Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the
exhaust system, when exhaust fumes can be detected
inside the vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the
vehicle is damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect
the complete exhaust system and adjacent body areas
for broken, damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned
parts. Open seams or loose connections could permit
exhaust fumes to seep into the passenger compartment.
In addition, inspect the exhaust system each time the
vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil change. Replace as
required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for
cuts, frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be
replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or modify
the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced
after a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent
retractor, torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question
regarding seat belt or retractor condition, replace the
seat belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The Air Bag warning lightwill turn on for four to
eight seconds as a bulb check when the ignition is
first placed in the ON/RUN position. If the light is
either not on during starting, stays on, or turns on
while driving, have the system inspected at an
authorized dealer as soon as possible. This light will
illuminate with a single chime when a fault with the
Air Bag Warning Light has been detected, it will stay
on until the fault is cleared. If the light comes on
intermittently or remains on while driving, have an
authorized dealer service the vehicle immediately.
Refer to “Occupant Restraints” for further
information.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and
place the blower control on high speed. You should be
able to feel the air directed against the windshield. See
your authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit the footwell of
your vehicle. Use only floor mats that leave the pedal
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems may void your warranty and could result in
civil penalties being assessed against you.
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 me-
chanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain the requiredmaintenance
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.
• Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended mainte-
nance intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in
these components 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 malfunction, 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
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 283
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
Autostick............................... .196
Battery .............................. .121, 287
Charging System Light ....................121
Jump Starting .......................... .268
Keyless Key Fob Replacement ................15
Belts, Seat .................................61
Body Mechanism Lubrication ..................291
B-Pillar Location .......................... .215
Brake Assist System ........................ .204
Brake Fluid .......................... .321, 322
Brake, Parking ............................ .200
Brakes ................................. .300
Brake System ......................... .203, 300
Anti-Lock (ABS) ........................ .203
Master Cylinder ........................ .300
Parking .............................. .200
Warning Light ...........................119
Brake/Transmission Interlock ..................190
Bulb Replacement ...................... .316, 317
Bulbs, Light ........................... .63, 316
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........320
Capacities, Fluid .......................... .320Caps, Filler
Fuel ................................. .242
Oil (Engine) ........................ .285, 324
Carbon Monoxide Warning .................60, 242
Cargo Area Features ....................... .104
Car Washes .............................. .304
Cellular Phone ........................... .167
Chains, Tire ............................. .229
Change Oil Indicator ....................... .324
Changing A Flat Tire ....................... .258
Chart, Tire Sizing ...........................211
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light). . . .281
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ................60
Checks, Safety .............................60
Child Restraint .............................43
Child Restraints Booster
Seats............................47
Child Restraints ..........................43
Child Seat Installation ......................56
How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat Belt .........54
Infants And Child Restraints .................46
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children ........50
Older Children And Child Restraints ...........46
Seating Positions ..........................49
Clean Air Gasoline ........................ .23910
INDEX 337
Electronic Brake Control System................203
Brake Assist System ...................... .204
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ..........90
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ...............206
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light .........122
Emergency, In Case Of Hazard Warning Flasher ...................247
Jacking ............................... .258
Jump Starting .......................... .268
Towing ............................... .274
Emission Control System Maintenance ............281
Engine Air Cleaner ............................ .286
Break-In Recommendations ..................59
Checking Oil Level ...................... .283
Compartment .......................... .279
Cooling .............................. .295
Exhaust Gas Caution ...................60, 242
Fails To Start ........................... .186
Flooded, Starting ........................ .186
Fuel Requirements ....................239, 321
Oil .............................. .283, 320
Oil Filler Cap .......................... .285
Oil Filter .............................. .286
Oil Selection ........................ .284, 321Oil Synthetic
........................... .285
Overheating ........................... .247
Starting .............................. .184
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............276
Ethanol ................................. .239
Exhaust Gas Caution .....................60, 242
Exhaust System ........................ .60, 293
Exterior Lights ......................... .63, 316
Filters Air Cleaner ............................ .286
Air Conditioning .....................178, 289
Engine Fuel ........................... .321
Engine
Oil ............................ .286
Engine Oil Disposal ...................... .286
Flashers Turn Signal ......................... .63, 135
Flooded Engine Starting ..................... .186
Fluid, Brake ............................. .322
Fluid Capacities ........................... .320
Fluid Leaks ...............................63
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ....................303
Fluids .................................. .321
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ............321
10
INDEX 339
LocksAutomatic Door ..........................19
Door ..................................17
Power Door .............................18
Lubrication, Body ......................... .291
Lug Nuts ............................... .256
Maintenance Free Battery .....................287
Maintenance, General ...................... .283
Maintenance Procedures ..................... .283
Maintenance Schedule ...................... .324
Maintenance Schedules ..................... .324
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . . .130, 281
Manual, Service ........................... .333
Manual Transmission ....................186, 302
Fluid Level Check ....................... .302
Frequency Of Fluid Change .................302
Lubricant Selection ....................302, 322
Master Cylinder (Brakes) .....................300
Methanol ............................... .239
Mirrors ..................................71
Automatic Dimming .......................71
Electric Powered ..........................72
Heated .................................73
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ................6Monitor, Tire Pressure System
..................232
MTBE/ETBE ............................. .239
Multi-Function Control Lever ...................83
New Vehicle Break-In Period ...................59
Occupant Restraints .........................21
Oil, Engine ....................... .283, 320, 321
Capacity .......................... .320, 321
Change Interval ........................ .284
Checking ............................. .283
Disposal .............................. .286
Filter ................................ .286
Filter Disposal .......................... .286
Identification Logo ...................... .285
Materials Added To ...................... .285
Pressure Warning Light ....................123
Recommendation .....................284,
320
Synthetic ............................. .285
Viscosity .............................. .285
Oil Filter, Change ......................... .286
Oil Filter, Selection ......................... .286
Oil Pressure Light ......................... .123
Onboard Diagnostic System ...................280
Operating Precautions ...................... .280
342 INDEX