Snow Tires
Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during the Winter. Snow tires can be identified by a
“mountain/snowflake” symbol on the tire sidewall.If you need snow tires, select tires
equivalent in size and type to the origi-
nal equipment tires. Use snow tires only
in sets of four; failure to do so may
adversely affect the safety and handling
of your vehicle.
Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than what
was originally equipped with your vehicle and should not
be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph (120 km/h).
For speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h) refer to original
equipment or an authorized tire dealer for recommended
safe operating speeds, loading and cold tire inflation
pressures.
While studded tires improve performance on ice, skid and
traction capability on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer
than that of non-studded tires. Some states prohibit stud-
ded tires; therefore, local laws should be checked before
using these tire types.
Spare Tires — If Equipped
NOTE: For vehicles equipped with Tire Service Kit instead
of a spare tire, please refer to “Tire Service Kit” in “In Case
Of Emergency” for further information.
CAUTION!
Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with a
compact or limited use temporary spare installed.
Damage to the vehicle may result.
Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire And
Wheel — If Equipped
Your vehicle may be equipped with a spare tire and wheel
equivalent in look and function to the original equipment
tire and wheel found on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle. This spare tire may be used in the tire rotation for
your vehicle. If your vehicle has this option, refer to an
authorized tire dealer for the recommended tire rotation
pattern.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 243
NOTE:If you intend parking or storing your vehicle for an
extended period after cleaning the wheels with wheel
cleaner, drive your vehicle and apply the brakes to remove
the water droplets from the brake components. This activ-
ity will remove the red rust on the brake rotors and prevent
vehicle vibration when braking.
Dark Vapor Chrome, Black Satin Chrome, or Low Gloss
Clear Coat Wheels
CAUTION!
If your vehicle is equipped with these specialty
wheels, DO NOT USE wheel cleaners, abrasives, or
polishing compounds. They will permanently damage
this finish and such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. HAND WASH ONLY US-
ING MILD SOAP AND WATER WITH A SOFT
CLOTH. Used on a regular basis; this is all that is
required to maintain this finish.
Tire Chains (Traction Devices)
Use of traction devices require sufficient tire-to-body clear-
ance. Follow these recommendations to guard against
damage:
• Traction device must be of proper size for the tire, as
recommended by the traction device manufacturer.
• Install on Front Tires.
• Due to limited clearance, a 185/55R15 tire with a Peer-
less Super Z6 low profile traction device or equivalent is
recommended.
WARNING!
Using tires of different size and type (M+S, Snow)
between front and rear axles can cause unpredictable
handling. You could lose control and have a collision.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 247
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires, observe the
following precautions:
•Because of restricted traction device clearance be-
tween tires and other suspension components, it is
important that only traction devices in good condi-
tion are used. Broken devices can cause serious
damage. Stop the vehicle immediately if noise occurs
that could indicate device breakage. Remove the
damaged parts of the device before further use.
• Install device as tightly as possible and then re-
tighten after driving about ½ mile (0.8 km).
• Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large
bumps, especially with a loaded vehicle.
• Do not drive for a prolonged period on dry pave-
ment.
• Observe the traction device manufacturer ’s instruc-
tions on the method of installation, operating speed,
and conditions for use. Always use the suggested
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
operating speed of the device manufacturer ’s if it is
less than 30 mph (48 km/h).
• Do not use traction devices on a compact spare tire.
Tire Rotation Recommendations
The tires on the front and rear of your vehicle operate at
different loads and perform different steering, driving, and
braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at unequal
rates.
These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of tires. The
benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile with aggres-
sive tread designs such as those on all season type tires.
Rotation will increase tread life, help to maintain mud,
snow and wet traction levels, and contribute to a smooth,
quiet ride.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper main-
tenance intervals. The reasons for any rapid or unusual
wear should be corrected prior to rotation being per-
formed.
248 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
The front and rear wheels are different sizes and cannot be
used in place of each other. Rotate the wheels “side-to-
side” as shown in the diagram.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established
by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manu-
facturer in each category is shown on the sidewall of the
tires on your vehicle.All passenger vehicle tires must conform to Federal
safety requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement, as measured under controlled condi-
tions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Tire Rotation
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 249
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The Temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of
the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance, which all pas-
senger vehicle tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel, than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
STORING THE VEHICLE
The preferred way of storing your vehicle for a long period
of time is to leave it attached to a Level 1 or Level 2 charger.
The vehicle has a wake-up feature that will wake the
system every 3 weeks and do a maintenance charge on the
12 Volt battery and also top off the high voltage battery if
necessary.
