If you stall or begin to lose forward motion
while climbing a steep hill, allow your vehicle to
come to a stop and immediately apply the
brakes. Restart the engine, and shift into RE-
VERSE. Back slowly down the hill, allowing the
compression braking of the engine to help regu-
late your speed. If the brakes are required to
control vehicle speed, apply them lightly and
avoid locking or skidding the tires.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls, you lose forward motion,
or cannot make it to the top of a steep hill or
grade, never attempt to turn around. To do so
may result in tipping and rolling the vehicle.
Always back carefully straight down a hill in
REVERSE gear. Never back down a hill in
NEUTRAL using only the brake.Remember, never drive diagonally across a
hill always drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the
crest of a hill, ease off the accelerator and
maintain forward motion by turning the front
wheels slowly. This may provide a fresh “bite”
into the surface and will usually provide traction
to complete the climb.Traction DownhillShift the transmission into a low gear, and the
transfer case into 4WD LOW range. Let the
vehicle go slowly down the hill with all four
wheels turning against engine compression
drag. This will permit you to control the vehicle
speed and direction.
When descending mountains or hills, repeated
braking can cause brake fade with loss of
braking control. Avoid repeated heavy braking
by downshifting the transmission whenever
possible.
After Driving Off-RoadOff-road operation puts more stress on your
vehicle than does most on-road driving. After
going off-road, it is always a good idea to check
for damage. That way you can get any problems
taken care of right away and have your vehicle
ready when you need it.
•
Completely inspect the underbody of your ve-
hicle. Check tires, body structure, steering,
suspension, and exhaust system for damage.
•
Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and
clean as required.
• Check threaded fasteners for looseness, par-
ticularly on the chassis, drivetrain compo-
nents, steering, and suspension. Retighten
them, if required, and torque to the values
specified in the Service Manual.
• Check for accumulations of plants or brush.
These things could be a fire hazard. They
might hide damage to fuel lines, brake hoses,
axle pinion seals, and propeller shafts.
247
•After extended operation in mud, sand, wa-
ter, or similar dirty conditions, have the radia-
tor, fan, brake rotors, wheels, brake linings,
and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as
soon as possible.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes
may cause excessive wear or unpredictable
braking. You might not have full braking
power when you need it to prevent a colli-
sion. If you have been operating your vehicle
in dirty conditions, get your brakes checked
and cleaned as necessary.
• If you experience unusual vibration after driv-
ing in mud, slush or similar conditions, check
the wheels for impacted material. Impacted
material can cause a wheel imbalance and
freeing the wheels of it will correct the
situation.
FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY
5.7L ENGINE ONLY – IF
EQUIPPED
This feature offers improved fuel economy by
shutting off four of the engine’s eight cylinders
during light load and cruise conditions. The
system is automatic with no driver inputs or
additional driving skills required.
NOTE:
This system may take some time to return to
full functionality after a battery disconnect.
POWER STEERING
3.6L And 5.7L EngineThe standard power steering system will give
you good vehicle response and increased ease
of maneuverability in tight spaces. The system
will provide mechanical steering capability if
power assist is lost. If for some reason the power assist is inter-
rupted, it will still be possible to steer your
vehicle. Under these conditions, you will ob-
serve a substantial increase in steering effort,
especially at very low vehicle speeds and dur-
ing parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
•
Increased noise levels at the end of the
steering wheel travel are considered nor-
mal and do not indicate that there is a
problem with the power steering system.
• Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the
power steering pump may make noise for
a short amount of time. This is due to the
cold, thick fluid in the steering system.
This noise should be considered normal,
and it does not in any way damage the
steering system.
