
6
JUMP STARTING .................................................. 246 Preparations For Jump Start......................... 247Jump Starting Procedure .............................. 247
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS ........................... 248
MANUAL PARK RELEASE — 8–SPEED
TRANSMISSION .................................................. 249
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE .............................. 250
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE .......................... 252 Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Models.................. 253
ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS) .................................................................. 253
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) ......................... 253
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING .................................... 254
3.6L And 5.7L Engines ................................. 254
ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................................... 259
3.6L Engine ................................................... 2595.7L Engine ................................................... 260Checking Oil Level ......................................... 261
Adding Washer Fluid ................................... 261Maintenance-Free Battery ........................... 262
Pressure Washing ......................................... 262 VEHICLE MAINTENANCE..................................... 263
Engine Oil ...................................................... 263
Engine Oil Filter ........................................... 265Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............................ 265
Air Conditioner Maintenance ..................... 266
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection ................... 267Body Lubrication ......................................... 268
Windshield Wiper Blades ............................ 268
Exhaust System ............................................. 270Cooling System ............................................ 271
Brake System ............................................... 274
Clutch Hydraulic System — Manual
Transmission (If Equipped)........................... 275Manual Transmission — If Equipped............ 275
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ....... 275
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) — If Equipped .......... 276
Rear Axle ........................................................ 276Fuses.............................................................. 277
Bulb Replacement ........................................ 286
TIRES..................................................................... 290
Tire Safety Information ................................ 290Tires — General Information ........................ 297
Tire Types....................................................... 301
Spare Tires — If Equipped ............................ 301
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care ........................ 303
Snow Traction Devices ................................. 304
Tire Rotation Recommendations ................. 306 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES .................... 306
Treadwear...................................................... 307
Traction Grades ............................................. 307Temperature Grades..................................... 307
VEHICLE STORAGE ............................................ 307
BODYWORK .......................................................... 308
Protection From Atmospheric Agents ........ 308Body And Underbody Maintenance ............. 308
Preserving The Bodywork ............................. 308
INTERIORS ........................................................... 309
Seats And Fabric Parts ................................. 309
Plastic And Coated Parts .............................. 309
Leather Surfaces........................................... 310
Glass Surfaces ............................................. 310
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN) ........ 311
BRAKE SYSTEM .................................................. 311
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS ................................................. 311Torque Specifications ................................... 311
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE261
(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 ten 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 crosshatch
markings on the dipstick.
Adding 1 quart (1 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.
ADDING WASHER FLUID
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located in
the front of the engine compartment. Be sure to
check the fluid level at regular intervals. Fill the
reservoir with windshield washer solvent (not
radiator antifreeze) and operate the system for a
few seconds to flush out the residual water.
When refilling the washer fluid reservoir, apply
some washer fluid to a cloth or towel and wipe the
wiper blades clean. This will help blade
performance.
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 compat-
ible 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 what is 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 aluminum
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!
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will
cause aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could
damage your engine.
8
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE265
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.
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 255.
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.
T/A Air Filter Maintenance — If Equipped
Clean Engine Air Filter
T/A air filters are made of a unique, washable
material. Follow the recommended service interval
as for non-T/A air filters, substituting a cleaning for
replacement.Cleaning your engine air filter with the
recommended Mopar® Performance Air Filter
Service Kit is not required if you can still see any
part of the wire screen on the entire air filter
regardless of how dirty it may appear. When any
part of the wire screen is no longer visible on the air
filter, that is an indication it is time to clean the air
filter.
For cleaning instructions see steps 1-7 from the
Shaker Hood Air Filter Cleaning section
Ú
page 264.
8. Unique for T/A, using the Mopar® Performance
Air Filter Service Kit, spray oil evenly along the
crown of each filter pleat holding the nozzle about
3 inches (76 mm) away from the air filter. One
spray per 2 square inches (1,290 square mm) of
air filter. With one complete coat of oil, let it wick
(saturate) for about 20 minutes, and if required
touch up any light areas on either side of the filter.
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.
8
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274SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
(Continued)
Make sure that the coolant expansion bottle
overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your
vehicle is equipped with air conditioning, keep
the front of the condenser clean.
Do not change the thermostat for Summer or
Winter operation. If replacement is ever neces-
sary, install ONLY the correct type thermostat.
Other designs may result in unsatisfactory
engine cooling performance, poor gas mileage,
and increased emissions.
BRAKE SYSTEM
In order to ensure brake system performance, all
brake system components should be inspected
periodically Ú page 255.
Fluid Level Check — Brake Master Cylinder
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder
immediately if the Brake System Warning Light
indicates system failure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when
performing underhood services.
Clean the top of the master cylinder area before
removing the cap. Add fluid to bring the level up to
the top of the “FULL” mark on the side of the
master cylinder reservoir.
Overfilling of fluid is not recommended because it
may cause leaking in the system.
Add enough fluid to bring the level up to the
requirements described on the brake fluid
reservoir. With disc brakes, fluid level can be
expected to fall as the brake pads wear. However,
low fluid level may be caused by a leak and a
checkup may be needed.
Use only brake fluid that has been recommended
by the manufacturer, and has been kept in a tightly
closed container to avoid contamination from
foreign matter or moisture Ú page 316.
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 Úpage 316. 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 reservoir 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.
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310SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
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 the manufacturer
recommends 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.
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.
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