2004 DODGE INTREPID Transmission

POWER WINDOWS
Window controls on the driver’s door control all door
windows.
The driver’s window switch has an Auto Down feature.
Press the window switch past the detent, release, and the
window will go down automatically. Press the switch a
second time in either direction to stop the window.
To open the window part way, press the window switch
to the detent and release it when you want the window to
stop.The window lock switch on the driver’s door allows you
to disable the window control on the other doors.
REMOTE TRUNK LID RELEASE
You can open the trunk lid from inside the vehicle by
pressing the switch on the left side of the instrument
panel. The transmission must be in Park before the
switch will operate.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 25
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NOTE:The Battery Saver Feature will not turn these
lights off if a switch was used to turn them on.
Instrument Panel Lighting
The brightness of the instrument panel lighting can be
regulated by rotating the dimmer switch.
Daytime Brightness Feature
Certain instrument panel components can be illuminated
at full brightness during the daytime. These are the
Odometer, Transmission Range Indicator, Radio, Climate
Controls, and the Overhead Travel Information Center.
This can be helpful when driving with your headlightson during the daytime such as in a parade or a funeral
procession. To activate this feature, rotate the Dimmer
Control upward to the first detent.
Front Map/Reading Lights
These lights are mounted between the sun visors. Each
light is turned On by pressing the lens. Press the lens a
second time to turn the light Off. The lights also come on
when a door is opened or the dimmer switch is turned
fully upward to the dome light position.
NOTE:The lights will remain on until the switch is
pressed a second time, so be sure they have been turned
off before leaving the vehicle.
Rear Seat Reading/Courtesy Lights
These lights may be individually operated by a switch
next to the light. The Battery Saver feature will not turn
these lights off if the switch was used to turn them on. Be
sure the lights are off before leaving the vehicle. The
lights also come on when a door is opened or the dimmer
switch is turned to the dome light position.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 61
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WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don’t use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
Using Speed Control On Hills
Your vehicle is equipped with Interactive Speed Control.
This feature operates when traveling up or down hills
with the Speed Control engaged and the driver’s foot off
of the accelerator.
When Climbing A Hill
If vehicle speed drops 3 mph (5 km/h) below the Speed
Control SET speed, the transmission will downshift to
third gear. Under severe conditions the transmission may
downshift again to second gear. The transmission will
upshift as the vehicle reaches the top of the hill.
When Descending A Hill
If vehicle speed rises 3 mph (5 km/h) over the Speed
Control SET speed, the transmission will downshift to
third gear. This provides engine braking to keep vehicle
speed under control. The transmission will not downshift
below third gear to control vehicle overspeed. The trans-
mission will upshift to fourth gear after the vehicle has
reached the bottom of the hill.
NOTE:On very steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain
may occur. It may be preferable to drive without Speed
Control.
Rolling Hills
The transmission may downshift into third gear and
remain there as the vehicle travels over rolling hills. The
transmission will upshift into fourth gear when the road
flattens out.
The transmission will resume its normal shift schedule if
you depress the accelerator pedal during any of the
above conditions.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 69
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If the pointer rises to the “H” mark, stop the vehicle and
turn off the engine until the problem is corrected.
CAUTION!
Continuing to drive with an overheated engine cool-
ing system can cause damage to the engine or other
components.
There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning is
on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to Floor and
the Fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
16. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic
system called OBD that monitors engine and
automatic transmission control systems. Thelight will illuminate when the key is in the ON
position before engine start. If the bulb does not come
on when turning the key from OFF to ON, have the
condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap or
poor fuel quality may illuminate the light after engine
start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays on
through several of your typical driving cycles. In most
situations the vehicle will drive normally and will not
require towing.
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert to serious
conditions that could lead to immediate loss of power or
severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle should be
serviced as soon as possible if this occurs.
17. Trip Odometer Reset Knob
To reset the trip odometer, push the reset knob for about
two seconds.
18. Airbag Light
The light will 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,
90 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

have it replaced. If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
19. Odometer/Trip Odometer
Shows the total distance the vehicle has been driven.
U.S. Federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
The Trip Odometer shows individual trip mileage and is
accessed by pressing the reset button.
20. Charging System Light
This light shows the status of the electrical
charging system. The light should come on
briefly when the ignition is first turned on and remain
on briefly as a bulb check. If the light stays on or
comes on while driving, turn off some of the vehicle’s
electrical devices, such as the Fog Lights or RearDefroster. If the Charging System Light remains on, it
means that the vehicle is experiencing a problem with
the charging system and should be serviced immedi-
ately. See your local authorized dealer.
21. Transmission Range Indicator
This indicator illuminates to show the automatic trans-
mission gear selection.
22. ABS Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake system
described elsewhere in this manual. The yellow
ABS light will come on when the ignition key is turned
to the ON position and may stay on for several
seconds. If the ABS light does not come on have the
system checked by an authorized dealer. The warning
light should be checked frequently to assure that it is
operating properly.
If the ABS light remains on or comes on while driving, it
indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required, however,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally if the red BRAKE warning light is not on.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 91
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures....................127
▫Normal Starting......................127
▫Extremely Cold Weather
(Below -20°F Or -29°C).................127
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................128
▫After Starting........................129
Engine Block Heater — Optional U.S. And
Standard Canada
......................129
Automatic Transaxle....................129
▫Brake/Transmission Interlock.............129
▫Transaxle Reset Mode..................130
▫Gear Ranges.........................130
Parking Brake.........................132
Brake System.........................134
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) —
If Equipped.........................134
Power Steering........................135
Traction Control— If Equipped............135
Ti re s................................136
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................137
▫High Speed Operation..................138
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................138
▫Compact Spare Tire....................139
▫Tire Spinning........................140
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After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up. At cooler ambient temperatures, the idle
speed for the 2.7L engine may increase during extended
idles for improved heater performance.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — Optional U.S. and
Standard Canada
These heaters use a common power cord which is stored
under the hood, behind the Air Cleaner housing. Plug the
cord into any 110 volt AC outlet and both heaters will be
energized. Use the heaters when temperatures below 0°F
(-18°C) are expected to last for several days.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
Brake/Transmission Interlock
This interlock system prevents you from moving the gear
selector out of the Park position unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the key is in the
RUN position.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the vehicle has
come to a complete stop and the engine is at idle
speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK or NEUTRAL into
any forward gear when the engine is above idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal.
The electronically controlled transaxle provides a precise
shift schedule. The transaxle electronics are self-
calibrating. Therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
shift cycles.
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When parking on a hill, you must set the parking brake
beforeplacing the gear selector in Park. If you don’t, the
load on the transmission locking mechanism may make it
difficult to move the selector out of Park. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.
The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.WARNING!
•Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for several reasons. A child or others could
be injured. Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake or the gear selector. Don’t
leave the keys in the ignition. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
•Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake
failure and an accident.
STARTING AND OPERATING 133
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