Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the en-
gine 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 min-
utes after a fully warmed up engine is shut
off.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level
ground will improve the accuracy of the oil
level readings.
There are three possible dipstick types,
• Crosshatched zone.
• Crosshatched zone marked SAFE.
• Crosshatched zone marked with MIN at thelow end of the range and MAX at the high
end of the range.
NOTE:
Always maintain the oil level within the cross-
hatch markings on the dipstick.
Adding 1 quart (1.0 liters) of oil when the
reading is at the low end of the dipstick range
will raise the oil level to the high end of the
range marking.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase
will cause aeration or loss of oil pressure.
This could damage your 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 open a cooling
system pressure cap when the radiator
or coolant bottle is hot.
• Keep hands, tools, clothing, and jewelry
away from the radiator cooling fan when
the hood is raised. The fan starts auto-
matically and may start at any time,
whether the engine is running or not.
• When working near the radiator cooling
fan, disconnect the fan motor lead or
turn the ignition to the OFF mode. The
WARNING!
fan is temperature controlled and can
start at any time the ignition is in the ON
mode.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protec-
tion every 12 months (before the onset of
freezing weather, where applicable). If the
engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty, the sys-
tem should be drained, flushed, and refilled
with fresh PARAFLU
UPFormula OAT (Or-
ganic Additive Technology) or equivalent
meeting the requirements of FCA Material
Standard MS.90032. by an authorized
dealer. Check the front of the A/C condenser
for any accumulation 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 en-
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
208
tire system for leaks. DO NOT REMOVE THE
COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE
COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Adding Washer Fluid
The windshield and rear window washers
share the same fluid reservoir. The fluid res-
ervoir is located in the front of the engine
compartment. Be sure to check the fluid level
in the reservoir at regular intervals. Fill the
reservoir with windshield washer solvent (not
radiator antifreeze) and operate the system
for a few seconds to flush out the residual
water.
When refilling the 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 solu-
tion or mixture that meets or exceeds the
temperature range of your climate. This rat-
ing information can be found on most washer
fluid containers.
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer
solvents are flammable. They could ignite
and burn you. Care must be exercised
when filling or working around the washer
solution.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance,
all brake system components should be in-
spected periodically. Refer to the “Mainte-
nance Plan” in this section for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure
and possibly a collision. Driving with your
foot resting or riding on the brake pedal
can result in abnormally high brake tem-
peratures, excessive lining wear, and pos-
sible brake damage. You would not have
your full braking capacity in an emergency.
Fluid Level Check — Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level of the master cylinder should
be checked whenever the vehicle is serviced,
or immediately if the brake system warning
light is on. If necessary, add fluid to bring
level within the designated marks on the side
of the reservoir of the brake master cylinder.
Be sure to clean the top of the master cylin-
der area before removing cap. With disc
brakes, fluid level can be expected to fall as
the brake pads wear. Brake fluid level should
be checked when pads are replaced. If the
brake fluid is abnormally low, check the sys-
tem for leaks.
Refer to “Fluids And Lubricants” in “Techni-
cal Specifications” for further information.
WARNING!
• Use only manufacturer's recommendedbrake fluid. Refer to “Fluids And Lubri-
cants” in “Technical Specifications” for
further information. Using the wrong
type of brake fluid can severely damage
your brake system and/or impair its per-
formance. The proper type of brake fluid
209
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long
periods may cause deterioration of the wiper
blades. Always use washer fluid when using
the wipers to remove salt or dirt from a dry
windshield.
Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost
or ice from the windshield. Keep the blade
rubber out of contact with petroleum prod-
ucts such as engine oil, gasoline, etc.
NOTE:
Life expectancy of wiper blades varies de-
pending on geographical area and frequency
of use. Poor performance of blades may be
present with chattering, marks, water lines or
wet spots. If any of these conditions are
present, clean the wiper blades or replace as
necessary.
The wiper blades and wiper arms should be
inspected periodically, not just when wiper
performance problems are experienced. This
inspection should include the following
points:
• Wear or uneven edges
• Foreign material• Hardening or cracking
• Deformation or fatigue
If a wiper blade or wiper arm is damaged,
replace the affected wiper arm or blade with
a new unit. Do not attempt to repair a wiper
arm or blade that is damaged.
Front Wiper Blade Removal/Installation
CAUTION!
Do not allow the wiper arm to spring back
against the glass without the wiper blade
in place or the glass may be damaged.
1. Lift the wiper arm to raise the wiper blade off of the glass, until the wiper arm is in
the full up position.
2. To disengage the wiper blade from thewiper arm, flip up the release tab on the
wiper blade and while holding the wiper
arm with one hand, slide the wiper blade
down towards the base of the wiper arm.
Wiper Blade With Release Tab In Locked Position
1 — Wiper
2 — Release Tab
3 — Wiper ArmSERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
212
• Do not drain the engine cooling system.
• Whenever you leave the vehicle is station-ary for two weeks or more, run idle the
engine for approximately five minutes, with
the air conditioning system on and high fan
speed. This will ensure a proper lubrication
of the system, thus minimizing the possi-
bility of damage to the compressor when
the vehicle is put back into operation.
NOTE:
When the vehicle has not been started or driven
for at least 30 days, an Extended Park Start
Procedure is required to start the vehicle. Refer
to “Starting The Engine” in “Starting And
Operating” for further information.
CAUTION!
Before removal of the positive and nega-
tive terminals to the battery, wait at least a
minute with ignition switch in the OFF
position and close the driver’s door. When
reconnecting the positive and negative ter-
minals to the battery be sure the ignition
switch is in the OFF position and the
driver’s door is closed.
BODYWORK
Preserving The Bodywork
Washing
• Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your vehicle in the shade using a mild car
wash soap, and rinse the panels completely
with clear water.
• Use a high quality cleaner wax to remove road film, stains and to protect your paint
finish. Take care never to scratch the paint.
• Avoid using abrasive compounds and power buffing that may diminish the gloss or thin
out the paint finish.
CAUTION!
• Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning materials such as steel wool or scouring
powder that will scratch metal and
painted surfaces.
• Use of power washers exceeding
1,200 psi (8,274 kPa) can result in
damage or removal of paint and decals.
Special Care
• If you drive on salted or dusty roads or if youdrive near the ocean, hose off the undercar-
riage at least once a month.
• It is important that the drain holes in the lower edges of the doors, rocker panels, and
trunk be kept clear and open.
• If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint, touch them up immediately. The
cost of such repairs is considered the re-
sponsibility of the owner.
• If your vehicle is damaged due to a collision or similar cause that destroys the paint and
protective coating, have your vehicle re-
paired as soon as possible. The cost of such
repairs is considered the responsibility of
the owner.
•
If you carry special cargo such as chemicals,
fertilizers, de-icer salt, etc., be sure that
such materials are well packaged and sealed.
•If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads,
consider mud or stone shields behind each
wheel.
• An authorized dealer has touch up paint to match the color of your vehicle.
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
226
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER..................230
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS ...........231
Torque Specifications ...........231
FUEL REQUIREMENTS —
GASOLINE ENGINE ..........231
Methanol...................232
Ethanol ....................232
Clean Air Gasoline .............232
CNG And LP Fuel System
Modifications .................232
MMT In Gasoline ..............232
Materials Added To Fuel .........233
Fuel Icon Identification Compliant
To EN16942 .................233
FUEL REQUIREMENTS —
DIESEL ENGINE ............235
Fuel Icon Identification Compliant
To EN16942.................236
FLUID CAPACITIES ..........237
FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS .....238
Engine.................... .238
Chassis ....................240
MOPAR ACCESSORIES ........241
Authentic Accessories By Mopar .....241
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
229
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is
found on the left front corner of the instru-
ment panel. The VIN is visible from outside of
the vehicle through the windshield. The VIN
number also is stamped into the right front
body, on the right front seat cross member.
With the seat in the rear most position a flap
in the carpet can be cut open and lifted to
reveal the VIN. It also appears on the Auto-
mobile Information Disclosure Label affixed
to a window on your vehicle, the vehicle
registration, and the title.
The VIN is also stamped on either right or left
hand side of the engine block.NOTE:
It is illegal to remove or alter the VIN.
VIN LocationRight Front Body VIN LocationTECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
230
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS
Proper lug nut/bolt torque is very important to
ensure that the wheel is properly mounted to
the vehicle. Any time a wheel has been re-
moved and reinstalled on the vehicle, the lug
nuts/bolts should be torqued using a properly
calibrated torque wrench using a high quality
six sided (hex) deep wall socket.
Torque Specifications
Lug Nut/BoltTorque **Lug Nut/Bolt
Size Lug Nut/Bolt
Socket Size
100 Ft-Lbs (135 N·m) M12 x 1.25 19 mm
**Use only an authorized dealer recom-
mended lug nuts/bolts and clean or remove
any dirt or oil before tightening.
Inspect the wheel mounting surface prior to
mounting the tire and remove any corrosion
or loose particles. Tighten the lug nuts/bolts in a star pattern
until each nut/bolt has been tightened twice.
Ensure that the socket is fully engaged on the
lug nut/bolt (do not insert it halfway).
After 25 miles (40 km), check the lug nut/
bolt torque to be sure that all the lug nuts/
bolts are properly seated against the wheel.
WARNING!
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off
the jack, do not tighten the lug nuts fully
until the vehicle has been lowered. Failure
to follow this warning may result in per-
sonal injury.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS —
GASOLINE ENGINE
This engine is designed to meet all emissions
regulations and provide excellent fuel
economy and performance when using high
quality unleaded gasoline with a minimum
research octane rating (RON) of 91.
Light spark knock at low engine speeds is not
harmful to your engine. However, continued
heavy spark knock at high speeds can cause
damage, and immediate service is required.
Poor quality gasoline can cause problems
such as hard starting, stalling, and hesita-
tions. If you experience these symptoms, try
another brand of gasoline before considering
service for the vehicle.
Torque Pattern
231
Methanol
(Methyl) is used in a variety of concentrations
when blended with unleaded gasoline. You
may find fuels containing 3% or more metha-
nol along with other alcohols called cosol-
vents. Problems that result from using
methanol/gasoline are not the responsibility
of the manufacturer. While MTBE is an oxy-
genate made from Methanol, it does not have
the negative effects of Methanol.
WARNING!
Do not use gasolines containing Methanol.
Use of these blends may result in starting
and drivability problems and may damage
critical fuel system components.
Ethanol
The manufacturer recommends that your ve-
hicle be operated on fuel containing no more
than 15% ethanol. Purchasing your fuel from
a reputable supplier may reduce the risk of
exceeding this 15% limit and/or of receiving
fuel with abnormal properties. It should also
be noted that an increase in fuel consump-
tion should be expected when using ethanol-blended fuels, due to the lower energy con-
tent of ethanol. Problems that result from
using methanol/gasoline or E-85 ethanol
blends are not the responsibility of the
manufacturer.
CAUTION!
Use of fuel with Ethanol content higher
than 15% may result in engine malfunc-
tion, starting and operating difficulties,
and materials degradation. These adverse
effects could result in permanent damage
to your vehicle.
Clean Air Gasoline
Many gasolines are now being blended to
contribute to cleaner air, especially in those
areas where air pollution levels are high.
These new blends provide a cleaner burning
fuel and some are referred to as “reformu-
lated gasoline.”
The manufacturer supports these efforts to-
ward cleaner air. You can help by using these
blends as they become available.
CNG And LP Fuel System Modifications
Modifications that allow the engine to run on
compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquid pro-
pane (LP) may result in damage to the en-
gine, emissions, and fuel system compo-
nents. Problems that result from running
CNG or LP are not the responsibility of the
manufacturer and may void or not be covered
under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
MMT In Gasoline
Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricar-
bonyl (MMT) is a manganese containing me-
tallic additive that is blended into some gaso-
line to increase octane. Gasoline blended
with MMT provides no performance advan-
tage beyond gasoline of the same octane
number without MMT. Gasoline blended with
MMT reduces spark plug life and reduces
emission system performance in some ve-
hicles. The manufacturer recommends that
gasoline without MMT be used in your ve-
hicle. The MMT content of gasoline may not
be indicated on the gasoline pump; there-
fore, you should ask your gasoline retailer
whether or not his/her gasoline contains
MMT.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
232