SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 223
ENGINE OIL
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you
that it is time to take your vehicle in for scheduled
maintenance. Refer to the “Maintenance Plan”
for further information.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change
i n
tervals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km),
1 2
months or 350 hours of engine run time,
w h
ichever comes first. The 350 hours of engine
run or idle time is generally only a concern for
fleet customers.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection
under all types of operating conditions, the
manufacturer only recommends engine oils that
are API Certified and meet the requirements of
FCA Material Standard MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine
Oil Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has been
certified by the American Petroleum
I n
stitute (API). The manufacturer only
recommends API Certified engine oils.
This symbol certifies 0W-20, 5W-20, 0W-30,
5 W
-30 and 10W-30 engine oils.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade) —
2.4L Engine
Mopar SAE 5W-20 engine oil or equivalent
Pennzoil or Shell Helix is recommended for
all operating temperatures. This engine oil
i m
proves low temperature starting and vehicle
fuel economy. The engine oil filler cap also shows the
r
e
commended engine oil viscosity for your
engine. For information on the engine oil filler
cap location, refer to “Engine Compartment” in
“Servicing And Maintenance”.
Lubricants that do not have both, the engine oil
ce
rtification mark and the correct SAE viscosity
grade number should not be used.
Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils provided the
recommended oil quality requirements are met,
and the recommended maintenance intervals
for oil and filter changes are followed.
Synthetic engine oils which do not have both the
e n
gine oil certification mark and the correct SAE
viscosity grade number should not be used.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
The manufacturer strongly recommends
against the addition of any additives (other than
leak detection dyes) to the engine oil. Engine oil
is an engineered product and its performance
may be impaired by supplemental additives.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your engine oil
as the chemicals can damage your engine.
Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
7
226 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Some conditions can be caused by a faulty
component such as a belt pulley. Belt pulleys
should be carefully inspected for damage and
proper alignment.
Belt replacement on some models requires the
us
e of special tools, we recommend having your
vehicle serviced at an authorized dealer.
BODY LUBRICATION
Locks and all body pivot points, including such
items as seat tracks, door hinge pivot points
and rollers, liftgate, tailgate, decklid, sliding
doors and hood hinges, should be lubricated
periodically with a lithium based grease, such
as Mopar Spray White Lube to ensure quiet,
easy operation and to protect against rust and
wear. Prior to the application of any lubricant,
the parts concerned should be wiped clean to
remove dust and grit; after lubricating, excess
oil and grease should be removed. Particular
attention should also be given to hood latching
components to ensure proper function. When
performing other underhood services, the hood
latch, release mechanism and safety catch
should be cleaned and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated
t w
ice a year, preferably in the Autumn and Spring. Apply a small amount of a high quality
lubricant, such as Mopar Lock Cylinder
Lubricant directly into the lock cylinder.
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and
the windshield periodically with a sponge or soft
cloth and a mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will
remove accumulations of salt or road film.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long
p
e
riods may cause deterioration of the wiper
blades. Always use washer fluid when using
the wipers to remove salt or dirt from a dry
w i
ndshield.
Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or
i c
e from the windshield. Keep the blade rubber
out of contact with petroleum products such as
engine oil, gasoline, etc.
NOTE:
Life expectancy of wiper blades varies
d e
pending on geographical area and frequency
of use. Poor performance of blades may be
present with chattering, marks, water lines or
wet spots. If any of these conditions are
present, clean the wiper blades or replace as
necessary.
Rear Wiper Blade Removal/Installation
1. Lift the pivot cap on the rear wiper arm upward, this will allow the rear wiper blade
to be raised off of the liftgate glass.
Lifting The Pivot Cap
NOTE:
The rear wiper arm cannot be raised fully
u p
ward unless the pivot cap is raised first.
2. Li ft the rear wiper arm upward to raise the
w
iper blade off of the liftgate glass.
1 — Wiper Arm
2 — Pivot Cap
232 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
(Continued)
BRAKE SYSTEM
In order to ensure brake system performance, all
brake system components should be inspected
periodically. Refer to the “Maintenance Plan” in
“Servicing and Maintenance” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Master Cylinder — Brake Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder
immediately if the “Brake Warning Light”
indicates system failure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder
wh
en performing underhood services.
Clean the top of the master cylinder area before
r e
moving the cap. If necessary, add fluid to
bring the fluid level up to the requirements
described on the brake fluid reservoir. Overfilling of fluid is not recommended because
i
t
may cause leaking in the system.
Fluid level can be expected to fall as the brake
p a
ds wear. Brake fluid level should be checked
when pads are replaced. However, low fluid
level may be caused by a leak and a checkup
may be needed.
Use only manufacturer's recommended brake
fl
uid. Refer to “Fluids And Lubricants” in
“Technical Specifications” for further
information.WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure
and possibly a collision. Driving with your foot
resting or riding on the brake pedal can result
in abnormally high brake temperatures,
excessive lining wear, and possible brake
damage. You would not have your full braking
capacity in an emergency.
WARNING!
Use only manufacturer's recommended
brake fluid. Refer to “Fluids And Lubricants”
in “Technical Specifications” for further infor-
mation. Using the wrong type of brake fluid
c a
n severely damage your brake system
and/or impair its performance. The proper
type of brake fluid for your vehicle is also
identified on the original factory installed
hydraulic master 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 cylinder reser -
voir 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
d u
ring hard or prolonged braking, resulting
in sudden brake failure. This could result in
a collision.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts, causing the brake fluid to 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.
WARNING! (Continued)