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Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing up the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. How-
ever, if frequent shifting occurs while in this range, use
the Autostick® shift control to select a lower gear.
NOTE:Using a lower gear while operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45 minutes
of continuous operation, then change the transmission
fluid and filter to the interval as specified for “police, taxi,
fleet, or frequent trailer towing.” Refer to the “Maintenance
Schedule” for the proper maintenance intervals.
Seven-Pin Connector
1 — Battery 5 — Ground
2 — Backup Lamps 6 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Right Stop/Turn 7 — Running Lamps
4 — Electric Brakes 494 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 526 of 630

▫Brake System........................552
▫Automatic Transmission................554
▫Rear Drive Assembly (RDA) –
AWD Models Only....................558
▫Power Transfer Unit (PTU) –
AWD Models Only....................558
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................559
▫Cleaning The Cupholders...............565
FUSES..............................565
▫Interior Fuses........................565
▫Underhood Fuses (Power Distribution
Center)............................568REPLACEMENT BULBS.................572
BULB REPLACEMENT..................574
▫Front Low/High Beam Headlamp, Turn
Signal/Park Lamp, And Side Marker Lamp . .574
▫Front Fog Lamp......................575
▫Rear Turn Signal And Backup Lamp........576
▫License Plate Lamp....................579
FLUID CAPACITIES....................580
FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND
GENUINE PARTS......................582
▫Engine.............................582
▫Chassis............................583
524 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 527 of 630
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir 7 — Totally Integrated Power Module (Fuses)
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 8 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick
3 — Engine Oil Fill 9 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Remote Jump Start (Positive Battery Post) 11 — Engine Oil Dipstick
6 — Remote Jump Start (Negative Battery Post)7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 525
Page 528 of 630
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir 5 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 7 — Engine Oil Dipstick
4 — Totally Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 8 — Engine Oil Fill 526 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 555 of 630

Master Cylinder – Brake Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder immediately
if the “Brake Warning Light” indicates system failure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when per-
forming underhood services.
Clean the top of the master cylinder area before removing
the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the fluid level up to
the requirements described on the brake fluid reservoir.
Overfilling of fluid is not recommended because it may
cause leaking in the system.
Fluid level can be expected to fall as the brake pads wear.
Brake fluid level should be checked when pads are
replaced. However, low fluid level may be caused by a
leak and a checkup may be needed.Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid. Re-
fer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further information.
WARNING!
•Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
Using the wrong type of brake fluid can severely
damage your brake system and/or impair its perfor-
mance. The proper type of brake fluid for your vehicle
is also identified on the original factory installed
hydraulic master cylinder reservoir.
•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
(Continued)
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 553
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WARNING!(Continued)
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.
•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 fluid specifications. It is
important to maintain the transmission fluid at the
correct level using the recommended fluid. No chemical
flushes should be used in any transmission; only the
approved lubricant should be used.
554 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 557 of 630

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, and will require more frequent fluid and
filter changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for
fluid specifications.
Special Additives
The manufacturer strongly recommends against using
any special additives in the transmission.
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered prod-
uct and its performance may be impaired by supplemental
additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid additives to the
transmission. The only exception to this policy is the use of
special dyes for diagnosing fluid leaks. Avoid using trans-
mission 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 – 2.4L Engine
Use the following procedure to check the transmission
fluid level properly:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Run the engine at normal idle speed for at least
60 seconds, and leave the engine running for the rest
of this procedure.
3. Fully apply the parking brake, and press the brake
pedal.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 555
Page 558 of 630

4.Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear position
(allowing time for the transmission to fully engage 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 reading.
•If the fluid is hot, the reading 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.
NOTE:If it is necessary to check the transmission below
the operating temperature, the fluid level should be
between the two COLD (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at approximately 80°F (27°C). If the fluid
level is correctly established at 80°F (27°C), it should be
between the HOT (upper) reference holes when the
transmission reaches 180°F (82°C). Remember it is best to
check the level at the normal operating temperature.
8. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake.
556 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE