WARNING!(Continued)
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO),
follow these safety tips:
•Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in
confined areas any longer than needed to move
your vehicle in or out of the area.
•If you are required to drive with the trunk/liftgate/
rear doors open, make sure that all windows are
closed and the climate control BLOWER switch is
set at high speed. DO NOT use the recirculation
mode.
•If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running, adjust your heating or cooling
controls to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the
blower at high speed.
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete 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,
inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 83
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items specified in the fixed
“Maintenance Schedule”, there are other components
which may require servicing or replacement in the future.
CAUTION!
•Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or per-
form repairs and service when necessary could
result in more costly repairs, damage to other
components or negatively impact vehicle perfor-
mance. Immediately have potential malfunctions
examined by an authorized dealer or qualified
repair center.
(Continued)
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 oil level is approximately five minutes after a
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 315
fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not check oil level
before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
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 also
will improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Add
oil only when the level is below the SAFE mark.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause oil aeration or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or six months,
whichever occurs first.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends full synthetic engine oils that meet the
requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-12633.
The manufacturer recommends the use of a full synthetic
0W-40 or equivalent engine oil.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your engine oil as the
chemicals can damage your engine. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
316 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
The Scheduled Maintenance services listed in this
manual must be done at the times or mileages specified
to protect your vehicle warranty and ensure the best
vehicle performance and reliability. More frequent main-
tenance may be needed for vehicles in severe operating
conditions, such as dusty areas and very short trip
driving. Inspection and service should also be done
anytime a malfunction is suspected.
NOTE: Under no circumstances should oil change in-
tervals exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or six months,
whichever comes first.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
At Each Stop For Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
362 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
Overheating...........................290
Towing..............................308
Emission Control System Maintenance..........312
Engine.................................311
Air Cleaner...........................318
Break-In Recommendations.................81
Checking Oil Level......................315
Compartment..........................311
Coolant (Antifreeze).....................327
Cooling..............................326
Exhaust Gas Caution.....................82
Fails To Start..........................224
Flooded, Starting.......................224
Fuel Requirements......................277
Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..315
Oil Change Interval......................316
Oil Filler Cap..........................317
Oil Selection...........................316
Overheating...........................290
Engine Oil Viscosity.......................317
Enhanced Accident Response Feature............66
Ethanol................................278
Event Data Recorder........................69
Exhaust Gas Caution........................82
Exhaust System...........................82
Exterior Lighting..........................102
Exterior Lights............................85
Filler Location Fuel........................149
Filters
Air Cleaner...........................318
Engine Oil............................317
Engine Oil Disposal.....................317
Flashers
Hazard Warning........................290
Turn Signal............................85
Flash-To-Pass............................106
Flooded Engine Starting....................224
384 INDEX
Outside...............................91
Rearview..............................90
Vanity................................93
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle...............7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System................271
MOPAR® Parts...........................314
MTBE/ETBE............................278
Multi-Function Control Lever.................105
New Vehicle Break-In Period..................81
Occupant Restraints........................32
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel)................277
Oil, Engine..............................315
Capacity.............................357
Change Interval........................316
Checking.............................315
Dipstick..............................315
Disposal..............................317
Filter................................317
Filter Disposal.........................317
Materials Added To......................317
Recommendation.......................316
Viscosity.............................317
Oil Filter, Selection........................317
Onboard Diagnostic System..................312
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®)............120
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual).............4
Outside Rearview Mirrors....................91
Overheating, Engine.......................290
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual).............4
Paint Care..............................336
Panic Alarm..............................21
Parking Brake............................237
Parking On Hill..........................237
Passing Light............................106
Pedals, Adjustable.........................112
10
INDEX 389