Contract, Service ......................... .570
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........514
Cooling System ...........................511
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............513
Coolant Capacity ...................... .543
Coolant Level ..................... .512, 515
Disposal of Used Coolant .................515
Drain, Flush, and Refill ...................512
580 INDEX
Page 584 of 599

Traction Control System...................418
Electronic Power Distribution Center (Fuses) ......527
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) .....237, 241
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..............419
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) ......276
Emergency Deck Lid Release ..................45
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ................487
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................472
Jump Starting ......................... .483
Overheating .......................... .472
Emergency Trunk Release ....................45
Emission Control System Maintenance ..........496
Engine ................................ .495
Air Cleaner .......................... .502
Block Heater ......................... .396
Break-In Recommendations .................94
Checking Oil Level ..................... .499
Compartment ......................... .495Coolant (Antifreeze)
..................512, 544
Cooling ..............................511
Exhaust Gas Caution ..................96, 462
Fails to Start .......................... .394
Flooded, Starting ...................... .394
Fuel Requirements ..................... .458
Jump Starting ......................... .483
Oil .......................... .499, 543, 544
Oil Change Interval ..................329, 500
Oil Filler Cap ......................... .501
Oil Selection ...................... .500, 543
Oil Synthetic ......................... .501
Overheating .......................... .472
Starting ............................. .391
Temperature Gauge ..................... .320
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... .501
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............70
Entry System, Illuminated ....................21
Ethanol ............................... .459
582 INDEX