Page 105 of 655
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel. 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.
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 103
Page 408 of 655

FOUR–WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
(COMMAND-TRAC I OR ROCK-TRAC ) . . . .428
▫ Operating Instructions/Precautions ....... .428
▫ Shift Positions ....................... .430
▫ Shifting Procedure .................... .431
TRAC-LOK REAR AXLE — IF EQUIPPED . . . .432
AXLE LOCK (TRU–LOK ) — RUBICON
MODELS ........................... .433
ELECTRONIC SWAY BAR DISCONNECT — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .434
ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPS ............... .436
OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS ............... .437
▫ Side Step Removal – If Equipped ......... .437
▫ The Basics Of Off-Road Driving .......... .438 ▫ When To Use 4L (Low) Range ............ .438
▫ Simultaneous Brake And Throttle Operation. . .439
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ......... .439
▫ Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points) ............................ .441
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... .443
▫ Driving Through Water ................ .446
▫ After Driving Off-Road ................ .449
POWER STEERING .................... .450
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. .451
PARKING BRAKE ..................... .452
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ............ .455
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .456406 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 453 of 655

• 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. 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.
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 451
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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.The parking brake lever is located in the center console.
To apply the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as
possible. To release the parking brake, pull the lever up
slightly, press the center button, then lower the lever
completely.
Parking Brake
452 STARTING AND OPERATING
, Q I R U P D W L R Q 3 U R Y L G H G E \
Page 563 of 655
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 Reservoir
7 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 561
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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.566 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 614 of 655

Chassis
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission –
If Equipped MOPAR ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent licensed
ATF+4 product.
Manual Transmission –
If Equipped MOPAR Manual Transmission Lubricant or equivalent (meeting the require-
ments of Chrysler Material Standard MS-9224).
Transfer Case MOPAR ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent licensed
ATF+4 product.
Axle Differential (Front) MOPAR Gear & Axle Lubricant (SAE 80W-90) (API GL-5) or equivalent.
Axle Differential (Rear) 226 RBI (Model 44) – MOPAR Gear & Axle Lubricant (SAE 80W-90) (API GL-5)
or equivalent. For trailer towing, use MOPAR Synthetic Gear & Axle Lubricant
(SAE 75W-140) or equivalent. Models equipped with Trac-Lok™ require an additive.
Brake Master Cylinder MOPAR DOT 3 Brake Fluid, SAE J1703 should be used. If DOT 3, SAE J1703
brake fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only recommended
brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir MOPAR Power Steering Fluid +4, MOPAR ATF+4 Automatic Transmission
Fluid or equivalent licensed ATF+4 product.612 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 617 of 655

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
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