— Battery Charge Warning Light
This light illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly. If it stays on while the
engine is running, there may be a malfunc-
tion with the charging system. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
This indicates a possible problem with the
electrical system or a related component.
— Coolant Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine
condition. If the light turns on while driving,
safely pull over and stop the vehicle. If the
A/C system is on, turn it off. Also, shift the
transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the ve-
hicle. If the temperature reading does not
return to normal, turn the engine off imme-
diately and call for service.
NOTE:
As the coolant temperature gauge ap-
proaches "H," this indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound.
— Electronic Throttle Control (ETC)
Warning Light
This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. If a
problem is detected while the vehicle is run-
ning, the light will either stay on or flash
depending on the nature of the problem.
Cycle the ignition when the vehicle is safely
and completely stopped and the transmission
is placed in the PARK position. The light
should turn off. If the light remains on with
the vehicle running, your vehicle will usually
be drivable; however, see an authorized
dealer for service as soon as possible.
NOTE:
This light may turn on if the accelerator and
brake pedals are pressed at the same time.
If the light continues to flash when the ve-
hicle is running, immediate service is re-
quired and you may experience reduced per-
formance, an elevated/rough idle, or engine
stall and your vehicle may require towing.
The light will come on when the ignition is
placed in the ON/RUN or ACC/ON/RUN posi-tion and remain on briefly as a bulb check. If
the light does not come on during starting,
have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
— Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates low engine oil pressure. If
the light turns on while driving, stop the
vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as
possible. A chime will sound when this light
turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is
corrected. This light does not indicate how
much oil is in the engine. The engine oil level
must be checked under the hood.
— Seat Belt Reminder Warning Light
This light indicates when the driver or pas-
senger seat belt is unbuckled. When the
ignition is first placed in the ON/RUN or
ACC/ON/RUN position and if the driver’s seat
belt is unbuckled, a chime will sound and the
light will turn on. When driving, if the driver
or front passenger seat belt remains unbuck-
led, the Seat Belt Reminder Light will flash or
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
60
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically,
and it will decrease as the engine warms up.
Normal Starting — Diesel Engine
1. The gear selector must be in the NEU-
TRAL or PARK position before you can
start the engine.
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
3. Watch for the “Wait To Start Light” in the
instrument cluster. Refer to “Instrument
Cluster” in “Getting To Know Your Instru-
ment Panel” for further review. It will glow
for two to ten seconds or more, depending
on engine temperature. When the “Wait
To Start Light” goes out, the engine is
ready to start.
4. Tip Start Feature (Automatic Transmission
Only)
Do notpress the accelerator. Turn the
ignition key to the START position and
then release it. The starter motor will
continue to run, and it will automatically
disengage when the engine is running. If
the engine fails to start, the starter willdisengage automatically in 25 seconds.
If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK position, wait 25 to 30 sec-
onds, then repeat the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
NOTE:
The starter motor may run up to 30 sec-
onds in very cold conditions until the
engine is started. The starter can be dis-
engaged by turning the ignition key to
the OFF position, if required.
5. Without Tip Start Feature (Manual Trans-
mission Only)
Turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release when the engine
starts. If the engine fails to start within
10 seconds, turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 sec-
onds, then repeat the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
6. After the engine starts, allow it to idle for
approximately 30 seconds before driving.
This allows oil to circulate and lubricate
the turbocharger.
Diesel Engine Warm-Up
Avoid full throttle operation when the engine
is cold. When starting a cold engine, bring the
engine up to operating speed slowly to allow
the oil pressure to stabilize as the engine
warms up.
NOTE:
High-speed, no-load running of a cold engine
can result in excessive white smoke and poor
engine performance. No-load engine speeds
should be kept under 1,200 rpm during the
warm-up period, especially in cold, ambient
temperature conditions.
If temperatures are below 32°F (0°C), oper-
ate the engine at moderate speeds for five
minutes before full loads are applied.
Diesel Engine Idling — In Cold Weather
Avoid prolonged idling in ambient tempera-
tures below 0°F (-18°C). Long periods of
idling may be harmful to your engine because
combustion chamber temperatures can drop
so low that the fuel may not burn completely.
Incomplete combustion allows carbon and
varnish to form on piston rings and injector
119
nozzles. Also, the unburned fuel can enter
the crankcase, diluting the oil and causing
rapid wear to the engine.
Stopping the Engine
The following chart should be used as a guide
in determining the amount of engine idle
time required to sufficiently cool down the
turbocharger before shut down, depending
upon the type of driving and the amount of
cargo.Before turning off your turbo diesel engine,
always allow the engine to return to normal idle
speed and run for several seconds. This assures
proper lubrication of the turbocharger. This is
particularly necessary after any period of hard
driving.
Idle the engine a few minutes before routine
shutdown. After full load operation, idle the
engine three to five minutes before shutting itdown. This idle period will allow the lubricat-
ing oil and coolant to carry excess heat away
from the combustion chamber, bearings, in-
ternal components, and turbocharger. This is
especially important for turbocharged,
charge air cooled engines.
TURBOCHARGER "COOL DOWN" CHART
Driving
ConditionsLoad Turbocharger
TemperatureIdle Time (In Minutes)
Before Shut Down
Stop & Go Empty Cool Less than 1
Stop & Go Medium Warm 1
Highway Speeds Medium Warm 2
City Traffic Max. GCWR Warm 3
Highway Speeds Max. GCWR Warm 4
Uphill Grade Max. GCWR Hot 5
STARTING AND OPERATING
120
Checking Oil Level — Gasoline Engine
To ensure proper lubrication of your vehicle's
engine, the engine oil must be maintained at
the correct level. The engine oil level should
be checked five minutes after a warmed up
engine has been shut off.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level
ground will improve the accuracy of the oil
level readings. Always maintain the oil level
within the SAFE zone on the dipstick. Adding
1 quart (0.95 liters) of oil when the reading is
at the bottom of the crosshatch zone will
result in a reading at the top of the cross-
hatch zone on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase
will cause aeration or loss of oil pressure.
This could damage your engine.
Checking Oil Level — Diesel Engine
To assure proper engine lubrication, the en-
gine oil must be maintained at the correct
level. Check the oil level at regular intervals,
such as every fuel stop.For vehicles equipped with a Diesel Particu-
late Filter (DPF), it is acceptable to have an
oil level up to 3/8 inch (10 mm) above the
MAX line. Beyond 3/8 inch (10 mm) it is
recommended to change the oil.
The best time to check the engine oil level is
about five minutes after a fully warmed en-
gine 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 between
the MIN and MAX markings on the dipstick.
Adding 1 U.S. Quart (0.95 L) of oil when the
reading is at the MIN mark will result in a
MAX reading on these engines.
Cooling System
WARNING!
• You or others can be badly burned by hot
engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam
from your radiator. If you see or hear
steam coming from under the hood, do
not open the hood until the radiator has
had time to cool. Never open a cooling
WARNING!
system pressure cap when the radiator
or coolant bottle is hot.
• Keep hands, tools, clothing, and jewelry
away from the radiator cooling fan when
the hood is raised. The fan starts auto-
matically and may start at any time,
whether the engine is running or not.
• When working near the radiator cooling
fan, disconnect the fan motor lead or
turn the ignition to the OFF mode. The
fan is temperature controlled and can
start at any time the ignition is in the ON
mode.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protec-
tion every 12 months (before the onset of
freezing weather, where applicable). If the
engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or rusty in
appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh engine coolant
(antifreeze). Check the front of the A/C con-
denser (if equipped) or radiator for any accu-
mulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
182
WARNING!
• Use only manufacturer's recommended
brake fluid. Refer to “Fluids And Lubri-
cants” in “Technical Specifications” for
further information. Using the wrong
type of brake fluid can severely damage
your brake system and/or impair its per-
formance. The proper type of brake fluid
for your vehicle is also identified on the
original factory installed hydraulic mas-
ter cylinder reservoir.
• To avoid contamination from foreign
matter or moisture, use only new brake
fluid or fluid that has been in a tightly
closed container. Keep the master cylin-
der reservoir cap secured at all times.
Brake fluid in a open container absorbs
moisture from the air resulting in a lower
boiling point. This may cause it to boil
unexpectedly during hard or prolonged
braking, resulting in sudden brake fail-
ure. This could result in a collision.
• Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot en-
gine parts, causing the brake fluid to
WARNING!
catch fire. Brake fluid can also damage
painted and vinyl surfaces, care should
be taken to avoid its contact with these
surfaces.
• Do not allow petroleum based fluid to
contaminate the brake fluid. Brake seal
components could be damaged, causing
partial or complete brake failure. This
could result in a collision.
Manual Transmission
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level by removing the fill
plug. The fluid level should be between the
bottom of the fill hole and a point not more
than 3/16 of an inch (4.76 mm) below the
bottom of the hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the
proper level.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid Level Check — Gasoline Engine
It is best to check the fluid level when the
transmission is at normal operating tempera-
ture (approximately 180°F/82°C). This oc-
curs after at least 15 miles (25 km) of driv-
ing. At normal operating temperature, the
fluid cannot be held comfortably between the
fingertips.
Use the following procedure to check the
transmission fluid level properly:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Remove the engine cover by pulling it up
off the mounting studs (two in the front
and two in the rear).
