MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L ..........419
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L ..........420
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II . .421
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............421
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS ......................... .422
REPLACEMENT PARTS ..................423
DEALER SERVICE ..................... .423
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ...........424
▫ Engine Oil ......................... .425▫
Engine Oil Filter ..................... .428
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................428
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ...............429
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance .............430
▫ A/C Air Filter — If Equipped ............432
▫ Body Lubrication .....................433
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ...............434
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ..................434
▫ Exhaust System ..................... .435
▫ Cooling System ..................... .438
7
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 engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to
check the engine oil level is about five minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not check oil level
before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking engine oil level when the engine is cold will
give you an incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. Either the range mark-
ings consist of a crosshatch zone marked SAFE or a
crosshatch zone marked with MIN at the low end of the
range and MAX at the high end of the range. Adding one
quart of oil when the reading is at the low end of the
range marking will raise the oil level to the high end of
the range marking.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 425
CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine
will cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil
pressure and an increase in oil temperature. This
could damage your engine. Also, be sure the oil fill
cap is replaced and tightened after adding oil.
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for further informa-
tion.
NOTE: Under no circumstances should oil change in-
tervals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve
months, whichever occurs first.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends engine oils that are API Certified and meet
the requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
426 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
of the condenser fins and a performance test. Drive belt
tension should also be checked at this time.
WARNING!
•Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause the
system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer to
Warranty Information Book, located on the DVD,
for further warranty information.
• The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced technician.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your air conditioning
system as the chemicals can damage your air condi-
tioning components. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Refrigerant Recovery And Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluoro-
carbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental
Protection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by authorized dealer or other
service facilities using recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE: Use only manufacturer approved A/C system
PAG compressor oil and refrigerants.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 431
operation and to protect against rust and wear. Prior to
the application of any lubricant, the parts concerned
should be wiped clean to remove dust and grit; after
lubricating excess oil and grease should be removed.
Particular attention should also be given to hood latching
components to ensure proper function. When performing
other underhood services, the hood latch, release mecha-
nism and safety catch should be cleaned and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated twice a
year, preferably in the Fall and Spring. Apply a small
amount of a high quality lubricant, such as MOPAR®
Lock Cylinder Lubricant directly into the lock cylinder.
Windshield Wiper Blades
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and the
windshield periodically with a sponge or soft cloth and a
mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will remove accumula-
tions of salt or road film.Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always use
washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt
from a dry windshield.
Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice from
the windshield. Keep the blade rubber out of contact with
petroleum products such as engine oil, gasoline, etc.
NOTE:
Life expectancy of wiper blades varies depend-
ing on geographical area and frequency of use. Poor
performance of blades may be present with chattering,
marks, water lines or wet spots. If any of these conditions
are present, clean the wiper blades or replace as neces-
sary.Adding Washer Fluid
The windshield washer and the rear window washer
share the same fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir is
located in the engine compartment. Be sure to check the
fluid level in the reservoir at regular intervals. Fill the
434 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
2. Run the engine at normal idle speed for at least 60seconds, and leave the engine running for the rest of
this procedure.
3. Fully apply the parking brake, and press the brake pedal.
4. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi- tion (allowing time for the transmission to fully en-
gage in each position), ending with the transmission in
PARK.
5. Wipe the area around the dipstick clean to prevent dirt from entering the transmission.
6.
Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot or
cold. Hot fluid is approximately 180° F (82° C), which is
the normal operating temperature after the vehicle is
driven at least 15 miles (24 km). Hot fluid cannot be held
comfortably between the fingertips. Cold fluid is at a
temperature of approximately 80° F (27° C).
7. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert it until seated. Then, remove the dipstick 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.
Note that the holes in the dipstick will be full of fluid
if the actual level is at or above the hole.
• If the fluid is hot, the fluid level should be in the
crosshatched area marked “HOT” (between the up-
per two holes in the dipstick).
• If the fluid is cold, the fluid level should be between
the lower two holes in the area marked “COLD.”
If the fluid level is low, add fluid through the dipstick
tube to bring it to the proper level. Do not overfill. After
adding any quantity of oil through the dipstick tube, wait
at least two minutes for the oil to fully drain into the
transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
8. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake.
448 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
About Your Brakes....................... .320
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) ................322
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) ............440
Adding Fuel ............................ .372
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... .434
Additives, Fuel .......................... .366
Airbag ..................................59
Airbag Deployment ........................69
Airbag Light .............................66
Airbag Maintenance ........................71
Airbag, Side ..............................62
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ................63
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . .428
Air Conditioner Maintenance .................430
Air Conditioning ......................... .273
Air Conditioning Controls ...................273
Air Conditioning Filter .....................285
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ..............286
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .................430Air Conditioning System
....................273
Air Pressure, Tires ........................ .343
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ...............217
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ...............7
Antenna, Satellite Radio .....................260
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..................439
Disposal ............................. .442
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ................322
Anti-Lock Warning Light ....................322
Appearance Care ........................ .450
Ashtray ............................... .194
Assistance Towing ........................ .124
Auto Down Power Windows ..................37
Automatic Dimming Mirror ..................106
Automatic Door Locks ......................33
Automatic Oil Change Indicator ...............214
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ..........277
Automatic Transaxle ........................12
Automatic Transmission ....................295
494 INDEX
Adding Fluid......................... .447
Fluid and Filter Changes ..................450
Fluid Level Check ...................... .447
Fluid Type ........................... .446
Gear Ranges .......................... .299
Special Additives ...................... .447
Autostick .............................. .314
Auto Unlock, Doors ........................33
Auto Up Power Windows ....................38
Battery ................................ .429
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........26
Location ............................. .429
Belts, Seat ...............................96
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................433
B-Pillar Location ......................... .337
Brake Assist System ...................... .326
Brake, Parking .......................... .320
Brake System ........................... .444Anti-Lock (ABS)
....................... .322
Fluid Check .......................... .444
Master Cylinder ....................... .444
Parking ............................. .320
Warning Light .........................211
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................298
Bulb Replacement ........................ .463
Bulbs, Light ..............................99
Calibration, Compass ..................... .230
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........21
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .471
Caps, Filler Fuel ................................ .372
Oil (Engine) .......................... .419
Power Steering ........................ .319
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................441
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...................95
Car Washes ............................ .451
10
INDEX 495