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309
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING 
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil 
change indicator system. The oil change indicator 
system will remind you that it is time to take your 
vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil 
change indicator message will illuminate. This 
means that service is required for your vehicle. 
Operating conditions such as frequent short-trips, 
trailer tow, extremely hot or cold ambient 
temperatures will influence when the “Oil Change 
Required” message is displayed. Have your vehicle 
serviced as soon as possible, within the next 
500 miles (805 km).An authorized dealer will reset the oil change 
indicator message after completing the scheduled 
oil change. If a scheduled oil change is performed 
by someone other than an authorized dealer  
Ú
page 113.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change 
intervals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), 
12 months or 350 hours of engine run time, 
whichever comes first. The 350 hours of engine 
run or idle time is generally only a concern for fleet 
customers. Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
Check engine oil level.
Check windshield washer fluid level.
Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear 
or damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irreg
-
ular wear, even if it occurs before the oil indi -
cator system turns on.
Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir 
and brake master cylinder, fill as needed.
Check function of all interior and exterior lights.
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324SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE  
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control 
systems can result in civil penalties being 
assessed against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly 
malfunctioning engine operation, a scorching odor 
may suggest severe and abnormal catalyst 
overheating. If this occurs, stop the vehicle, turn off 
the engine and allow it to cool. Service, including a 
tune-up to the manufacturer specifications, should 
be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter 
damage:
Do not interrupt the ignition when the transmis -
sion is in gear and the vehicle is in motion.
Do not try to start the vehicle by pushing or 
towing the vehicle.
Do not idle the engine with any ignition compo -
nents disconnected or removed, such as when 
diagnostic testing, or for prolonged periods 
during very rough idle or malfunctioning oper -
ating conditions.
COOLING SYSTEM
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection 
every 12 months (before the onset of freezing 
weather, where applicable). If the engine coolant is 
dirty, the system should be drained, flushed, and 
refilled with fresh Organic Additive Technology 
(OAT) coolant (conforming to MS.90032) by an  authorized dealer. Check the front of the A/C 
condenser for any accumulation of bugs, leaves, 
etc. If dirty, clean by gently spraying water from a 
garden hose vertically down the face of the 
condenser.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for brittle 
rubber, cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the 
connection at the coolant recovery bottle and 
radiator. Inspect the entire system for leaks. DO 
NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP 
WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System — Drain, Flush And Refill 
NOTE:Some vehicles require special tools to add coolant 
properly. Failure to fill these systems properly 
could lead to severe internal engine damage. If any 
coolant is needed to be added to the system 
please contact an authorized dealer.
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or 
contains visible sediment, have an authorized 
dealer clean and flush with Organic Additive 
Technology (OAT) coolant (conforming to 
MS.90032).
For the proper maintenance intervals  
Úpage 310.
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 system pressure cap when the radi -
ator 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 automatically 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 igni -
tion to the OFF mode. The fan is temperature 
controlled and can start at any time the igni -
tion is in the ON mode.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE357
STORING THE VEHICLE
If you are storing your vehicle for more than three 
weeks, we recommend that you take the following 
steps to minimize the drain on your vehicle's 
battery:
Disconnect the negative cable from battery.
Any time you store your vehicle or keep it out of 
service (i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, 
run the air conditioning system at idle for about 
five minutes in the fresh air and high blower 
setting. This will ensure adequate system lubri-
cation to minimize the possibility of compressor 
damage when the system is started again.
BODYWORK
PROTECTION FROM ATMOSPHERIC 
A
GENTS  
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to 
geographic locations and usage. Chemicals that 
make roads passable in snow and ice and those 
that are sprayed on trees and road surfaces during 
other seasons are highly corrosive to the metal in 
your vehicle. Outside parking, which exposes your 
vehicle to airborne contaminants, road surfaces on 
which the vehicle is operated, extreme hot or cold 
weather and other extreme conditions will have an 
adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and underbody 
protection. The following maintenance recommendations will 
enable you to obtain maximum benefit from the 
corrosion resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal 
of paint and protective coatings from your vehicle.
The most common causes are:
Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation
Stone and gravel impact
Insects, tree sap and tar
Salt in the air near seacoast localities
Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants
BODY AND UNDERBODY MAINTENANCE
Cleaning Headlights 
Your vehicle is equipped with plastic headlights 
and fog lights that are lighter and less susceptible 
to stone breakage than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and 
therefore different lens cleaning procedures must 
be followed.
To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses 
and reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry 
cloth. To remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap 
solution followed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, 
solvents, steel wool or other aggressive material to 
clean the lenses.
PRESERVING THE BODYWORK
Washing  
Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your 
vehicle in the shade using Mopar® Car Wash, or 
a mild car wash soap, and rinse the panels 
completely with water.
If insects, tar, or other similar deposits have 
accumulated on your vehicle, use Mopar® 
Super Kleen Bug and Tar Remover to remove.
Use a high quality cleaner wax, such as Mopar® 
Cleaner Wax to remove road film, stains and to 
protect your paint finish. Use precautions to not 
scratch the paint.
Avoid using abrasive compounds and power 
buffing that may diminish the gloss or thin out 
the paint finish.
CAUTION!
Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning mate
-
rials such as steel wool or scouring powder 
that will scratch metal and painted surfaces.
Use of power washers exceeding 1,200 psi
(8,274 kPa) can result in damage or removal 
of paint and decals.
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