3. Run the engine at normal idle speed for at
least 60 seconds, and leave the engine
running for the rest of this procedure.
4. Fully apply the parking brake, and press
the brake pedal.
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
184
5. Place the gear selector momentarily into
each gear position (allowing time for the
transmission to fully engage in each posi-
tion), ending with the transmission in
PARK.
6. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and
reinsert it until seated.
7. Remove the dipstick again and note the
fluid level on both sides. The fluid level
reading is only valid if there is a solid
coating of oil on both sides of the dipstick.
Note that the holes in the dipstick will be
full of fluid if the actual level is at or above
the hole. The fluid level should be be-
tween the HOT (upper) reference holes on
the dipstick at normal operating tempera-
ture. If the fluid level is low, add fluid
through the dipstick tube to bring it to the
proper level.Do not overfill.Use ONLY the
specified fluid (refer to "Fluids And Lubri-
cants" under “Technical Specifications”
for fluid specifications). After adding any
quantity of oil through the dipstick tube,
wait a minimum of two minutes for the oil
to fully drain into the transmission before
rechecking the fluid level.NOTE:
• The holes in the dipstick will be full of
fluid if the actual level is at or above the
hole.
• If it is necessary to check the transmis-
sion below the operating temperature,
the fluid level should be between the
two COLD (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at approximately 80°F
(27°C). If the fluid level is correctly
established at 80° F (27°C), it should
be between the HOT (upper) reference
holes when the transmission reaches
180° F (82°C). Remember it is best to
check the level at the normal operating
temperature.
CAUTION!
If the fluid temperature is below 50°F
(10°C) it may not register on the dipstick.
Do not add fluid until the temperature is
elevated enough to produce an accurate
reading. Run the engine at idle, in PARK,
to warm the fluid.8. Reinstall the engine cover and snap it
down securely onto the four mounting
studs.
9. Check for leaks. Release the parking
brake.
NOTE:
To prevent dirt and water from entering the
transmission after checking or replenishing
fluid, make sure that the dipstick cap is
properly reseated. It is normal for the dipstick
cap to spring back slightly from its fully
seated position, as long as its seal remains
engaged in the dipstick tube.
Fluid Level Check — 2.8L Turbo Diesel
Engine
The fluid level is preset at the factory and
does not require adjustment under normal
operating conditions. Routine fluid level
checks are not required, therefore the trans-
mission filler tube is capped and no dipstick
is provided. An authorized dealer can check
your transmission fluid level using a special
service dipstick.
185
Accessories..................212
Mopar...................212
Adding Fuel.................139
AirBag .....................93
Advance Front Air Bag.........93
Air Bag Operation.............94
Air Bag Warning Light..........92
Enhanced Accident Response . .98, 168
Event Data Recorder (EDR)......168
Front Air Bag...............93
If A Deployment Occurs.........97
Knee Impact Bolsters..........95
Maintaining Your Air Bag System . . .98
Transporting Pets............112
Air Bag Light............58, 92, 113
Air Bag Maintenance.............98
Air Conditioner Maintenance.......186
Air Conditioning Filter.........38, 187
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips......37
Air Conditioning Refrigerant. . . .186, 187
Air Conditioning System.......37, 186
Air Pressure, Tires..............193
Alarm (Security Alarm).........18, 61
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle......4
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)........210Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).......68
Anti-Lock Warning Light...........61
Arming System (Security Alarm)......18
Assist, Hill Start................70
Audio Jack...............219, 226
Audio Settings................218
Automatic Headlights............29
Automatic Oil Change Indicator......58
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) . . .37
Automatic Transmission..........127
Fluid Level Check...........184
Fluid Type................211
Autostick...................128
Axle Fluid...................211
Axle Lock...................132
Battery..................60, 186
Charging System Light.........60
Belts, Seat
.................
.113
Brake Assist System.............69
Brake Control System, Electronic.....69
Brake Fluid..............183, 211
Brake System................183
Fluid Check...............183
Master Cylinder.............183Parking..................121
Brake/Transmission Interlock.......127
Bulb Replacement..........146, 147
Bulbs, Light.................114
Capacities, Fluid..............210
Caps, Filler
Fuel....................139
Oil (Engine)...............180
Carbon Monoxide Warning.........112
Car Washes..................202
CD (Compact Disc) Player.........218
Center High Mounted Stop Light.....149
Chains, Tire..................200
Changing A Flat Tire.........154, 192
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety. . . .112
Checks, Safety................112
Child Restraints
How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat
Belt....................110
Cleaning
Wheels..................199
Climate Control................33
Manual...................33
Clock Setting.............218, 221
INDEX
259