
5
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING .................................. 211Maintenance Plan......................................212
ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................................. 215
3.6L Engine ...............................................215Checking Oil Level......................................216
Adding Washer Fluid..................................217Maintenance-Free Battery .......................217
Pressure Washing ......................................217
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE ................................... 218
Engine Oil ...................................................218
Engine Oil Filter ..........................................219Engine Air Cleaner Filter ...........................219
Air Conditioner Maintenance ...................219Body Lubrication ........................................221
Windshield Wiper Blades .........................221
Exhaust System ........................................221
Cooling System ..........................................223Brake System ............................................226
Automatic Transmission ............................226
FUSES .........................................................228
BULB REPLACEMENT ................................235
TIRES .................................................................. 240
Tire Safety Information .............................240Tires — General Information .....................248Tire Types ...................................................252
Spare Tires — If Equipped .........................253
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care ....................255
Snow Traction Devices .............................257Tire Rotation Recommendations ..............258 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES .................. 259
Treadwear .................................................. 259
Traction Grades ......................................... 259
Temperature Grades ................................. 259
STORING THE VEHICLE .....................................260
BODYWORK ........................................................ 260
Protection From Atmospheric Agents....... 260
Body And Underbody Maintenance .......... 260Preserving The Bodywork .......................... 261
INTERIORS ......................................................... 261
Seats And Fabric Parts .............................. 261
Plastic And Coated Parts ........................... 262
Leather Surfaces ....................................... 263Glass Surfaces .......................................... 263Cleaning The Instrument Panel
Cupholders ................................................. 263
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.................264
BRAKE SYSTEM .................................................. 264
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .... 264
Torque Specifications ................................ 264
FUEL REQUIREMENTS .......................................265
3.6L Engine ................................................ 265
Reformulated Gasoline ............................ 266
Materials Added To Fuel ........................... 266
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..................... 266Do Not Use E-85 In Non-Flex Fuel
Vehicles ...................................................... 266
CNG And LP Fuel System Modifications ..... 267
MMT In Gasoline........................................ 267
Fuel System Cautions................................ 267
FLUID CAPACITIES ............................................. 268
ENGINE FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS ................. 268
CHASSIS FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS ............... 270
CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE
SUGGESTIONS FOR OBTAINING SERVICE
FOR YOUR VEHICLE .......................................... 271 Prepare For The Appointment .................. 271Prepare A List............................................. 271
Be Reasonable With Requests ................. 271
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE .............................. 271
FCA US LLC Customer Center ................... 272
FCA Canada Inc. Customer Center ........... 272
Mexico ........................................................ 272
Puerto Rico And US Virgin Islands ............ 272
Customer Assistance For The Hearing Or
Speech Impaired (TDD/TTY) ..................... 272 Service Contract ....................................... 272
WARRANTY INFORMATION .............................. 273
MOPAR PARTS .................................................. 273
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS ........................ 273 In The 50 United States And
Washington, D.C. ....................................... 273 In Canada ................................................... 273
PUBLICATION ORDER FORMS ........................ 274
General Information.......................................... 274
21_VF_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 5

58STARTING AND OPERATING
AFTER STARTING
The idle speed is controlled automatically, and
it will decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect
the cord to a standard 110-115 Volt AC
electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire
extension cord. The engine block heater must be plugged in at
least one hour to have an adequate warming
effect on the engine.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the
engine and drivetrain (transmission and axle) in
your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles
(500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km),
speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are
desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration
within the limits of local traffic laws contributes
to a good break-in. Wide-open throttle
acceleration in low gear can be detrimental and
should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the
factory is a high-quality energy conserving type
lubricant. Oil changes should be consistent with
anticipated climate conditions under which
vehicle operations will occur. For the
recommended viscosity and quality grades see
Ú
page 268.
NOTE:
A new engine may consume some oil during its
first few thousand miles (kilometers) of opera -
tion. This should be considered a normal part of
the break-in and not interpreted as a problem.
Please check your oil level with the engine oil
indicator often during the break-in period. Add
oil as required.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a
start from a booster battery or the battery in
another vehicle. This type of start can be
dangerous if done improperly Úpage 203.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not
continuously crank the engine for more than
25 seconds at a time. Wait 60 seconds
before trying again.
WARNING! (Continued)
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block
heater cord before driving. Damage to the
110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight
Mineral Oil in the engine or damage may
result.
21_VF_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 58

216SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
(Continued)
CHECKING OIL LEVEL
To ensure proper engine lubrication, the engine
oil must be maintained at the correct level.
Check the oil level at regular intervals, such as
every fuel stop. The best time to check the
engine oil level is about five minutes after a fully
warmed up engine is shut off.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level
ground will improve the accuracy of the oil level
readings. There are four possible dipstick types:
Crosshatched zone.
Crosshatched zone marked SAFE.
Crosshatched zone marked with MIN at the
low end of the range and MAX at the high end
of the range.
Crosshatched zone marked with dimples at
the MIN and the MAX ends of the range.
NOTE:
Always maintain the oil level within the cross -
hatch markings on the dipstick.
Adding 1 quart (1.0 liter) of oil when the reading
is at the low end of the dipstick range will raise
the oil level to the high end of the range
marking.
WARNING!
Never smoke while working in the engine
compartment: gas and inflammable vapors
may be present, with the risk of fire.
Be very careful when working in the engine
compartment when the engine is hot: you
may get burned. Do not get too close to the
radiator cooling fan: the electric fan may
start; danger of injury. Scarves, ties and
other loose clothing might be pulled by
moving parts.
CAUTION!
Be careful not to confuse the various types
of fluids while topping up: they are not
compatible with each other! Topping up
with an unsuitable fluid could severely
damage your car.
The oil level must never exceed the
MAX mark.
Always top up using engine oil of the same
specifications as that already in the engine.
If the engine oil is being topped up, wait for
the engine to cool down before loosening
the filler cap, particularly for vehicles with
aluminium cap (if equipped). WARNING:
risk of burns!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will
cause aeration or loss of oil pressure. This
could damage your engine.
CAUTION! (Continued)
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will
cause aeration or loss of oil pressure. This
could damage your engine.
21_VF_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 216

218SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
An authorized dealer has the qualified service
personnel, special tools, and equipment to
perform all service operations in an expert
manner. Service Manuals are available which
include detailed service information for your
vehicle. Refer to these Service Manuals before
attempting any procedure yourself.
NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems may void your warranty and could
result in civil penalties being assessed against
you.
ENGINE OIL
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection
under all types of operating conditions, FCA 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 Institute (API). FCA only
recommends API Certified engine oils.
This symbol certifies 0W-20, 5W-20, 0W-30,
5W-30 and 10W-30 engine oils.
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
engine oil certification mark and the correct SAE
viscosity grade number should not be used.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
FCA 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.
Disposing Of Used Engine Oil And Oil
Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used
engine oil and oil filters from your vehicle. Used
oil and oil filters, indiscriminately discarded, can
present a problem to the environment. Contact
an authorized dealer, service station or
governmental agency for advice on how and
where used oil and oil filters can be safely
discarded in your area.
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or
around a motor vehicle. Only do service work
for which you have the knowledge and the
proper equipment. If you have any doubt
about your ability to perform a service job,
take your vehicle to a competent mechanic.
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.
21_VF_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 218

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE219
ENGINE OIL FILTER
The engine oil filter should be replaced with a
new filter at every engine oil change.
Engine Oil Filter Selection
A full-flow type disposable oil filter should be
used for replacement. The quality of
replacement filters varies considerably. Only
high quality Mopar certified filters should be
used.
ENGINE AIR CLEANER FILTER
For the proper maintenance intervals
Úpage 212.
NOTE:
Be sure to follow the “Severe Duty Conditions”
maintenance interval if applicable. Engine Air Cleaner Filter Selection
The quality of replacement filters varies
considerably. Only high quality Mopar certified
filters should be used.
AIR CONDITIONER MAINTENANCE
For best possible performance, your air
conditioner should be checked and serviced by
an authorized dealer at the start of each warm
season. This service should include cleaning of
the condenser fins and a performance test.
Drive belt tension should also be checked at
this time.
WARNING!
The air induction system (air cleaner, hoses,
etc.) can provide a measure of protection in the
case of engine backfire. Do not remove the air
induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.)
unless such removal is necessary for repair or
maintenance. Make sure that no one is near
the engine compartment before starting the
vehicle with the air induction system (air
cleaner, hoses, etc.) removed. Failure to do so
can result in serious personal injury.
WARNING!
Use only refrigerants and compressor lubri
-
cants approved by the manufacturer for
your air conditioning system. Some unap -
proved refrigerants are flammable and can
explode, injuring you. Other unapproved
refrigerants or lubricants can cause the
system to fail, requiring costly repairs.
Refer to Warranty Information Book, for
further warranty information.
The air conditioning system contains refrig -
erant under high pressure. To avoid risk of
personal injury or damage to the system,
adding refrigerant or any repair requiring
lines to be disconnected should be done by
an experienced technician.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your air
conditioning system as the chemicals can
damage your air conditioning components.
Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
8
21_VF_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 219

226SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
(Continued)
BRAKE SYSTEM
In order to ensure brake system performance,
all brake system components should be
inspected periodically Úpage 212.
Fluid Level Check — Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level of the master cylinder should be
checked when performing under the hood
service or immediately if the brake system
warning lamp indicates system failure. If
necessary, add fluid to bring level within the
designated marks on the side of the reservoir of
the brake master cylinder. Be sure to clean the
top of the master cylinder area before removing
cap. With disc brakes the fluid level can be
expected to fall as the brake linings wear. However, an unexpected drop in fluid level may
be caused by a leak and a system check should
be conducted Ú
page 268.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important to use the proper transmission
fluid to ensure optimum transmission
performance and life. Use only the
manufacturer’s specified transmission fluid
Ú
page 270. It is important to maintain the
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 FCA's recommended brake fluid
Ú page 268. Using the wrong type of brake
fluid can 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 during
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)
21_VF_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 226

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE263
LEATHER SURFACES
Mopar Total Clean is specifically recommended
for leather upholstery.
Your leather upholstery can be best preserved
by regular cleaning with a damp soft cloth.
Small particles of dirt can act as an abrasive
and damage the leather upholstery and should
be removed promptly with a damp cloth.
Stubborn soils can be removed easily with a soft
cloth and Mopar Total Clean. Care should be
taken to avoid soaking your leather upholstery
with any liquid. Please do not use polishes, oils,
cleaning fluids, solvents, detergents, or
ammonia-based cleaners to clean your leather
upholstery.
NOTE:
If equipped with light colored leather, it tends to
show any foreign material, dirt, and fabric dye
transfer more so than darker colors. The leather
is designed for easy cleaning, and FCA recom -
mends Mopar total care leather cleaner applied
on a cloth to clean the leather seats as needed.
GLASS SURFACES
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a
regular basis with Mopar Glass Cleaner, or any
commercial household-type glass cleaner.
Never use an abrasive type cleaner. Use caution
when cleaning the inside rear window equipped
with electric defrosters or windows equipped
with radio antennas. Do not use scrapers or
other sharp instruments that may scratch the
elements.
When cleaning the rear view mirror, spray
cleaner on the towel or cloth that you are using.
Do not spray cleaner directly on the mirror.
CLEANING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL
C
UPHOLDERS
Removal
Pull the flexible liner from the cupholder drawer
starting at one edge to ease removal.
Cleaning
The liner is top shelf dishwasher safe, or you
may follow the cleaning procedure below.
Soak the liner in a mixture of medium hot tap
water and one teaspoon of mild liquid dish
soap. Let soak for approximately 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, pull the liner from the water
and dip it back into the water about six times.
This will loosen any remaining debris. Rinse the
liner thoroughly under warm running water.
Shake the excess water from the liner and dry
the outer surfaces with a clean soft cloth.
Installation
Place the liner into the cupholder drawer and
push the liner into place so that the retention
tabs seat into the corresponding openings in
the drawer.
CAUTION!
Do not use Alcohol and Alcohol-based and/or
Ketone based cleaning products to clean
leather upholstery, as damage to the
upholstery may result.
8
21_VF_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 263