Page 423 of 522
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L ..........423
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L ..........424
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II . .425
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............425
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS ......................... .426
REPLACEMENT PARTS ..................427
DEALER SERVICE ..................... .427
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ...........428
▫ Engine Oil ......................... .429▫
Engine Oil Filter ..................... .432
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................432
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ...............433
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance .............435
▫ A/C Air Filter – If Equipped .............436
▫ Body Lubrication .....................437
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ...............438
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ..................438
▫ Exhaust System ..................... .439
▫ Cooling System ..................... .442
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Page 444 of 522

Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan,
disconnect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position. The fan is tempera-
ture controlled and can start at anytime 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.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed, and refilled with fresh engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Check the front of the A/C condenser for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
442 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 445 of 522

Cooling System – Drain, Flush, And Refill
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains
visible sediment, have an authorized dealer clean and
flush with OAT coolant (antifreeze) (conforming to MS-
12106).
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Selection Of Coolant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
CAUTION!
•Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified Organic Additive Technology (OAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze), may result in engine
damage and may decrease corrosion protection.
Organic Additive Technology (OAT) engine cool-
ant is different and should not be mixed with
Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze) or any “globally compat-
ible” coolant (antifreeze). If a non-OAT engine
coolant (antifreeze) is introduced into the cooling
system in an emergency, the cooling system will
need to be drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh
OAT coolant (conforming to MS-12106), by an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
(Continued)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 443
Page 447 of 522

(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.
If HOAT and OAT coolant are mixed in an emergency,
have a authorized dealer drain, flush, and refill with OAT
coolant (conforming to MS-12106) as soon as possible.
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 tank. The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
•
The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precaution.
Never add engine coolant (antifreeze) when the
engine is overheated. Do not loosen or remove the
cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat causes
pressure to build up in the cooling system. To
prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the
pressure cap while the system is hot or under
pressure.
• Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 445
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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 freez-
ing. •
If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure tested
for leaks.
• Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at a
minimum of 50% OAT coolant (conforming to MS-
12106) and distilled water for proper corrosion protec-
tion of your engine which contains aluminum compo-
nents.
• 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
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 447
Page 480 of 522
U.S.Metric
Cooling System*
2.4L Engine (MOPAR® Antifreeze/Engine Coolant 10
Year/150,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 7.7 Quarts
7.3 Liters
3.6L Engine (MOPAR® Antifreeze/Engine Coolant 10
Year/150,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 11.6 Quarts
11 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Coolant We recommend you use MOPAR® Antifreeze/Coolant
10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT (Organic Additive
Technology).
478 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 485 of 522
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 OilChange 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.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•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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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 483
Page 504 of 522

Certification Label........................ .382
Chains, Tire ............................ .360
Changing A Flat Tire ...................... .400
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ .339
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .426
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ...............92
Checks, Safety ............................92
Child Restraint ............................70
Cigar Lighter ........................... .204
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... .371
Cleaning Wheels .............................. .456
Climate Control ......................... .283
Clock ................................. .247
Cold Weather Operation ....................302
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ..............282
Compact Spare Tire ....................... .355
Compass .............................. .233
Compass Calibration ...................... .240Compass Variance
........................ .241
Computer, Trip/Travel ..................... .239
Connector UCI................................ .273
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ..........273
Console ............................... .206
Console, Floor .......................... .206
Contract, Service ......................... .493
Convertible ............................ .101
Convertible Top ......................... .101
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........445
Cooling System .......................... .442
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............444
Coolant Capacity ...................... .477
Coolant Level ......................... .442
Disposal of Used Coolant .................446
Drain, Flush, and Refill ...................443
Inspection ........................... .446
Points to Remember .....................447
502 INDEX