248
Power Steering Fluid CheckChecking the power steering fluid level at a
defined service interval is not required. The fluid
should only be checked if a leak is suspected,
abnormal noises are apparent, and/or the sys-
tem is not functioning as anticipated. Coordi-
nate inspection efforts through an authorized
dealer.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your power
steering system as the chemicals can dam-
age your power steering components. Such
damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level sur-
face and with the engine off to prevent injury
from moving parts and to ensure accurate fluid
level reading. Do not overfill. Use only manu-
facturer’s recommended power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper
indicated level. With a clean cloth, wipe any
spilled fluid from all surfaces. Refer to “Fluids,
Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining
Your Vehicle” for further information.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the
parking brake is fully applied and place the shift
lever in the PARK position.
The foot operated parking brake is located
below the lower left corner of the instrument
panel. To apply the park brake, firmly push the
park brake pedal fully. To release the parking
brake, press the park brake pedal a second
time and let your foot up as you feel the brake
disengage.When the parking brake is applied with the
ignition switch in the ON position, the “Brake
Warning Light” in the instrument cluster will
illuminate.
NOTE:
•
When the parking brake is applied and the
transmission is placed in gear, the “Brake
Warning Light” will flash. If vehicle speed
is detected, a chime will sound to alert the
driver. Fully release the parking brake
before attempting to move the vehicle.
Parking Brake
250
•The ignition switch must be in the ON/
RUN position for a shift to take place and
for the position indicator lights to be op-
erable. If the ignition switch is not in the
ON/RUN position, the shift will not take
place and no position indicator lights will
be on or flashing.
• A flashing NEUTRAL (N) position indica-
tor light indicates that shift requirements
have not been met.
Shifting Out Of NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your
vehicle for normal usage.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving
it connected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF
position.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN po-
sition, but do not start the engine. 6. Press and hold the brake pedal.
7. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
8. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar
object, press and hold the recessed transfer
case NEUTRAL (N) button (located by the se-
lector switch) for one second.
NOTE:
When shifting out of transfer case NEUTRAL
(N), turning the engine OFF may be required
to avoid gear clash.
9. After the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light turns
off, release the NEUTRAL (N) button.
10. After the NEUTRAL (N) button has been
released, the transfer case will shift to the
position indicated by the selector switch.
11. Shift the transmission into PARK.
12. Release the brake pedal.
13. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
14. Start the engine.
15. Press and hold the brake pedal.
16. Release the parking brake.
17. Shift the transmission into DRIVE, release
the brake pedal, and check that the vehicle
operates normally.
18.
The Keyless Enter-N Go™ button (if
equipped) may now be reinstalled if desired. Refer
to “Starting Procedures/Keyless Enter-N-Go™” in
“Starting and Operating” for further information.NEUTRAL (N) Switch
290
Rear Wiper Blade Removal/Installation
1. Lift the pivot cap on the rear wiper arm
upward, this will allow the rear wiper blade to be
raised off of the liftgate glass.
NOTE:
The rear wiper arm cannot be raised fully
upward unless the pivot cap is raised first.
2. Lift the rear wiper arm upward to raise the
wiper blade off of the liftgate glass.3. Grab the bottom of the wiper blade and
rotate it forward to unsnap the blade pivot pin
from the wiper blade holder.
4. Install the wiper blade pivot pin into the wiper
blade holder at the end of the wiper arm, and
firmly press the wiper blade until it snaps into
place.
5. Lower the wiper blade and snap the pivot
cap into place.Adding Washer FluidOn vehicles equipped with a Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the low washer fluid
level will be indicated. When the sensor detects
a low fluid level, the windshield will light on the
vehicle graphic outline and the “WASHER
FLUID LOW” message will be displayed.
The fluid reservoir for the windshield washers
and the rear window washer is shared. The fluid
reservoir is located in the engine compartment,
be sure to check the fluid level at regular
intervals. Fill the reservoir with windshield
washer solvent only (not radiator antifreeze).
When refilling the washer fluid reservoir, take
some washer fluid and apply it to a cloth or
towel and wipe clean the wiper blades, this will
help blade performance. To prevent freeze-up
of your windshield washer system in cold
weather, select a solution or mixture that meets
or exceeds the temperature range of your cli-
mate. This rating information can be found on
most washer fluid containers.
1 — Wiper Arm
2 — Pivot Cap
1 — Wiper Blade
2 — Blade Pivot Pin
3 — Wiper Arm
4 — Wiper Blade Holder
319
6.Remove the dipstick again, 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. The holes in the dipstick will be full of
fluid if the actual level is at or above the hole. The
fluid level should be between the "HOT"(upper)
reference holes on the dipstick at normal operating
temperature. If the fluid level is low, add fluid
through the dipstick tube to bring it to the proper
level. Do not overfill. Use ONLY the recom-
mended fluid (see "Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts" for fluid specifications). After adding any
quantity of oil through the dipstick tube, wait a
minimum of 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 approxi-
mately 70°F (21°C) (room temperature). If the
fluid level is correctly established at room tem-
perature, it should be between the “HOT” (up-
per) reference holes when the transmission
reaches 180°F (82°C). Remember it is best to
check the level at the normal operating tem-
perature.
CAUTION!
If the fluid temperature is below 50°F (10°C)
it may not register on the dipstick. Do not add
fluid until the temperature is elevated enough
to produce an accurate reading. Run the
engine at idle, in PARK, to warm the fluid.
7. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake.
NOTE:
To prevent dirt and water from entering the
transmission after checking or replenishing
fluid, make sure that the dipstick cap is
properly reseated. It is normal for the dip-
stick cap to spring back slightly from its
fully seated position, as long as its seal
remains engaged in the dipstick tube.
Fluid And Filter Changes
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the
proper maintenance intervals.
In addition, change the fluid and filter if the
transmission is disassembled for any reason.Appearance Care And Protection
From Corrosion
Protection Of Body And Paint From CorrosionVehicle body care requirements vary according
to geographic locations and usage. Chemicals
that make roads passable in snow and ice, and
those that are sprayed on trees and road sur-
faces during other seasons, are highly corrosive
to the metal in your vehicle.
The following maintenance recommendations
will enable you to obtain maximum benefit from
the corrosion resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or re-
moval of paint and protective coatings from your
vehicle.
The most common causes are:
• Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation.
• Stone and gravel impact.
• Insects, tree sap and tar.
• Salt in the air near seacoast localities.
• Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants.
328
At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes
after a fully warmed engine is shut off.
Checking the oil level while the vehicle is on
level ground will improve the accuracy of the
oil level reading. Add oil only when the level
is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
• Check the windshield washer solvent and
add if required.
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, power steering and
transmission (5.7L only) 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. 7,500 Miles (12,000 km) or 12 Months
Maintenance Service Schedule
❏
Change the engine oil and engine oil
filter.††
❏ Rotate tires.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order #Dealer Code
Signature, Authorized Service Center
345
•Trailer towing.
• Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial
service).
• Off-road or desert operation.
Maintenance Schedule – Diesel
Engine
To help you have the best driving experience
possible, the manufacturer has identified the
specific vehicle maintenance service intervals
that are required to keep your vehicle operating
properly and safely.
The manufacturer recommends that these main-
tenance intervals be performed at your selling
dealer. The technicians at your dealership know
your vehicle best, and have access to factory
trained information, genuine MOPAR® parts, and
specially designed electronic and mechanical
tools that can help prevent future costly repairs.
The maintenance intervals shown should be
performed as indicated in this section. NOTE:
•
Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 12,500 miles (20 000 km) or
12 months, whichever comes first.
•
Flush and replace the engine coolant at
120 months or 150,000 miles (240,000 km)
whichever comes first.
At Each Stop for Fuel
• Check the engine oil level about 15 minutes
after a fully warmed engine is shut off.
Checking the oil level while the vehicle is on
level ground will improve the accuracy of the
oil level reading. Add oil only when the level
is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
• Check the windshield washer solvent and
add if required.
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.
• Inspect for the presence of water in the fuel
filter/water separator unit.
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.
359