
WARNING!
Do not use Summer tires in snow/ice conditions. You
could lose vehicle control, resulting in severe injury or
death. Driving too fast for conditions also creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control.
Snow Tires
Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during the Winter. Snow tires can be identified by a
“mountain/snowflake” symbol on the tire sidewall.If you need snow tires, select tires
equivalent in size and type to the origi-
nal equipment tires. Use snow tires only
in sets of four; failure to do so may
adversely affect the safety and handling
of your vehicle.
Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than what
was originally equipped with your vehicle and should not
be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph (120 km/h).
For speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h) refer to original
equipment or an authorized tire dealer for recommended
safe operating speeds, loading and cold tire inflation
pressures. While studded tires improve performance on ice, skid and
traction capability on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer
than that of non-studded tires. Some states prohibit stud-
ded tires; therefore, local laws should be checked before
using these tire types.
Spare Tires — If Equipped
NOTE:
For vehicles equipped with Tire Service Kit instead
of a spare tire, please refer to “Tire Service Kit” in “In Case
Of Emergency” for further information.
CAUTION!
Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with a
compact or limited use temporary spare installed.
Damage to the vehicle may result.
Refer to the “Towing Requirements - Tires” in “Starting
And Operating” for restrictions when towing with a spare
tire designated for temporary emergency use.
Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire And
Wheel — If Equipped
Your vehicle may be equipped with a spare tire and wheel
equivalent in look and function to the original equipment
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 241

NOTE:If you intend parking or storing your vehicle for an
extended period after cleaning the wheels with wheel
cleaner, drive your vehicle and apply the brakes to remove
the water droplets from the brake components. This activ-
ity will remove the red rust on the brake rotors and prevent
vehicle vibration when braking.
Dark Vapor Chrome, Black Satin Chrome, or Low Gloss
Clear Coat Wheels
CAUTION!
If your vehicle is equipped with these specialty
wheels, DO NOT USE wheel cleaners, abrasives, or
polishing compounds. They will permanently damage
this finish and such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. HAND WASH ONLY US-
ING MILD SOAP AND WATER WITH A SOFT
CLOTH. Used on a regular basis; this is all that is
required to maintain this finish.
Tire Chains (Traction Devices)
Use of traction devices require sufficient tire-to-body clear-
ance. Follow these recommendations to guard against
damage:
• Traction device must be of proper size for the tire, as
recommended by the traction device manufacturer.
• Install on Front Tires.
• Due to limited clearance, a 185/55R15 tire on a 15 x 6.0
x 35mm wheel with a Peerless Super Z6 low profile
traction device or equivalent is recommended.
WARNING!
Using tires of different size and type (M+S, Snow)
between front and rear axles can cause unpredictable
handling. You could lose control and have a collision.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 245

The front and rear wheels are different sizes and cannot be
used in place of each other. Rotate the wheels “side-to-
side” as shown in the diagram.
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.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement, as measured under controlled condi-
tions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Tire Rotation
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 247

WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The Temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of
the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance, which all pas-
senger vehicle tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel, than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
STORING THE VEHICLE
The preferred way of storing your vehicle for a long period
of time is to leave it attached to a Level 1 or Level 2 charger.
The vehicle has a wake-up feature that will wake the
system every 3 weeks and do a maintenance charge on the
12 Volt battery and also top off the high voltage battery if
necessary.
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(e.g., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh air
and high blower setting. This will ensure adequate system
lubrication to minimize the possibility of compressor dam-
age when the air conditioning system is started again.
248 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Lights............................... .58, 154
AirBag......................... .92, 123, 152
Brake Assist Warning ..................... .106
Brake Warning ...........................92
Bulb Replacement ....................... .182
Cruise .................................99
Daytime Running .........................58
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ...................58
Exterior .............................. .154
Headlights ..............................58
High Beam ..............................59
High Beam/Low Beam Select .................58
Instrument Cluster ........................58
Lights On Reminder .......................58
Park ............................... .59, 99
Passing ............................. .58, 59
Seat Belt Reminder ........................94
Security Alarm ...........................42
Service ............................... .182
Traction Control ........................ .106
Turn Signals .....................58, 60, 99, 154
Warning Instrument Cluster Descriptions ........99
Loading Vehicle ........................... .173
Tires................................. .230Locks
Power Door .............................46
Lubrication, Body ......................... .223
Lug Nuts/Bolts ........................... .255
Maintenance Free Battery .....................215
Maintenance, General ...................... .216
Maintenance Procedures ..................... .216
Maintenance Schedule .......................211
Manual Service ............................... .286
Master Cylinder Brakes ............................... .225
Memory Seat ..............................49
Mirrors ..................................56
Automatic Dimming .......................56
Electric Powered ..........................57
Heated ............................. .56, 58
Outside ................................56
Rearview ...............................56
Modifications/Alterations V
ehicle .................................5
Mopar Parts ............................. .285
MP3 Control ............................. .273
292 INDEX

Wheel, Heated...........................55
Wheel, Tilt ..............................55
Steering Wheel Audio Controls .................272
Storage ...................................80
Storage, Vehicle .............................72
Stuck, Freeing ............................ .206
Sun Roof .................................75
Supplemental Restraint System – Air Bag ..........124
Telescoping Steering Column ...................55
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ............71
Tilt Steering Column .........................55
Time Delay Headlight ...............................58
Tire And Loading Information Placard ............230
Tire Markings ............................ .227
Tires......................... .154, 234, 241, 247
Aging (Life Of Tires) ..................... .238
Air Pressure ........................... .234
Chains ............................... .245
Changing ............................. .226
Compact Spare ......................... .242
General Information ...................234, 241
High Speed ............................ .236
Inflation Pressure ....................... .235Jacking
............................... .226
Life Of Tires ........................... .238
Load Capacity ...................... .230, 231
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ............96
Quality Grading ........................ .247
Radial ............................... .236
Replacement ........................... .239
Rotation .............................. .246
Safety ............................ .226, 234
Snow Tires ............................ .241
Spare Tires ......................... .241, 243
Spinning .............................. .237
Tread Wear Indicators .....................238
Wheel Nut Torque ....................... .255
Tire Safety Information ...................... .226
T
ire Service Kit ............194, 195, 196, 197, 200, 201
To Open Hood .............................78
Towing ................................. .175
Disabled Vehicle ........................ .207
Recreational ........................... .175
Towing Behind A Motorhome ..................175
Traction ................................ .176
Traction Control .......................... .103
Trailer Towing ............................ .175
12
INDEX 295