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 about 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
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. The range markings will
consist of a crosshatch zone which depicts the MIN at the
low end of the range and MAX at the high end of the range.
Adding 1 quart (1 liter) 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. Overfilling the engine will
cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil pressure
and an increase in oil temperature. This could damage
your engine. Also, be sure the oil fill cap is replaced
and tightened after adding oil.
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, discon-
nect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition switch to
the OFF position. The fan is temperature controlled
and can start at any time the ignition switch is in the
ON position.
• You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator is hot.
286 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Fuel Economy
Underinflated tires will increase tire rolling resistance
resulting in higher fuel consumption.
Tread Wear
Improper cold tire inflation pressures can cause abnormal
wear patterns and reduced tread life, resulting in the need
for earlier tire replacement.
Ride Comfort And Vehicle Stability
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Over-inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable ride.
Tire Inflation Pressures
The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the
driver’s side B-Pillar or rear edge of the driver’s side door.
At least once a month:
•Check and adjust tire pressure with a good quality
pocket-type pressure gauge. Do not make a visual
judgement when determining proper inflation. Tires
may look properly inflated even when they are under-
inflated.
• Inspect tires for signs of tire wear or visible damage.
CAUTION!
After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, always
reinstall the valve stem cap. This will prevent moisture
and dirt from entering the valve stem, which could
damage the valve stem.
Inflation pressures specified on the placard are always
“cold tire inflation pressure”. Cold tire inflation pressure is
defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been
driven for at least three hours, or driven less than 1 mile
(1.6 km) after sitting for a minimum of three hours. The
cold tire inflation pressure must not exceed the maximum
inflation pressure molded into the tire sidewall.
Check tire pressures more often if subject to a wide range
of outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary with tem-
perature changes.
Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) per
12°F (7°C) of air temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure inside a garage, especially in
the Winter.
Example: If garage temperature = 68°F (20°C) and the
outside temperature = 32°F (0°C) then the cold tire inflation
314 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).............296
Adding Fuel ............................. .221
Adding Washer Fluid ........................287
Additives, Fuel ............................337
Adjust Down .................................37
Forward ................................37
Rearward ...............................37
Up....................................37
AirBag ................................ .165
Air Bag Operation ........................167
Air Bag Warning Light .....................164
Enhanced Accident Response .............173, 276
Event Data Recorder (EDR) .................276
If A Deployment Occurs ....................172
Knee Impact Bolsters ..................... .167
Maintaining Your Air Bag System .............173
Side Air Bags .......................... .168
Transporting Pets ........................191
Air Bag Light .......................111, 164, 192
Air Bag Maintenance ........................173
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) ......291
Air Conditioner Maintenance ..................289
Air Conditioning ............................55
Air Conditioning Controls .....................55 Air Conditioning Filter
....................66, 290
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips .............65, 67
Air Conditioning Refrigerant ...............289, 290
Air Conditioning System ................55, 64, 289
Air Pressure, Tires ..........................314
Alarm (Security Alarm) ......................113
Alarm System (Security Alarm) .................25
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ................7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ..................... .361
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................295, 339
Capacities ............................. .339
Disposal ...............................298
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .................130
Anti-Lock Warning Light .....................120
Assistance T owing.........................
