WARNING: NEW OR USED ENGINE OIL CAN BE
IRRITATING TO THE SKIN. AVOID PROLONGED OR
REPEATED SKIN CONTACT WITH ENGINE OIL.
CONTAMINANTS IN USED ENGINE OIL, CAUSED BY
INTERNAL COMBUSTION, CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO
YOUR HEALTH. THOROUGHLY WASH EXPOSED
SKIN WITH SOAP AND WATER. DO NOT WASH
SKIN WITH GASOLINE, DIESEL FUEL, THINNER, OR
SOLVENTS, HEALTH PROBLEMS CAN RESULT. DO
NOT POLLUTE, DISPOSE OF USED ENGINE OIL
PROPERLY. CONTACT YOUR DEALER OR GOVERN-
MENT AGENCY FOR LOCATION OF COLLECTION
CENTER IN YOUR AREA.

When service is required, DaimlerChrysler Corpo-

ration recommends that only Mopar

t brand parts,

lubricants and chemicals be used. Mopar

t provides

the

best

engineered

products

for

servicing

DaimlerChrysler Corporation vehicles.

Only lubricants bearing designations defined by

the following organization should be used.

• Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

• American Petroleum Institute (API)

• National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI)

Fig. 1 INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS

LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE

0 - 1

API SERVICE GRADE CERTIFIED

Use an engine oil that is API Certified (GF-3).

Mopar

t provides engine oils, meeting Material Stan-

dard MS-6395, that meet or exceed this requirement.

SAE VISCOSITY

An SAE viscosity grade is used to specify the vis-

cosity of engine oil. Use only engine oils with multi-
ple viscosities such as 5W-30 or 10W-30. These are
specified with a dual SAE viscosity grade which indi-
cates the cold-to-hot temperature viscosity range.
Select an engine oil that is best suited to your par-
ticular temperature range and variation (Fig. 2).

ENERGY CONSERVING OIL

An Energy Conserving type oil is recommended for

gasoline engines. The designation of ENERGY CON-
SERVING is located on the label of an engine oil con-
tainer.

CONTAINER IDENTIFICATION

Standard engine oil identification notations have

been adopted to aid in the proper selection of engine
oil. The identifying notations are located on the front
label of engine oil plastic bottles and the top of
engine oil cans (Fig. 3).

This symbol means that the oil has been certified

by the American Petroleum Institute (API). Diamler-
Chrysler

only

recommend

API

Certified

(GF-3)

engine oils that meet the requirements of Material
Standard MS-6395. Use Mopar

t or an equivalent oil

meeting the specification MS-6395.

SYNTHETIC ENGINE OILS

There are a number of engine oils being promoted

as either synthetic or semi-synthetic. If you chose to
use such a product, use only those oils that meet the
American Petroleum Institute (API) and SAE viscos-
ity

standard.

the

service

schedule

that

describes your driving type.

ENGINE OIL ADDITIVES/SUPPLEMENTS

The manufacturer does not recommend the addi-

tion of any engine oil additives/supplements to the
specified engine oil. Engine oil additives/supplements
should not be used to enhance engine oil perfor-
mance. Engine oil additives/supplements should not
be used to extend engine oil change intervals. No
additive is known to be safe for engine durability and
can degrade emission components. Additives can con-
tain undesirable materials that harm the long term
durability of engines by:

• Doubling the level of Phosphorus in the engine

oil. The ILSAC (International Lubricant Standard
Approval Committee) GF-2 and GF-3 standards
require that engine oil contain no more than 0.10%
Phosphorus to protect the vehicles emissions perfor-
mance. Addition of engine oil additives/supplements
can poison, from the added sulfur and phosphorus,
catalysts and hinder efforts to guarantee emissions
performance to 80,000 miles.

• Altering the viscosity characteristics of the

engine oil so that it no longer meets the require-
ments of the specified viscosity grade.

• Creating potential for an undesirable additive

compatibility interaction in the engine crankcase.
Generally it is not desirable to mix additive packages
from different suppliers in the crankcase; there have
been reports of low temperature engine failures
caused by additive package incompatibility with such
mixtures.

GEAR LUBRICANTS

SAE ratings also apply to multigrade gear lubri-

cants. In addition, API classification defines the
lubricants usage. Such as API GL-5 and SAE 75W-
90.

