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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 lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. The
engine oil level should be checked five minutes after a
warmed up engine has been shut off.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the
dipstick. Adding 1 U.S. Quart (0.95L) of oil when the
reading is at the bottom of the SAFE zone will result in a
reading at the top of the safe zone on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
588 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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WARNING!(Continued)
•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 pro-
longed 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.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid. Brake seal components could be
damaged, causing partial or complete brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important to use the proper transmission fluid to
ensure optimum transmission performance and life. Use
only the manufacturer’s specified transmission fluid.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this
section for fluid specifications. It is important to maintain
the transmission fluid at the correct level using the
recommended fluid.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 619
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NOTE:No chemical flushes should be used in any
transmission; only the approved lubricant should be
used.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder, and will require more frequent fluid and
filter changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts” in this section for fluid specifica-
tions.
Special Additives
The manufacturer strongly recommends against using
any special additives in the transmission.
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transmission. The only exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes for diagnosing fluid
leaks. Avoid using transmission sealers as they may
adversely affect seals.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission as
the chemicals can damage your transmission compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Fluid Level Check
It is best to check the fluid level when the transmission
is at normal operating temperature (approximately
180° F/82° C). This occurs after at least 15 miles (25 km)
620 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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of driving. At normal operating temperature, the fluid
cannot be held comfortably between the fingertips.
Use the following procedure to check the transmission
fluid level properly:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Remove the engine cover by pulling it up off the
mounting studs (two in the front and two in the rear).
3. Run the engine at idle speed and normal operating
temperature.
4. Fully apply the parking brake, and press the brake
pedal.
5. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi-
tion (allowing time for the transmission to fully en-
gage in each position), ending with the transmission in
PARK.
6. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until
seated.
7. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level reading is only valid if there
is a solid coating of oil on both sides of the dipstick.
Note that the holes in the dipstick will be full of fluid
if the actual level is at or above the hole. The fluid level
should be between the HOT (upper) reference holes on
the dipstick at normal operating temperature. If the
fluid level is low, add fluid through the dipstick tube
to bring it to the proper level.Do not overfill.Use
ONLY the specified fluid (refer to#Fluids, Lubricants,
and Genuine Parts#for fluid specifications). After
adding any quantity of oil through the dipstick tube,
wait a minimum of two minutes for the oil to fully
drain into the transmission before rechecking the fluid
level.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 621
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NOTE:
•The holes in the dipstick will be full of fluid if the
actual level is at or above the hole.
•If it is necessary to check the transmission below the
operating temperature, the fluid level should be
between the two COLD (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at approximately 80° F (27° C). If the
fluid level is correctly established at 80° F (27° C), it
should be between the HOT (upper) reference holes
when the transmission reaches 180° F (82° C). Re-
member it is best to check the level at the normal
operating temperature.
CAUTION!
If the fluid temperature is below 50°F (10°C) it may
not register on the dipstick. Do not add fluid until
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
the temperature is elevated enough to produce an
accurate reading. Run the engine at idle, in PARK, to
warm the fluid.
8. Reinstall the engine cover and snap it down securely
onto the four mounting studs.
9. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake.
NOTE:To prevent dirt and water from entering the
transmission after checking or replenishing fluid, make
sure that the dipstick cap is properly reseated. It is
normal for the dipstick cap to spring back slightly from
its fully seated position, as long as its seal remains
engaged in the dipstick tube.
Fluid And Filter Changes
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
622 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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In addition, change the fluid and filter if the fluid
becomes contaminated (with water, etc.), or if the trans-
mission is disassembled for any reason.
Clutch Hydraulic System (Manual Transmission) —
If Equipped
The clutch hydraulic system is fed by a segregated
volume of fluid within the brake system master cylinder
reservoir. In the event of leakage or wear, use only the
manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid. Refer to “Flu-
ids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for further information.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Selection Of Lubricant
Use only manufacturer’s recommended manual trans-
mission fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
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 in (4.76 mm) below the bottom
of the hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
Frequency Of Fluid Change
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will give satisfactory lubrication for the life of
the vehicle. If the fluid becomes contaminated with
water, it should be changed immediately. Otherwise,
change the fluid as recommended in the Maintenance
Schedule. Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the
proper maintenance intervals.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 623
Page 651 of 695
Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission – If EquippedUse only ATF+4® Automatic Transmission Fluid. Fail-
ure to use ATF+4® fluid may affect the function or
performance of your transmission. We recommend
MOPAR® ATF+4® fluid.
Manual Transmission – If EquippedWe recommend you use MOPAR® Manual Transmis-
sion Lubricant meeting the requirements of Chrysler
Material Standard MS-9224.
Transfer CaseWe recommend you use MOPAR® ATF+4® Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Axle Differential (Front)We recommend you use MOPAR® Gear & Axle Lubri-
cant (SAE 80W-90) (API GL-5).
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 649
Page 652 of 695
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Axle Differential (Rear)226 RBI (Model 44)– We recommend you use MOPAR®
Gear & Axle Lubricant (SAE 80W-90) (API GL-5) or
equivalent. For trailer towing, use MOPAR® Synthetic
Gear & Axle Lubricant (SAE 75W-140). Models
equipped with Trac-Lok™ require an additive.
Brake Master CylinderWe recommend you use MOPAR® DOT 3 Brake Fluid,
SAE J1703. If DOT 3, SAE J1703 brake fluid is not
available, then DOT 4 is acceptable.
Power Steering ReservoirWe recommend you use MOPAR® Power Steering Fluid
+4, MOPAR® ATF+4® Automatic Transmission Fluid.
650 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE