WARNING!(Continued)
•Always make sure that objects cannot fall
into the driver footwell while the vehicle is
moving. Objects can become trapped un-
der the brake pedal and accelerator pedal
causing a loss of vehicle control.
•If required, mounting posts must be prop-
erly installed, if not equipped from the
factory.
Failure to properly follow floor mat installa-
tion or mounting can cause interference with
the brake pedal and accelerator pedal opera-
tion causing loss of control of the vehicle.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should
Make Outside The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and
uneven wear patterns. Check for stones, nails,
glass, or other objects lodged in the tread or
sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts and cracks.
Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the
tires (including spare) for proper cold inflation
pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake
lights and exterior lights while you work the
controls. Check turn signal and high beam
indicator lights on the instrument panel.Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight park-
ing for fuel, engine coolant, oil, or other fluid
leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are detected or if
fuel, power steering fluid (if equipped), or brake
fluid leaks are suspected. The cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
60
•AutoStick (CVT) — If Equipped.....................177•FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED . . . . . . . . . .178
•ON-ROAD DRIVING TIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .........179
•OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS..........................179
•When To Use Low (L Off-Road) With The 4WD Lock Lever Engaged —
If Equipped..................................179
•Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand.....................180
•Hill Climbing.................................181
•Driving Through Water...........................182
•After Driving Off-Road...........................183
•POWER STEERING . . . . . . . . . .....................184•Power Steering Fluid Check.......................184•PARKING BRAKE . ..............................185
•BRAKE SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..............186
•ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . ......187
•Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)...............187
•Brake System Warning Light.......................187
•Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)......................187
•Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light......................188
•Brake Assist System (BAS)........................189
•Hill Start Assist (HSA)...........................189
•Traction Control System (TCS)......................191
•Electronic Stability Control (ESC)....................191
•Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM).....................194
•Hill Descent Control (HDC) — If Equipped...............195
•TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195•Tire Pressure................................195
162
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes
may cause excessive wear or unpredictable
braking. You might not have full braking
power when you need it to prevent a colli-
sion. If you have been operating your vehicle
in dirty conditions, get your brakes checked
and cleaned as necessary.
•If you experience unusual vibration after driv-
ing in mud, slush or similar conditions, check
the wheels for impacted material. Impacted
material can cause a wheel imbalance and
freeing the wheels of it will correct the
situation.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give
you good vehicle response and increased ease
of maneuverability in tight spaces. The system
will provide mechanical steering capability if
power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is inter-
rupted, it will still be possible to steer yourvehicle. Under these conditions, you will ob-
serve a substantial increase in steering effort,
especially at very low vehicle speeds and dur-
ing parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
•Increased noise levels at the end of the
steering wheel travel are considered nor-
mal and do not indicate that there is a
problem with the power steering system.
•Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the
power steering pump may make noise for
a short amount of time. This is due to the
cold, thick fluid in the steering system.
This noise should be considered normal,
and it does not in any way damage the
steering system.CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system
at the end of the steering wheel travel will
increase the steering fluid temperature and it
should be avoided when possible. Damage
to the power steering pump may occur.
Power Steering Fluid CheckChecking the power steering fluid level at a
defined service interval is not required. The fluid
should only be checked if a leak is suspected,
abnormal noises are apparent, and/or the sys-
tem is not functioning as anticipated. Coordi-
nate inspection efforts through an authorized
dealer.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your power
steering system as the chemicals can dam-
age your power steering components. Such
damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level
surface and with the engine off to prevent
injury from moving parts and to ensure ac-
184
WARNING!(Continued)
curate fluid level reading. Do not overfill. Use
only manufacturer’s recommended power
steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper
indicated level. With a clean cloth, wipe any
spilled fluid from all surfaces. Refer to “Fluids,
Lubricants, And Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining
Your Vehicle” for further information.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the
parking brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to
leave an automatic transmission in PARK, or
manual transmission in REVERSE or first gear.
The parking brake lever is located in the center
console. To apply the parking brake, pull the
lever up as firmly as possible. To release the
parking brake, pull the lever up slightly, press
the center button, then lower the lever com-
pletely.When the parking brake is applied with the
ignition switch in the ON position, the “Brake
Warning Light” in the instrument cluster will
illuminate.
NOTE:
•When the parking brake is applied and the
automatic transmission is placed in gear,
the “Brake Warning Light” will flash. If
vehicle speed is detected, a chime will
sound to alert the driver. Fully release the
parking brake before attempting to move
the vehicle.•This light only shows that the parking
brake is applied. It does not show the
degree of brake application.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the
front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade. For vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission, apply the parking brake before
placing the gear selector in PARK, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mecha-
nism may make it difficult to move the gear
selector out of PARK. The parking brake should
always be applied whenever the driver is not in
the vehicle.
Parking Brake Lever
185
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.0L
1 — Washer Fluid Reservoir 6 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 7 — Coolant Pressure Cap
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Engine Oil Dipstick
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
5 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses)
253
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
1 — Washer Fluid Reservoir 6 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 7 — Coolant Pressure Cap
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Engine Oil Dipstick
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
5 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses)
254
Chassis
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission (CVT) – If Equipped Use only MOPAR CVTF+4 Continuously Variable Transmission Fluid or equivalent. Failure to use
the correct fluid may affect the function or performance of your transmission.
Automatic Transmission (6-Speed) – If
EquippedUse only MOPAR SP-IV M Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent. Failure to use the correct
fluid may affect the function or performance of your transmission.
Manual Transmission – If Equipped We recommend you use MOPAR Manual Transmission Lubricant meeting the requirements of
FCA Material Standard MS-9602 or FCA Material Standard 9.55550-AV4.
Rear Drive Assembly (RDA) We recommend you use MOPAR Gear & Axle Lubricants SAE 80W-90 API GL-5 meeting the re-
quirements of FCA Material Standard MS-9020.
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) We recommend you use MOPAR Gear & Axle Lubricants SAE 80W-90 API GL-5 meeting the re-
quirements of FCA Material Standard MS-9020.
Brake Master Cylinder We recommend you use MOPAR Brake & Clutch Fluid DOT 4, that meets the requirements of
FCA Material Standard MS.90039.
Power Steering Reservoir We recommend you use MOPAR Power Steering Fluid +4, or MOPAR ATF+4 Automatic Trans-
mission Fluid or equivalent licensed ATF+4 product.
282
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Maintenance Schedule — Gasoline
Engine
The Scheduled Maintenance services listed in
this manual must be done at the times or
mileages specified to protect your vehicle war-
ranty and ensure the best vehicle performance
and reliability. More frequent maintenance may
be needed for vehicles in severe operating
conditions, such as dusty areas and very short
trip driving. Inspection and service should also
be done anytime a malfunction is suspected.
The oil change indicator system will remind you
that it is time to take your vehicle in for sched-
uled maintenance.
On Non-EVIC equipped vehicles, “CHANgE
OIL” will flash in the instrument cluster odom-
eter and a single chime will sound, indicating
that an oil change is necessary.
The oil change indicator message will illuminate
approximately 7,000 miles (11,200 km) after the
most recent oil change was performed. Have
your vehicle serviced as soon as possible,
within 500 miles (800 km). However, an earlieroil change at 4,500 miles (7,500 km) may be
required if the vehicle is operated under “Se-
vere Duty Conditions” later in this section.
NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not
monitor the time since the last oil change.
Change your vehicle’s oil if it has been 12
months since your last oil change even if
the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
•Change your engine oil more often if you
drive your vehicle off-road for an ex-
tended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil
change intervals exceed 7,500 miles
(12,000 km) or 12 months, whichever
comes first.
Your dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil
change. If this scheduled oil change is per-
formed by someone other than your dealer, the
message can be reset by referring to the steps
described under “Instrument ClusterDescription/Odometer/Trip Odometer” in “Un-
derstanding Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip
•Check the engine oil level about five minutes
after a fully warmed engine is shut off.
Checking the oil level while the vehicle is on
level ground will improve the accuracy of the
oil level reading. Add oil only when the level
is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and
add if required.
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual
wear or damage. Rotate tires at the first sign
of irregular wear, even if it occurs before the
oil indicator system turns on.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the
terminals as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir,
automatic transmission, brake master cylin-
der and power steering and fill as needed.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for
correct operation.
284