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
• 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
U.S.Metric
Cooling System*
2.4 Liter Gasoline Engine (PARAFLU
UP) 7.2 Quarts 6.8 Liters
3.2 Liter Gasoline Engine (PARAFLUUP) 10 Quarts 9.5 Liters
2.0 Liter Diesel Engine (PARAFLUUP) 7.2 Quarts 6.8 Liters
2.2 Liter Diesel Engine (PARAFLUUP) 7.2 Quarts 6.8 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS
Engine
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Coolant We recommend you use PARAFLUUPFormula OAT (Organic Additive
Technology) or equivalent meeting the requirements of FCA Material
Standard MS.90032.
Engine Oil – (2.4L Engine) We recommend you use SAE 0W-20 API Certified Engine Oil, meeting the requirements of FCA Material Standard MS-6395. Refer to your engine oil
filler cap for correct SAE grade.
Engine Oil – (3.2L Engine) We recommend you use SAE 5W-20 API Certified Engine Oil, meeting the requirements of FCA Material Standard MS-6395. Refer to your engine oil
filler cap for correct SAE grade.
SAE 5W-30 engine oil approved to MS-6395 may be used when SAE
5W-20 engine oil is not available.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
238
Oil (Engine)...............204
Oil (Engine) .....204, 205, 206, 207
Carbon Monoxide Warning .........116
Car Washes ..................226
Change Oil Indicator .............55
Changing A Flat Tire .........173, 216
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety . . . .116
Checks, Safety ................116
Child Restraints How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat
Belt ....................115
Child Safety Locks ..............22
Clean Air Gasoline .............232
Cleaning Wheels ..................222
Climate Control .............35, 276
Manual ...................35
Clock .....................248
Clock Setting .................248
Cold Weather Operation ..........121
Compact Spare Tire .............221
Cooling System ...............208
Coolant Capacity ............237
Inspection ................208
Selection Of Coolant
(Antifreeze) ............237, 238
Cruise Control (Speed Control) ......141Cruise Light
................64, 65
Customer Assistance ............280
Customer Programmable Features . . . .256
Daytime Running Lights ...........30
Dealer Service ................211
Defroster, Windshield ............117
Diagnostic System, Onboard ........66
Dipsticks Oil (Engine) ...............208
Disabled Vehicle Towing ..........190
Disturb ................... .267
Do Not Disturb ................278
Door Ajar ....................59
Door
Ajar Light ................59
Door Locks, Automatic ............22
Electric Brake Control System Anti-Lock Brake System .........68
Electronic Roll Mitigation .....71, 74
Electric Parking Brake ...........124
Electronic Brake Control System ......69
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ..................141
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) .....71
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light .....................58 Emergency, In Case Of
Hazard Warning Flasher ........160
Jacking ..............173, 216
Jump Starting ..............186
Overheating ...............188
Towing ..................190
Engine ..........204, 205, 206, 207
Break-In Recommendations .....123
Checking Oil Level ...........208
Coolant (Antifreeze) ..........238
Cooling ..................208
Exhaust Gas Caution ..........116
Jump Starting ..............186
Oil .................237, 238
Oil Filler Cap ..............204
Oil Filler Cap ...............204
Oil Filler Cap .......205, 206, 207
Oil Selection ..............237
Overheating ...............188
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ...............102, 193
Ethanol ....................232
Exhaust Gas Cautions ...........116
Exhaust System ...............116
Exterior Lights ................118
INDEX
300