WARNING!
• NEVER place any objects under the floor
mat (e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These ob-
jects could change the position of the
floor mat and may cause interference
with the accelerator, brake, or clutch
pedals.
• If the vehicle carpet has been removed
and re-installed, always properly attach
carpet to the floor and check the floor
mat fasteners are secure to the vehicle
carpet. Fully depress each pedal to
check for interference with the accelera-
tor, brake, or clutch pedals then re-
install the floor mats.
• It is recommended to only use mild soap
and water to clean your floor mats. After
cleaning, always check your floor mat
WARNING!
has been properly installed and is se-
cured to your vehicle using the floor mat
fasteners by lightly pulling mat.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and
uneven wear patterns. Check for stones,
nails, glass, or other objects lodged in the
tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts,
cracks, and bulges. Check the wheel nuts for
tightness. Check the tires (including spare)
for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake
lights and exterior lights while you work the
controls. Check turn signal and high beam
indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and lock-
ing.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under the vehicle after overnight
parking for fuel, coolant, oil, or other fluid
leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are detected or
if fuel, or brake fluid leaks are suspected. The
cause should be located and corrected imme-
diately.
139
The engine oil installed in the engine at the
factory is a high-quality energy conserving
type lubricant. Oil changes should be consis-
tent with anticipated climate conditions un-
der which vehicle operations will occur. For
the recommended viscosity and quality
grades, refer to “Fluids And Lubricants” in
“Technical Specifications”.
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight
Mineral Oil in the engine or damage may
result.
NOTE:
A new engine may consume some oil during
its first few thousand miles (kilometers) of
operation. This should be considered a nor-
mal part of the break-in and not interpreted
as a problem.
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if
the following precautions are not ob-
served:
• Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE
only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
• Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is
above idle speed.
• Before shifting into any gear, make sure
your foot is firmly pressing the brake
pedal.
NOTE:
You must press and hold the brake pedal
while shifting out of PARK.
WARNING!
• Never use the PARK position as a sub-
stitute for the parking brake. Always ap-
WARNING!
ply the parking brake fully when exiting
the vehicle to guard against vehicle
movement and possible injury or dam-
age.
• Your vehicle could move and injure you
and others if it is not in PARK. Check by
trying to move the transmission gear
selector out of PARK with the brake
pedal released. Make sure the transmis-
sion is in PARK before exiting the ve-
hicle.
• The transmission may not engage PARK
if the vehicle is moving. Always bring the
vehicle to a complete stop before shift-
ing to PARK, and verify that the trans-
mission gear position indicator solidly
indicates PARK (P) without blinking. En-
sure that the vehicle is completely
stopped, and the PARK position is prop-
erly indicated, before exiting the ve-
hicle.
• It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle
147
**** The spark plug change interval is mile-
age based only, yearly intervals do not apply.
***** This maintenance is recommended by
the manufacturer to the owner, but is not
required to maintain emissions warranty.
WARNING!
• You can be badly injured working on or
around a motor vehicle. Do only service
work for which you have the knowledge
and the right equipment. If you have any
doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a com-
petent mechanic.
• Failure to properly inspect and maintain
your vehicle could result in a component
malfunction and effect vehicle handling
and performance. This could cause an
accident.
Severe Duty Conditions
Change the engine oil and engine oil filter at
every 4500 miles (7,500 km) or 6 months if
using your vehicle under any of the following
severe duty conditions:• Stop and go driving.
• Driving in dusty conditions.
• Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
• Trailer towing.
• Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial
service).
• Off-road or desert operation.
Scheduled Servicing — Diesel Engine
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
oil change indicator system. The oil change
indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for engine oil
replacement.
On vehicles equipped with instrument cluster
display, “Oil Change Required” will be dis-
played and a single chime will sound, indi-
cating that an oil change is necessary.
On non-instrument cluster display equipped
vehicles, “Change Oil” will flash in the instru-
ment cluster odometer and a single chime
will sound, indicating that an oil change is
necessary.Based on engine operation conditions, the oil
change indicator message will illuminate.
This means that service is required for your
vehicle. Operating conditions such as fre-
quent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or
cold ambient temperatures will influence
when the “Oil Change Required” message is
displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can
cause the change oil message to illuminate
as earlier than specified. Have your vehicle
serviced as soon as possible, within the next
500 miles (805 km).
NOTE:
•The actual interval for changing engine oil
and replacing the engine oil filter depends on
the vehicle usage conditions, and is signaled
by the warning light or message in the instru-
ment cluster. In any case, it must never ex-
ceed two years. If the vehicle is used mainly
for city driving, change the engine oil and
filter every year.
•Flush and replace the engine coolant at
120 months or 150,000 miles (240,000 km)
whichever comes first.
213
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!
• Brake fluid is poisonous and highly cor-
rosive. In the event of accidental con-
tact, immediately wash the affected
parts with water and neutral soap. Then
rinse thoroughly. Call a doctor immedi-
ately if swallowed.
