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Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze).
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
•Do not open hot engine cooling system. Never add
engine coolant (antifreeze) when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to cool
an overheated engine. Heat causes pressure to
build up in the cooling system. To prevent scalding
or injury, do not remove the pressure cap while the
system is hot or under pressure.
• Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal Of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant in open containers or allow it to remain in
puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child or pet, seek
emergency assistance immediately. Clean up any ground
spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant expansion bottle provides a quick visual
method for determining that the coolant level is ad-
equate. With the engine off and cold, the level of the
engine coolant (antifreeze) in the bottle should be be-
tween the “MAX” and “MIN” lines marked on the bottle.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 595
Page 598 of 671

As long as the engine operating temperature is satisfac-
tory, the coolant bottle need only be checked once a
month.
When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, it should be added to the
coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate. •
Do not overfill the coolant expansion bottle.
•
Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant expansion bottle. If engine coolant (antifreeze)
needs to be added, the contents of the coolant expansion
bottle must also be protected against freezing.
• If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure tested
for leaks.
• Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at a
minimum of 50% OAT coolant (conforming to
MS.90032) and distilled water for proper corrosion
protection of your engine which contains aluminum
components.
• Make sure that the coolant expansion bottle overflow
hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
596 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
• Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze)
performance, poor gas mileage, and increased emis-
sions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting or
riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under hood services, or immediately if
the brake system warning light is on.
Be sure to clean the top of the master cylinder area before
removing the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the
fluid level up to the requirements described on the brake
fluid reservoir. Fluid level can be expected to fall as the
brake pads wear. The brake fluid level should be checked7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 597
Page 624 of 671
FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
Fuel (1.4L Engines) 13.2 Gallons50 Liters
Fuel (2.0L/2.4L Engines) 14.2 Gallons54 Liters
Fuel (2.4L GT models only) 15.8 Gallons60 Liters
Engine Oil With Filter
1.4L Turbo Engine (SAE 5W-40 Synthetic, API Certified) 4 Quarts3.8 Liters
2.0L Engine (SAE 0W-20, API Certified) 5 Quarts4.7 Liters
2.4L Engine (SAE 0W-20, API Certified) 5.5 Quarts5.2 Liters
Cooling System*
1.4L Turbo Engine (MOPAR OAT Antifreeze/Engine Coolant
10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 5.8 Quarts
5.5 Liters
2.0L and 2.4L Engine (MOPAR OAT Antifreeze/Engine Cool-
ant 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 7.2 Quarts
6.8 Liters
* Includes heater and pressurized coolant bottle filled to MAX level.
622 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 – 1.4L Turbo Engine We recommend you use SAE 5W-40 API Certified Synthetic Engine Oil, meeting the requirements of FCA US Material Standard MS-12991 such as
MOPAR, Pennzoil, and Shell Helix. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for
correct SAE grade. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for correct SAE grade.
Engine Oil – 2.0L and 2.4L Engine
We recommend you use SAE 0W-20 API Certified Engine Oil, meeting the
requirements of FCA US Material Standard MS-6395 such as MOPAR, Penn-
zoil, and Shell Helix. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for correct SAE grade.
Engine Oil Filter We recommend you use MOPAR Engine Oil Filter or equivalent.
Spark Plugs We recommend you use MOPAR Spark Plugs.
Fuel Selection – 1.4L Turbo Engine 91 Octane Recommended – 87 Octane Acceptable, 0-15% Ethanol.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 623
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ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Fuel Selection – 2.0L and
2.4L Engine 87 Octane, 0-15% Ethanol.
CAUTION!
•
Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified Organic Additive Technology (OAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze), may result in engine
damage and may decrease corrosion protection.
Organic Additive Technology (OAT) engine cool-
ant is different and should not be mixed with
Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze) or any “globally compat-
ible” coolant (antifreeze). If a non-OAT engine
coolant (antifreeze) is introduced into the cooling
system in an emergency, the cooling system will
need to be drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
OAT coolant (conforming to MS.90032), by an au-
thorized dealer as soon as possible.
• Do not use water alone or alcohol-based engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use additional
rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not
be compatible with the radiator engine coolant and
may plug the radiator.
• This vehicle has not been designed for use with
propylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze).
Use of propylene glycol-based engine coolant (an-
tifreeze) is not recommended.
624 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 631 of 671
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, and
brake master cylinder as needed.
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights.
Required Maintenance
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for required maintenance.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Change engine 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
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 629
Page 633 of 671
Mileage Or Time Passed (Whichever ComesFirst)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Replace the spark plugs (1.4L Turbo Engine).** XX X X X
Replace the spark plugs (2.0L and 2.4L Engine).** X
Flush and replace the engine coolant at 10 years or
150,000 miles (240,000 km) whichever comes first. XX
Change the transmission fluid (manual, or 1.4L
turbo automatic) if using your vehicle for any of the
following: trailer towing, heavy loading, taxi, police,
delivery service (commercial service), off-road, des-
ert operation or more than 50% of your driving is at
sustained speeds during hot weather, above 90°F
(32°C). XX X
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 631