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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L ..........575
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II . . .576
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............576
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS ......................... .577
REPLACEMENT PARTS ..................579
DEALER SERVICE ..................... .579
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ...........580
▫ Engine Oil ......................... .580
▫ Engine Oil Filter ..................... .583▫
Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................583
▫ Exhaust System ..................... .584
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ...............586
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance .............587
▫ Body Lubrication .....................590
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ...............590
▫ Cooling System ..................... .592
▫ Brake System ....................... .598
▫ Automatic Transmission ................600
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ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated Onboard
Diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).” It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability.
The vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
• If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
“gASCAP” message will display in the odometer or a
“CHECK GASCAP” message will be displayed in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to
576 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to
check the engine oil level is about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut OFF.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level between the MIN and MAX markings on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the MIN mark will result in a MAX reading on these
engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause oil aeration, or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for further informa-
tion.
NOTE: Under no circumstances should oil change in-
tervals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve
months, whichever occurs first.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends engine oils that are API Certified and meet
the requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395.7
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American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
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.
Engine Oil Viscosity — 3.6L Engine
MOPAR® SAE 5W-20 engine oil approved to Chrysler
Material Standard MS-6395 such as Pennzoil®, Shell
Helix® or equivalent is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy.
The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended
engine oil viscosity for your engine. For information on
engine oil filler cap location, refer to the “Engine Com-
partment” illustration in this section.
NOTE:MOPAR® SAE 5W-30 engine oil approved to
Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395 such as Pennzoil®,
Shell Helix® or equivalent may be used when SAE 5W-20
engine oil meeting MS-6395 is not available.
582 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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WARNING!
•Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain
carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Breathing it can make you unconscious
and can eventually poison you. To avoid breathing
CO, refer to “Safety Tips/Exhaust Gas” in “Things
To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further
information.
• A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park
over materials that can burn. Such materials might
be grass or leaves coming into contact with your
exhaust system. Do not park or operate your ve-
hicle in areas where your exhaust system can con-
tact anything that can burn.
CAUTION!
• The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions control
device and may seriously reduce engine perfor-
mance and cause serious damage to the engine.
• Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition.
In the event of engine malfunction, particularly
involving engine misfire or other apparent loss of
performance, have your vehicle serviced promptly.
Continued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 585
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Cavity Cartridge FuseMini-FuseDescription
J3 30 Amp Pink –Rear Door Module
J4 25 Amp Clear –Driver Door Node
J5 25 Amp Clear –Passenger Door Node
J6 40 Amp Green –Antilock Brakes Pump/Stability Control
System
J7 30 Amp Pink –Antilock Brakes Valve/Stability
Control System
J8 40 Amp Green –Power Memory Seat – If Equipped
J9 40 Amp Green –Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle Motor/Flex
Fuel – If Equipped
J10 30 Amp Pink –Headlamp Wash/Manifold Tuning Valve –
If Equipped
J11 30 Amp Pink –Power Sliding Door Module/Anti–Theft
Module – If Equipped
J12 30 Amp Pink –HVAC Rear Blower, Radiator Fan Motor
612 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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Cavity Cartridge FuseMini-FuseDescription
M25 –20 Amp Yellow Fuel Pump, Diesel Lift Pump – If Equipped
M26 –10 Amp Red Power Mirror Switch, Driver Window Switch
M27 –10 Amp Red Wireless Control Module,
Keyless Entry Module
M28 –10 Amp Red Powertrain, Transmission Control Module
M29 –10 Amp Red Occupant Classification Module
M30 –15 Amp Blue Rear Wiper Module, Power Folding Mirror
M31 –20 Amp Yellow Back-Up Lamps
M32 –10 Amp Red Airbag Module, THATCHUM – If Equipped
M33 –10 Amp Red Powertrain
M34 –10 Amp Red Park Assist, Heater Climate Control Module,
Headlamp Wash, Compass, Rear Camera,
Door Lamps, Flashlight, Relay Diesel Cabin Heater, Rad Fan Diesel – If Equipped
616 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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Cavity Cartridge FuseMini-FuseDescription
M35 –10 Amp Red Heated Mirrors
M36 –20 Amp Yellow Power Outlet #3 (Instrument Panel or with
Console Center)
M37 –10 Amp Red Antilock Brakes, Stability Control, Stop Lamp,
Fuel Pump
M38 –25 Amp Clear Door Lock/Unlock Motors, Liftgate Lock/
Unlock Motors
The power windows are fused by a 25 Amp circuit
breaker located in the Totally Integrated Power Module.
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you are leaving your vehicle dormant for more than 21
days, you may want to take steps to protect your battery.
You may do the following:
•
Remove the 60 Amp cartridge in the Totally Integrated
Power Module (TIPM) labeled Ignition-Off Draw (IOD).
• Or, disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
• Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of
service for two weeks or more, run the air conditioning
system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh air
and high blower setting. This will ensure adequate
system lubrication to minimize the possibility of com-
pressor damage when the system is started again.
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