ENHANCED ACCIDENT
RESPONSE SYSTEM (EARS)
This vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced
Accident Response System.
Please refer to “Occupant Restraint Sys-
tems” in “Safety” for further information on
the Enhanced Accident Response System
(EARS) function.
EVENT DATA RECORDER
(EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data
Recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR
is to record data that will assist in under-
standing how a vehicle’s systems performed
under certain crash or near crash-like situa-
tions, such as an air bag deployment or hit-
ting a road obstacle.
Please refer to “Occupant Restraint Sys-
tems” in “Safety” for further information on
the Event Data Recorder (EDR).IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
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TIRES
Tires — General Information
Tire Pressure
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to
the safe and satisfactory operation of your
vehicle. Four primary areas are affected by
improper tire pressure:
• Safety and Vehicle Stability
• Economy
• Tread Wear
• Ride Comfort
Safety
WARNING!
• Improperly inflated tires are dangerous
and can cause collisions.
• Underinflation increases tire flexing and
can result in overheating and tire failure.
• Overinflation reduces a tire's ability to
cushion shock. Objects on the road and
chuckholes can cause damage that re-
sult in tire failure.
WARNING!
• Overinflated or underinflated tires can
affect vehicle handling and can fail sud-
denly, resulting in loss of vehicle control.
• Unequal tire pressures can cause steer-
ing problems. You could lose control of
your vehicle.
• Unequal tire pressures from one side of
the vehicle to the other can cause the
vehicle to drift to the right or left.
• Always drive with each tire inflated to
the recommended cold tire inflation
pressure.
Both under-inflation and over-inflation affect
the stability of the vehicle and can produce a
feeling of sluggish response or over respon-
siveness in the steering.
NOTE:
• Unequal tire pressures from side to side
may cause erratic and unpredictable steer-
ing response.
• Unequal tire pressure from side to side may
cause the vehicle to drift left or right.Fuel EconomyUnderinflated tires will increase tire rolling re-
sistance resulting in higher fuel consumption.
Tread Wear
Improper cold tire inflation pressures can
cause abnormal wear patterns and reduced
tread life, resulting in the need for earlier tire
replacement.
Ride Comfort And Vehicle Stability
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfort-
able ride. Over-inflation produces a jarring
and uncomfortable ride.
Tire Inflation Pressures
The proper cold tire inflation pressure is
listed on the driver's side B-Pillar or rear edge
of the driver's side door.
At least once a month:
• Check and adjust tire pressure with a good
quality pocket-type pressure gauge. Do not
make a visual judgement when determining
proper inflation. Tires may look properly
inflated even when they are under-inflated.
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• Inspect tires for signs of tire wear or visible
damage.
CAUTION!
After inspecting or adjusting the tire pres-
sure, always reinstall the valve stem cap.
This will prevent moisture and dirt from
entering the valve stem, which could dam-
age the valve stem.
Inflation pressures specified on the placard
are always “cold tire inflation pressure”. Cold
tire inflation pressure is defined as the tire
pressure after the vehicle has not been driven
for at least three hours, or driven less than
1 mile (1.6 km) after sitting for a minimum of
three hours. The cold tire inflation pressure
must not exceed the maximum inflation pres-
sure molded into the tire sidewall.
Check tire pressures more often if subject to
a wide range of outdoor temperatures, as tire
pressures vary with temperature changes.Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi
(7 kPa) per 12°F (7°C) of air temperature
change. Keep this in mind when checking
tire pressure inside a garage, especially in the
Winter.
Example: If garage temperature = 68°F
(20°C) and the outside temperature = 32°F
(0°C) then the cold tire inflation pressure
should be increased by 3 psi (21 kPa), which
equals 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F (7°C) for
this outside temperature condition.
Tire pressure may increase from 2 to 6 psi
(13 to 40 kPa) during operation. DO NOT
reduce this normal pressure build up or your
tire pressure will be too low.
Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation
The manufacturer advocates driving at safe
speeds and within posted speed limits.
Where speed limits or conditions are such
that the vehicle can be driven at high speeds,
maintaining correct tire inflation pressure is
very important. Increased tire pressure and
reduced vehicle loading may be required for
high-speed vehicle operation. Refer to anauthorized tire dealer or original equipment
vehicle dealer for recommended safe operat-
ing speeds, loading and cold tire inflation
pressures.
WARNING!
High speed driving with your vehicle under
maximum load is dangerous. The added
strain on your tires could cause them to
fail. You could have a serious collision. Do
not drive a vehicle loaded to the maximum
capacity at continuous speeds above
75 mph (120 km/h).
Radial Ply Tires
WARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with other types
of tires on your vehicle will cause your
vehicle to handle poorly. The instability
could cause a collision. Always use radial
ply tires in sets of four. Never combine
them with other types of tires.
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
194
WARNING!
spare. Failure to do so could result in spare
tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
Full Size Spare — If Equipped
The full size spare is for temporary emer-
gency use only. This tire may look like the
originally equipped tire on the front or rear
axle of your vehicle, but it is not. This spare
tire may have limited tread life. When the
tread is worn to the tread wear indicators, the
temporary use full size spare tire needs to be
replaced. Since it is not the same as your
original equipment tire, replace (or repair)
the original equipment tire and reinstall on
the vehicle at the first opportunity.
Limited Use Spare — If Equipped
The limited use spare tire is for temporary
emergency use only. This tire is identified by
a label located on the limited use spare
wheel. This label contains the driving limita-
tions for this spare. This tire may look like the
original equipped tire on the front or rear axle
of your vehicle, but it is not. Installation of
this limited use spare tire affects vehiclehandling. Since it is not the same as your
original equipment tire, replace (or repair)
the original equipment tire and reinstall on
the vehicle at the first opportunity.
WARNING!
Limited use spares are for emergency use
only. Installation of this limited use spare
tire affects vehicle handling. With this tire,
do not drive more than the speed listed on
the limited use spare wheel. Keep inflated
to the cold tire inflation pressures listed on
your Tire and Loading Information Placard
located on the driver’s side B-Pillar or the
rear edge of the driver’s side door. Replace
(or repair) the original equipment tire at
the first opportunity and reinstall it on your
vehicle. Failure to do so could result in loss
of vehicle control.
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care
All wheels and wheel trim, especially alumi-
num and chrome plated wheels, should be
cleaned regularly using mild (neutral Ph)
soap and water to maintain their luster and to
prevent corrosion. Wash wheels with thesame soap solution recommended for the
body of the vehicle and remember to always
wash when the surfaces are not hot to the
touch.
Your wheels are susceptible to deterioration
caused by salt, sodium chloride, magnesium
chloride, calcium chloride, etc., and other
road chemicals used to melt ice or control
dust on dirt roads. Use a soft cloth or sponge
and mild soap to wipe away promptly. Do not
use harsh chemicals or a stiff brush. They can
damage the wheel’s protective coating that
helps keep them from corroding and
tarnishing.
CAUTION!
Avoid products or automatic car washes
that use acidic solutions or strong alkaline
additives or harsh brushes. Many aftermar-
ket wheel cleaners and automatic car
washes may damage the wheel's protective
finish. Such damage is not covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Only car
wash soap, Mopar Wheel Cleaner or
equivalent is recommended.
199
CAUTION!
pension components, it is important
that only traction devices in good condi-
tion are used. Broken devices can cause
serious damage. Stop the vehicle imme-
diately if noise occurs that could indi-
cate device breakage. Remove the dam-
aged parts of the device before further
use.
• Install device as tightly as possible and
then retighten after driving about ½ mile
(0.8 km).
• Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns
and large bumps, especially with a
loaded vehicle.
• Do not drive for a prolonged period on
dry pavement.
• Observe the traction device manufactur-
er’s instructions on the method of instal-
lation, operating speed, and conditions
for use. Always use the suggested oper-
ating speed of the device manufacturer’s
if it is less than 30 mph (48 km/h).
• Do not use traction devices on a com-
pact spare tire.
Tire Rotation Recommendations
The tires on the front and rear of your vehicle
operate at different loads and perform differ-
ent steering, handling, and braking func-
tions. For these reasons, they wear at unequal
rates.
These effects can be reduced by timely rota-
tion of tires. The benefits of rotation are
especially worthwhile with aggressive tread
designs such as those on On/Off Road type
tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help to
maintain mud, snow, and wet traction levels,
and contribute to a smooth, quiet ride.
Refer to the “Maintenance Plan” 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.
CAUTION!
Proper operation of four-wheel drive ve-
hicles depends on tires of equal size, type
and circumference on each wheel. Any
difference in tire size can cause damage to
the transfer case. Tire rotation schedule
should be followed to balance tire wear.
STORING THE VEHICLE
If you are storing your vehicle for more than
21 days, we recommend that you take the
following steps to minimize the drain on your
vehicle's battery:
• Disconnect the negative cable from battery.
• Any time you store your vehicle or keep it
out of service (i.e., vacation) for two weeks
Tire Rotation
201
or more, run the air conditioning 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 damage when
the system is started again.
BODYWORK
Body And Underbody Maintenance
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle is equipped with plastic head-
lights and fog lights that are lighter and less
susceptible to stone breakage than glass
headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and
therefore different lens cleaning procedures
must be followed.
To minimize the possibility of scratching the
lenses and reducing light output, avoid wip-
ing with a dry cloth. To remove road dirt, wash
with a mild soap solution followed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components,
solvents, steel wool or other aggressive mate-
rial to clean the lenses.
Preserving The Bodywork
Washing
• Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash
your vehicle in the shade using a mild car
wash soap, and rinse the panels completely
with clear water.
• Use a high quality cleaner wax remove road
film, stains and to protect your paint finish.
Take care never to scratch the paint.
• Avoid using abrasive compounds and power
buffing that may diminish the gloss or thin
out the paint finish.
CAUTION!
• Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning
materials such as steel wool or scouring
powder that will scratch metal and
painted surfaces.
• Use of power washers exceeding
1,200 psi (8,274 kPa) can result in
damage or removal of paint and decals.
