2004 DODGE INTREPID ignition

•To avoid drawing exhaust gases into the vehicle, close
the trunk while driving. However, if for some reason it
must remain open, close all windows. Adjust the
heating or cooling system to force outside air into the
vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Safety belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident
if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to
8 seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the bulb is not lit
during starting, have it replaced. If the light stays on or
comes on while driving, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for
brake fluid, fuel, water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if
gasoline fumes are present, the cause should be corrected
immediately.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

EXTERIOR LIGHTS
Headlights And Parking Lights
When the headlight switch is turned clockwise
from Off to the first position, the parking lights,
taillights, side marker lights, license plate light and
instrument panel lights are all turned on. The headlights
turn on when the switch is turned to the second position.
Lights-On Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are left on after the
ignition is turned Off, a chime will sound when the
driver’s door is opened.
Headlight Time Delay
This feature provides the safety of headlight illumination
for about 90 seconds when leaving your vehicle in an
unlighted area. For vehicles equipped with Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), this is customer pro-
grammable to Off, 30, 60, or 90 seconds. (See the Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) section of this
manual.)
62 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To activate the delay, turn off the ignition while the
headlights are still on. Then turn off the headlights within
45 seconds. The delay interval begins when the ignition is
turned off.
If the headlights are turned off before the ignition, they
will go off in the normal manner.
Battery Saver Feature—Exterior Lights
If an exterior light is left on when the ignition switch is
moved to the Off position, it will automatically turn off
after 10 minutes. Normal operation will resume when the
ignition is turned On or when the headlight switch is
turned to another position.
Fog Lights
Turn the headlight switch to either the headlight
On or parking light On positions, then pull out the
headlight switch knob to turn on the fog lights. A
light on the switch will illuminate to show that the Fog
Lights are On.
NOTE:Turning on the high beam headlights will turn
off the fog lights. Fog light operation will continue when
the lights return to the low beam or parking light
position.
Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only)
The headlights are on at a dimmer level whenever the
vehicle is started and the parking brake is released. The
lights remain on until the ignition switch is turned OFF.
MULTIFUNCTION CONTROL LEVER
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 63
3

WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
TRACTION CONTROL SWITCH — IF EQUIPPED
To turn the Traction Control System Off, press the switch
located on the instrument panel, to the right of the
steering column, until the TRAC OFF light in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.To turn the Traction Control System On, press the switch
until the TRAC OFF light in the instrument cluster turns
off.
NOTE:Traction Control System comes on each time the
ignition switch is turned On. This will occur even if you
used the switch to turn the Traction system off during the
previous ignition cycle.
66 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To Set At A Desired Speed:
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed, and the
system is activated, press and release the SET button.
Release the accelerator and the vehicle will operate at the
selected speed.
To Deactivate:
A soft tap on the brake pedal, pushing the CANCEL
button or normal brake pressure while slowing the
vehicle will deactivate the speed control without erasing
the memory. Pushing the ON/OFF button or turning off
the ignition turns the speed control system off and erases
the memory.
To Resume Speed:
To resume a previously set speed, push and release the
ACCEL/RESUME button. Resume can be used at any
speed above 25 mph (40 km/h).
To Vary The Speed Setting:
When the speed control is engaged, speed can be in-
creased by pressing and holding the ACCEL/RESUME
button. When the button is released, a new set speed will
be established.Tapping the ACCEL/RESUME button once will result in
a 2 mph (3 km/h) speed increase. Each time the button is
tapped, speed will increase. For example, tapping the
button three times will increase speed by 6 mph (10
km/h), etc.
To decrease speed while speed control is engaged, press
and hold the COAST button. Release the button when the
desired speed is reached, and the new speed will be set.
Tapping the COAST button once will result ina1mph
speed decrease. Each time the button is tapped, speed
will decrease. For example, tapping the button 3 times
will decrease the speed by 3 mph (5 km/h), etc.
To Accelerate For Passing:
Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
68 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

US/M Button
Use this button to change the display from U.S. to metric
measurement units.
RESET Button
Use this button to reset the following displays to zero:
Average Fuel Economy
Trip Odometer
Elapsed time.
Global Reset
If the RESET button is pressed twice within 3 seconds
while in any of the 3 resetable displays, the Global Reset
will reset all 3 displays.
Step Button
Use this button to choose or cycle through the five trip
conditions.
Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)
This display shows the average fuel economy since the
last reset.
Distance To Empty (DTE)
This display shows the estimated distance that can be
traveled with the fuel remaining in the tank. The distance
is calculated by multiplying the amount of fuel remain-
ing by the projected fuel economy. The distance predicted
will change every few seconds to a higher or lower
number as these factors change.
This display cannot be reset.
Trip Odometer (ODO)
This display shows the distance traveled since the last
reset.
Elapsed Time (ET)
This display shows the accumulated ignition ON time
since the last reset.
C/T Button
Use this button to select a readout of the outside tem-
perature and one of eight compass headings that indicate
the direction in which the vehicle is facing.
78 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Compass/Temperature Display
This display provides the outside temperature and one of
eight compass readings to indicate the direction the
vehicle is facing.
Automatic Compass Calibration
The self calibrating feature of the compass eliminates the
need to calibrate the compass for normal conditions.
During a short initial period, the compass may appear
erratic and the CAL symbol will appear on the display.
The CAL symbol may also appear after the vehicle is
subjected to a high level of magnetism. After completing
three 360 turns at about 5 mph (8 km/h) in an area free
from large metal or metallic objects, the CAL symbol will
turn off and the compass will function normally.
Manual Compass Calibration
If the compass appears erratic and the CAL light does not
appear, you must calibrate the compass. Find an open
area away from large metal objects. With the ignition ON
and the compass/temperature displayed, press and hold
the RESET button until the CAL symbol appears (about
10 seconds). Drive slowly (about 5 mph/ 8 km/h) in 3
complete 360 circles. The CAL light will turn off and the
compass will be calibrated.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 79
3

Variance is the difference between magnetic North and
geographic North. For proper compass function, the
correct variance zone must be set. Refer to the variance
map for the correct variance zone. To check the variance
zone, the ignition must be on and the compass/
temperature displayed. Press and hold the RESET button
for about 5 seconds until VAR appears in the display. The
number displayed is the variance zone used by the
compass. To change the zone, press the STEP button to
scroll through numbers 1 through 15. Press the RESET
button after selecting the proper zone to return to the
normal compass/temperature display.
NOTE:To ensure proper compass calibration, make
sure the compass variance is properly set before manu-
ally calibrating the compass (see variance map).
80 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE