2004 DODGE NEON brake

inoperable. The engine can be started and stopped but
the key cannot be removed until you obtain service.
WARNING!
Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is danger-
ous for a number of reasons. A child or others could
be injured. Children should be warned not to touch
the parking brake, brake pedal or the gear selector
lever. Don't leave the keys in the ignition. A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove key from the ignition and lock all doors
when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Locking Doors With The Key
You can insert the key with either side up. To lock the
door, turn the key rearward. To unlock the door, turn the
key forward. See Section 7, Body Mechanism Lubrication
of this manual for external lock lubrication.
Key-In-Ignition Reminder
Opening the driver's door when the key is in the ignition
switch, sounds a signal to remind you to remove the key.
NOTE:With the driver's door open, and the key in the
ignition, the power door locks will not lock via the
interior door lock switch.
10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK and the shift knob push-button
is fully released. It also prevents shifting out of PARK
unless the key is in the ON/RUN or START positions and
you have depressed the brake pedal.
CAUTION!
An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove the key from the ignition and lock all the
doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
DOOR LOCKS
Manual Door Locks
All doors are equipped with a rocker-type interior door
lock. To lock a door when leaving your vehicle, press the
rocker switch to the LOCK position and close the door.
NOTE:To avoid accidentally locking your keys in the
vehicle, make sure you have them with you before
closing any door.
WARNING!
For personal security, and safety in the event of an
accident, lock the vehicle doors as you drive as well
as when you park and leave the vehicle.
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only)
The front fog lights will come on as Daytime Running
Lights whenever the ignition is on, the headlights are off,
and the parking brake is off. The headlight switch must
be used for normal night time driving.
Lights-on Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned OFF, a chime will sound when the driver's door
is opened. Leaving the headlights on for an extended
period of time will discharge the battery resulting in
reduced battery life and possible inability to start the
vehicle.
Fog Lights Ð If Equipped
The front fog light switch is on the Multi-Function
Control Lever. To activate the front fog lights, turn
on the headlights and pull out the end of the
control lever.
NOTE:The fog lights will only operate with the head-
lights on low beam. Selecting high beam headlights or
park lights will turn off the fog lights.
Turn Signals
Move the Multi-Function Control Lever up or down to
detent and the arrows on each side of the instrument
cluster flash to show proper operation of the front and
rear turn signal lights. You can signal a lane change by
moving the lever partially up or down.
If either light remains on and does not flash, or there is a
very fast flash rate, check for a defective outside light
bulb. If an indicator fails to light when the lever is
moved, it would suggest that the fuse or indicator bulb is
defective.
Headlight Dimmer Switch
Pull the Multi-Function Control Lever towards you to
switch the headlights to HIGH beam. Pull the control
lever a second time to switch the headlights to LOW
beam.
Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the Multi-Function Control Lever toward
you. This will cause the headlights to turn on at high
beam and remain on until the lever is released.
62 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system on
when not in use is dangerous. You could accidentally
set the system or cause it to go faster than you want.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the system OFF when you are not using it.
To Set At A Desired Speed:
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed, press
down on the lever and release. Release the accelerator
and the vehicle will operate at the selected speed.
NOTE:The vehicle should be traveling at a steady
speed and on level ground before pressing the SET lever.
To Deactivate:
A soft tap on the brake pedal, pulling the speed control
lever towards you ªCANCELº, or normal brake or clutch
pressure while slowing the vehicle will deactivate speed
control without erasing the set speed memory. Pressing
the ON/OFF button or turning off the ignition switch
erases the set speed memory.
To Resume Speed:
To resume a previously set speed, push the ªACC/RESº
lever up and release. Resume can be used at any speed
above 32 km/h (20 mph).
To Vary The Speed Setting:
When the speed control is ON, speed can be increased by
pushing up and holding ªACC/RESº. Release the lever
when the desired speed is reached, and the new speed
will be set.
Tapping ªACC/RESº once will result in a 2 mph (3
km/h) speed increase. Each time the lever is tapped,
speed increases so that tapping the lever three times will
increase speed by 6 mph (10 km/h), etc.
To decrease speed while speed control is ON, push down
and hold ªCOAST/SETº. Release the lever when the
desired speed is reached, and the new speed will be set.
Tapping the ªCOAST/SETº button once will result in a 1
mph (2 km/h) speed decrease. Each time the button is
tapped, speed decreases.
66 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Front Fog Light Indicator Ð If Equipped
This light shows when the front fog lights are
ON.
2. Brake System Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking
brake application. If the brake light comes
on, it may indicate that the parking brake is
applied, or there is a low brake fluid level. On vehicles
equipped with Anti-lock brakes (ABS), it may also
indicate an ABS malfunction that could lead to re-
duced braking performance.WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. A significant decrease in braking performance
or vehicle stability during braking may occur. It will
take you longer to stop the vehicle or will make your
vehicle harder to control. You could have an acci-
dent. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
The operation of the Brake Warning light can be checked
by turning the ignition key from the OFF to the ON
position. The light should illuminate for three seconds, or
until the engine is started, whichever comes first. The
light should then go out unless the parking brake is
applied or a brake fault is detected. If the light does not
illuminate, have the light inspected and serviced as soon
as possible.
The light will also come on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition in the ON position.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
on. It does not show the degree of brake application.
78 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

