•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.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the pointer rises to the H (red) mark,
the instrument cluster will sound a chime. When
safe, pull over and stop the vehicle with the engine at
idle. Turn off the air conditioning and wait until the
pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on the H (red) mark for more than a
minute, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service.
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,
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.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 407
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
• Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle. •
Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Cooling System
WARNING!
• When working near the radiator cooling fan,
disconnect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at any time the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
• 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,
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 is hot.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 447
period, it is important that you use the same engine
coolant (antifreeze) throughout the life of your vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Organic
Additive Technology (OAT) engine coolant (antifreeze).
When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•The manufacturer recommends using MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula
OAT (Organic Additive Technology) or equivalent.
• Mix a minimum solution of 50% OAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below 34° F ( 37° C) are
anticipated.
• Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
(antifreeze) solution. The use of lower quality water
will reduce the amount of corrosion protection in the
engine cooling system. Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:
Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types is not
recommended and can result in cooling system damage.
Drain, flush, and refill as soon as possible to avoid
damage if coolant types are mixed in an emergency.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
450 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
the coolant freeze point or replacing the engine coolant
(antifreeze). 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, it 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 nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) 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
freezing.
• If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure tested
for leaks.
• Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% OAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum) and
distilled water for proper corrosion protection of your
engine which contains aluminum components.
452 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
•Make sure that the coolant expansion bottle overflow
hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
• Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
• Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze)
performance, poor gas mileage, and increased emis-
sions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting or
riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under hood services, or immediately if
the brake system warning light is on.
Be sure to 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. Fluid level can be expected to fall as the
brake pads wear. The brake fluid level should be checked
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 453
Fluid Level Check..................... .456
Fluid Type .......................... .455
Gear Ranges ......................... .323
Special Additives ...................... .456
Autostick .............................. .329
Battery ................................ .441
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........25
Belts, Seat ...............................98
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................443
B-Pillar Location ......................... .355
Brake Assist System ...................... .340
Brake Fluid ............................ .474
Brake, Parking .......................... .334
Brakes ................................ .336
Brake System ........................... .336
Anti-Lock (ABS) ...................... .337
Master Cylinder ....................... .453
Parking ............................. .334Warning Light
........................ .215
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................322
Bulb Replacement ........................ .469
Bulbs, Light ............................ .101
Calibration, Compass ..................... .237
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..........472
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .472
Caps, Filler Fuel ............................... .386
Oil (Engine) ......................... .431
Power Steering ....................... .333
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ...............450
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...................97
Cargo Area Cover ........................ .198
Cargo Area Features ...................... .197
Cargo Compartment ...................... .197
Light .............................. .197
Luggage Carrier ...................... .204
10
INDEX 495
Cargo Light............................ .197
Cargo Load Floor ........................ .200
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ .200
Car Washes ............................ .460
Cellular Phone ...........................112
Center High Mounted Stop Light ..............472
Chains, Tire ............................ .369
Changing A Flat Tire ...................... .408
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ .351
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .434
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ...............96
Checks, Safety ............................96
Child Restraint ............................76
Child Safety Locks .........................33
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... .382
Cleaning Wheels ............................. .461
Climate Control ......................... .297
Clock ................................. .241Clutch
................................ .453
Clutch Fluid ............................ .453
Coin Holder ............................ .196
Cold Weather Operation ....................317
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ..............296
Compact Spare Tire ....................... .364
Compass .............................. .226
Compass Calibration ...................... .237
Compass Variance ........................ .238
Connector UCI ............................... .287
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) .........287
Console ............................... .196
Contract, Service ......................... .487
Coolant (Antifreeze) ...................... .472
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........450
Cooling System .......................... .447
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............449
Coolant Level ........................ .448
496 INDEX
Disposal of Used Coolant.................451
Drain, Flush, and Refill ..................448
Inspection ........................... .451
Points to Remember .....................452
Pressure Cap ......................... .450
Radiator Cap ......................... .450
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ............449
Corrosion Protection ...................... .459
Cruise Light ............................ .218
Cupholders ............................ .196
Customer Assistance ...................... .485
Data Recorder, Event .......................75
Dealer Service ........................... .436
Defroster, Rear Window .....................203
Defroster, Windshield .......................99
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ..................170
Diagnostic System, Onboard .................433
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ...................165 Dipsticks
Power Steering ....................... .333
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...............451
Door Locks ..............................29
Door Locks, Automatic ......................31
Door Opener, Garage ...................... .176
Downshifting ........................... .320
Driver’s Seat Back Tilt ..................... .153
Driving ............................... .331
Electrical Power Outlets .....................188
Electric Remote Mirrors .....................110
Electronic Brake Control System ...............339
Anti-Lock Brake System ..................340
Brake Assist System .....................340
Electronic Roll Mitigation .................341
Traction Control System ..................340
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ........172
10
INDEX 497