Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease, and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of
many characteristics. They should be inspected regu-
larly for wear and correct cold tire inflation pressures.
The manufacturer strongly recommends that you use
tires equivalent to the originals in size, quality and
performance when replacement is needed. Refer to the
paragraph on “Tread Wear Indicator”. Refer to the Tire
and Loading Information placard or the Vehicle Certi-
fication Label for the size designation of your tire. The
Load Index and Speed Symbol for your tire will be
found on the original equipment tire sidewall. See the
Tire Sizing Chart example found in the “Tire Safety
Information” section of this manual for more informa-
tion relating to the Load Index and Speed Symbol of a
tire.
It is recommended to replace the two front tires or two
rear tires as a pair. Replacing just one tire can seriously
affect your vehicle’s handling. If you ever replace a
wheel, make sure that the wheel’s specifications match
those of the original wheels.It is recommended you contact your authorized tire
dealer or original equipment dealer with any questions
you may have on tire specifications or capability. Fail-
ure to use equivalent replacement tires may adversely
affect the safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle.
WARNING!
•
Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than
that specified for your vehicle. Some combina-
tions of unapproved tires and wheels may change
suspension dimensions and performance charac-
teristics, resulting in changes to steering, han-
dling, and braking of your vehicle. This can cause
unpredictable handling and stress to steering and
suspension components. You could lose control
and have a collision resulting in serious injury or
death. Use only the tire and wheel sizes with load
ratings approved for your vehicle.
• Never use a tire with a smaller load index or
capacity, other than what was originally equipped
on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load
index could result in tire overloading and failure.
You could lose control and have a collision.
(Continued)
228 STARTING AND OPERATING
to check the engine oil level is approximately five
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not
check oil level before starting the engine after it has sat
overnight. Checking engine oil level when the engine is
cold will give you an incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground,
and approximately five minutes after a fully warmed
engine is shut off, will improve the accuracy of the oil
level readings. Maintain the oil level between the range
markings on the dipstick. The safe range is indicated by
a crosshatch zone. Adding 1 quart (0.9 Liters) of oil
when the reading is at the low end of the indicated
range will result in the oil level at the full end of the
indicator range.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine with oil. Overfilling the
engine with oil will cause oil aeration, which can
lead to loss of oil pressure and an increase in oil
temperature. This loss of oil pressure and increased
oil temperature could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it
is time to take your vehicle in for scheduled mainte-
nance. Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for further
information.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals 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.
Engine Oil Selection — 1.4L Engine
For best performance and maximum protection under
all types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends engine oils that are API Certified and meet
the requirements of FCA Material Standard MS-6395.
284 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American Petro-
leum Institute (API). The manufac-
turer only recommends API Certified
engine oils.
This symbol certifies 0W-20, 5W-20,
0W-30, 5W-30 and 10W-30 engine oils.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your engine oil as
the chemicals can damage your engine. Such dam-
age is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade) — 1.4L Engine
SAE 5W-30 engine oil approved to FCA Material Stan-
dard MS-6395 such as Pennzoil, Shell Helix or equiva-
lent is recommended for all operating temperatures.
This engine oil improves low temperature starting and
vehicle fuel economy. The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended
engine oil viscosity for your engine. For information on
engine oil filler cap location, refer to “Engine Compart-
ment” in this section.
Lubricants which do not have both the engine oil
certification mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade
number should not be used.
Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils provided the recom-
mended oil quality requirements are met, and the
recommended maintenance intervals for oil and filter
changes are followed.
Synthetic engine oils which do not have both the engine
oil certification mark and the correct SAE viscosity
grade number should not be used.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the
addition 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 additives.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 285
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, ser-
vice station or governmental agency for advice on how
and where used oil and oil filters can be safely dis-
carded 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 dis-
posable oil filter. Use a filter of this type for replace-
ment. The quality of replacement filters varies consid-
erably. 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” 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.
286 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Open seams or loose connections could permit exhaust
fumes to seep into the passenger compartment. In
addition, have the exhaust system inspected each time
the vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil change.
Replace as required.
WARNING!
•Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain
carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Breathing it can make you unconscious
and can eventually poison you. To avoid breath-
ing CO, refer to “Safety Tips/Exhaust Gas” in
“Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle”
for further information.
• A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park
over materials that can burn. Such materials
might be grass or leaves coming into contact with
your exhaust system. Do not park or operate your
vehicle in areas where your exhaust system can
contact anything that can burn.
CAUTION!
• The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions con-
trol device and may seriously reduce engine per-
formance and cause serious damage to the engine.
• Damage to the catalytic converter can result if
your vehicle is not kept in proper operating
condition. In the event of engine malfunction,
particularly involving engine misfire or other
apparent loss of performance, have your vehicle
serviced promptly. Continued operation of your
vehicle with a severe malfunction could cause the
converter to overheat, resulting in possible dam-
age to the converter and vehicle.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is
important to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE: Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
294 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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
indicator message will illuminate. This means that
service is required for your vehicle. Operating condi-
tions such as frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely
hot or cold ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage
will influence when the “Change Oil” or “Oil Change
Required” message is displayed. Severe Operating Con-
ditions 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 indica-
tor 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 “Instru-
ment Cluster Display” in “Understanding Your Instru-
ment Panel” for further information.NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals 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 predominantly 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 and brake
master cylinder, and fill as needed.
Check function of all interior and exterior lights.
324 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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 OilChange Indicator System:
Change oil and filter.
Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregular
wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator sys- tem turns on.
Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as required.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and hoses.
Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses. Check and adjust hand brake.Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or off- road conditions.
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 325
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).............297
Adding Fuel ............................. .242
Adding Washer Fluid ....................... .293
Additives, Fuel ........................... .241
AirBag ..................................32 Advance Front Air Bag .....................32
Air Bag Operation .........................33
Driver Knee Air Bag .......................34
Enhanced Accident Response ................276
Event Data Recorder (EDR) .................276
FrontAirBag ............................32
If A Deployment Occurs ....................38
Knee Impact Bolsters .......................34
Maintaining Your Air Bag System ..............42
Transporting Pets .........................59
Air Bag Light .......................... .61, 118
Air Bag Maintenance .........................42
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) ......286
Air Conditioner Maintenance ..................288
Air Conditioning Filter ...................178, 289
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ...............177
Air Conditioning Refrigerant ..................288
Air Conditioning System ..................177, 288
Air Pressure, Tires ......................... .220Alarm
Disarm The System ........................12
Vehicle Security Alarm .....................12
Alarm (Security Alarm) .......................12
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ................6
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................296, 320
Capacities ............................. .320
Disposal .............................. .298
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .................203
Anti-Lock Warning Light .....................133
Appearance Care .......................... .304
Audio Systems (Radio) ...................... .150
Automatic Dimming Mirror ....................71
Automatic Oil Change Indicator ................324
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ...........177
Automatic Transaxle ..........................9
Automatic Transmission ...............189, 302, 303
Adding
Fluid .......................... .303
Fluid And Filter Changes ...................303
Fluid Change .......................... .303
Fluid Level Check ....................... .303
Fluid Type ............................ .322
Gear Ranges ........................... .192
Special Additives ........................ .303
336 INDEX