LUBRICANTS AND GREASES

Lubricating grease is rated for quality and usage

by the NLGI. All approved products have the NLGI
symbol (Fig. 4) on the label. At the bottom NLGI
symbol is the usage and quality identification letters.
Wheel bearing lubricant is identified by the letter
“G”. Chassis lubricant is identified by the latter “L”.
The letter following the usage letter indicates the

Fig. 2 TEMPERATURE/ENGINE OIL VISCOSITY

Fig. 3 API SYMBOL

0 - 2

LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE

FLUID TYPES (Continued)

quality of the lubricant. The following symbols indi-
cate the highest quality.

SPECIALIZED LUBRICANTS AND OILS

Some

maintenance

repair

procedures

may

require the use of specialized lubricants or oils. Con-
sult the appropriate sections in this manual for the
correct application of these lubricants.

DESCRIPTION - ENGINE COOLANT

WARNING: ANTIFREEZE IS AN ETHYLENE GLYCOL
BASE COOLANT AND IS HARMFUL IF SWAL-
LOWED OR INHALED. IF SWALLOWED, DRINK
TWO GLASSES OF WATER AND INDUCE VOMIT-
ING. IF INHALED, MOVE TO FRESH AIR AREA.
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT
STORE IN OPEN OR UNMARKED CONTAINERS.
WASH SKIN AND CLOTHING THOROUGHLY AFTER
COMING IN CONTACT WITH ETHYLENE GLYCOL.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. DISPOSE OF
GLYCOL BASE COOLANT PROPERLY, CONTACT
YOUR DEALER OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY FOR
LOCATION OF COLLECTION CENTER IN YOUR
AREA. DO NOT OPEN A COOLING SYSTEM WHEN
THE ENGINE IS AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE OR
HOT UNDER PRESSURE, PERSONAL INJURY CAN
RESULT. AVOID RADIATOR COOLING FAN WHEN
ENGINE COMPARTMENT RELATED SERVICE IS
PERFORMED, PERSONAL INJURY CAN RESULT.

CAUTION: Use of Propylene Glycol based coolants
is not recommended, as they provide less freeze
protection and less boiling protection.

The cooling system is designed around the coolant.

The coolant must accept heat from engine metal, in
the cylinder head area near the exhaust valves and
engine block. Then coolant carries the heat to the
radiator where the tube/fin radiator can transfer the
heat to the air.

The use of aluminum cylinder blocks, cylinder

heads, and water pumps requires special corrosion
protection.

Mopar

Antifreeze/Coolant,

Year/100,000 Mile Formula (MS-9769), or the equiva-
lent ethylene glycol base coolant with hybrid organic
corrosion inhibitors (called HOAT, for Hybrid Organic
Additive Technology) is recommended. This coolant
offers the best engine cooling without corrosion when
mixed with 50% Ethylene Glycol and 50% distilled
water to obtain a freeze point of -37°C (-35°F). If it
loses color or becomes contaminated, drain, flush,
and replace with fresh properly mixed coolant solu-
tion.

The green coolant MUST NOT BE MIXED with

the orange or magenta coolants. When replacing cool-
ant the complete system flush must be performed
before using the replacement coolant.

CAUTION:

Mopar

Antifreeze/Coolant,

Year/100,000 Mile Formula (MS-9769) may not be
mixed with any other type of antifreeze. Doing so
will reduce the corrosion protection and may result
in premature water pump seal failure. If non-HOAT
coolant is introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the specified
coolant as soon as possible.

DESCRIPTION - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID

NOTE: Refer to the maintenance schedules for the
recommended

maintenance

(fluid/filter

change)

intervals for this transaxle.

NOTE: For fluid level checking procedures, (Refer
to 21 - TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/AUTOMATIC -
42LE/FLUID - STANDARD PROCEDURE).

NOTE: The 42LE transaxle has separate transmis-
sion and differential oil sumps, each requiring dif-
ferent fluids.

TRANSMISSION FLUID

Mopar

t ATF+4 is required in this transaxle. Sub-

stitute fluids can induce torque converter clutch
shudder.

