2004 DODGE NEON instrument panel

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1
INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE...........................7
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE............................49
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL..................................71
5
STARTING AND OPERATING................................................111
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES.............................................151
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE..............................................163
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES................................................203
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE.......................................219
10
INDEX...................................................................229
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WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
This manual containsWARNINGSagainst operating
procedures which could result in an accident or bodily
injury. It also containsCAUTIONSagainst procedures
which could result in damage to your vehicle. If you do
not read this entire manual you may miss important
information. Observe all Warnings and Cautions.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is found on a laser
etched plate, located on the left front corner of the
instrument panel, visible through the windshield. This
number also appears on the vehicle registration or title.
VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS / ALTERATIONS
WARNING!
Any modifications or alterations to this vehicle
could seriously affect its roadworthiness and safety
and may lead to an accident resulting in serious
injury or death.
6 INTRODUCTION

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
The dealer that sold you your new vehicle has the key
code numbers for your vehicle locks. These numbers can
be used to order duplicate keys from your dealer. Ask
your dealer for these numbers and keep them in a safe
place.
The double sided keys
may be inserted into the
locks with either side up.
Ignition Key Removal
Manual Transaxle
Depress and hold the release button located between the
ignition switch and the instrument panel. Turn the igni-
tion key to LOCK and remove the key.
Automatic Transaxle
Place the shift lever in PARK and make sure that the shift
knob push button has returned to the out position. Turn
the key to the OFF position, turn to the lock position, and
remove the key.
NOTE:If you try to remove the key before you place
the lever in PARK, the key may become trapped tempo-
rarily in the key cylinder. If this occurs, rotate the key
clockwise slightly, then remove the key as described. If a
malfunction occurs, the system will trap the key in the
ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety feature is
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 9
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Keep the belt low so that it does not come across the
abdomen. That way the strong bones of the hips will take
the force if there is a collision.
Seat Belt Extender
If a seat belt is too short, even when fully extended and
when the adjustable upper shoulder belt anchorage (if
equipped) is in its lowest position, your dealer can
provide you with a seat belt extender. This extender
should be used only if the existing belt is not long
enough. When it is not required, remove the extender
and store it.
WARNING!
Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use
when the seat belt is not long enough when it is
worn low and snug, and in the recommended seating
positions. Remove and store the extender when not
needed.
Driver and Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbags
This vehicle has front airbags for both the driver and
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver's front airbag is mounted in the
center of the steering wheel. The passenger's front airbag
is mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove
compartment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on
the airbag covers.
NOTE:The front airbags are certified to the Federal
regulations that allow less forceful deployment.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 31
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3.The driver and front passenger seats should be
moved back as far as practical to allow the front airbags
room to inflate.
4.If your vehicle has side airbags, do not lean against
the door, airbags will inflate forcefully into the space
between you and the door.WARNING!
²Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won't deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you
have airbags.
²Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during airbag deployment could cause
serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit
back, comfortably extending your arms to reach
the steering wheel or instrument panel.
²If the vehicle has side airbags, they also need
room to inflate. Do not lean against the door. Sit
upright in the center of the seat.
34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Airbag System Components
The front airbag system consists of the following:
²Airbag Control Module (ACM)
²AIRBAG Readiness Light
²Driver Airbag
²Passenger Airbag
²Steering Wheel and Column
²Instrument Panel
²Crash Sensor
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Knee Impact Bolsters
The side airbag system, if equipped, consists of the
following:
²AIRBAG Readiness Light (shared with the front airbag
system)
²Side Airbag in the Driver's Seat
²Side Airbag in the Passenger's Seat
²Right and Left Side Impact Airbag Control Modules
(SIACM)
²Interconnecting Wiring
How The Airbag System Works
Front Airbag System
²The front Airbag Control Module determines if a
frontal collision is severe enough to require the airbags
to inflate.
²The Airbag Control Module is not designed to detect
side, roll over, or rear collisions.
²The Airbag Control Module also monitors the readi-
ness of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or ON/RUN positions.
These include all of the items listed above except the
knee bolsters, the instrument panel, and the steering
wheel and column. If the key is in the OFF position, in
the ACC position, or not in the ignition switch, the
airbags are not on and will not inflate.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35
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²The Airbag Control Module also turns on the AIRBAG
light in the instrument panel for 6 to 8 seconds when
the ignition switch is first turned to ON/RUN, then
turns the light off. If it detects a malfunction in any
part of the system, it turns on the light either momen-
tarily or continuously.WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won't have the airbags to protect
you in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.
²When the Airbag Control Module detects a collision
requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator units. A
large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate
the airbags. The airbag covers separate and fold out of
the way as the airbags inflate to their full size. The
airbags fully inflate in about 50 milliseconds. This is
only about half of the time it takes you to blink your
eyes. The airbags then quickly deflate while helping to
restrain the driver and front passenger. The driver's
front airbag gas is vented through the airbag material
towards the instrument panel. The passenger's front
airbag gas is vented through vent holes in the sides of
the airbag. In this way the airbags do not interfere with
your control of the vehicle.
36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Maintaining Your Airbag Systems
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolster.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to inflate for your
protection in an impact. While the airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free, if any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
immediately:
²The AIRBAG light does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
²The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
²The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times Ð babies and children, too. Every state in the
United States and all Canadian provinces require that
small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the
law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 39
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