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Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 103
Page 418 of 695

!AUTOSTICK..........................439
▫Operation...........................439
!FOUR–WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION (COMMAND-
TRAC I® OR ROCK-TRAC®)..............441
▫Operating Instructions/Precautions........441
▫Shift Positions........................443
▫Shifting Procedure.....................445
!TRAC-LOK® REAR AXLE — IF EQUIPPED . . .446
!AXLE LOCK (TRU–LOK®) — RUBICON
MODELS............................446
!ELECTRONIC SWAY BAR DISCONNECT —
IF EQUIPPED.........................447
!ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPS................449
!OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS................450
▫Side Step Removal — If Equipped..........450
▫The Basics Of Off-Road Driving...........451
▫When To Use 4L (Low) Range.............452
▫Simultaneous Brake And Throttle Operation. . .452
▫Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand..........453
▫Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other
High Points).........................454
▫Hill Climbing........................457
▫Driving Through Water.................460
▫After Driving Off-Road.................462
!POWER STEERING.....................464
▫Power Steering Fluid Check..............465
!PARKING BRAKE......................466
416 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 466 of 695

POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
•Increased noise levels at the end of the steering wheel
travel are considered normal and do not indicate that
there is a problem with the power steering system.
•Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steer-
ing pump may make noise for a short amount of time.
This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering
system. This noise should be considered normal, and it
does not in any way damage the steering system.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and it should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
464 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 467 of 695

Power Steering Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an autho-
rized dealer.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your power steering
system as the chemicals can damage your power
steering components. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to ensure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturer’s recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 465
Page 585 of 695
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses)7 — Washer Fluid Reservoir2—Battery8—EngineCoolantReservoir3 — Engine Oil Dipstick9 — Air Cleaner Filter4 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Under Engine Cover) 10 — Coolant Pressure Cap5 — Engine Oil Fill11 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir6 — Brake Fluid Reservoir
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 583
Page 590 of 695

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
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
Page 655 of 695

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 unusual
wear or damage
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and automatic trans-
mission, and fill as needed
•Check function of all interior and exterior lights
Required Maintenance Intervals.
Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following
page for the required maintenance intervals.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Rotate the tires.Rotate at the first sign of irregu-
lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
•Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required
•Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped
with dipstick
•Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses
and park brake
•Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses
•Inspect exhaust system
•Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions
•Inspect all door latches for presence of grease,
reapply if necessary.
8
MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULES
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 653