SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE205
ENGINE OIL
Engine Oil Selection
Use only the manufacturer's recommended fluids
Úpage 251.
American Petroleum Institute (API)
Approved Engine Oil
These symbols mean that the oil has been certified
by the API. The manufacturer only recommends API
trademark oils.
The API Starburst trademark certifies
0W-20, 0W-30 and 5W-30 engine oils.
The API Donut trademark certifies 0W-40
and 5W-40 engine oil.
Synthetic Engine Oils
Your engine was designed for synthetic engine oils,
only use synthetic API approved engine oils.
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
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.
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 199.
NOTE:Be sure to follow the “Severe Duty Conditions”
maintenance interval if applicable.
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.
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.
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212SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important to use the proper transmission fluid
to ensure optimum transmission performance and
life. Use the manufacturer specified transmission
fluid Úpage 252. It is important to maintain the
transmission fluid at the correct level using the
recommended fluid.
NOTE:
No chemical flushes should be used in any trans -
mission; only the approved lubricant should be used.
Special Additives
The manufacturer strongly recommends against
using any special additives in the transmission.
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an
engineered product and its performance may be
impaired by supplemental additives. Therefore,
do not add any fluid additives to the transmission. The only exception to this policy is the use of
special dyes for diagnosing fluid leaks in 9-speed
transmissions. Avoid using transmission sealers as
they may adversely affect seals.
Fluid Level Check
The fluid level is preset at the factory and does
not require adjustment under normal operating
conditions. Routine fluid level checks are not
required, therefore the transmission filler tube is
capped and no dipstick is provided. An authorized
dealer can check your transmission fluid level
using a special service dipstick. If you notice fluid
leakage or transmission malfunction, visit an
authorized dealer immediately to have the
transmission fluid level checked. Operating the
vehicle with an improper fluid level can cause
severe transmission damage.
WARNING!
Use only the manufacturer recommended
brake fluid Ú
page 251. 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 an 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 contami -
nate the brake fluid. Brake seal components could
be damaged, causing partial or complete brake
failure. This could result in a collision.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the
manufacturer recommended fluid may cause
deterioration in transmission shift quality and/or
torque converter shudder Ú page 252.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your
transmission as the chemicals can damage your
transmission components. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
22_VF_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 212
259
Emergency, In Case Of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck
...................... 196Jacking...................................................... 180Jump Starting............................................ 192Emission Control System Maintenance........... 68Engine........................................................... 202Air Cleaner................................................. 205Block Heater............................................... 70Break-In Recommendations........................ 70Checking Oil Level..................................... 203Compartment............................................ 202Compartment Identification...................... 202Coolant (Antifreeze)......................... 209, 251Cooling...................................................... 209Exhaust Gas Caution................................. 175Fails To Start............................................... 70Flooded, Starting......................................... 70Fuel Requirements.......................... 248, 251Jump Starting............................................ 192Oil.................................................... 205, 251Oil Filler Cap.............................................. 202Oil Filter..................................................... 205Oil Selection.................................... 205, 251Oil Synthetic.............................................. 205Overheating............................................... 194Starting....................................................... 69Enhanced Accident Response Feature..........197Entry System, Illuminated................................ 37Ethanol.......................................................... 249Exhaust Gas Cautions.................................... 175
Exhaust System................................... 175, 208Exterior Lights.........................................32, 174
F
FiltersAir Cleaner
................................................ 205Air Conditioning..................................43, 206Engine Oil........................................ 205, 251Engine Oil Disposal................................... 205FlashersHazard Warning........................................ 176Turn Signals............................................. 174Flat Tire Changing................................ 225, 237Flat Tire Stowage................................. 225, 237Flooded Engine Starting................................... 70Fluid Capacities............................................ 251Fluid Leaks................................................... 174Fluid Level ChecksAutomatic Transmission........................... 212Brake........................................................ 211Cooling System......................................... 209Engine Oil................................................. 203Fog Lights........................................................ 34Fold-Flat Seats................................................. 23Forward Collision Warning............................ 148Four-Way Hazard Flasher.............................. 176Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................................ 196Fuel............................................................... 248Additives................................................... 249Clean Air................................................... 249
Ethanol..................................................... 249Filler Cap (Gas Cap).................................. 108Gasoline................................................... 248Materials Added....................................... 249Methanol.................................................. 249Octane Rating.................................. 248, 251Requirements.................................. 248, 251Tank Capacity........................................... 251Fuses............................................................ 213
G
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)...................... 108, 109Gasoline, Clean Air........................................ 249Gasoline, Reformulated................................ 249GaugesFuel..............................................................62Gear Ranges....................................................75Gear Selector Override.................................. 195Glass Cleaning.............................................. 246Gross Axle Weight Rating..................... 109, 111Gross Vehicle Weight Rating................ 109, 110GuideBody Builders................................................. 8GVWR............................................................ 109
H
HazardDriving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow Standing Water
.................................... 118Hazard Warning Flashers.............................. 176
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