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Temperature Control
Rotate this control to regulate the tem-
perature of the air inside the passenger
compartment. Rotating the dial left
into the blue area of the scale indicates
cooler temperatures, while rotating
right into the red area indicates
warmer temperatures.
NOTE: If your air conditioning performance seems lower
than expected, check the front of the A/C condenser
located in front of the radiator for an accumulation of dirt
or insects. Clean with a gentle water spray from behind
the radiator and through the condenser. Fabric front
fascia protectors may reduce airflow to the condenser,
reducing air conditioning performance.
Air Conditioning Control
Push this button to engage the Air
Conditioning. A light will illuminate
when the Air Conditioning system is
engaged. Rotating the dial left into the
blue area of the scale indicates cooler
temperatures, while rotating right into
the red area indicates warmer
temperatures.
NOTE: The air conditioning compressor will not engage
until the engine has been running for about 10 seconds.
• MAX A/C
For maximum cooling use the A/C and recirculation
buttons at the same time.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 317
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•Extended use of recirculation may cause the windows
to fog. If the interior of the windows begins to fog,
push the Recirculation button to return to outside air.
Some temp/humidity conditions will cause captured
interior air to condense on windows and hamper
visibility. For this reason, the system will not allow
Recirculation to be selected while in defrost mode.
Attempting to use the recirculation while in these
modes will cause the LED in the control button to blink
and then turn off.
• Most of the time, when in Automatic Operation, you
can temporarily put the system into Recirculation
Mode by pushing the Recirculation button. However,
under certain conditions, while in Automatic Mode,
the system is blowing air out the defrost vents. When
these conditions are present, and the Recirculation
button is pushed, the indicator will flash and then turn
off. This tells you that you are unable to go into
Recirculation Mode at this time. If you would like the system to go into Recirculation Mode, you must first
move the Mode knob to Panel, Bi-Level, Mix, or Floor
and then push the Recirculation button. This feature
reduces the possibility of window fogging.
Operating Tips
NOTE:
Refer to the chart at the end of this section for
suggested control settings for various weather condi-
tions.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system must be protected with a
high-quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corro-
sion protection and to protect against engine overheating.
A solution of 50% OAT (Organic Additive Technology)
coolant that meets the requirements of FCA Material
326 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 333 of 587
STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................335
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped .......335
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped .....336
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .336
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –22°F Or 30°C) ................337
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................337
▫ After Starting ....................... .337
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .338
MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED . .338 ▫
Five-Speed Manual Transmission ...........338
▫ Recommended Shift Speeds ..............340
▫ Downshifting ....................... .341
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .341
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............343
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .343
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped .......................... .343
▫ Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission
(CVT) — If Equipped ...................350
5
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FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................424
▫ 2.0L And 2.4L Engine ...................424
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................424
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............425
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......425
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................426
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................426
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................427
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............428
ADDING FUEL ....................... .428
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............428
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............430
VEHICLE LOADING ....................431 ▫
Vehicle Certification Label ...............431
TRAILER TOWING .....................433
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............433
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............436
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings) ........................... .437
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............438
▫ Towing Requirements ..................439
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .445
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................447
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .447
334 STARTING AND OPERATING
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STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
•Before exiting a vehicle, always shift the transmis-
sion into PARK, apply the parking brake and
remove the Key Fob from the ignition. When
leaving the vehicle, always lock your vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
• Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the gear selector.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle, or
in a location accessible to children. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Before starting the engine fully apply the parking brake,
press the clutch pedal to the floor, and place the shift
lever in NEUTRAL.
NOTE:
• The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal is
pressed to the floor.
•
If the key will not turn and the steering wheel is locked,
rotate the wheel in either direction to relieve pressure on
the locking mechanism and then turn the key.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 335
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Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Press the brake
pedal before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
Tip Start
Do not press the accelerator. Turn the ignition switch to
the START position and release it as soon as the starter
engages. The starter motor will continue to run, and it
will disengage automatically when the engine is running.
If the engine fails to start, the starter will disengage
automatically in 10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the
ignition switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15
seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or pressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the ignition switch to the START position
and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to
start within 15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the
OFF position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
“Normal Starting” procedure.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from
(Continued)
336 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 339 of 587

WARNING!(Continued)
another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous if
done improperly, so follow the procedure carefully.
Refer to “Jump-Starting” in “What To Do In Emer-
gencies” for further information.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –22°F Or 30°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” and “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Press the accelerator pedal all
the way to the floor and hold it there. Crank the engine
for no more than 15 seconds. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded. Leave the ignition key in the ON position, release the accelerator pedal and
repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 337
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ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater must be plugged in at least one
hour to have an adequate warming effect on the engine.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block heater
cord before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt
electrical cord could cause electrocution.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
Five-Speed Manual Transmission
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.
Fully press the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As you
release the clutch pedal, lightly press the accelerator
pedal.
338 STARTING AND OPERATING