CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H,”
safely pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the A/C turned off until the pointer drops back
into the normal range. If the pointer remains on the
“H,” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the en-
gine OFF immediately, and call for service.
WARNING!
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 or coolant bottle is hot.
2.4L Engine — If Equipped
On hot days the engine oil temperature may become too
hot during sustained high-speed driving or if towing a
trailer up long grades. If this happens, a HOTOIL mes-
sage will flash in the odometer and the vehicle speed will
be reduced to 48 mph (77 km/h) maximum until the
engine oil temperature is reduced.
NOTE:The maximum vehicle speed is reduced to
48 mph (77 km/h), you may reduce vehicle speed further
as needed. Once the engine oil temperature is reduced,
you may continue to drive normally
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Proper lug nut/bolt torque is very important to ensure
that the wheel is properly mounted to the vehicle. Any
time a wheel has been removed and reinstalled on the
vehicle the lug nuts/bolts should be torqued using a
properly calibrated torque wrench.
516 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light” (MIL). It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability.
The vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
• If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, the
word “gASCAP” will display in the odometer. If this7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 547
occurs, tighten the fuel filler cap until a “clicking” sound
is heard and press the TRIP ODOMETER button to turn
off the message. If the problem persists, the message will
appear the next time the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the MIL.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not
on when the engine is running, and that the OBD II
system is ready for testing. Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may
notbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not crank or start the engine.
NOTE: If you crank or start the engine, you will have to
start this test over.
2. As soon as you cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part
of a normal bulb check.
548 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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 indi-
cator message will illuminate. This means that service is
required for your vehicle. Operating conditions such as
frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or cold ambi-
ent temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will influence when
the “Change Oil” or “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).
On Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
equipped vehicles, “Oil Change Required” will be dis-
played in the EVIC and a single chime will sound,
indicating that an oil change is necessary.On Non-EVIC equipped vehicles, “Change Oil” will flash
in the instrument cluster odometer and a single chime
will sound, indicating that an oil change is necessary.
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 other than
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” or under “Instrument Cluster
Description/Odometer/Trip Odometer” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
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.
8
M A I
N T
E
N
A
N
C E
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
S608 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
Luggage Rack (Roof Rack)...................293
Lug Nuts ...............................516
Maintenance Free Battery ....................555
Maintenance Procedures ....................550
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) .......302
Manual, Service ..........................622
Manual Transaxle Fluid Level Check .......................579
Lubricant Selection ..................... .579
Map/Reading Lights .......................231
Marker Lights, Side ........................596
Master Cylinder (Brakes) ....................573
Methanol ...............................484
Mini-Trip Computer .......................323
Mirrors ................................119
Automatic Dimming .....................119
Electric Powered ........................121
Electric Remote ........................ .121Exterior Folding
........................123
Heated ...............................123
Outside ............................. .120
Rearview .............................119
Vanity ...............................123
Mode Fuel Saver ............................321
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ...............7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ................474
Mopar Parts ............................ .549
MTBE/ETBE ............................484
Multi-Function Control Lever .................228
New Vehicle Break-In Period .................106
Occupant Restraints ........................47
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ..................68
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ................483
Odometer ...............................304
638 INDEX
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight................502
To Open Hood .......................... .223
Towing ............................... .496
Behind a Motorhome .....................510
Disabled Vehicle ........................539
Guide ...............................501
Recreational .......................... .510
Weight ...............................501
Towing Vehicle Behind a Motorhome ...........510
Traction ............................... .430
Traction Control ..........................442
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..................447
Trailer Towing .......................... .496
Cooling System Tips .....................510
Hitches ............................. .500
Minimum Requirements ..................503
Tips................................ .508
Trailer and Tongue Weight .................502
Wiring ...............................507 Trailer Towing Guide
.......................501
Trailer Weight ............................501
Transaxle Autostick ............................ .427
Transmission Automatic ............................417
Filter ............................... .578
Fluid ............................... .575
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry) . .25
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®). . . .256
Transmitter Programming (Remote Keyless Entry) . . .22
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) .........22
Tread Wear Indicators ..................... .468
Trip Odometer .......................... .304
Turn Signals ............................ .229
UCI Connector .......................... .372
Uconnect® Advanced Phone Connectivity ..............143
10
INDEX 645