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always a good idea to check for damage. That way you can
get any problems taken care of right away and have your
vehicle ready when you need it.
•Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle.
Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and
exhaust system for damage.
• Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and clean as
required.
• Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on
the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus-
pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the
values specified in the Service Manual.
• Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These things
could be a fire hazard. They might hide damage to fuel
lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals, and propeller shafts.
• 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.
242 STARTING AND OPERATING
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WARNING!
To avoid possible personal injury, handle the wheel
covers with care to avoid contact with any sharp edges.
CAUTION!
Be sure to mount the spare tire with the valve stem
facing outward. The vehicle could be damaged if the
spare tire is mounted incorrectly.NOTE:
The wheel cover is held on the wheel by the wheel
nuts. When reinstalling the original wheel, properly align
the wheel cover to the valve stem, place the wheel cover
onto the wheel, then install the wheel nuts.
6. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the left.
7. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the wrench while at the end of the handle for increased
leverage. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern until each
lug nut has been tightened twice. Refer to “Torque
Specifications” in “Technical Specifications” for proper
lug nut torque.
8. Remove the wheel blocks and lower the jack until it is free. Release the parking brake. Reassemble the lug
wrench to the jack assembly and stow it in the spare tire
area. Secure the assembly using the means provided.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the vehicle.
Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in the
places provided.
Mounting Spare Tire
7
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 257
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9. Place the deflated (flat) tire in the cargo area,have the
tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
WARNING!
A loose tire thrown forward in a collision or hard stop
could injure the occupants in the vehicle. Have the
deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced immediately.
10. Check the spare tire pressure as soon as possible. Correct the tire pressure as required.
11. After 25 miles (40 km) check the lug nut torque with a torque wrench to ensure that all lug nuts are properly
seated against the wheel.
Road Tire Installation
Vehicles Equipped With Wheel Covers
1. Mount the road tire on the axle.
2. Align the valve notch in the wheel cover with the valvestem on the wheel. Install the cover by hand. Do not use
a hammer or excessive force to install the cover. 3. Install the five wheel lug nuts with the cone shaped end
of the nut toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the lug
nuts.
Tire And Wheel Cover Or Center Cap
1 — Valve Stem 4 — Wheel Cover
2 — Valve Notch 5 — Road Wheel
3 — Wheel Lug Nut
258 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
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WARNING!
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do
not tighten the lug nuts fully until the vehicle has been
lowered. Failure to follow this warning may result in
serious injury.
4. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
5. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the wrench while at the end of the handle for increased
leverage. Refer to “Torque Specifications” in “Technical
Specifications” for correct lug nut torque.
6. After 25 miles (40 km) check the lug nut torque with a torque wrench to ensure that all lug nuts are properly
seated against the wheel.
Vehicles Without Wheel Covers
1. Mount the road tire on the axle.
2. Install the remaining lug nuts with the cone shaped endof the nut toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the lug
nuts.
WARNING!
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do
not fully tighten the lug nuts until the vehicle has been
lowered. Failure to follow this warning may result in
serious injury.
3. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
4. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the wrench while at the end of the handle for increased
leverage. Refer to “Torque Specifications” in “Technical
Specifications” for correct lug nut torque.
5. After 25 miles (40 km) check the lug nut torque with a torque wrench to ensure that all lug nuts are properly
seated against the wheel.
7
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 259
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Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Lubricant Selection
Use only the manufacturers recommended transmission
fluid. Refer to “Fluids And Lubricants” in “Technical
Specifications” for further information.
Please see your authorized dealer for service.
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug. The fluid
level should be between the bottom of the fill hole and a
point not more than 3/16 inch (4.7 mm) below the bottom
of the hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
Please see your authorized dealer for service.
Frequency Of Fluid Change
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will give satisfactory lubrication for the life of
the vehicle. Fluid changes are not necessary unless lubri-
cant has become contaminated with water.
NOTE:If contaminated with water, the fluid should be
changed immediately.
Automatic Transmission (Six-Speed) — If Equipped
Selection Of Lubricant (Six-Speed Transmission)
It is important to use the proper transmission fluid to
ensure optimum transmission performance and life. Use
only the manufacturer ’s specified transmission fluid. Refer
to “Fluids And Lubricants” in “Technical Specifications”
for fluid specifications. It is important to maintain the
transmission fluid at the correct level using the recom-
mended fluid.
No chemical flushes should be used in any transmission;
only the approved lubricant should be used.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufactur-
er ’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration in
transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder. Refer to “Fluids And Lubricants” in “Techni-
cal Specifications” for fluid specifications.
Special Additives
The manufacturer strongly recommends against using any
special additives in the transmission.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 301
Page 333 of 429
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ........332
BRAKE SYSTEM ........................332
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . .333
▫ Torque Specifications ....................333
FUEL REQUIREMENTS ....................335
▫ 2.0L And 2.4L Engine ....................335
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ..................335
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ...............335
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .........336▫
CNG And LP Fuel System Modifications ......336
▫ MMT In Gasoline .......................336
▫ Materials Added To Fuel .................337
▫ Fuel System Cautions ....................337
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ...............338
FLUID CAPACITIES ..................... .339
FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS ................340
▫ Engine ............................. .340
▫ Chassis ............................ .342
9
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WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and possi-
bly 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. You would not have your full braking
capacity in an emergency.
If either of the two hydraulic systems lose normal capability,
the remaining system will still function with some loss of
overall braking effectiveness. This will be evident by increased
pedal travel during application and greater pedal force re-
quired to slow or stop. In addition, if the malfunction is caused
by an internal leak, as the brake fluid in the master cylinder
drops, the “Brake Warning Light” will light.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the “Brake Warning Light” on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking perfor-
mance or vehicle stability during braking may occur. It
will take you longer to stop the vehicle or will make
your vehicle harder to control. You could have a
collision. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Proper lug nut/bolt torque is very important to ensure that
the wheel is properly mounted to the vehicle. Any time a
wheel has been removed and reinstalled on the vehicle the
lug nuts/bolts should be torqued using a properly cali-
brated torque wrench.
Torque Specifications
Lug Nut/Bolt Torque **Lug Nut/Bolt SizeLug Nut/
Bolt
Socket Size
100 Ft-Lbs (135 N·m) M12 x 1.5 19 mm
**Use only your authorized dealer recommended lug nuts/
bolts and clean or remove any dirt or oil before tightening.
9
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 333
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Inspect the wheel mounting surface prior to mounting the
tire and remove any corrosion or loose particles.
Tighten the lug nuts/bolts in a star pattern until each
nut/bolt has been tightened twice.After 25 miles (40 km) check the lug nut/bolt torque to be
sure that all the lug nuts/bolts are properly seated against
the wheel.
WARNING!
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do
not tighten the lug nuts fully until the vehicle has been
lowered. Failure to follow this warning may result in
personal injury.
Wheel Mounting Surface
Torque Patterns
334 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS