FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it can
often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the steering
wheel right and left to clear the area around the front
wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE and
REVERSE , while gently pressing the accelerator. Use the
least amount of accelerator pedal pressure that will main-
tain the rocking motion, without spinning the wheels or
racing the engine.NOTE:
Vehicles with diesel engine (automated manual
transmission) cannot be rocked in this manner, because the
transmission will not allow shifts between forward and
REVERSE gears while the wheels are turning.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce the
risk of transmission failure during prolonged efforts to
free a stuck vehicle.
NOTE: Push the ESC Off switch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in Partial Offmode, before
rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control
System” in “Starting And Operating” for further informa-
tion. Once the vehicle has been freed, push the ESC Off
switch again to restore ESC Onmode.
Battery Location
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 271
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated
by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or even
failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could explode and
injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels
faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30
seconds continuously without stopping when you are
stuck. And do not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no
matter what the speed.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between
DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the wheels faster
than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It
can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no transmis-
sion shifting occurring).
GEAR SELECTOR OVERRIDE
If a malfunction occurs and the gear selector cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use the following
procedure to temporarily move the gear selector:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool, remove the gear selector override access cover which is located
below the gear selector.
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
5. Insert the screwdriver or similar tool into the access port, and push and hold the override release lever
forward.
6. Move the gear selector to the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
8. Reinstall the gear selector override access cover.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service.
272 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
WARNING!(Continued)
•A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your exhaust
system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in areas
where your exhaust system can contact anything that
can burn.
CAUTION!
• The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded
fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effective-
ness of the catalyst as an emissions control device
and may seriously reduce engine performance and
cause serious damage to the engine.
• Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In
the event of engine malfunction, particularly involv-
ing engine misfire or other apparent loss of perfor-
mance, have your vehicle serviced promptly. Contin-
ued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle. Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic converter
will not require maintenance. However, it is important to
keep the engine properly tuned to assure proper catalyst
operation and prevent possible catalyst damage.
NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emissions control sys-
tems can result in civil penalties being assessed against
you.
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.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 285
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.
• 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 engine off and cold, the level of the engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the bottle should be between the “MIN” and
“MAX” marks.
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 293
Flooded, Starting........................ .176
Fuel Requirements ....................223, 315
Jump Starting .......................... .267
Oil ........................... .281, 315, 316
Oil Filter .............................. .283
Oil Selection ........................ .282, 315
Oil Synthetic ........................... .283
Overheating ........................... .242
Starting .............................. .176
Engine Oil Viscosity ........................ .282
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ....................282
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............274
Entry System, Illuminated .....................14
Ethanol ................................. .224
Exhaust Gas Caution .....................50, 226
Exhaust System ........................ .50, 284
Exterior Lighting ............................74
Exterior Lights .............................53
Filters Air Cleaner ............................ .284
Air Conditioning .....................164, 287
Engine Oil ......................... .283, 316
Engine Oil Disposal ...................... .283Flashers
Hazard Warning ........................ .242
Turn Signal ......................... .53, 118
Flooded Engine Starting ..................... .176
Fluid Capacities ........................... .315
Fluid Leaks ...............................53
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ....................296
Brake ................................ .294
Cooling System ......................... .290
Power Steering ......................... .189
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ............316
Fog Lights ................................76
Four-Way Hazard Flasher .....................242
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ..................... .271
Fuel ................................... .223
Adding .............................. .227
Additives ............................. .225
Clean
Air ............................. .223
Ethanol .............................. .224
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ..................... .227
Gasoline .............................. .223
Materials Added ........................ .225
Methanol ............................. .224
Octane Rating ....................... .223, 316
Requirements ....................... .223, 315
10
INDEX 337
Maintenance Procedures..................... .281
Maintenance Schedule ...................... .320
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) .....115,279
Manual, Service ........................... .330
Methanol ............................... .224
Mirrors ..................................58
Electric Remote ...........................59
Exterior Folding ..........................58
Heated .................................59
Outside ................................58
Rearview ...............................58
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ................7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ..................219
MOPAR Parts ......................... .280, 329
MTBE/ETBE ............................. .224
Multi-Function Control Lever ...................74
New Vehicle Break-In Period ...................49
Occupant Restraints .........................20
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .................223
Oil Change Indicator ....................... .124
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ...................124
Oil, Engine ........................... .281, 316
Capacity .............................. .315Change Interval
........................ .282
Checking ............................. .281
Disposal .............................. .283
Filter ............................. .283, 316
Filter Disposal .......................... .283
Identification Logo ...................... .282
Materials Added To ...................... .283
Pressure Warning Light ....................109
Recommendation .....................282, 315
Synthetic ............................. .283
Viscosity .......................... .282, 315
Oil Filter, Change ......................... .283
Oil Filter, Selection ......................... .283
Oil Pressure Light ......................... .109
Onboard Diagnostic System ...................278
Operator
Manual (Owner’s Manual) ...............4
Outside Rearview Mirrors .....................58
Overhead Console ...........................91
Overheating, Engine ....................... .242
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) ...........4,330
Paint Care ............................... .297
Parking Brake ............................ .189
ParkSense System, Rear .......................85
Passing Light ..............................76
340 INDEX