• Use only manufacturer's recommended
brake fluid. Refer to “Fluids And Lubri-
cants” in “Technical Specifications” for
further information. Using the wrong
type of brake fluid can severely damage
WARNING!
your brake system and/or impair its per-
formance. The proper type of brake fluid
for your vehicle is also identified on the
original factory installed hydraulic mas-
ter cylinder reservoir.
• To avoid contamination from foreign
matter or moisture, use only new brake
fluid or fluid that has been in a tightly
closed container. Keep the master cylin-
der reservoir cap secured at all times.
Brake fluid in a open container absorbs
moisture from the air resulting in a lower
boiling point. This may cause it to boil
unexpectedly during hard or prolonged
braking, resulting in sudden brake fail-
ure. This could result in a collision.
• Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot en-
gine parts, causing the brake fluid to
catch fire. Brake fluid can also damage
painted and vinyl surfaces, care should
be taken to avoid its contact with these
surfaces.
• Do not allow petroleum based fluid to
contaminate the brake fluid. Brake seal
WARNING!
components could be damaged, causing
partial or complete brake failure. This
could result in a collision.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid Level Check
The fluid level is preset at the factory and
does not require adjustment under normal
operating conditions. Routine fluid level
checks are not required; therefore the trans-
mission has no dipstick. An authorized dealer
can check your transmission fluid level using
special service tools. If you notice fluid leak-
age or transmission malfunction, visit an au-
thorized dealer immediately to have the
transmission fluid level checked. Operating
the vehicle with an improper fluid level can
cause severe transmission damage.
CAUTION!
If a transmission fluid leak occurs, visit an
authorized dealer immediately. Severe
transmission damage may occur. An au-
225
WARNING!
30 mph (48 km/h) for more than 30 sec-
onds continuously when you are stuck,
and do not let anyone near a spinning
wheel, no matter what the speed.
Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are in the original
equipment tires to help you in determining
when your tires should be replaced.
These indicators are molded into the bottom
of the tread grooves. They will appear as
bands when the tread depth becomes a
1/16 of an inch (1.6 mm). When the tread isworn to the tread wear indicators, the tire
should be replaced. Refer to “Replacement
Tires” in this section for further information.
Life Of Tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including, but not limited to:
• Driving style.
• Tire pressure - Improper cold tire inflation
pressures can cause uneven wear patterns
to develop across the tire tread. These ab-
normal wear patterns will reduce tread life,
resulting in the need for earlier tire replace-
ment.
• Distance driven.
• Performance tires, tires with a speed rating
of V or higher, and Summer tires typically
have a reduced tread life. Rotation of these
tires per the vehicle scheduled mainte-
nance is highly recommended.
WARNING!
Tires and the spare tire should be replaced
after six years, regardless of the remaining
tread. Failure to follow this warning can
WARNING!
result in sudden tire failure. You could lose
control and have a collision resulting in
serious injury or death.
NOTE:
Wheel Valve Stem must be replaced as well
when installing new tires due to wear and tear
in existing tires.
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place
with as little exposure to light as possible.
Protect tires from contact with oil, grease,
and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a bal-
ance of many characteristics. They should be
inspected regularly for wear and correct cold
tire inflation pressures. The manufacturer
strongly recommends that you use tires
equivalent to the originals in size, quality and
performance when replacement is needed.
Refer to the paragraph on “Tread Wear Indi-
cators” in this section. Refer to the Tire and
Loading Information placard or the Vehicle
Certification Label for the size designation of
Tire Tread
1 — Worn Tire
2 — New Tire
233
FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS
Engine
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil
that has been thoroughly developed and
tested in order to meet the requirements ofthe Scheduled Servicing Plan. Constant use
of the prescribed lubricants guarantees the
fuel consumption and emission specifica-
tions. Lubricant quality is crucial for engine
operation and duration. If lubricants con-
forming to the specific request are not avail-
able, products that meet the indicated speci-fications can be used to top up, in this case
optimal performance of the engine is not
guaranteed.
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.
Intercooler – If Equipped We recommend you use PARAFLU
UPFormula OAT (Organic Additive Technology) or
equivalent meeting the requirements of FCA Material Standard MS.90032.
Engine Oil — 2.0L Gasoline Engine We recommend you use API SN PLUS Certified SAE 5W-30 Full Synthetic Engine Oil which
meets the requirements of FCA Material Standard MS-13340. If SN PLUS or equivalent oil
is unavailable then use SAE 0W-30 ACEA C2/API SN Full Synthetic Engine Oil which meets
the requirement of FCA Material Standard 9.55535-GS1, such as SELENIA DIGITEK.
CAUTION!
Failure to use the recommended SN PLUS or equivalent oil can cause engine damage not cov-
ered by the vehicle warranty.
Engine Oil — 3.6L Gasoline Engine We recommend you use, API Certified SAE 0W-20 Engine Oil, meeting the requirements
of FCA Material Standard MS-6395. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for correct SAE
grade.
259