Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils provided the recom-
mended oil quality requirements are met, and the recom-
mended maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes
are followed.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the addi-
tion of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to the
engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and its
performance may be impaired by supplemental additives.
Disposing Of Used Engine Oil And Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil and
oil filters from your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to the
environment. Contact your authorized dealer, service sta-
tion or governmental agency for advice on how and where
used oil and oil filters can be safely discarded in your area.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be replaced with a new filter
at every engine oil change.
Engine Oil Filter Selection
This manufacturer’s engines have a full-flow type oil
filter. Use a filter of this type for replacement. The quality
of replacement filters varies considerably. Only high
quality filters should be used to assure most efficient
service. MOPAR® engine oil filters are a high quality oil
filter and are recommended.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
554 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Exhaust System
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
If you notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system;
or if the exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle;
or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged;
have an authorized technician inspect the complete ex-
haust system and adjacent body areas for broken, dam-
aged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams
or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep
into the passenger compartment. In addition, have the
exhaust system inspected each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
WARNING!
•Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain
carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Breathing it can make you unconscious
and can eventually poison you. To avoid breathing
CO, refer to “Safety Tips/Exhaust Gas” in “Things
To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further
information.
• A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park
over materials that can burn. Such materials might
be grass or leaves coming into contact with your
exhaust system. Do not park or operate your ve-
hicle in areas where your exhaust system can con-
tact anything that can burn.
564 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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. NOTE:
If it is necessary to check the transmission below
the operating temperature, the fluid level should be
between the two COLD (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at approximately 80°F (27°C). If the fluid
level is correctly established at 80°F (27°C), it should be
between the HOT (upper) reference holes when the
transmission reaches 180°F (82°C). Remember it is best to
check the level at the normal operating temperature.
8. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake.
CAUTION!
•Using a transmission fluid other than the manufactur-
er’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration in
transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder, and will require more frequent fluid and
filter changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” in this section for fluid specifications.
(Continued)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 577
Rear Drive Assembly (RDA) – AWD Models Only
Lubricant Selection
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended fluid. Refer
to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Maintain-
ing Your Vehicle” for further information.
Fluid Level Check
Visually inspect the unit at each oil change for leakage. If
leakage is detected, check the fluid level by removing the
fill plug. The fluid level should be maintained between
the bottom of the fill hole to 1/8 in (4 mm) below the fill
hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
Frequency Of Fluid Change
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) – AWD Models Only
Lubricant Selection
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended fluid. Refer
to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Maintain-
ing Your Vehicle” for further information.
Fluid Level Check
Visually inspect the unit at each oil change for leakage. If
leakage is detected, Check the fluid level by removing the
fill plug. The fluid level should be maintained between
the bottom of the fill hole to 1/8 in (4 mm) below the fill
hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
Frequency Of Fluid Change
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 579
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.
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S608 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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 the oil indicator system turns on.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission (2.4L
engine 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.
• 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 609
About Your Brakes........................434
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) ................438
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) ............569
Adding Fuel ............................ .492
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... .563
Additives, Fuel .......................... .486
Airbag ..................................65
Airbag Deployment ........................76
Airbag Light .............................73
Airbag Maintenance ........................78
Airbag, Side ..............................68
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ................69
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . .554
Air Conditioner Maintenance .................557
Air Conditioning Filter .....................404
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ..............405
Air Conditioning, Rear Zone .................385
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .................557
Air Conditioning System ....................557 Air Pressure, Tires
........................ .462
Alarm Light ............................ .310
Alarm, Panic .............................24
Alarm (Security Alarm) ......................18
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ................18
All Wheel Drive (AWD) .....................429
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ...............7
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..................568
Disposal ............................. .571
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ................438
Anti-Lock Warning Light ....................309
Appearance Care ........................ .580
Arming System (Security Alarm) ...............18
Assist, Hill Start ..........................448
Auto Down Power Windows ..................42
Automatic Dimming Mirror ..................119
Automatic Door Locks ......................33
Automatic Headlights ..................... .226
Automatic Oil Change Indicator ...............320
626 INDEX
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)........239
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..............443
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) ......251
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ................537
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................515
Jacking ...............................518
Jump Starting ..........................532
Overheating .......................... .515
Towing ............................. .539
Emission Control System Maintenance ..........548
Engine .................................106
Air Cleaner .......................... .554
Block Heater ..........................417
Break-In Recommendations ................106
Checking Oil Level ..................... .551
Compartment ..........................545
Compartment Identification ................546
Coolant (Antifreeze) .....................567 Cooling
............................. .566
Exhaust Gas Caution .....................46
Fails to Start .......................... .415
Flooded, Starting .......................415
Fuel Requirements ..................... .483
Jump Starting ..........................532
Oil..................................551
Oil Change Interval ..................... .320
Oil Filler Cap ..........................545
Oil Selection .......................... .552
Oil Synthetic ..........................554
Operation ............................ .106
Overheating .......................... .515
Starting ............................. .412
Temperature Gauge ..................... .310
Engine Oil Viscosity .......................553
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ...................553
Enhanced Accident
Response Feature............76
Entry System, Illuminated ....................21
10
INDEX 631