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WARNING!
•Never have any smoking materials lit in or near the
vehicle when the fuel door is open or the tank is
being filled.
• Never add fuel when the engine is running. This is
in violation of most state and federal fire regulations
and may cause the “Malfunction Indicator Light” to
turn on.
• A fire may result if fuel is pumped into a portable
container that is inside of a vehicle. You could be
burned. Always place fuel containers on the ground
while filling.
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top off”
the fuel tank after filling.
Emergency Fuel Filler Door Release
If you are unable to open the fuel filler door, use the fuel
filler door emergency release.
1. Open the liftgate. 2. Push the inboard edge of the left storage bin to the
center, this will pop up the outboard edge.
3. Grab popped up outboard edge with other hand to disengage snaps.
4. Remove the storage bin.
5. Pull the release cable to open the fuel door, push the release cable back to the home position to re-seat the fuel
door latch to the closed position.
Release Cable
342 STARTING AND OPERATING
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NOTE:If the fuel door does not latch after the manual
release cable has been activated, the actuator latch should
be manually returned to the closed position.
VEHICLE LOADING
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
including driver, passengers, vehicle, options and cargo.
The label also specifies maximum capacities of front and
rear axle systems (GAWR). Total load must be limited so
GVWR and front and rear GAWR are not exceeded.
Payload
The payload of a vehicle is defined as the allowable load
weight a truck can carry, including the weight of the driver,
all passengers, options and cargo.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible load on the front
and rear axles. The load must be distributed in the cargo
area so that the GAWR of each axle is not exceeded.
Each axle GAWR is determined by the components in the
system with the lowest load carrying capacity (axle,
springs, tires or wheels). Heavier axles or suspension components sometimes specified by purchasers for in-
creased durability does not necessarily increase the vehi-
cle’s GVWR.
Tire Size
The tire size on the Vehicle Certification Label represents
the actual tire size on your vehicle. Replacement tires must
be equal to the load capacity of this tire size.
Rim Size
This is the rim size that is appropriate for the tire size
listed.
Inflation Pressure
This is the cold tire inflation pressure for your vehicle for
all loading conditions up to full GAWR.
Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the total weight
of the vehicle with all fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full
capacity conditions, and with no occupants or cargo loaded
into the vehicle. The front and rear curb weight values are
determined by weighing your vehicle on a commercial
scale before any occupants or cargo are added.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 343
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CAUTION!
•When installing the power distribution center cover,
it is important to ensure the cover is properly posi-
tioned and fully latched. Failure to do so may allow
water to get into the power distribution center and
possibly result in an electrical system failure.
• When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to use
only a fuse having the correct amperage rating. The
use of a fuse with a rating other than indicated may
result in a dangerous electrical system overload. If a
properly rated fuse continues to blow, it indicates a
problem in the circuit that must be corrected.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
• Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get
under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift.
• Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is on
a jack.
• The jack is designed to be used as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should be
jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
390 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Page 408 of 598
In order to move the vehicle in cases where the transmis-
sion will not shift out of PARK (such as a dead battery), a
Manual Park Release is available.
Follow these steps to use the Manual Park Release:
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Open the center console and locate the Manual ParkRelease cover, remove it by snapping the cover away
from the console hinges. 3. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
4. Using a screwdriver or similar tool, push the metal latch
in towards the tether strap.
Manual Park Release Cover
Release Latch
406 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Page 409 of 598
5. While the metal latch is in the open position, pullupward on the tether strap until the lever clicks and
latches in the released position. The transmission is now
out of PARK and the vehicle can be moved.
CAUTION!
Closing the armrest while the Manual Park Release is
activated may damage the Manual Park Release
mechanism, the transmission, and/or the armrest. NOTE:
To prevent the vehicle from rolling unintentionally,
firmly apply the parking brake.
To Disengage The Manual Park Release Lever:
1. To disengage the Manual Park Release, apply tension upward while pushing the release latch towards the
tether to unlock the lever.
