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ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
Alongbreak-inperiodisnotrequiredfortheengineanddrivetrain(transmissionandaxle)
in your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km),
speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the limits of local traffic laws
contributes to a good break-in. Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be
detrimental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a high-quality energy conserving type
lubricant. Oil changes should be consistent with anticipated climate conditions under
which vehicle operations will occur. For the recommended viscosity and quality grades,
refer to “Maintaining Your Vehicle.”
NOTE:
Anewenginemayconsumesomeoilduringitsfirstfewthousandmiles(kilometers)of
operation. This should be considered a normal part of the break-in and not interpreted as
an indication of an engine problem or malfunction.
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil in the engine or damage may
result.
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
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MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Yo u r v e h i c l e i s e q u i p p e d w i t h a n a u t o m a t i c o i l c h a n g e i n d i c a t o r s y s t e m . T h e o i l c h a n g e
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 indicator 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 ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage
will influence when the “Change Oil” 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).
Yo u r a u t h o r i z e d d e a l e r w i l l r e s e t t h e o i l c h a n g e i n d i c a t o r m e s s a g e a f t e r c o m p l e t i n g t h e
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
“Instrument Cluster Warning Lights” in “What To Do In Emergencies” in this guide or
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/Driver Information Display (DID)” in “Un-
derstanding Your Instrument Panel” in your Owners Manual on the DVD for further
information.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change intervals 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.
• Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
•Checkengineoillevel.
•Checkwindshieldwasherfluidlevel.
•Checkthetireinflationpressuresandlookforunusualwearordamage.
•Checkthefluidlevelsofthecoolantreservoir,andbrakemastercylinderasneeded.
•Checkfunctionofallinteriorandexteriorlights.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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•HowdoIusetheUconnect®Voice Command?
•Uconnect®200 pg. 59
•Uconnect®8.4 & 8.4N pg. 86
•HowdoIoperatetheSteeringWheelAudioControls?pg.88
•HowdoIconfiguremyUniversalGarageDoorOpener(HomeLink)?pg.94
UTILITY
•HowdoIknowhowmuchIcantowwithmyDodgeDart?pg.98
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
•WhatdoIdoifmyTPMSwarninglightcomeson?pg.100
•HowdoIchangeaflattire?pg.108
•HowdoIJump-Startmyvehicle?pg.120
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
•WhereismyFuseBlocklocated?pg.139
•WhattypeofoildoIuse?pg.132
•HowoftenshouldIchangemyengine’soil?pg.134
•Whatshouldmytirepressurebesetat?pg.142
FAQ
151
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Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) . .133
Adding Washer Fluid..........133
Air Bag
Advanced Front Air Bag.......16
Advance Front Air Bag.......16
Air Bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Air Bag Warning Light . . . . . . . .16
Front Air Bag . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Rollover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Side Impacts.............16
Air bag Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air CleanerFilter)................133Air Conditioner Maintenance.....133Air Conditioning Refrigerant......133Air Conditioning System........133AlarmVehicle Security Alarm.......13Alarm (Security Alarm)......13,106Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) . . .132, 133Capacities.............132Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133Anti-Lock Warning Light........103Appearance Care............133Assistance Towing...........100Audio Settings............53,56Audio Systems (Radio)..........5Automatic Headlights..........35Automatic TemperatureControl (ATC) . . . . . . . . . . .39, 41Automatic TransmissionFluid Type . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Back-Up Camera............44Battery.................133Blind Spot Monitoring..........44Body Mechanism Lubrication.....133Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133Brake System.............133Master Cylinder..........133Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . .102Break-In Recommendations, NewVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32Bulb Replacement...........145Bulbs, Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Calibration, Compass..........90
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine
Coolant)...............132
Capacities, Fluid............132
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine)............133
Car Washes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Change Oil Indicator..........104
Changing A Flat Tire..........108
Charging System Light.........103
Child Restraint..............22
Child RestraintsChild Tether AnchorageLocations...............25CleaningWheels...............133Windshield Wiper Blades.....133Climate Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Clock Setting...............53Cluster Warning/Indicator LightsAnti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light . . .103Brake Warning Light . . . . . . . .102Charging System Light......103Electronic Speed Control ONIndicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106Electronic Speed Control SETIndicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Indi-cator Light . . . . . . . . . . . . .104Engine Temperature WarningLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102Front Fog Light Indicator . . . . .106High Beam Indicator.......106
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)..103Oil Pressure Warning Light . . . .103Ti r e P r e s s u r e M o n i t o r i n g S y s t e m(TPMS) Light...........100Tu r n S i g n a l I n d i c a t o r.......106Vehicle Security Light.......106Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133Clutch Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133Compact Spare Tire..........143Compass Calibration...........90Coolant (Antifreeze)..........132Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . .133Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)....133Coolant Level...........133Disposal of Used Coolant.....133Drain, Flush, and Refill......133
INDEX
152