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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
CONTENTS
SCHEDULED SERVICING ..................279
▫ Maintenance Plan .......................280
ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................284
▫ 2.0L Engine ..........................284
▫ 2.4L Engine ..........................285
▫ Checking Oil Level .....................286
▫ Cooling System ........................286
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ...................287
DEALER SERVICE .......................287
▫ Engine Oil .......................... .288
▫ Engine Oil Filter .......................289
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ..............289
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter .................291
▫ Body Lubrication ..................... .292▫
Windshield Wiper Blades .................292
▫ Exhaust System ........................293
▫ Cooling System ........................294
▫ Brake System ........................ .299
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........301
▫ Automatic Transmission (Six-Speed) — If
Equipped ............................301
▫ Automatic Transmission (CVT) — If Equipped . .302
▫ Rear Drive Assembly (RDA) — AWD/4WD Models
Only ...............................304
▫ Power Transfer Unit (PTU) — AWD/4WD Models
Only ...............................304
RAISING THE VEHICLE ..................305
TIRES ............................... .305
▫ Tire Safety Information ..................305
8
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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
Page 292 of 429

cleaning of the condenser fins and a performance test.
Drive belt tension should also be checked at this time.
WARNING!
•Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants ap-
proved by the manufacturer for your air conditioning
system. Some unapproved refrigerants are flam-
mable and can explode, injuring you. Other unap-
proved refrigerants or lubricants can cause the sys-
tem to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer to
Warranty Information Book, in the owner ’s informa-
tion kit.
• The air conditioning system contains refrigerant un-
der high pressure. To avoid risk of personal injury or
damage to the system, adding refrigerant or any
repair requiring lines to be disconnected should be
done by an experienced technician.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your air conditioning
system as the chemicals can damage your air condition-
ing components. Such damage is not covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Refrigerant Recovery And Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluoro-
carbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental
Protection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by authorized dealer or other service
facilities using recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE: Use only manufacturer approved A/C system PAG
compressor oil and refrigerants.
A/C Air Filter
Refer to the “Maintenance Plan” for the proper mainte-
nance intervals.
WARNING!
Do not remove the cabin air filter while the vehicle is
running, or while the ignition is in the ACC or ON/
RUN mode. With the cabin air filter removed and the
blower operating, the blower can contact hands and
may propel dirt and debris into your eyes, resulting in
personal injury.
290 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
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Exhaust Gas Caution.....................191, 338
Exhaust System ........................191, 293
Exterior Lights ..........................47, 194
Filters Air Cleaner ............................ .291
Air Conditioning ..................... .66, 290
Engine Oil ..........................289, 340
Engine Oil Disposal .......................289
Flashers Hazard Warning ........................ .245
Turn Signal ..................... .123, 194, 247
Flooded Engine Starting ..................... .198
Fluid, Brake ............................. .342
Fluid Capacities ............................339
Fluid Leaks ...............................194
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transaxle ..................... .303
Automatic Transmission ....................302
Cooling System ..................... .287, 295
Power Steering ..........................215
Fog Lights ............................ .48, 246
Folding Rear Seat ...........................38
Four-Way Hazard Flasher .....................245
Four Wheel Drive ..........................214 Systems
...............................214
Four Wheel Drive Operation ..................214
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ..................... .272
Fuel ................................... .335
Adding ...............................221
Additives ............................. .337
Capacity ...............................339
Clean Air ............................. .335
Ethanol ...............................335
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ..................... .221
Gasoline ...............................335
Light .................................121
Materials Added ........................ .337
Methanol ............................. .335
Octane Rating ........................335, 340
T
ank Capacity .......................... .339
Fueling ................................. .221
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) .............78, 83
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ..............126, 221, 222
Gasoline, Clean Air ........................ .335
Gasoline (Fuel) ........................ .335, 339
Gasoline, Reformulated ..................... .335
Gear Ranges .......................... .206, 211
Gear Select Lever Override ....................271
416 INDEX