If the parking brake is off and the light remains on, have
the brake system inspected as soon as possible.
3. Anti-Lock Warning Light (ABS) Ð If Equipped
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) described elsewhere in this manual. This
light will come on when the ignition key is turned to
the ON position and may stay on for as long as four
seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or comes on during 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 provided that the BRAKE warning light is not
on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefit of Anti-Lock
Brakes.
The warning light should be checked frequently to assure
that it is operating properly. Turn the ignition key to apoint midway between ON and START. The light should
come on. If the light does not come on, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
4. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
5. Turn Signal Indicators
The arrows will flash in unison with the exterior
turn signal, when using the turn signal lever.
6. High Beam Indicator
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the turn signal lever toward the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from high or
low beam.
7. Tachometer Ð If Equipped
The white area of the scale shows the permissible engine
revolutions-per-minute (rpm x 1000) for each gear range.
Before reaching the red area, ease up on the accelerator to
prevent engine damage.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 79
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures....................114
NAutomatic Transaxle...................114
NManual Transaxle.....................114
NNormal Starting......................114
NStarting In Cold Weather
(Below 32ÉF Of 0ÉC)...................115
NExtremely Cold Weather
(Below -20ÉF Or -29ÉC).................115
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................115
NAfter Starting........................116
mAutomatic Transaxle Ð If Equipped........116
NBrake/Transmission Interlock System.......116NAutomatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock
System.............................116
NFour Speed Automatic Transaxle..........117
NReset Mode.........................117
NGear Ranges For Four Speed Automatic
Transaxle...........................117
mManual Transaxle Ð If Equipped..........119
NRecommended Shift Speeds..............120
NDownshifting........................121
mParking Brake.........................121
mBrake System.........................123
5

NAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Ð If
Equipped...........................124
mPower Steering........................125
mTire Safety Information..................125
NTire Markings........................125
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........128
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........129
mTiresÐGeneral Information...............133
NTire Pressure.........................133
NTire Inflation Pressures.................134
NRadial-Ply Tires......................136
NCompact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped.........136
NTire Spinning........................137
NTread Wear Indicators..................137
NReplacement Tires.....................138
NAlignment And Balance.................139
mTire Chains...........................139
mSnow Tires...........................140
mTire Rotation Recommendations...........141
mFuel Requirements.....................141
N2.0L Standard Engine..................141
N2.0L High Output Engine................142
NSpark Knock.........................142
NReformulated Gasoline.................142
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............142
NMMT In Gasoline.....................143
NSulfur In Gasoline.....................143
NMaterials Added To Fuel................144
NFuel System Cautions..................144
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............145
mAdding Fuel..........................145
NFuel Tank Filler Cap...................145
112 STARTING AND OPERATING