
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
•Check engine oil level.
• Check windshield washer fluid level.
• Check the tire inflation pressures and look for un-
usual wear or damage.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, and
brake master cylinder reservoir, and fill as needed.
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights.Maintenance Chart
Required Maintenance Intervals
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
Change oil and filter.
Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as required.
Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, and hoses. Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses. Check and adjust hand brake.Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect engine air filter if using in dusty or off-road conditions.
Refer to the “Maintenance Chart” on the following page
for the required maintenance intervals.
346 MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE

Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
16,000
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Check the front suspension,
tie rods, CV joints and replace
if necessary. •••• • • •
Visual inspect the condition of
the accessory drive belt. •• •
Check the tension of the ac-
cessory drive belt. •••• • • •
Replace the accessory drive
belt. •
Inspect and replace PCV
valve if necessary. •
Change engine oil and re-
place oil filter. * In accordance with Oil Change Indicator System OR Severe Duty Mileage, whichever occurs
first.
Inspect the PTU fluid level. •• •
Inspect the rear differential
fluid level. •• •
Replace spark plugs (1.4L
Turbo engine). ** ••• • •
9
MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 349

Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
16,000
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Flush and replace the engine
coolant at 10 years or
150,000 miles (240,000 km)
whichever comes first. ••
Replace the timing belt (1.4L
Turbo Engine). •
Recommend replacement
• Mandatory service
# The engine air cleaner should be inspected at every
oil change if used in dusty areas.
* The oil and oil filter replacement must be carried out
when indicated by a warning light or message on the
instrument panel, or in any case should not exceed 1
year or 10,000 miles (16,000 km).
9
MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 351

Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it
is time to take your vehicle in for scheduled mainte-
nance. Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for further
information.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), twelve
months or 350 hours of engine run time, whichever
comes first. The 350 hours of engine run or idle time is
generally only a concern for fleet customers.
Engine Oil Selection — 1.4L Turbo Engine
For best performance and maximum protection for
turbocharged engines under all types of operating
conditions, the manufacturer recommends synthetic
engine oils that are API Certified and meet the require-
ments of FCA Material Standard MS-12991.
Engine Oil Selection — 2.4L Engine
For best performance and maximum protection under
all types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends 0W-20 engine oils that are API Certified
and meet the requirements of FCA Material Standard
MS-6395.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade) — 1.4L Turbo
Engine
Mopar SAE 5W-40 synthetic engine oil is recommended
for all operating temperatures. This engine oil improves
low temperature starting and vehicle fuel economy.
Your engine oil filler cap also states the recommended
engine oil viscosity grade for your engine.
Lubricants which do not have both the engine oil
certification mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade
number should not be used.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade) — 2.4L Engine
Mopar SAE 0W-20 engine oil is recommended for all
operating temperatures. This engine oil improves low
temperature starting and vehicle fuel economy. Your
engine oil filler cap also states the recommended engine
oil viscosity grade for your engine.
Lubricants which do not have both the engine oil
certification mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade
number should not be used.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the
addition of any additives (other than leak detection
356 MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE

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, ser-
vice station or governmental agency for advice on how
and where used oil and oil filters can be safely dis-
carded 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 dis-
posable oil filter. Use a filter of this type for replace-
ment. The quality of replacement filters varies consid-
erably. Only high quality filters should be used to
assure most efficient service. Mopar engine oil filters are
high quality oil filters and are recommended.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
The air induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.)
can provide a measure of protection in the case of
engine backfire. Do not remove the air induction
system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.) unless such removal
is necessary for repair or maintenance. Make sure
that no one is near the engine compartment before
starting the vehicle with the air induction system
(air cleaner, hoses, etc.) removed. Failure to do so
can result in serious personal injury.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Selection
The quality of replacement engine air cleaner filters
varies considerably. Only high quality filters should be
used to assure most efficient service. Mopar engine air
cleaner filters are a high quality filter and are recom-
mended.
9
MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 357

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

4. Install the wiper blade and firmly push the wiperblade until it snaps into place.
Rear Wiper Blade Removal/Installation
1. Carefully lift the rear wiper arm upward to raise thewiper blade off of the liftgate glass.
2. Grab and hold the wiper arm closest to the wiper blade end while pushing the wiper blade towards
the liftgate glass to unsnap the blade pivot pin from
the wiper blade holder on the wiper arm.
3. Install the wiper blade pivot pin into the wiper blade holder at the end of the wiper arm, and firmly push
the wiper blade until it snaps into place.
Adding Washer Fluid
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located in the
engine compartment, and the fluid level should be
checked at regular intervals. Fill the reservoir with
windshield washer solvent (not engine coolant/ anti-
freeze). Refer to “Engine Compartment” in this section
for further information.
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer sol-
vents are flammable. They could ignite and burn
you. Care must be exercised when filling or work-
ing around the washer solution.
Exhaust System
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine ex-
haust 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 exhaust system and adjacent body areas for
broken, damaged, 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.
362 MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE

Mirrors................................57
Heated ..............................59
Outside ..............................58
Rearview .............................57
Vanity ...............................72
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ..............6
MTBE/ETBE .......................... .262
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................217
Occupant Restraints ..................... .162
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ............261, 408
Oil, Engine ........................ .355, 408
Capacity ........................... .407
Change Interval ...................... .356
Checking ........................... .355
Disposal ............................ .357
Filter ........................... .357, 408
Filter Disposal ....................... .357
Materials Added To ....................356
Pressure Warning Light ..................137
Recommendation ...................356, 407
Viscosity ........................ .356, 407
Oil Filter, Change ....................... .357
Oil Filter, Selection ...................... .357Oil Pressure Light
....................... .137
Onboard Diagnostic System .................121
Operating Precautions .....................121
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............4
Outside Rearview Mirrors ...................58
Overheating, Engine ..................... .330
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) ..........4,12
Paint Care ............................ .372
Parking Brake .......................... .218
ParkSense System, Rear ....................246
Pets ................................. .205
Placard, Tire And Loading Information ......384, 386
Power Brakes ............................. .154
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) ..........112
Sunr
oof ............................ .100
Pregnant Women And Seat Belts ..............171
Preparation For Jacking ....................317
Pretensioners Seat Belts ........................... .172
Radial Ply Tires ........................ .391
Radio Frequency General Information ...........27, 29, 32, 33, 44
12
INDEX 467