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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.
454 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 473 of 517
2. Reach into engine compartment and from behind thelamp assembly and grasp the connector.
3. Rotate bulb and connector ¼ turn and pull outward from assembly.
CAUTION!
Do not touch the new bulb with your fingers. Oil
contamination will severely shorten bulb life.
Bulb Access Points
Bulb Rotation
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 471
Page 476 of 517
License Plate Lamp
1.Remove two retaining screws holding the light lens in
place.
2. Gently pry the lamp assembly loose.
3. Pull bulb from socket, replace and reattach the lampassembly with the two retaining screws.
FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
All Engines — (Except 2.4L PZEV) 16.9 Gallons 64 Liters
2.4L PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) 18.5 Gallons 70 Liters
Engine Oil With Filter
2.4L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 4.5 Quarts 4.26 Liters
3.6L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 6 Quarts 5.6 Liters
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.
474 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Coolant We recommend you use MOPAR® Antifreeze/Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile
Formula OAT (Organic Additive Technology).
Engine Oil – 2.4L Engine
We recommend you use API Certified SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil, meeting the
requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395 such as MOPAR®, Penn-
zoil®, and Shell Helix®. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for correct SAE grade.
Engine Oil – 3.6L EngineWe recommend you use API Certified SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil, meeting the
requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395 such as MOPAR®, Penn-
zoil®, and Shell Helix®. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for correct SAE grade.
Engine Oil Filter We recommend you use MOPAR® Engine Oil Filter.
Spark Plugs – 2.4L Engine except
PZEV* We recommend you use MOPAR® Spark Plugs (Gap 0.043 in [1.1 mm]).
Spark Plugs – 2.4L with PZEV* We recommend you use MOPAR® Spark Plugs (Gap 0.031 in [0.8 mm]).
Spark Plugs – 3.6L Engine We recommend you use MOPAR® Spark Plugs (Gap 0.043 in [1.1 mm]).
Fuel Selection 87 Octane
* PZEV = Partial Zero Emission Vehicle
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 475
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MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that ser-
vice is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions
such as frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or
cold ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will
influence when the “Oil Change Required” message is
displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can cause the
change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles
(5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone otherthan your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further in-
formation.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve months,
whichever comes first.
Severe Duty All Models
Change Engine Oil at 4000 miles (6,500 km) if the vehicle
is operated in a dusty and off road environment. This
type of vehicle use is considered Severe Duty
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
• Check engine oil level.
• Check windshield washer fluid level.
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•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before the oil indicator system turns
on.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission
(four-speed only) and fill 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.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•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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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 479
Page 498 of 517

About Your Brakes....................... .324
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) ................326
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) ............446
Adding Fuel ............................ .376
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... .440
Additives, Fuel .......................... .370
Airbag ..................................60
Airbag Deployment ........................70
Airbag Light .............................67
Airbag Maintenance ........................72
Airbag, Side ..............................63
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ................64
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . .434
Air Conditioner Maintenance .................437
Air Conditioning ......................... .276
Air Conditioning Controls ...................276
Air Conditioning Filter .....................289
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ..............290
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .................437Air Conditioning System
....................276
Air Pressure, Tires ........................ .347
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ...............219
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ...............7
Antenna, Satellite Radio .....................263
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..................445
Disposal ............................. .448
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ................326
Anti-Lock Warning Light ....................326
Appearance Care ........................ .456
Ashtray ............................... .197
Assistance Towing ........................ .127
Auto Down Power Windows ..................37
Automatic Dimming Mirror ..................109
Automatic Door Locks ......................33
Automatic Oil Change Indicator ...............217
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ..........281
Automatic Transaxle ........................13
Automatic Transmission ....................299
496 INDEX
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Adding Fluid......................... .453
Fluid and Filter Changes ..................456
Fluid Level Check ...................... .453
Fluid Type ........................... .452
Gear Ranges .......................... .303
Special Additives ...................... .453
Autostick .............................. .318
Auto Unlock, Doors ........................33
Auto Up Power Windows ....................38
Battery ................................ .435
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........26
Location ............................. .435
Belts, Seat ...............................99
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................439
B-Pillar Location ......................... .341
Brake Assist System ...................... .330
Brake, Parking .......................... .324
Brake System ........................... .450Anti-Lock (ABS)
....................... .326
Fluid Check .......................... .450
Master Cylinder ....................... .450
Parking ............................. .324
Warning Light ........................ .214
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................302
Bulb Replacement ........................ .469
Bulbs, Light ............................ .101
Calibration, Compass ..................... .233
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........21
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .474
Caps, Filler Fuel ................................ .376
Oil (Engine) .......................... .425
Power Steering ........................ .323
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................447
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...................98
Car Washes ............................ .457
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INDEX 497