.382
Assist, Hill Start .......................... .132
Automatic Dimming Mirror ....................44
Automatic Door Locks .....................30, 31
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ............64
Automatic Transaxle .........................21
Fluid Level Check ........................303
Automatic Transmission ............204, 205, 301, 302
Fluid And Filter Changes ...................303
Fluid Level Check ........................302
Fluid Type .......................301, 302, 342
412 INDEX
Gear Ranges........................ .206, 211
Special Additives .....................301, 303
Axle Fluid ...............................342
Battery ..................................114
Charging System Light .....................114
Belts, Seat ............................... .192
Body Mechanism Lubrication ..................292
B-Pillar Location .......................... .309
Brake Assist System ........................ .132
Brake Fluid ...............................342
Brake, Parking ............................ .200
Brakes ................................. .332
Brake System ..........................299, 332
Master Cylinder ........................ .299
Parking ...............................200
Warning Light ...........................112
Brake/Transmission Interlock ..................205
Bulb Replacement ..........................245
Bulbs, Light .......................... .194, 245
Calibration, Compass ........................108
Camera, Rear ............................ .219
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........339
Capacities, Fluid .......................... .339Caps, Filler
Fuel ................................. .221
Oil (Engine) ..................... .284, 285, 288
Power Steering ..........................215
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) .................297
Carbon Monoxide Warning ................191, 338
Cargo Area Cover ...........................75
Cargo Area Features .........................75
Cargo Compartment .........................75
Light ..................................75
Luggage Carrier ..........................92
Cargo Light ...............................75
Cargo Load Floor ...........................76
Cargo Tie-Downs ...........................77
Car Washes ...............................326
Cellular Phone ........................ .371, 401
Center High
Mounted Stop Light ...............247
Certification Label ..........................222
Chains, Tire ............................. .323
Changing A Flat Tire .....................251, 305
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light). . . .127
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ...............191
Checks, Safety ............................ .191
Child Restraint ............................174
12
INDEX 413
Key, Programming..........................24
Key, Replacement ...........................24
Keys ....................................19
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer) ......................23
Lane Change And Turn Signals .................247
Lane Change Assist ..........................49
Lap/Shoulder Belts ........................ .150
Latches ................................. .194
Hood ..................................72
Leaks, Fluid ............................. .194
Life Of Tires ............................. .317
Liftgate (Sedan) .............................74
Liftgate Window Wiper/Washer .................54
Light Bulbs .......................... .194, 245
Lights .................................. .194
AirBag .........................111, 164, 192
Back-Up ...............................247
Brake Assist Warning ..................... .137
Brake Warning ..........................112
Cargo .................................75
Center Mounted Stop ..................... .247
Cruise ............................... .125
Daytime Running .........................47
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ...................47 Exterior
...............................194
Fog................................48, 246
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................245
Headlights ..............................47
Headlights On With Wipers ...............49, 53
Headlight Switch .........................47
High Beam ..............................47
High Beam/Low Beam Select .................47
Instrument Cluster ........................47
Interior ................................50
License ............................... .247
Lights On Reminder .......................49
Low Fuel ............................. .121
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ..........116
Map Reading ............................50
Park ................................. .124
Seat Belt Reminder .......................111
Security Alarm ........................26, 113
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .............117
Traction Contr
ol ........................ .137
Turn Signal ....................49, 123, 194, 247
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) .......123
Loading Vehicle ............................222
Tires................................. .309
Locks ....................................29
418 INDEX
Automatic Door..........................30
Child Protection ..........................32
Door ..................................29
Power Door .............................30
Lubrication, Body ..........................292
Luggage Rack (Roof Rack) .....................92
Lug Nuts ............................... .333
Lumbar Support ............................35
Maintenance Schedule .......................279
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) .....116,127
Manual, Service ............................409
Manual Transaxle Fluid Level Check ........................304
Manual Transmission ........................301
Fluid Level Check ........................301
Frequency Of Fluid Change .................301
Lubricant Selection .................301, 304, 342
Map/Reading Lights .........................50
Master Cylinder (Brakes) .....................299
Methanol ............................... .335
Mini-Trip Computer ........................ .109
Mirrors ..................................44
Automatic Dimming .......................44
Electric Powered ..........................46 Exterior Folding
..........................45
Heated .................................46
Outside ................................45
Rearview ...............................44
Vanity .................................46
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ................7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ..................140
MOPAR Parts ............................ .409
New Vehicle Break-In Period ..................199
Occupant Restraints ........................ .147
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .................335
Oil, Engine ........................288, 339, 340
Capacity ...............................339
Change Interval ........................ .288
Checking ............................. .286
Disposal ...............................289
Filter ............................. .289, 340
Filter Disposal .......................... .289
Identification
Logo.......................288
Materials Added To .......................289
Pressure Warning Light ....................114
Recommendation .....................288, 339
Synthetic ............................. .289
12
INDEX 419