Page 106 of 705
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
104 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 432 of 705

AUTOSTICK ......................... .451
▫ Operation .......................... .452
FOUR–WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
(COMMAND-TRAC I OR ROCK-TRAC) ......453
▫ Operating Instructions/Precautions ........454
▫ Shift Positions ....................... .456
▫ Shifting Procedure .....................457
TRAC-LOK REAR AXLE — IF EQUIPPED .....458
AXLE LOCK (TRU–LOK) — RUBICON
MODELS ........................... .459
ELECTRONIC SWAY BAR DISCONNECT — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .460
ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPS ................462
OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS ................463 ▫
Side Step Removal — If Equipped ..........463
▫ The Basics Of Off-Road Driving ...........464
▫ When To Use 4L (Low) Range .............465
▫ Simultaneous Brake And Throttle Operation. . .465
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ..........466
▫ Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points) ............................ .467
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... .470
▫ Driving Through Water .................472
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................475
POWER STEERING .....................476
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ..............477
PARKING BRAKE ..................... .478
430 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 478 of 705

•After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or
similar dirty conditions, have the radiator, fan, brake
rotors, wheels, brake linings, and axle yokes inspected
and cleaned as soon as possible.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may cause
excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You might
not have full braking power when you need it to
prevent a collision. If you have been operating your
vehicle in dirty conditions, get your brakes checked
and cleaned as necessary.
• If you experience unusual vibration after driving in
mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for
impacted material. Impacted material can cause a
wheel imbalance and freeing the wheels of it will
correct the situation.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
• Increased noise levels at the end of the steering wheel
travel are considered normal and do not indicate that
there is a problem with the power steering system.
• Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steer-
ing pump may make noise for a short amount of time.
This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering
476 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 479 of 705

system. This noise should be considered normal, and it
does not in any way damage the steering system.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and it should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
Power Steering Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an autho-
rized dealer.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your power steering
system as the chemicals can damage your power
steering components. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to ensure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturer’s recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 477
Page 597 of 705
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses)7 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
2 — Battery 8 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
3 — Engine Oil Dipstick 9 — Air Cleaner Filter
4 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Under Engine Cover) 10 — Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Engine Oil Fill 11 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
6 — Brake Fluid Reservoir
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 595
Page 664 of 705

Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission –
If Equipped Use only ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid. Failure to use ATF+4 fluid may affect
the function or performance of your transmission. We recommend MOPAR ATF+4
fluid.
Manual Transmission – If
Equipped We recommend you use MOPAR Manual Transmission Lubricant meeting the
requirements of FCA Material Standard MS-9224.
Transfer Case We recommend you use MOPAR ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Axle Differential (Front) We recommend you use MOPAR Gear & Axle Lubricant (SAE 80W-90) (API GL-5).
Axle Differential (Rear) 226 RBI (Model 44)– We recommend you use MOPAR Gear & Axle Lubricant (SAE
80W-90) (API GL-5) or equivalent. For trailer towing, use MOPAR Synthetic Gear &
Axle Lubricant (SAE 75W-140). Models equipped with Trac-Lok require an additive.
Brake Master Cylinder We recommend you use MOPAR DOT 3 Brake Fluid, SAE J1703. If DOT 3, SAE J1703 brake fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable.
Power Steering Reservoir We recommend you use MOPAR Power Steering Fluid +4, MOPAR ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.
662 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 667 of 705
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), twelve months 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.
Severe Duty All Models
Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) if the vehicle
is operated in a dusty and off road environment or is
operated predominately at idle or only very low engine
RPM’s. This type of vehicle use is considered Severe
Duty. 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, brake
master cylinder, power steering and automatic trans-
mission, and fill as needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 665
Page 690 of 705

Fluid Capacities......................... .659
Fluid Leaks ............................ .104
Fluid Level Checks ....................... .638
Engine Oil ........................... .600
Manual Transmission ....................636
Power Steering ........................ .477
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ...........660
Fog Lights .......................... .171, 657
Fog Light Service ........................ .657
Fold And Tumble Rear Seat ..................163
Folding Rear Seat ........................ .165
Folding Windshield ....................... .295
Four-Way Hazard Flasher ...................570
Four Wheel Drive ........................ .453
Operation ............................ .453
Shifting ............................. .453
Systems ............................. .453
Four Wheel Drive Operation .................454
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle .....................585 Front Axle (Differential)
.....................638
Fuel .................................. .534
Adding ............................. .539
Additives ............................ .537
Clean Air ............................ .535
Ethanol ............................. .535
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .....................539
Gasoline ............................. .534
Gauge .............................. .324
Materials Added ....................... .537
Methanol ............................ .535
Octane Rating ..................... .534, 660
Requirements ...................... .534, 659
Specifications ......................... .660
Tank Capacity ......................... .659
Fueling ............................... .539
Fuses ................................. .647
Gas
Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) .............539, 541, 596
688 INDEX