Mopar

t ATF+4 when new is red in color. The ATF

is dyed red so it can be identified from other fluids
used in the vehicle such as engine oil or antifreeze.
The red color is not permanent and is not an indica-
tor of fluid condition. As the vehicle is driven, the
ATF will begin to look darker in color and may even-
tually become brown. This is normal. ATF+4 also

Fig. 4 NLGI SYMBOL

1 - WHEEL BEARINGS
2 - CHASSIS LUBRICATION
3 - CHASSIS AND WHEEL BEARINGS

LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE

0 - 3

FLUID TYPES (Continued)

has a unique odor that may change with age. Conse-
quently, odor and color cannot be used to indi-
cate the fluid condition or the need for a fluid
change.

FLUID ADDITIVES

DaimlerChrysler strongly recommends against the

addition of any fluids to the transmission, other than
those automatic transmission fluids listed above.
Exceptions to this policy are the use of special dyes
to aid in detecting fluid leaks.

Various “special” additives and supplements exist

that claim to improve shift feel and/or quality. These
additives and others also claim to improve converter
clutch operation and inhibit overheating, oxidation,
varnish, and sludge. These claims have not been sup-
ported to the satisfaction of DaimlerChrysler and
these additives must not be used. The use of trans-
mission “sealers” should also be avoided, since they
may adversely affect the integrity of transmission
seals.

DESCRIPTION - DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICANT

NOTE: Refer to the Owner’s Manual for the recom-
mended differential lubricant change intervals for
this transaxle.

NOTE: Refer to 42LE TRANSAXLE SERVICE PRO-
CEDURES for fluid level checking procedures.

NOTE: The 42LE transaxle has separate transmis-
sion and differential oil sumps, each requiring dif-
ferent fluids.

42LE DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICANT

The differential sump should be filled with Mopar

80W-90 hypoid gear lubricant. Synthetic gear lubri-
cants should be avoided.

FLUID ADDITIVES

DaimlerChrysler strongly recommends against the

addition of any fluids to the transmission, other than
those lubricants listed above. Exceptions to this pol-
icy are the use of special dyes to aid in detecting
fluid leaks.

Various “special” additives and supplements exist

may adversely affect the integrity of transmission
seals.

DESCRIPTION - FUEL REQUIREMENTS

Your engine is designed to meet all emissions reg-

ulations and provide excellent fuel economy and per-
formance when using high quality unleaded gasoline
having an octane rating of 87. The uses of midgrade,
octane rating of 89, gasoline is recommended for the
3.5L H.O. engine. The use of premium gasoline is not
recommended. The use of premium gasoline will pro-
vide no benefit over high quality regular gasoline,
and in some circumstances may result in poorer per-
formance.

Light spark knock at low engine speeds is not

harmful to your engine. However, continued heavy
spark knock at high speeds can cause damage and
immediate service is required. Engine damage result-
ing from operation with a heavy spark knock may
not be covered by the new vehicle warranty.

Poor quality gasoline can cause problems such as

hard starting, stalling and hesitations. If you experi-
ence these symptoms, try another brand of gasoline
before considering service for the vehicle.

Over 40 auto manufacturers world-wide have

issued and endorsed consistent gasoline specifications
(the Worldwide Fuel Charter, WWFC) to define fuel
properties necessary to deliver enhanced emissions,
performance and durability for your vehicle. We rec-
ommend the use of gasolines that meet the WWFC
specifications if they are available.

REFORMULATED GASOLINE

Many areas of the country require the use of

cleaner burning gasoline referred to as “reformulat-
ed” gasoline. Reformulated gasoline contain oxygen-
ates, and are specifically blended to reduce vehicle
emissions and improve air quality.

We strongly support the use of reformulated gaso-

line. Properly blended reformulated gasoline will pro-
vide excellent performance and durability for the
engine and fuel system components.

GASOLINE/OXYGENATE BLENDS

Some fuel suppliers blend unleaded gasoline with

oxygenates such as 10% ethanol, MTBE, and ETBE.
Oxygenates are required in some areas of the country
during the winter months to reduce carbon monoxide
emissions. Fuels blended with these oxygenates may
be used in your vehicle.

CAUTION: DO NOT use gasoline containing METH-
ANOL. Gasoline containing methanol may damage
critical fuel system components.

0 - 4

LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE

FLUID TYPES (Continued)

Content .. 1 2 3 4 5 ..