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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L ..........327
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II . .328
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............328
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS ......................... .329
REPLACEMENT PARTS ..................331
DEALER SERVICE ..................... .331
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ...........331
▫ Engine Oil ......................... .332
▫ Engine Oil Filter ..................... .335▫
Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................335
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ...............336
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance .............337
▫ Body Lubrication .....................338
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ...............339
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ..................340
▫ Exhaust System ..................... .341
▫ Cooling System ..................... .343
▫ Brake System ....................... .349
▫ Power Steering Fluid ...................351
7
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter5 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
3 — Oil Fill Cap 7 — Engine Coolant Pressure Cap
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 8 — Engine Oil Dipstick
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 327
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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 (SAE Grade) — 2.4L Engine
MOPAR® SAE 0W-20 engine oil or equivalent Pennzoil®
or Shell Helix® is recommended for all operating tem-
peratures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy. Your engine oil filler
cap also states the recommended engine oil viscosity
grade for your engine.
Lubricants which do not have both the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils provided the recom-
mended oil quality requirements are met, and the recom-
mended maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes
are followed.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
the engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and its
performance may be impaired by supplemental addi-
tives.
Disposing Of Used Engine Oil And Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil and
oil filters from your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to the
environment. Contact your authorized dealer, service
334 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 337 of 414

station or governmental agency for advice on how and
where used oil and oil filters can be safely discarded in
your area.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be replaced with a new filter
at every engine oil change.
Engine Oil Filter Selection
This manufacturer’s engines have a full-flow type dispos-
able oil filter. Use a filter of this type for replacement. The
quality of replacement filters varies considerably. Only
high quality filters should be used to assure most efficient
service. MOPAR® engine oil filters are high quality oil
filters and are recommended.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.NOTE:
Be sure to follow the “dusty or off-road condi-
tions” maintenance interval if applicable.
WARNING!
The air induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.) can
provide a measure of protection in the case of engine
backfire. Do not remove the air induction system (air
cleaner, hoses, etc.) unless such removal is necessary
for repair or maintenance. Make sure that no one is
near the engine compartment before starting the
vehicle with the air induction system (air cleaner,
hoses, etc.) removed. Failure to do so can result in
serious personal injury.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Selection
The quality of replacement engine air cleaner filters
varies considerably. Only high quality filters should be
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 335
Page 376 of 414
License Plate Lights
Proceed as follows to replace the bulbs:
1. Disengage the holding tabs and remove the lens bylifting to the left. 2. Remove the bulbs by releasing them from the side
contacts; insert the new bulbs and make sure they are
correctly clamped between these contacts.
FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
2.4L Engine 16 Gallons60.5 Liters
Engine Oil With Filter
2.4 Liter Engine (SAE 0W-20, API
Certified) 5.5 Quarts
5.2 Liters
Cooling System*
2.4 Liter Engine (MOPAR®
Antifreeze/Engine Coolant 10
Year/150,000 Mile Formula) 7.2 Quarts
6.8 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant reservoir filled to MAX level.
374 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS, AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Coolant We recommend you use MOPAR® Antifreeze/Coolant
10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT (Organic Additive
Technology) or equivalent meeting the requirements of
FCA Material Standard MS.90032.
Engine Oil – 2.4L Engine We recommend you use SAE 0W-20 API Certified
Engine Oil, meeting the requirements of FCA US Mate-
rial Standard MS-6395 such as MOPAR®, Pennzoil®,
and Shell Helix®. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for
correct SAE grade.
Engine Oil Filter We recommend you use a MOPAR® Engine Oil Filter.
Spark Plugs – 2.4L Engine We recommend you use MOPAR® Spark Plugs.
Fuel Selection – 2.4L Engine 87 Octane
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 375
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•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before the oil indicator system turns
on.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir and
brake master cylinder, 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
• 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 brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses,
lines 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 8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 381
Page 399 of 414

Adding Fluid...................... .353, 377
Fluid and Filter Changes ..................353
Fluid Change ......................... .353
Fluid Level Check ...................352, 353
Fluid Type ........................ .352, 377
Special Additives ...................... .352
Auto Up Power Windows ....................27
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet) ........131
Axle Lubrication ......................... .377
Battery ................................ .336
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........19
Belts, Seat ...............................88
Body Builders Guide ........................6
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................338
B-Pillar Location ......................... .236
Brake Assist System ...................... .222
Brake Fluid ............................ .377
Brake, Parking .......................... .218Brake System
........................ .220, 349
Anti-Lock (ABS) ....................... .221
Fluid Check ....................... .350, 377
Master Cylinder ....................... .350
Parking ............................. .218
Warning Light ........................ .147
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................204
Bulb Replacement ..................... .370, 371
Bulbs, Light .......................... .90, 370
Camera, Rear ........................... .129
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .374
Caps, Filler Fuel ................................ .265
Oil (Engine) ....................... .327, 334
Power Steering ........................ .217
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................347
Carbon Monoxide Warning ................87, 264
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ .137
10
INDEX 397