
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
instrument panel above the climate controls.Push the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming traffic
of an emergency. Push the switch a second time to turn off
the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE: With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down. •
In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase the engine idle speed
while preventing vehicle motion with the brakes.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control to
high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement
to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the
engine cooling system.
WARNING!
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 or coolant bottle is hot.
244 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Preparations For Jump-Start
The battery in your vehicle is located in the front of the
engine compartment, behind the left headlight assembly.
NOTE:The positive battery post is covered with a protec-
tive cap. Lift up on the cap to gain access to the positive
battery post.
WARNING!
• Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever
the hood is raised. It can start anytime the ignition
switch is ON. You can be injured by moving fan
blades.
• Remove any metal jewelry such as rings, watch
bands and bracelets that could make an inadvertent
electrical contact. You could be seriously injured.
• Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your
skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is
flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or
sparks away from the battery.
1. Set the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission into PARK and turn the ignition to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electrical accessories.
3. If using another vehicle to jump-start the battery, park the vehicle within the jumper cables reach, set the
parking brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.
Positive Battery Post
264 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe and
abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop the
vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool. Service,
including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifications,
should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough idle
or malfunctioning operating conditions.Cooling System
WARNING!
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 or coolant bottle is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where appli-
cable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty, the system
should be drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh OAT
coolant (conforming to MS.90032) by an authorized dealer.
Check the front of the A/C condenser for any accumula-
tion of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently spraying
water from a garden hose vertically down the face of the
condenser.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the connection at the
coolant recovery bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire
system for leaks.
288 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

With the engine at normal operating temperature (but not
running), check the cooling system pressure cap for proper
vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of engine
coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock. If the cap
is sealing properly, the engine coolant (antifreeze) will
begin to drain from the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT
REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System — Drain, Flush And Refill
NOTE:Some vehicles require special tools to add coolant
properly. Failure to fill these systems properly could lead to
severe internal engine damage. If any coolant is needed to
be added to the system, please contact your local autho-
rized dealer.
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains visible
sediment, have an authorized dealer clean and flush with
OAT coolant (antifreeze) (conforming to MS.90032).
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper main-
tenance intervals.
Selection Of Coolant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further information.
CAUTION!
• Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified Organic Additive Technology (OAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze), may result in engine dam-
age and may decrease corrosion protection. Organic
Additive Technology (OAT) engine coolant is differ-
ent and should not be mixed with Hybrid Organic
Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolant (anti-
freeze) or any “globally compatible” coolant (anti-
freeze). If a non-OAT engine coolant (antifreeze) is
introduced into the cooling system in an emergency,
the cooling system will need to be drained, flushed,
and refilled with fresh OAT coolant (conforming to
MS.90032), by an authorized dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
• Do not use water alone or alcohol-based engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use additional
rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not
be compatible with the engine coolant and may plug
the radiator.
• This vehicle has not been designed for use with
propylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze).
Use of propylene glycol-based engine coolant (anti-
freeze) is not recommended.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 289

Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery tank.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.The image on the coolant system pres-
sure cap is a reminder that the radiator
contains hot engine coolant under pres-
sure.
WARNING!
•Do not open hot engine cooling system. Never add
engine coolant (antifreeze) when the engine is over-
heated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to cool an
overheated engine. Heat causes pressure to build up
in the cooling system. To prevent scalding or injury,
do not remove the pressure cap while the system is
hot or under pressure.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one speci-
fied for your vehicle. Personal injury or engine
damage may result.
Disposal Of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is a
regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check with
your local authorities to determine the disposal rules for
your community. To prevent ingestion by animals or
children, do not store ethylene glycol-based engine coolant
in open containers or allow it to remain in puddles on the
ground. If ingested by a child or pet, seek emergency
assistance immediately. Clean up any ground spills imme-
diately.
Coolant Level
The coolant expansion bottle provides a quick visual
method for determining that the coolant level is adequate.
With the engine OFF and cold, the level of the engine
coolant (antifreeze) in the bottle should be between the
“MIN” and “MAX” marks.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 291