Special Care
• If you drive on salted or dusty roads or if you
drive near the ocean, hose off the undercar-
riage at least once a month.
• It is important that the drain holes in the
lower edges of the doors, rocker panels, and
trunk be kept clear and open.
• If you detect any stone chips or scratches in
the paint, touch them up immediately. The
cost of such repairs is considered the re-
sponsibility of the owner.
• If your vehicle is damaged due to a collision
or similar cause that destroys the paint and
protective coating, have your vehicle re-
paired as soon as possible. The cost of such
repairs is considered the responsibility of
the owner.
• If you carry special cargo such as chemi-
cals, fertilizers, de-icer salt, etc., be sure
that such materials are well packaged and
sealed.
• If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads,
consider mud or stone shields behind each
wheel.
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
202
• An authorized dealer has touch up paint to
match the color of your vehicle.
Appearance Care For Fabric Top Models
To maintain the appearance of your vehicle's
interior trim and top, follow these precau-
tions:
• Avoid leaving your vehicle unattended with
the top down, as exposure to sun or rain
may damage interior trim.
• Do not use harsh cleaners or bleaching
agents on top material, as damage may
result.
• Do not allow any vinyl cleaner to run down
and dry on the paint, leaving a streak.
• After cleaning your vehicle's fabric top,
always make sure it is completely dry before
lowering.
• Be especially careful when washing the
windows by following the directions for
“Care of Fabric Top Windows.”Washing –Use mild soap suds, lukewarm
water, and a brush with soft bristles. If extra
cleaning is required, use a mild foaming
cleaner on the entire top, but support the top
from underneath.
Rinsing –Be sure to remove all traces of
cleaner by rinsing the top thoroughly with
clean water. Remember to allow the top to dry
before lowering it.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these cautions may cause
interior water damage, stains or mildew on
the top material:
• Avoid high-pressure car washes, as they
can damage the top material. Also, in-
creased water pressure may force past
the weather strips.
• It is recommended that the top be free of
water prior to opening it. Operating the
top, opening a door or lowering a window
while the top is wet may allow water to
drip into the vehicle's interior.
• Use care when washing the vehicle, wa-
ter pressure directed at the weather strip
CAUTION!
seals may cause water to leak into the
vehicle's interior.
• Careless handling and storage of the
removable roof panels may damage the
seals, causing water to leak into the
vehicle's interior.
• The front panel(s) must be positioned
properly to ensure sealing. Improper in-
stallation can cause water to leak into
the vehicle's interior.
Some parts of the vehicle may be painted
with a matte paintwork which requires spe-
cial care for its preservation.
CAUTION!
• Avoid washing with rollers and/or
brushes in washing stations. Wash the
vehicle only by hand using neutral pH
detergents; dry it with a wet chamois
leather. Abrasive products and/or pol-
ishes should not be used for cleaning the
car. Bird droppings must be washed off
203
CAUTION!
immediately and thoroughly as the acid
they contain is particularly aggressive.
• Avoid (if at all possible) parking the
vehicle under trees; remove vegetable
resins immediately as, when dried, it
may only be possible to remove them
with abrasive products and/or polishes,
which is highly inadvisable as they could
alter the typical opaqueness of the
paint.
• Do not use pure windshield washer fluid
for cleaning the front windshield and
rear window; dilute it min. 50% with
water. Only use pure windshield washer
fluid when strictly necessary due to out-
side temperature conditions.
Care Of Fabric Top Windows
Your vehicle's fabric top has pliable plastic
windows which can be scratched unless spe-
cial care is taken by following these directions:
1. Never use a dry cloth to remove dust.
Instead,use a microfiber towel or soft cot-
ton cloth moistened with cold or warm,clean water, and wipe across the window,
not up and down.
2. When washing,never use hot wateror any-
thing stronger than a mild soap. Never use
solvents such as alcohol or harsh cleaning
agents.
3. Always rinse thoroughly with cold water,
then wipe with a soft and slightly moist,
clean cloth.
4. When removing frost, snow or ice,never
use a scraper or de-icing chemicals.Use
warm water only if you must clean the
window quickly.
5. Debris (sand, mud/dirt, dust, or salt) from
off-road driving will have a major impact
on zipper operation. Even normal on-road
driving and vehicle washing will eventu-
ally impact window zipper operation. To
maintain ease of use of the window zip-
pers, each window zipper should be
cleaned and lubricated regularly. Before
applying, make sure the zipper teeth are
clear of sand, mud, and other materials.
Clean both sides of the zipper, not justone side. Rinse both zipper halves with
fresh water and allow to dry. Several ap-
plications may be required before the zip-
per comes free.
6. Never paste stickers, gummed labels or
any tape to the windows. Adhesives are
hard to remove and may damage the
windows.
INTERIORS
Seats And Fabric Parts
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning
purposes. Many are potentially flam-
mable, and if used in closed areas they
may cause respiratory harm.
Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye or clean the belts with
chemical solvents or abrasive cleaners. This
will weaken the fabric. Sun damage can also
weaken the fabric.
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
204