
include cleaning of the condenser fins and a perfor-
mance test. Drive belt tension should also be checked at
this time.
WARNING!
•Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer
to Warranty Information Book for further war-
ranty information.
• The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refriger-
ant or any repair requiring lines to be discon-
nected should be done by an experienced techni-
cian.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your air condition-
ing system as the chemicals can damage your air
conditioning components. Such damage is not cov-
ered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Refrigerant Recovery And Recycling HFO 1234yf
HFO 1234yf Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydro-
fluoolefine HFO that is endorsed by the Environmental
Protection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. The
manufacturer recommends that air conditioning service
be performed by authorized dealer using recovery and
recycling equipment.
NOTE: Use only manufacturer approved A/C system
PAG compressor oil, and refrigerants.
A/C Air Filter
See your Authorized Dealer for service.
9
MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 359

Body Lubrication
Locks and all body pivot points, including such items as
seat tracks, door hinge pivot points and rollers, liftgate,
tailgate, decklid, sliding doors and hood hinges, should
be lubricated periodically with a lithium based grease,
such as Mopar Spray White Lube to assure quiet, easy
operation and to protect against rust and wear. Prior to
the application of any lubricant, the parts concerned
should be wiped clean to remove dust and grit; after
lubricating excess oil and grease should be removed.
Particular attention should also be given to hood latch-
ing components to ensure proper function. When per-
forming other underhood services, the hood latch,
release mechanism and safety catch should be cleaned
and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated twice a
year, preferably in the Fall and Spring. Apply a small
amount of a high quality lubricant, such as Mopar Lock
Cylinder Lubricant directly into the lock cylinder.
Wiper Blades
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades, the wind-
shield, and rear window periodically with a sponge orsoft cloth and a mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will
remove accumulations of salt, waxes, or road film, and
help reduce streaking and smearing.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always
use washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt
or dirt from a dry windshield or rear window.
Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice
from the windshield or rear window. Make sure that
they are not frozen to the glass before turning them on
to avoid damaging the blade. Keep the wiper blade out
of contact with petroleum products such as engine oil,
gasoline, etc.
NOTE:
Life expectancy of wiper blades varies depend-
ing on geographical area and frequency of use. Poor
performance of blades may be present with chattering,
marks, water lines, or wet spots. If any of these condi-
tions are present, clean the wiper blades or replace as
necessary.
Service Position Strategy
The service position allows the wiper blades to be
placed in a position that allows the wiper blades to be
easily changed.
360 MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE

To enable the Service Position Strategy, the wipers must
be in the Park position before placing the ignition in the
OFF mode.
Service mode must be activated within two minutes
after the ignition is placed in the OFF mode.
To have a correct activation of strategy, the Service
Position command (antipanic) must be active for at least
half a second.
At every valid activation of Service Position command,
the wiper blades are activated for 250 ms.
The Service Position command can be repeated several
times to bring the blades into the desired position, up to
a maximum of three times.
After three subsequent activations the strategy is dis-
abled.
Function Deactivation:
The functionality is reset if:
•The ignition is turned to the RUN mode.
• Number of subsequent activations is three.
• Two minutes timer has expired after cycling the
ignition OFF. NOTE:
When turning the ignition ON, the blades will
go into the parking position.
Front Wiper Blade Removal/Installation
1. Lift the front wiper arm upward to raise the wiper blade off of the windshield.
2. Push the release button on the arm of the wiper blade.
3. Push the wiper blade up and remove it.
1—WiperBlade
2 — Release Button
3—WiperArm
9
MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 361

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 breath-
ing CO, refer to “Safety Tips/Exhaust Gas” in the
“Safety” section 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
vehicle in areas where your exhaust system can
contact anything that can burn.
CAUTION!
• The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions con-
trol device and may seriously reduce engine per-
formance and cause serious damage to the engine.
• Damage to the catalytic converter can result if
your vehicle is not kept in proper operating
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
condition. In the event of engine malfunction,
particularly involving engine misfire or other
apparent loss of performance, have your vehicle
serviced promptly. Continued operation of your
vehicle with a severe malfunction could cause the
converter to overheat, resulting in possible dam-
age to the converter and vehicle.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is
important to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE: Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifi-
cations, should be obtained immediately.
9
MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 363

WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnor-
mally high brake temperatures, excessive lining
wear, and possible brake damage. Riding the
brakes may also reduce braking capacity in an
emergency.
Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under hood services, or immediately
if the “Brake Warning Light” is on.
Be sure to clean the top of the master cylinder area
before removing the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring
the fluid level up to the requirements described on the
brake fluid reservoir. Fluid level can be expected to fall
as the brake pads wear. The brake fluid level should be
checked when the pads are replaced. However, low
fluid level may be caused by a leak and a checkup may
be needed.NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with a manual
transmission, the brake fluid reservoir supplies fluid to
both the brake system and the clutch release system.
The two systems are separated in the reservoir, and a
leak in one system will not affect the other system. The
manual transmission clutch release system should not
require fluid replacement during the life of the vehicle.
If the brake fluid reservoir is low and the brake system
does not indicate any leaks or other problems, it may be
a result of a leak in the hydraulic clutch release system.
See your local authorized dealer for service.
Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts” in the
“Technical Data” section for further information.
WARNING!
• Use only manufacturer ’s recommended brake
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine
Parts” in the “Technical Data” section for further
information. Using the wrong type of brake fluid
can severely damage your brake system and/or
impair its performance. The proper type of brake
fluid for your vehicle is also identified on the
(Continued)
9
MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 369

WARNING!(Continued)
original factory installed hydraulic master cylin-
der reservoir.
• To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that
has been in a tightly closed container. Keep the
master cylinder reservoir cap secured at all times.
Brake fluid in a open container absorbs moisture
from the air resulting in a lower boiling point.
This may cause it to boil unexpectedly during
hard or prolonged braking, resulting in sudden
brake failure. This could result in a collision.
• Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should
be taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.
• Do not allow petroleum-based fluid to contami-
nate the brake fluid. Brake seal components could
be damaged, causing partial or complete brake
failure. This could result in a collision.
CAUTION!
Use of improper brake fluids will affect overall
clutch system performance. Improper brake fluids
may damage the clutch system resulting in loss of
clutch function and the ability to shift the transmis-
sion.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Lubricant Selection
Use only the manufacturers recommended transmis-
sion fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine
Parts” in “Technical Data” for further information.
Please see your authorized dealer for service.
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug. The
fluid level should be between the bottom of the fill hole
and a point not more than 3/16 inch (4.7 mm) below the
bottom of the hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
Please see your authorized dealer for service.
370 MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE

Fluid Level Check
The fluid level is preset at the factory and does not
require adjustment under normal operating conditions.
Routine fluid level checks are not required, therefore the
transmission has no dipstick. Your authorized dealer
can check your transmission fluid level using special
service tools. If you notice fluid leakage or transmission
malfunction, visit your authorized dealer immediately
to have the transmission fluid level checked. Operating
the vehicle with an improper fluid level can cause
severe transmission damage.
CAUTION!
If a transmission fluid leak occurs, visit your autho-
rized dealer immediately. Severe transmission dam-
age may occur. Your authorized dealer has the
proper tools to adjust the fluid level accurately.
Fluid And Filter Changes
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed
at the factory will provide satisfactory lubrication for
the life of the vehicle.Routine fluid and filter changes are not required. How-
ever, change the fluid and filter if the fluid becomes
contaminated (with water, etc.), or if the transmission is
disassembled for any reason.
Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion
Protection Of Body And Paint From Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will en-
able you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
372 MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE

RAISING THE VEHICLE
In the case where it is necessary to raise the vehicle, go
to an authorized dealer or service station.The vehicle lifting points on the vehicle are marked on
side skirts with symbols (see example shown).
Lifting Point Locations
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MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 379