Page 427 of 517
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir5 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 9 — Coolant Pressure Cap
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 6 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses) 10 — Engine Oil Dipstick
3 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick 7 — Air Cleaner Filter 11 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 8 — Engine Oil Fill
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 425
Page 428 of 517
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir5 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 6 — Engine Oil Dipstick
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 7 — Engine Oil Fill
4 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 8 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
426 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 433 of 517

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 431
Page 456 of 517

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 481 of 517

•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.
8
M
A I
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E
N
A
N
C E
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 479
Page 501 of 517

Pressure Cap......................... .447
Radiator Cap ......................... .447
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .............445
Corrosion Protection ...................... .456
Crankcase Ventilation Module .................21
Cruise Light ............................ .218
Cupholders ............................ .162
Customer Assistance ...................... .487
Customer Programmable Features .............237
Data Recorder, Event .......................73
Daytime Running Lights ....................169
Dealer Service ........................... .429
Defroster, Rear Window .....................203
Defroster, Windshield .......................99
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ..................173
Diagnostic System, Onboard .................427
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ...................168
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission
..................453
Oil (Engine) .......................... .431
Power Steering ........................ .323
Disabled Vehicle Towing ....................418
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................448
Door Locks ..............................31
Door Locks, Automatic ......................33
Door Opener, Garage ...................... .181
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water ............................... .320
E-85 Fuel .............................. .372
Electrical Power Outlets .....................193
Electric Rear Window Defrost .................203
Electric Remote Mirrors .....................110
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ........177
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..............331
10
INDEX 499
Page 508 of 517

Master Cylinder (Brakes)....................450
Methanol .............................. .369
Mini-Trip Computer ...................... .225
Mirrors ............................... .108
Automatic Dimming .....................109
Electric Powered ........................110
Heated ...............................112
Outside ..............................110
Rearview ............................ .108
Vanity ...............................112
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ...............7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ................359
Mopar Parts ............................ .429
MTBE/ETBE ........................... .369
New Vehicle Break-In Period ..................96
Occupant Restraints ........................66
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ..................41Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel)
................368
Odometer .............................. .215
Trip ................................ .215
Oil Change Indicator ...................... .217
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ..................217
Oil, Engine ............................. .431
Capacity ............................ .474
Change Interval ....................... .217
Checking ............................ .431
Dipstick ............................. .431
Disposal ............................. .434
Filter ............................... .434
Filter Disposal ........................ .434
Identification Logo ..................... .432
Materials Added to ..................... .434
Recommendation ...................... .432
Synthetic ............................ .434
Viscosity ............................ .433
Oil Filter, Selection ....................... .434
506 INDEX