SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
CONTENTS
SCHEDULED SERVICING .................343
▫ Maintenance Plan ...................... .344
ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................348
▫ 3.6L Engine ......................... .348
▫ 5.7L Engine ......................... .349
▫ Checking Oil Level .....................350
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ...................350
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .................351
DEALER SERVICE ...................... .352
▫ Engine Oil .......................... .353
▫ Engine Oil Filter ...................... .355
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter .................355
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ..............356
▫ Accessory Drive Belt Inspection ............358▫
Body Lubrication ..................... .359
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades .................360
▫ Exhaust System ....................... .362
▫ Cooling System ....................... .364
▫ Brake System ........................ .369
▫ Automatic Transmission ..................371
▫ All Wheel Drive (AWD) — If Equipped .......372
▫ Rear Axle ........................... .372
RAISING THE VEHICLE ..................373
TIRES ............................... .373
▫ Tire Safety Information ..................373
▫ Tires — General Information ..............383
▫ T
ire Types ........................... .389
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ................390
8
SCHEDULED SERVICING
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
scheduled maintenance.
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
frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or cold
ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will influence
when the “Change Oil” or “Oil Change Required” message
is displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can cause the
change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles
(5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).
The “Oil Change Required” message will be displayed in
the instrument cluster and a single chime will sound,
indicating that an oil change is necessary.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other than
your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To
Know Your Instrument Panel” for further information.NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), 12 months or 350
hours of engine run time, whichever comes first. The 350
hours of engine run or idle time is generally only a concern
for fleet customers.
Severe Duty All Models
Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) or 350 hours of
engine run time if the vehicle is operated in a dusty and
off-road environment, or is operated predominantly at idle
or only very low engine RPM’s. This type of vehicle use is
considered Severe Duty.
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
• Check engine oil level.
• Check windshield washer fluid level.
• Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before your next scheduled service.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and power steering (if equipped) and
fill as needed.
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 343
Maintenance Plan
Required Maintenance Intervals:
Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following page
for the required maintenance intervals.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By OilChange Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter
• Rotate the tires
Rotate at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it
occurs before your next scheduled service
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses and
park brake
• Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses
• Inspect exhaust system
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions
344 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
4. Install the new filter with arrows pointing in the direc-tion of airflow, which is toward the rear of the vehicle
(text and arrows on the filter will indicate this).
5. Close the filter access cover.
Refer to “Scheduled Servicing” in this section for the
proper maintenance intervals.Accessory Drive Belt Inspection
WARNING!
• Do not attempt to inspect an accessory drive belt
with vehicle running.
• When working near the radiator cooling fan, discon-
nect the fan motor lead. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at any time regardless of
ignition mode. You could be injured by the moving
fan blades.
• You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Only do service work for which you
have the knowledge and the proper equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent me-
chanic.
When inspecting accessory drive belts, small cracks that
run across ribbed surface of belt from rib to rib, are
considered normal. These are not a reason to replace belt.
However, cracks running along a rib (not across) are not
normal. Any belt with cracks running along a rib must be
replaced. Also have the belt replaced if it has excessive
wear, frayed cords or severe glazing.
A/C Air Filter
358 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
CAUTION!
If a transmission fluid leak occurs, visit an authorized
dealer immediately. Severe transmission damage may
occur. An authorized dealer has the proper tools to
adjust the fluid level accurately.
Fluid And Filter Changes
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will provide satisfactory lubrication for the life
of the vehicle.
Routine fluid and filter changes are not required. However,
change the fluid and filter if the fluid becomes contami-
nated (with water, etc.), or if the transmission is disas-
sembled for any reason.
All Wheel Drive (AWD) — If Equipped
The all wheel drive system consists of a transfer case and
front differential. The exterior surface of these components
should be inspected for evidence of fluid leaks. Confirmed
leaks should be repaired as soon as possible.The transfer case fluid fill/inspection plug is located in the
middle of the rear housing. To inspect the transfer case
fluid level, remove the fill/inspection plug. The fluid level
should be even with the bottom of the hole. Use this plug
to add fluid as required.
The front differential fill plug is located on the outer cover
near the halfshaft attachment. To inspect the differential
fluid level, remove the fill plug. The fluid level should be
even with or slightly below the bottom of the hole.
Fluid Changes
Refer to “Scheduled Servicing” in “Servicing And Mainte-
nance” for the proper maintenance intervals.
Rear Axle
For normal service, periodic fluid level checks are not
required. When the vehicle is serviced for other reasons the
exterior surfaces of the axle assembly should be inspected.
If gear oil leakage is suspected inspect the fluid level. Refer
to “Fluids And Lubricants” in “Technical Specifications”
for further information.
372 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires to
help you in determining when your tires should be re-
placed.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 is
worn 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 abnormal wear patterns will reduce tread
life, resulting in the need for earlier tire replacement.
• 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
maintenance is highly recommended.
Tire Tread
1—WornTire
2—NewTire
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 387
Refer to “Scheduled Servicing” in “Servicing And Mainte-
nance” for the proper maintenance intervals. The reasons
for any rapid or unusual wear should be corrected prior to
rotation being performed.
The suggested rotation method is the “rearward cross”
shown in the following diagram. This rotation pattern does
not apply to some directional tires that must not be
reversed.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.
Tire Rotation
396 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Security Alarm......................... .135
Service ............................... .305
Traction Control ........................ .152
Turn Signals ....................66, 70, 141, 215
Vanity Mirror ............................65
Warning Instrument Cluster Descriptions . . . .134, 141
Loading Vehicle ....................... .285, 286
Capacities ............................. .286
Tires................................. .379
Load Leveling System ...................... .100
Load Shed Battery Saver On ...................129
Load Shed Electrical Load Reduction .............129
Load Shed Intelligent Battery Sensor .............129
Locks Automatic Door ..........................43
Auto Unlock .............................42
Child Protection ..........................43
Power Door .............................38
Low Tire Pressure System .....................166
Lubrication, Body ......................... .359
Lug Nuts/Bolts ........................... .406
Maintenance ...............................93
Maintenance Free Battery .....................351
Maintenance Schedule ....................343, 344 Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . . .135, 143
Manual
Park Release ........................... .333
Service ............................... .470
Media Hub .............................. .447
Memory Feature (Memory Seats) ................48
Memory Seat ..............................48
Methanol ............................... .409
Mirrors ..................................60
Electric Powered ..........................62
Electric Remote ...........................62
Heated .................................64
Outside ................................61
Rearview ........................... .60, 300
Vanity .................................65
Modifications/Alterations Vehicle .................................5
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ..................166
Mopar
Parts ............................. .469
MP3 Control ............................. .447
Multi-Function Control Lever ...................66
New Vehicle Break-In Period ..................225
Occupant Restraints ........................ .172
480 INDEX