Released Position
Release Latch
7
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 407
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Conditions that would require replacement:
•Rib chunking (one or more ribs has separated from belt
body)
• Rib or belt wear
• Longitudinal belt cracking (cracks between two ribs)
• Belt slips
• “Groove jumping (belt does not maintain correct posi-
tion on pulley)
• Belt broken (note: identify and correct problem before
new belt is installed) •
Noise (objectionable squeal, squeak, or rumble is heard
or felt while drive belt is in operation)
Some conditions can be caused by a faulty component such
as a belt pulley. Belt pulleys should be carefully inspected
for damage and proper alignment.
Belt replacement on some models requires the use of
special tools, we recommend having your vehicle serviced
at an authorized dealer.
Body Lubrication
Locks and all body pivot points, including such items as
seat tracks, door hinge pivot points and rollers, liftgate,
tailgate, decklid, sliding doors and hood hinges, should be
lubricated periodically with a lithium based grease, such as
Mopar Spray White Lube to assure quiet, easy operation
and to protect against rust and wear. Prior to the applica-
tion of any lubricant, the parts concerned should be wiped
clean to remove dust and grit; after lubricating excess oil
and grease should be removed. Particular attention should
also be given to hood latching components to ensure
proper function. When performing other underhood ser-
vices, the hood latch, release mechanism and safety catch
should be cleaned and lubricated.
Accessory Belt (Serpentine Belt)8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 433
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3. With the wiper blade disengaged, remove the wiperblade from the wiper arm by holding the wiper arm
with one hand and separating the wiper blade from the
wiper arm with the other hand (move the wiper blade
toward the right side of the vehicle to separate the wiper
blade from the wiper arm).
4. Gently lower the wiper arm onto the glass. Installing The Front Wipers
1. Lift the wiper arm off of the glass, until the wiper arm is
in the full up position.
2. Position the wiper blade near the hook on the tip of the wiper arm with the wiper release tab open and the blade
side of the wiper facing up and away from the wind-
shield.
3. Insert the hook on the tip of the arm through the opening in the wiper blade under the release tab.
4. Slide the wiper blade up into the hook on the wiper arm and rotate the wiper blade until it is flush against the
wiper arm. Fold down the latch release tab and snap it
into its locked position. Latch engagement will be
accompanied by an audible click.
5. Gently lower the wiper blade onto the glass.
Rear Wiper Blade Removal/Installation
1. Lift the rear wiper arm pivot cap away from the glass to allow the rear wiper blade to be raised off of the glass.
Wiper Blade Removed From Wiper Arm
1 — Wiper Blade
2 — Wiper Arm
3 — Release Tab 436 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Page 584 of 598

Cargo Area Cover.......................113,114
Cargo Compartment ........................113
Light .................................113
Luggage Carrier ........................ .135
Cargo Light ...............................113
Cargo Tie-Downs ...........................114
Car Washes .............................. .473
Cellular Phone ........................... .551
Center High Mounted Stop Light ...............382
Chains, Tire ............................. .469
Changing A Flat Tire ....................... .448
Chart, Tire Sizing .......................... .450
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light). . . .171
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ...............254
Checks, Safety ............................ .254
Child Restraint ........................... .228
Child Restraints Booster Seats ........................... .231
Child Seat Installation .....................248
How To Stow An unused ALR Seat Belt ........244
Infant And Child Restraints .................230
Locating The LATCH Anchorages .............238
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children .......234
Older Children And Child Restraints ...........230
Seating Positions ........................ .233Child Safety Locks
..........................40
Clean Air Gasoline ........................ .482
Cleaning Wheels ............................... .468
Climate Control ............................86
Automatic ..............................87
Cold Weather Operation ..................... .268
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ................571
Compact Spare Tire ........................ .466
Contract, Service .......................... .576
Cooling Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ............443
Cooling System ........................... .440
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .................442
Coolant Level .......................... .443
Cooling Capacity ........................ .486
Disposal
Of Used Coolant ..................443
Drain, Flush, And Refill ................... .441
Inspection ......................... .440, 443
Points To Remember ..................... .444
Pressure Cap ........................... .443
Radiator Cap .......................... .443
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) .......441, 486, 487
Corrosion Protection ....................... .472
Cruise Control (Speed Control) ..............291, 294
Cruise Light .......................... .168, 169
582 INDEX