The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator/coolant pressure cap
unless checking for engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point
or replacing coolant. Advise your service attendant of this.
As long as the engine operating temperature is satisfactory,
the coolant bottle need only be checked once a month.
When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, only OAT coolant that meets the
requirements of FCA Material Standard MS.90032 should
be added to the coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is normally
a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high humidity
accumulating on the radiator and being vaporized when
the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine coolant (anti-
freeze) to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
• Do not overfill the coolant expansion bottle. •
Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant expansion bottle. If engine coolant (antifreeze)
needs to be added, the contents of the coolant expansion
bottle must also be protected against freezing.
• If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure tested
for leaks.
• Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at a
minimum of 50% OAT coolant (conforming to
MS.90032) and distilled water for proper corrosion pro-
tection of your engine which contains aluminum com-
ponents.
• Make sure that the coolant expansion bottle overflow
hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
• Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
• Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install ONLY
the correct type thermostat. Other designs may result in
unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze) performance,
poor gas mileage, and increased emissions.
292 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Brake Assist System........................ .195
Brake Fluid .............................. .316
Brake, Parking ............................ .192
Brake System ......................... .194, 293
Anti-Lock (ABS) ........................ .194
Fluid Check ........................ .293, 316
Master Cylinder ........................ .293
Parking .............................. .192
Warning Light .......................... .135
Brake/Transmission Interlock ..................182
Bulb Replacement ...................... .307, 308
Bulbs, Light ........................... .71, 307
Camera, Rear ............................ .103
Capacities, Fluid .......................... .313
Caps, Filler Fuel ................................. .229
Oil (Engine) ........................ .275, 281
Power Steering ......................... .191
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) .................291
Carbon Monoxide Warning .................68, 229
Cargo Tie-Downs .......................... .109
Car Washes .............................. .296
Cellular Phone ........................... .160
Certification Label ......................... .230Chains, Tire
............................. .219
Chart, Tire Sizing .......................... .202
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light). . . .277
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ................67
Checks, Safety .............................67
Child Restraint .............................48
Child Restraints Booster Seats ............................52
Child Restraints ..........................48
Child Seat Installation ......................61
How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat Belt .........58
Infants And Child Restraints .................50
Locating The LATCH Anchorages ..............56
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children ........54
Older Children And Child Restraints ...........51
Seating Positions ..........................
53
Cigar Lighter ............................ .106
Clean Air Gasoline ........................ .226
Cleaning Wheels ............................... .297
Climate Control ........................... .161
Manual ............................... .161
Cold Weather Operation ..................... .178
Compact Spare Tire ........................ .214
Contract, Service .......................... .32610
INDEX 331

Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).............291
Cooling System ........................... .288
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .................290
Coolant Capacity ........................ .313
Coolant Level .......................... .291
Disposal Of Used Coolant ..................291
Drain, Flush, And Refill ....................289
Inspection ......................... .288, 291
Points To Remember ..................... .292
Pressure Cap ........................... .291
Radiator Cap .......................... .291
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) .......289, 313, 314
Corrosion Protection ....................... .296
Cruise Light ............................. .145
Cupholders .............................. .106
Customer Assistance ....................... .324
Customer Programmable Features ...............147
Daytime Running Lights ......................88
Dealer Service ............................ .278
Defroster, Rear Window ......................112
Defroster, Windshield ........................69
Diagnostic System, Onboard ...................276
Dipsticks Oil (Engine) ........................... .279Power Steering
......................... .191
Disabled Vehicle Towing .....................268
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) .................291
Door Ajar ............................... .134
Door Ajar Light ........................... .134
Door Locks ................................17
Doors ....................................17
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow Standing
Water ................................ .189
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary (Power Outlet) .........104
Electric Rear Window Defrost ..................112
Electric Remote Mirrors .......................77
Electronic Brake Control System ................194
Brake Assist System ...................... .195
Electr
onic Range Select (ERS)..................188
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ................199
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ..........95
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ...............197
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light .........131
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .....120
Trip Functions .......................... .128
332 INDEX