Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the complete
exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken, dam-
aged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams or
loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep into
the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the ex-
haust system each time the vehicle is raised for lubrication
or oil change. Replace as required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a collision.
Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a collision
if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor, torn web-
bing, etc.). If there is any question regarding seat belt or
retractor condition, replace the seat belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The Air Bag warning lightwill turn on for four to
eight seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch
is first turned to ON/RUN. If the light is either not on
during starting, stays on, or turns on while driving,
have the system inspected at an authorized dealer as
soon as possible. After the bulb check, this light will
illuminate with a single chime when a fault with the Air
Bag System has been detected. It will stay on until the
fault is removed. If the light comes on intermittently or
remains on while driving, have an authorized dealer
service the vehicle immediately.
Refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” in “Safety” for
further information.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See an autho-
rized dealer for service if your defroster is inoperable.
5
SAFETY 235
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
CONTENTS
SCHEDULED SERVICING .................335
▫ Maintenance Plan ...................... .336
ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................339
▫ Engine Compartment — 3.6L ..............339
▫ Checking Oil Level .................... .340
▫ Adding Washer Fluid .................. .340
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .................340
DEALER SERVICE ...................... .341
▫ Engine Oil .......................... .342
▫ Engine Oil Filter ...................... .343
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter .................344
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ..............344
▫ Accessory Drive Belt Inspection ............346
▫ Body Lubrication ..................... .347▫
Windshield Wiper Blades .................348
▫ Exhaust System ....................... .348
▫ Cooling System ....................... .350
▫ Brake System ........................ .354
▫ Automatic Transmission ..................356
RAISING THE VEHICLE ..................357
TIRES ............................... .357
▫ Tire Safety Information ..................357
▫ Tires — General Information ..............367
▫ Tire Types ........................... .373
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ................374
▫ Wheel And Wheel Trim Care ..............377
▫ T
ire Chains (Traction Devices) .............378
▫ Tire Rotation Recommendations ............379
8
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine 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 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut OFF.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain the
oil level within the SAFE crosshatch marking on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at the
bottom of the mark will result in reading the top of the
mark on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause oil aeration, or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Adding Washer Fluid
The fluid reservoir for the windshield washers and the rear
window washer is shared. It is located in the engine
compartment and should be checked at regular intervals.
Fill the reservoir with windshield washer solvent (not
radiator antifreeze) and operate the system for a few
seconds to flush out any residual water.The washer fluid reservoir will hold a full gallon of fluid
when the Low Washer Fluid Light illuminates.
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.
After the engine has warmed, operate the defroster for a
few minutes to reduce the possibility of smearing or
freezing the fluid on the cold windshield. Mopar All
Weather Windshield Washer Solution or equivalent, used
with water as directed on the container, aids cleaning
action, reduces the freezing point to avoid line clogging,
and is not harmful to paint or trim.
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic mainte-
nance required.
340 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Certification Label......................... .268
Chains, Tire ............................. .378
Change Oil Indicator ....................... .135
Changing A Flat Tire .................... .297, 357
Chart, Tire Sizing .......................... .359
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light). . . .154
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ...............234
Checks, Safety ............................ .234
Child Restraint ........................... .210
Child Restraints Booster Seats ........................... .214
Child Seat Installation ................. .226, 228
How To Stow An unused ALR Seat Belt ........224
Infant And Child Restraints .................212
Locating The LATCH Anchorages .............220
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children .......216
Older Children And Child Restraints ...........213
Seating Positions ........................ .215
Using The Top Tether Anchorage .............231
Clean Air Gasoline ........................ .391
Cleaning Wheels ............................... .377
Climate Control ............................68
Automatic ..............................76
Manual ................................68 Coat Hook
...............................112
Cold Weather Operation ..................... .241
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ................463
Compact Spare Tire ........................ .375
Compass ................................ .137
Calibration ............................ .138
Variance .............................. .138
Computer, Trip/Travel ................... .136, 144
Console ................................ .105
Floor ................................ .105
Console, Overhead ........................ .108
Contract, Service .......................... .468
Cooling
Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ............353
Cooling System ........................... .350
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .................352
Cooling Capacity ........................ .397
Disposal Of Used Coolant ..................353
Drain, Flush, And Refill ................... .351
Inspection ............................. .350
Points To Remember ..................... .353
Pressure Cap ........................... .353
Radiator Cap .......................... .353
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) .......351, 397, 398
Corrosion Protection ....................... .381
Cruise Light ............................. .152
474 INDEX
Checking Oil Level...................... .340
Compartment .......................... .339
Compartment Identification .................339
Coolant (Antifreeze) ..................... .398
Cooling .............................. .350
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. .234, 393
Fails To Start ........................... .242
Flooded, Starting ........................ .242
Oil ........................... .342, 397, 398
Oil Filler Cap .......................... .339
Oil Filter .............................. .343
Oil Selection ........................ .342, 397
Oil Synthetic ........................... .343
Overheating ........................... .327
Starting .............................. .241
Engine Oil Viscosity ........................ .342
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ....................342
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .........207, 331
Ethanol ............................. .391, 394
Exhaust Gas Cautions ................... .234, 393
Exhaust System ....................... .234, 348
Exterior Lighting ............................61
Exterior Lights ...................... .61, 237, 287Filters
Air Cleaner ............................ .344
Air Conditioning ..................... .88, 345
Engine Oil ......................... .343, 398
Engine Oil Disposal ...................... .343
Flashers Hazard Warning ........................ .286
Turn Signals .................. .61, 152, 237, 289
Flash-To-Pass ........................... .61, 62
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ......................... .396
Engine Oil ............................ .395
Fuel Requirements ....................... .394
Maintenance ........................... .396
Replacement
Parts ....................... .396
Starting .............................. .395
Flooded Engine Starting ..................... .242
Floor Console ............................ .105
Fluid, Brake ............................. .400
Fluid Capacities ........................... .397
Fluid Leaks .............................. .237
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ................... .357
Brake ................................ .355
Power Steering ......................... .254
476 INDEX
Lubrication, Body......................... .347
Luggage Carrier .......................... .122
Lug Nuts/Bolts ........................... .389
Maintenance Free Battery .................... .340
Maintenance Schedule ...................... .335
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . . .150, 154
Manual Service ............................... .470
Map/Reading Lights .........................64
Media Hub .............................. .406
Methanol ............................... .391
Mini-Trip Computer .................... .136, 144
Mirrors ............................... .56, 58
Automatic Dimming .......................56
Electric Remote ...........................59
Exterior Folding ..........................60
Heated ............................. .56, 60
Outside ............................. .56, 58
Rearview ............................ .56, 57
Vanity .................................60
Modifications/Alterations Vehicle .................................5
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ..................174
Mopar Parts ............................. .469MP3 Control
............................. .406
Multi-Function Control Lever ...................61
New Vehicle Break-In Period ..................242
Occupant Restraints ........................ .179
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ..............390, 398
Oil Change Indicator Reset ................................ .135
Oil, Engine ........................... .342, 398
Capacity .............................. .397
Change Interval ........................ .342
Checking ............................. .340
Disposal .............................. .343
Filter ............................. .343, 398
Filter Disposal .......................... .343
Identification Logo ...................... .342
Materials
Added To ...................... .343
Pressure Warning Light ................... .147
Recommendation .................... .342, 397
Synthetic ............................. .343
Viscosity .......................... .342, 397
Oil Filter, Change ......................... .343
Oil Filter, Selection ......................... .343
Oil Pressure Light ......................... .147
480 INDEX