Page 103 of 539

WARNING!(Continued)
•Always make sure that objects cannot fall into the
driver footwell while the vehicle is moving. Ob-
jects can become trapped under the brake pedal
and accelerator pedal causing a loss of vehicle
control.
• If required, mounting posts must be properly in-
stalled, if not equipped from the factory.
Failure to properly follow floor mat installation or
mounting can cause interference with the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal operation causing loss of
control of the vehicle.
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 (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 101
Page 321 of 539

CAUTION!(Continued)
•Determine the condition of the road or the path
that is under water and if there are any obstacles in
the way before driving through the standing water.
• Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving
through standing water. This will minimize wave
effects.
• Driving through standing water may cause damage
to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Always
inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil, trans-
mission, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination (i.e.,
fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance) after
driving through standing water. Do not continue to
operate the vehicle if any fluid appears contami-
nated, as this may result in further damage. Such
damage is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
POWER STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with an electro-hydraulic power
steering system that will give you good vehicle response
and increased ease of maneuverability in tight spaces.
The system will vary its assist to provide light efforts
while parking and good feel while driving. If the electro-
hydraulic power steering system experiences a fault that
prevents it from providing power steering assist, then the
system will provide mechanical steering capability.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 319
Page 444 of 539

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 — 3.6L Engine
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.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level between the MIN and MAX markings on the
dipstick. Adding 1.0 qt (1.0 L) of oil when the reading is
at the MIN mark will result in a MAX reading on these
engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause oil aeration or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
442 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 496 of 539
Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Manual Transmission – If Equipped We recommend you use MOPAR® ATF+4® Automatic Transmission
Fluid.
Automatic Transmission – If Equipped Use only ATF+4® Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Failure to use ATF+4® fluid may affect the function or performance of
your transmission. We recommend MOPAR® ATF+4® fluid.
Brake Master Cylinder We recommend you use MOPAR® DOT 3, SAE J1703. If DOT 3 brake fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable.
Power Steering Reservoir We recommend you use MOPAR® Hydraulic Fluid or equivalent meeting MS-11655, such as Fuchs EG ZH 3044 or Pentosin CHF 11s.
Rear Axle – 3.6L Engine We recommend you use MOPAR® Synthetic Gear Lubricant SAE 75W140 (API GL-5).
Rear Axle – 5.7L Engine We recommend you use MOPAR® Synthetic Gear Lubricant SAE 75W90 (API GL-5) with MOPAR® Friction Modifier — Hypoid Gear Additive.
494 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 499 of 539

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
• Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before your next scheduled service.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and power steering 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
•
Rotate the tires.Rotate at the first sign of irregular
wear, even if it occurs before your next scheduled service
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required
• 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 conditions8
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 497
Page 531 of 539

Seats............................... .150
Steering ............................. .319
Sunroof ............................. .193
Windows ..............................41
Power Steering Fluid ...................... .494
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts ................57
Preparation for Jacking .....................415
Pretensioners Seat Belts ..............................56
Programmable Electronic Features .............234
Programming Transmitters (Remote Keyless Entry) . .23
Radial Ply Tires ......................... .351
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) ...........460
Radio Operation ......................... .276
Radio Remote Controls .....................274
Rear Cupholder ......................... .201
Rear ParkSense System .....................176
Rear Seat, Folding ........................ .157Rear Window Defroster
.....................203
Rear Window Features .....................203
Recorder, Event Data .......................72
Recreational Towing ...................... .393
Reformulated Gasoline .....................373
Refrigerant ............................. .449
Release, Hood ........................... .159
Reminder, Lights On ...................... .164
Reminder, Seat Belt .........................56
Remote Control Starting System .........................29
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ..................23
Arm The Alarm .........................20
Programming Additional Key Fobs ...........19
Programming Additional Transmitters .........19
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls .........274
Remote Starting System ......................29
Remote Trunk Release .......................43
Replacement Bulbs ....................... .484
10
INDEX 529