•Battery at an acceptable charge level
•RKE PANIC button not pressed
•Fuel meets minimum requirement
•System not disabled from previous remote start event
•Vehicle security alarm not active
•Water In Fuel Indicator Light is not illuminated
•“Wait To Start” telltale is not illuminatedWARNING!
•Do not start or run an engine in a closed garage or
confined area. Exhaust gas contains Carbon Mon-
oxide (CO) which is odorless and colorless. Carbon
Monoxide is poisonous and can cause serious in-
jury or death when inhaled.
•Keep Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitters
away from children. Operation of the Remote Start
System, windows, door locks or other controls
could cause serious injury or death.2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 9
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Tachometer
Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute
(RPM x 1000).
2. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned to the
ON/RUN position, this light will turn on for four
to eight seconds as a bulb check. During the bulb
check, if the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled, a chime will
sound. After the bulb check or when driving, if the driver
or front passenger seat belt remains unbuckled, the Seat
Belt Indicator Light will flash or remain on continuously.
Refer to “Occupant Restraints” in “Things To Know
Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further information.3. Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS). The light will turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON/RUN position and
may stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while driving, it
indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required. However,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally if the BRAKE warning light is not on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of Anti-Lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not turn on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON/RUN position, have
the light inspected by an authorized dealer.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 13
WARNING!(Continued)
Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
13. Brake Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system reservoir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been
disengaged, and the fluid level is at the full mark on the
master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction or that a problem with the
Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) / Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.
In this case, the light will remain on until the conditionhas been corrected. If the problem is related to the brake
booster, the ABS pump will run when applying the brake
and a brake pedal pulsation may be felt during each stop.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. A leak in either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 17
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is
dangerous. Part of the brake system may have failed.
It will take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have
a collision. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), are also equipped with Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD). In the event of an EBD failure, the
Brake Warning Light will turn on along with the ABS
Light. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.
Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked by
turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to the
ON/RUN position. The light should illuminate for ap-
proximately two seconds. The light should then turn off
unless the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is
detected. If the light does not illuminate, have the light
inspected by an authorized dealer.The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON/RUN posi-
tion.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
14. Fuel Gauge/Fuel Door Reminder
The fuel pump symbol points to the side of the vehicle
where the fuel door is located. The pointer shows the
level of fuel in the fuel tank when the ignition switch is in
the ON/RUN position.
15. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
18 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
3. Without pushing the brake pedal, push and release the
ENGINE START/STOP button once to return the
ignition to the OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.
Fuel Filter Life Reset
The cluster will display the “Fuel System Service Re-
quired – See Dealer” or “Service Fuel Filter” message
when the fuel filter maintenance life is less than 5%. To
verify if this is a fuel filter change event, go to the “Fuel
Filter Life” screen in the “Vehicle Info” menu. When this
message appears, dealers should replace the fuel filters.
NOTE:Use the steering wheel DID controls for the
following procedure(s)
1. Without pushing the brake pedal, cycle the ignition to
the ON/RUN position (do not start the engine.)2. Push and release theDOWNarrow button to scroll
downward through the main menu to “Vehicle Info”.
3. Push and release theRIGHTarrow button to access
the ”Fuel Filter Life” screen.
4. Push and hold theOKbutton for one second to access
the ”Fuel Filter Life Reset” screen.
5. Push and release theDOWNarrow button to select
“Yes”, then press and release the OK button to select
reset of the Fuel Filter Life.
6. Push and release theUparrow button to exit the DID
screen.
NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the fuel filter indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.
3
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 27
STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES.................37
▫Automatic Transmission.................38
▫Extreme Cold Weather...................38
▫Normal Starting Procedure — Keyless
Enter-N-Go...........................39
▫Starting Fluids........................40
NORMAL OPERATION...................41
▫Cold Weather Precautions................41
▫Engine Idling.........................43
▫Stopping The Engine....................43▫Cooling System Tips — Automatic
Transmission..........................44
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED....45
FUEL REQUIREMENTS...................46
▫Fuel Specifications.....................47
▫Biodiesel Fuel Requirements...............48
TRAILER TOWING......................51
▫Common Towing Definitions..............51
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............554
STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, both inside
and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
The starter is allowed to crank for up to 30-second
intervals. Waiting a few minutes between such intervals
will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle. If
equipped with Keyless Enter-N-Go™, always
make sure the keyless ignition node is in “OFF”
mode, remove the Key Fob from the vehicle and
lock the vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving children in
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seriously or
fatally injured. Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the gear
selector.
•Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children), and do not
leave the ignition (of a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go™) in the ACC or ON/RUN
mode. A child could operate power windows, other
controls, or move the vehicle.
NOTE:Engine start up in very low ambient temperature
could result in evident white smoke. This condition will
disappear as the engine warms up.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 37
CAUTION!
•The engine is allowed to crank as long as 30
seconds. If the engine fails to start during this
period, please wait at least two minutes for the
starter to cool before repeating start procedure.
•If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” remains on,
DO NOT START engine before you drain the water
from the fuel filters to avoid engine damage. Refer
to “Maintenance Procedures/Draining Fuel/Water
Separator Filter” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for
further information.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the transmission gear selector in the
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
Extreme Cold Weather
The engine block heater is a resistance heater installed in
the water jacket of the engine. It requires a 110–115 Volt
AC electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire exten-
sion cord. Its use is recommended for environments that
routinely fall below -10°F (-23°C). It should be used when
the vehicle has not been running overnight or longer
periods and should be plugged in two hours prior to
start. Its use is required for cold starts with temperatures
under -20°F (-28°C).
NOTE: The engine block heater cord is a factory in-
stalled option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater
cords are available from your authorized MOPAR®
dealer.
•A 12 Volt heater built into the fuel filter housing aids in
preventing fuel gelling. It is controlled by a built-in
thermostat.
38 STARTING AND OPERATING