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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 111
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▫Traction ............................430
DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............431
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................431
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................431
POWER STEERING .....................433
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ..............434
PARKING BRAKE ..................... .434
BRAKE SYSTEM .......................437
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............438
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .439
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............439
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............441
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............442▫
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ..........442
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........443
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light ................446
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..............447
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) .................448
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............450
▫ Tire Markings ........................450
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........453
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........455
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........456
TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........460
▫ Tire Pressure ........................460
408 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 435 of 651

POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
•Increased noise levels at the end of the steering wheel
travel are considered normal and do not indicate that
there is a problem with the power steering system. •
Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steer-
ing pump may make noise for a short amount of time.
This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering
system. This noise should be considered normal, and it
does not in any way damage the steering system.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and it should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 433
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Power Steering Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an autho-
rized dealer.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to ensure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturer’s recommended
power steering fluid.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your power steering
system as the chemicals can damage your power
steering components. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts”
in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for the correct fluid type.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to leave the
transmission in PARK.
434 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 547 of 651
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir7 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 8 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick (4–Speed Only)
3 — Engine Oil Fill 9 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Remote Jump Start (Positive Battery Post) 11 — Engine Oil Dipstick
6 — Remote Jump Start (Negative Battery Post)7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 545
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir5 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 7 — Engine Oil Dipstick
4 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses) 8 — Engine Oil Fill
546 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 553 of 651

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. 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
1.0 qt (1.0 l) 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.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 551
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Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission 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.
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) We recommend you use MOPAR® Gear Lubricant 75W-90.
Rear Drive Assembly (RDA) We recommend you use MOPAR® Gear Lubricant 75W-90.
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® Power Steering Fluid + 4, or
MOPAR® ATF+4® Automatic Transmission Fluid.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 605