SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
CONTENTS
SCHEDULED SERVICING .................225
▫ Maintenance Plan ..................... .226
▫ Heavy Duty Use Of The Vehicle ............228
ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................229
▫ 3.6L Engine ......................... .229
▫ Checking Oil Level — Gas Engine ...........230
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ...................230
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .................230
DEALER SERVICE ...................... .231
▫ Engine Oil .......................... .232
▫ Engine Oil Filter ...................... .233
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter .................233
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ..............234
▫ Body Lubrication ..................... .236▫
Windshield Wiper Blades .................236
▫ Exhaust System ....................... .237
▫ Cooling System ....................... .238
▫ Brake System ........................ .243
▫ Automatic Transmission (3.6L Gasoline Engine
Only) .............................. .244
RAISING THE VEHICLE ..................245
TIRES ............................... .245
▫ Tire Safety Information ..................245
▫ Tires — General Information ..............254
▫ Tire Types ........................... .261
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ................262
▫ Wheel
And Wheel Trim Care ..............265
▫ Tire Chains (Traction Devices) .............266
8
These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves. They will appear as bands when the tread depth
becomes a 1/16 of an inch (1.6 mm). When the tread is
worn to the tread wear indicators, the tire should be
replaced.
Refer to “Replacement Tires” in this section for further
information.
Life Of Tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying factors
including, but not limited to:
•Driving style.
• Tire pressure - Improper cold tire inflation pressures can
cause uneven wear patterns to develop across the tire
tread. These abnormal wear patterns will reduce tread
life, resulting in the need for earlier tire replacement.
• Distance driven.
• Performance tires, tires with a speed rating of V or
higher, and Summer tires typically have a reduced tread
life. Rotation of these tires per the vehicle scheduled
maintenance is highly recommended.
WARNING!
Tires and the spare tire should be replaced after six
years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to
follow this warning can result in sudden tire failure.
You could lose control and have a collision resulting in
serious injury or death.
NOTE: Wheel Valve Stem must be replaced as well when
installing new tires due to wear and tear in existing tires.
Tire Tread
1—WornTire
2—NewTire
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 259
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
tire and wheel found on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle. This spare tire may be used in the tire rotation for
your vehicle. If your vehicle has this option, refer to an
authorized tire dealer for the recommended tire rotation
pattern.
262 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped
The compact spare is for temporary emergency use only. You
can identify if your vehicle is equipped with a compact spare
by looking at the spare tire description on the Tire and
Loading Information Placard located on the driver ’s side door
opening or on the sidewall of the tire. Compact spare tire
descriptions begin with the letter “T” or “S” preceding the size
designation. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
T, S = Temporary Spare Tire
Since this tire has limited tread life, the original equipment
tire should be repaired (or replaced) and reinstalled on
your vehicle at the first opportunity.
Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare tire.
Do not install more than one compact spare tire and wheel
on the vehicle at any given time.
WARNING!
Compact and collapsible spares are for temporary
emergency use only. With these spares, do not drive
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
more than 50 mph (80 km/h). Temporary use spares
have limited tread life. When the tread is worn to the
tread wear indicators, the temporary use spare tire
needs to be replaced. Be sure to follow the warnings,
which apply to your spare. Failure to do so could result
in spare tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
Collapsible Spare Tire — If Equipped
The collapsible spare is for temporary emergency use only.
You can identify if your vehicle is equipped with a collaps-
ible spare by looking at the spare tire description on the
Tire and Loading Information Placard located on the
driver ’s side door opening or on the sidewall of the tire.
Collapsible spare tire description example: 165/80-17 101P.
Since this tire has limited tread life, the original equipment
tire should be repaired (or replaced) and reinstalled on
your vehicle at the first opportunity.
Inflate collapsible tire only after the wheel is properly
installed to the vehicle. Inflate the collapsible tire using the
electric air pump before lowering the vehicle.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 263
Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the collapsible spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the collapsible spare tire.
WARNING!
Compact and Collapsible spares are for temporary
emergency use only. With these spares, do not drive
more than 50 mph (80 km/h). Temporary use spares
have limited tread life. When the tread is worn to the
tread wear indicators, the temporary use spare tire
needs to be replaced. Be sure to follow the warnings,
which apply to your 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 emergency 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 limitations
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 vehicle
handling. Since it is not the same as your original equip-
ment 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. Instal-
lation 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.
264 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Signals, Turn.......................... .82, 133
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ....................266
Snow Tires .............................. .262
Spare Tires ........................ .262, 263, 264
Spark Plugs ............................. .282
Speed Control (Cruise Control) .................151
Starting ................................ .137
Automatic Transmission ....................137
Button .................................18
Cold Weather .......................... .137
Engine Fails To Start ..................... .137
Steering ..................................34
Column Lock ............................34
Power ............................ .149, 150
Steering Wheel Audio Controls .................298
Storage, Vehicle ........................ .51, 269
Storing Your Vehicle ....................... .269
Supplemental Restraint System – Air Bag ..........112
Sway Control, Trailer .........................93
Synthetic Engine Oil ....................... .233
Telescoping Steering Column ...................34
Tire And Loading Information Placard ............251
Tire Markings ............................ .246
Tires......................... .133, 254, 262, 267Aging (Life Of Tires)
..................... .259
Air Pressure ........................... .254
Chains ............................... .266
Changing .......................... .194, 245
Compact Spare ......................... .263
General Information ...................254, 262
High Speed ............................ .257
Inflation Pressure ....................... .256
Jacking ........................... .194, 245
Life Of Tires ........................... .259
Load Capacity ...................... .251, 252
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) .........77, 95
Quality Grading ........................ .267
Radial ............................... .257
Replacement ........................... .260
Rotation .............................. .267
Safety ............................ .245,
254
Sizes ................................ .247
Snow Tires ............................ .262
Spare Tires ......................... .262, 264
Spinning .............................. .258
Trailer Towing .......................... .169
Tread Wear Indicators .....................258
Wheel Nut Torque ....................... .276
Tire Safety Information ...................... .245
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INDEX 325