CHRYSLER ASPEN 2008 2.G Owners Manual

Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of the vehicle raised
and the opposite end on a towing dolly.
Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Provided that the transmission is operable, tow with the
transmission in NEUTRAL and the ignition key in the
OFF position, along with the front wheels raised and the
rear wheels on the ground. The speed must not exceed 30
mph (50 km/h), and the distance must not exceed 15 mi
(25 km).If the vehicle is to be towed more than 15 mi (25 km) or
faster than 30 mph (50 km/h), it must be towed on a
flatbed, or with the rear wheels raised and the front
wheels on the ground, or with the front end raised and
the rear wheels on a towing dolly.
NOTE:Towing the vehicle with the rear wheels on the
ground at more than 30 mph (50 km/h) or for more than
15 mi (25 km), can cause severe transmission damage.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mEngine Compartment 4.7L V-8..............384
mEngine Compartment 5.7L HEMI V-8.........385
mOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II........386
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message............386
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................387
mReplacement Parts......................388
mDealer Service.........................389
mMaintenance Procedures..................389NEngine Oil..........................390
NEngine Oil Filter......................393
NDrive Belts Ð Check Condition And Tension . . 393
NSpark Plugs.........................394
NEngine Air Cleaner Filter................394
NEngine Fuel Filter.....................395
NCatalytic Converter....................395
NMaintenance Free Battery................396
NPower Steering Ð Fluid Check............398
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NAir Conditioner Maintenance.............398
NFront Suspension Ball Joints..............399
NDrive Shaft Constant Velocity Joints........400
NBody Lubrication.....................400
NWindshield Wiper Blades................400
NWindshield And Rear Window Washers.....401
NExhaust System......................401
NCooling System.......................402
NEmission Related Components............407
NBrake System........................408
NAutomatic Transmission................410
NTransfer Case........................413
NAxles..............................413NAppearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................414
mFuse Block............................419
NFuses (Interior).......................420
NFuses (Power Distribution Center).........423
NFuses (Integrated Power Module)..........426
mVehicle Storage........................428
mReplacement Light Bulbs.................429
mBulb Replacement......................429
NHeadlights/Parking/Turn Signal..........429
NTail Lights, Turn Signals And Backup Lights Ð
Replacement.........................431
NLicense Lights........................433
NCenter High-Mounted Stoplight...........434
382 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NFog Lights..........................435
mFluids And Capacities...................436
mFluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts........437NEngine.............................437
NChassis............................438
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 383
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT 4.7L V-8
384 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT 5.7L HEMI V-8
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 385
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ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM Ð OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.CAUTION!
²Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability.
The vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
²If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
After fuel is added, the vehicle diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel filler cap is possibly loose, improp-
erly installed, or damaged. A loose fuel filler cap message
will be displayed in the instrument cluster. Tighten the
gas cap until a9clicking9sound is heard. This is an
indication that the gas cap is properly tightened. Press
386 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

the odometer RESET button to turn the message off. If the
problem persists, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started. This might indicate a damaged cap.
If the problem is detected twice in a row, the system will
turn on the MIL. Resolving the problem will turn the MIL
off.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle's emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states which have an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance) requirement, this check verifies the
following: the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
is functioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the On Board Diagnostic (OBD) system is ready
for testing.Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, if you recently had a dead battery, or a battery
replacement. If the OBD system is determined not ready
for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key actuated test
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle's OBD system is ready, you must do
the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine. If you crank or start the engine, you
will have to start this test over.
3. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see your MIL symbol come on as part of a normal
bulb check.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 387
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4. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL will blink for approximately five seconds
and then remain on until the first engine crank or the
key is turned off. This means that your vehicle's OBD
system isnot readyand you shouldnotproceed to the
I/M station.
b. The MIL will remain fully illuminated until the first
engine crank or the key is turned off. This means that
your vehicle's OBD system isreadyand you can
proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD system isnot ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready.Regardless of whether your vehicle's OBD system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL symbol is illuminated
during normal vehicle operation, you should have your
vehicle serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M
station can fail your vehicle because the MIL symbol is on
with the engine running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine Mopartparts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to en-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-Mopartparts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer's
warranty.
388 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

DEALER SERVICE
Your authorized dealer has the qualified service person-
nel, 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 manuals before attempting
any procedure yourself.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that 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.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 389
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