
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, brake
master cylinder, power steering and automatic transmis-
sion, and fill as needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
Maintenance Plan
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the maintenance plan on the following pages for
the required maintenance intervals.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change 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 system turns on
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required
• Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped
with dipstick
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses and
park brake
• Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses
• Inspect exhaust system
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions
• Inspect all door latches for presence of grease,
reapply if necessary.
372 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Engine Compartment — 3.6L
1 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses)7 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
2 — Battery 8 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
3 — Engine Oil Dipstick 9 — Air Cleaner Filter
4 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Under Engine Cover) 10 — Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Engine Oil Fill 11 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
6 — Brake Fluid Reservoir
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 377

Checking Oil Level
To ensure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. The
engine oil level should be checked five minutes after a
warmed up engine has been shut off.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the dipstick.
Adding 1 quart (0.95 liters) of oil when the reading is at the
bottom of the SAFE zone will result in a reading at the top
of the safe zone on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage your
engine.
Adding Washer Fluid
The fluid reservoir for the windshield washers and the rear
window washer (if equipped) is shared. The fluid reservoir is
located in the engine compartment. Be sure to check the fluid
level at regular intervals. Fill the reservoir with windshield
washer solvent only (not radiator antifreeze). When refillingthe washer fluid reservoir, take some washer fluid and apply
it to a cloth or towel and wipe clean the wiper blades; this will
help blade performance.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system in
cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This rating
information can be found on most washer fluid containers.
WARNING!
Commercial windshield washer solvents are flam-
mable. They could ignite and burn you. Care must be
exercised when filling or working around the washer
solution.
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic mainte-
nance required.
378 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

5. Place the gear selector momentarily into each gearposition (allowing time for the transmission to fully
engage in each position), ending with the transmission
in PARK.
6. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until seated.
7. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on both sides. The fluid level reading is only valid if there
is a solid coating of oil on both sides of the dipstick.
Note that the holes in the dipstick will be full of fluid if
the actual level is at or above the hole. The fluid level
should be between the HOT (upper) reference holes on
the dipstick at normal operating temperature. If the
fluid level is low, add fluid through the dipstick tube to
bring it to the proper level. Do not overfill.Use ONLY
the specified fluid (refer to Fluids And Lubricants
under “Technical Specifications” for fluid specifica-
tions). After adding any quantity of oil through the
dipstick tube, wait a minimum of two minutes for the oil
to fully drain into the transmission before rechecking
the fluid level. NOTE:
•The holes in the dipstick will be full of fluid if the
actual level is at or above the hole.
• If it is necessary to check the transmission below the
operating temperature, the fluid level should be be-
tween the two COLD (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at approximately 80°F (27°C). If the fluid
level is correctly established at 80° F (27°C), it should
be between the HOT (upper) reference holes when the
transmission reaches 180° F (82°C). Remember it is best
to check the level at the normal operating temperature.
CAUTION!
If the fluid temperature is below 50°F (10°C) it may not
register on the dipstick. Do not add fluid until the
temperature is elevated enough to produce an accurate
reading. Run the engine at idle, in PARK, to warm the
fluid.
8. Reinstall the engine cover and snap it down securely onto the four mounting studs.
9. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake.
404 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Clean Air Gasoline........................ .438
Cleaning Wheels ............................... .422
Climate Control ............................60
Manual ................................60
Clock ............................... .449, 457
Cold Weather Operation ..................... .286
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ................472
Compact Spare Tire ........................ .421
Compass ................................ .187
Compass Calibration ....................... .188
Compass Variance ......................... .189
Connector UCI ................................. .470
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ...........470
Console ................................ .173
Console, Floor ............................ .173
Contract, Service .......................... .504
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .............398
Cooling System ........................... .395
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .................397
Coolant Capacity ........................ .442
Coolant Level .......................... .399
Disposal Of Used Coolant ..................398
Drain, Flush, And Refill ....................396 Inspection
......................... .396, 399
Points To Remember ..................... .399
Pressure Cap ........................... .398
Radiator Cap .......................... .398
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) .......396, 442, 443
Corrosion Protection ....................... .427
Customer Assistance ....................... .502
Daytime Running Lights ......................52
Dealer Service ............................ .379
Defroster, Windshield ....................... .280
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ....................58
Diagnostic System, Onboard ...................210
Dimmer
Switch, Headlight .....................53
Dipsticks Oil (Engine) ........................... .378
Power Steering ......................... .308
Disabled Vehicle Towing .....................365
Disarming, Security System ....................27
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) .................398
Door Locks ................................28
Child-Protection Door Lock — Rear Doors .......31
Doors ....................................28
Driver’s Seat Back Tilt ........................38
512 INDEX

Security Alarm......................... .201
Service ............................... .343
Side Marker ........................... .345
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .............204
Traction Control ........................ .223
Turn Signal ....................54, 282, 344, 345
Loading Vehicle ........................... .313
Tires................................. .409
Locking Axle ............................. .305
Locks Child Protection ..........................31
Door ..................................28
Power Door .............................30
Lubrication, Body ......................... .389
Lug Nuts ............................... .436
Maintenance Free Battery .....................378
Maintenance Schedule ...................... .371
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . . .203, 212
Manual, Service ........................... .506
Manual Transmission ....................290, 405
Fluid Level Check ....................... .405
Lubricant Selection ....................405, 445
Shift Speeds ........................... .291
Methanol ............................... .439Mirrors
..................................49
Automatic Dimming .......................50
Electric Powered ..........................51
Electric Remote ...........................51
Heated .................................51
Outside ................................50
Rearview ...............................49
Vanity .................................52
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ................7
Modular Hard Top ..........................83
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ..................227
MOPAR Parts ............................ .505
New Vehicle Break-In Period ..................288
Occupant Restraints ........................ .236
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ..............438, 443
Oil Change Indicator ....................... .195
Oil
Change Indicator, Reset ...................195
Oil, Engine ........................... .380, 443
Capacity .............................. .442
Change Interval ..................... .195, 380
Dipstick .............................. .378
Disposal .............................. .381
Filter ............................. .381, 443
12
INDEX 517