Page 106 of 666
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
104 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 412 of 666

FOUR–WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
(COMMAND-TRAC I® OR ROCK-TRAC®) . . . .433
▫ Operating Instructions/Precautions ........433
▫ Shift Positions ....................... .435
▫ Shifting Procedure .....................436
TRAC-LOK® REAR AXLE — IF EQUIPPED . . .437
AXLE LOCK (TRU–LOK®) — RUBICON
MODELS ........................... .438
ELECTRONIC SWAY BAR DISCONNECT — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .439
ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPS ................441
OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS ................442
▫ Side Step Removal – If Equipped ..........442
▫ The Basics Of Off-Road Driving ...........443▫
When To Use 4L (Low) Range .............443
▫ Simultaneous Brake And Throttle Operation. . .444
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ..........444
▫ Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other
High Points) ........................ .446
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... .448
▫ Driving Through Water .................451
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................453
POWER STEERING .....................455
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ..............456
PARKING BRAKE ..................... .456
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM .............459
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .460
410 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 457 of 666

POWER STEERING
The 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 interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
•Increased noise levels at the end of the steering wheel
travel are considered normal and do not indicate that
there is a problem with the power steering system. •
Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steer-
ing 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.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end of
the steering wheel travel will increase the steering fluid
temperature and it should be avoided when possible.
Damage to the power steering pump may occur.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 455
Page 458 of 666

Power Steering Fluid Check
Checking 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 system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an autho-
rized dealer.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your power steering
system as the chemicals can damage your power
steering components. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to ensure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturer’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. Also, be certain to leave an
automatic transmission in PARK, or manual transmission
in REVERSE or first gear.
456 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 571 of 666
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses)7 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
2 — Battery 8 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
3 — Engine Oil Dipstick 9 — Air Cleaner Filter
4 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Under Engine Cover) 10 — Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Engine Oil Fill 11 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
6 — Brake Fluid Reservoir7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 569
Page 576 of 666

CAUTION!(Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of your
vehicle and also allow extended maintenance inter-
vals. Do not use chemical flushes in these compo-
nents as the chemicals can damage your engine,
transmission, power steering or air conditioning.
Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed because of
component malfunction, use only the specified
fluid for the flushing procedure.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. The
engine oil level should be checked five minutes after a
warmed up engine has been shut off. Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the
dipstick. Adding 1 U.S. Quart (0.95L) of oil when the
reading is at the bottom of the SAFE zone will result in a
reading at the top of the safe zone on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
574 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 622 of 666

Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission – If
Equipped We recommend you only use MOPAR® ATF+4® Automatic Transmission
Fluid. Failure to use ATF+4 fluid may affect the function or performance of
your transmission.
Manual Transmission – If Equipped We recommend you use MOPAR® Manual Transmission Lubricant.
Transfer Case We recommend you use MOPAR® ATF+4® Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Axle Differential (Front) We recommend you use MOPAR® Gear & Axle Lubricant (SAE 80W-90)
(API GL-5).
Axle Differential (Rear) 226 RBI (Model 44)– We recommend you use MOPAR® Gear & Axle
Lubricant (SAE 80W-90) (API GL-5) or equivalent. For trailer towing, use
MOPAR® Synthetic Gear & Axle Lubricant (SAE 75W-140). Models
equipped with Trac-Lok™ require an additive.
Brake Master Cylinder We recommend you use MOPAR® DOT 3 Brake Fluid, SAE J1703.
If DOT 3, SAE J1703 brake fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable.
Power Steering Reservoir We recommend you use MOPAR® Power Steering Fluid +4,
MOPAR® ATF+4® Automatic Transmission Fluid.
620 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 625 of 666

NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve months,
whichever comes first.
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
• Check engine oil level
• Check windshield washer fluid level
• Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual
wear or damage
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission as
needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
Required Maintenance Intervals.
Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following
page for the required maintenance intervals.At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil Change Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter
• Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregu-
lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required
• Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped
with dipstick
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses
and park brake
•
Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses
• Inspect exhaust system
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions
• Inspect all door latches for presence of grease,
reapply if necessary.
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