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(e.g., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh air
and high blower setting. This will ensure adequate system
lubrication to minimize the possibility of compressor dam-
age when the air conditioning system is started again.
250 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Adding Washer Fluid........................217
AirBag ................................ .122
Advance Front Air Bag ....................122
Air Bag Operation ........................124
Air Bag Warning Light .....................121
Driver Knee Air Bag ..................... .125
Enhanced Accident Response .............130, 212
Event Data Recorder (EDR) .................212
FrontAirBag .......................... .122
If Deployment Occurs .....................129
Knee Impact Bolsters ..................... .124
Maintaining Your Air Bag System .............131
Maintenance ............................131
Side Air Bags .......................... .125
Transporting Pets ........................148
Air Bag Light .......................90, 121, 149
Air Conditioner Maintenance ..................224
Air Conditioning Filter .......................71
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ................70
Air Conditioning Refrigerant ..................224
Air Conditioning System .....................224
Air Pressure Tires................................. .237
Alarm Security Alarm ...........................41 Alarm System
Security Alarm ...........................41
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ................5
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .................100
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................93, 96, 97
Arming System Security Alarm ...........................41
Audio Systems (Radio) .......................262
Automatic Dimming Mirror ....................54
Automatic Transmission ..................... .157
Gear Ranges ............................159
Battery ...............................92, 218
Charging ...............................16
Charging System Light .....................92
Belts, Seat ............................... .149
Body Mechanism Lubrication ..................225
B-Pillar Location .......................... .232
Brake
Assist System ........................ .101
Brake Fluid ...............................259
Brake, Parking ............................ .156
Brake System ............................ .227
Anti-Lock (ABS) ........................ .100
Fluid Check ............................227
Master Cylinder ........................ .227
290 INDEX
Headlights................................56
Cleaning ...............................251
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...........56
Lights On Reminder .......................56
Passing ............................. .56, 57
Switch ............................. .56, 57
Time Delay ..............................56
Head Restraints ............................50
Heated Mirrors ..........................54, 56
Heated Seats ...............................49
High Voltage Battery .........................16
Hood Prop ................................76
Hood Release ..............................76
Ignition ..................................38
Switch .................................38
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ......................40
Instrument Cluster Descriptions .............................97
Display ................................85
Instrument Cluster ........................84
Instrument Cluster Display Instrument Cluster Display ..................84
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ................253
Interior Appearance Care .....................252 Interior Lighting
............................59
iPod/USB/MP3 Control ..................... .275
Jack Operation ............................228
Key Fob Programming Additional Key Fobs ..........38, 41
Key-In Reminder ............................40
Keys ....................................36
Replacement .............................41
Sentry (Immobilizer) .......................40
Lane Change And Turn Signals .................56
Lane Change Assist .......................56, 58
Lap/Shoulder Belts .........................113
Latches ................................. .151
Hood ..................................76
Leaks, Fluid ............................. .151
Life Of Tires ............................. .240
Liftgate ..................................78
Liftgate (Sedan) .............................78
Light Bulbs .......................... .151, 180
Lights ............................... .56, 151
AirBag......................... .90, 121, 149
Brake Assist
Warning ..................... .104
12
INDEX 293
Brake Warning...........................91
Bulb Replacement ........................180
Cruise ...............................97, 98
Daytime Running .........................56
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ...................56
Exterior ...............................151
Headlights ..............................56
High Beam ..............................57
High Beam/Low Beam Select .................56
Instrument Cluster ........................56
Lights On Reminder .......................56
Park ............................... .57, 97
Passing ............................. .56, 57
Seat Belt Reminder ........................92
Security Alarm ...........................42
Service ............................... .180
Traction Control ........................ .104
Turn Signal ..............................58
Turn Signals .......................56, 97, 151
Warning Instrument Cluster Descriptions ........97
Loading Vehicle ............................171
Tires................................. .232
Locks Power Door .............................45
Lubrication, Body ..........................225 Lug Nuts/Bolts
............................257
Maintenance Free Battery .....................218
Maintenance, General .......................219
Maintenance Procedures ..................... .219
Maintenance Schedule .......................215
Manual, Service ............................288
Master Cylinder (Brakes) .....................227
Memory Seat ..............................49
Mirrors ..................................54
Automatic Dimming .......................54
Electric Powered ..........................55
Heated ............................. .54, 56
Outside ................................54
Rearview ...............................54
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ................5
Mopar Parts ............................. .287
MP3 Control ............................. .275
Multi-Function Contr
ol Lever ...................56
Occupant Restraints .........................110
Onboard Diagnostic System ....................98
Operating Precautions ........................98
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ...............4
Outside Rearview Mirrors .....................54
294 INDEX