MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS.............522
REPLACEMENT PARTS..................523
DEALER SERVICE......................523
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE.............524
▫Maintenance Chart.....................526
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 1.4L TURBO
ENGINE.............................533
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L ENGINE. . . .534MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES...........535
▫Engine Oil..........................535
▫Engine Oil Filter......................538
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................539
▫Maintenance-Free Battery...............539
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............540
▫Body Lubrication.....................542
▫Wiper Blades........................542
9
•The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you place the ignition in the off
position or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD II system isreadyand you can proceed
to the I/M station.
If your OBD II system isnot ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD II
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system isnow ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD II system is
ready or not, if the MIL is illuminated during normal
vehicle operation you should have your vehicle serviced
before going to the I/M station. The I/M station can fail
your vehicle because the MIL is on with the engine
running.REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine parts for normal/scheduled maintenance
and repairs is highly recommended to ensure the de-
signed performance. Damage or failures caused by the
use of parts which are not quality-equivalent to genuine
parts for maintenance and repairs will not be covered by
the manufacturer ’s warranty.
DEALER SERVICE
Your authorized dealer has the qualified service person-
nel, special tools, and equipment to perform all service
operations in an expert manner. Service Manuals are
available which include detailed service information for
your vehicle. Refer to these Service Manuals before
attempting any procedure yourself.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems may void your warranty and could result in civil
penalties being assessed against you.
9
MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 523
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Only do service work for which you
have the knowledge and the proper equipment. If you
have any doubt about your ability to perform a service
job, take your vehicle to a competent mechanic.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change indi-
cator message will illuminate in the instrument cluster. This
means that service is required for your vehicle. Operating
conditions such as frequent short-trips, trailer tow and
extremely hot or cold ambient temperatures will influencewhen the “Change Oil” or “Oil Change Required” message
is displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can cause the
change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles
(5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Driver Information Display
(DID)” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), one year or 350
hours of engine run time, whichever comes first. The 350
hours of engine run or idle time is generally only a
concern for fleet customers.
524 MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
•Strictly comply with the spark plug replacement inter-
val given in the “Maintenance Schedule” for spark
plug replacement.
•Contact your authorized dealer if you have any ques-
tions.WARNING!
•You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only service work for which you
have the knowledge and the right equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent me-
chanic.
•Failure to properly inspect and maintain your ve-
hicle could result in a component malfunction and
effect vehicle handling and performance. This
could cause an accident.
532 MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items specified in the fixed
maintenance schedule, there are other components which
may require servicing or replacement in the future.
CAUTION!
•Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or per-
form repairs and service when necessary could
result in more costly repairs, damage to other
components or negatively impact vehicle perfor-
mance. Immediately have potential malfunctions
examined by an authorized dealer or qualified
repair center.
(Continued)
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, or air conditioning. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
If a flush is needed because of component malfunc-
tion, use only the specified fluid for the flushing
procedure.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to
check the engine oil level is approximately five minutes
9
MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 535
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in the “Mainte-
nance Schedules” section for the proper maintenance
intervals.
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
used to assure most efficient service. MOPAR engine air
cleaner filters are a high quality filter and are recom-
mended.
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic main-
tenance required.
WARNING!
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Do not allow battery fluid
to contact your eyes, skin, or clothing. Do not lean
over a battery when attaching clamps. If acid
(Continued)
9
MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 539
•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.
•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. Riding the brakes may also
reduce 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 Warning Light” is on.
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MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 553
High Beam/Low Beam Select...............101
Hill Descent Control Indicator..............247
Instrument Cluster.......................97
Intensity Control........................107
Interior..............................102
Lights On Reminder......................99
Low Fuel.............................206
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine).........204
Park.................................211
Passing..............................100
Seat Belt Reminder......................186
Security Alarm.........................190
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS).........199, 389
Traction Control........................255
Turn Signal.....................101, 211, 316
Vanity Mirror..........................106
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . .194, 211
Loading Vehicle..........................409
Tires ................................573Locks..................................54
Child Protection.........................65
Door.................................54
Low Tire Pressure System...................389
Lubrication, Body.........................542
Luggage Carrier..........................174
Lug Nuts...............................597
Maintenance Free Battery....................539
Maintenance, General......................535
Maintenance Procedures....................535
Maintenance Schedule......................524
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . .204, 522
Manual, Service...........................16
Manual Transmission...................334, 555
Fluid Level Check.......................556
Frequency Of Fluid Change................556
Lubricant Selection......................555
Shift Speeds...........................336
12
INDEX 675