2004 DODGE NEON SRT tires

The required rotation method for directional tires is to
swap the front tire with the rear on the same side of the
vehicle. Do not cross switch tires without dismounting
the tires and re-mounting them in the correct rotational
direction.
SELECTING FUEL
2.4L TURBO
Your engine is designed to meet all emis-
sion regulations and provide excellent fuel
economy and performance when using
high quality unleaded gasoline having an
octane rating of 91. The purchase of higher
octane is not recommended.
High quality unleaded gasoline having a minumum
octane rating of 87 may safely be used for your vehicle.
Use of these lower octane gasolines, however, may result
in reduced acceleration performance.
If low octane fuel (below the recommended 91 octane
(R+M)/2)) is used, boost will be reduced significantly.Normal boost levels will return once the recommended
fuel is used and the engine controller adapts to the fuel
octane level.
Spark Knock
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 resulting 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 experience these
symptoms, try another brand of ªregularº gasoline be-
fore considering service for the vehicle.
Over 40 automobile manufacturers around the world
have issued and endorsed consistent gasoline specifica-
tions (the World Wide Fuel Charter, WWFC) to define
fuel properties necessary to deliver enhanced emissions,
engine performance, and durability for your vehicle. The
manufacturer recommends the use of gasolines that meet
the WWFC specifications if they are available.
STARTING AND OPERATING 113
5

WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
1. Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting
out the battery vent;
2. Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
3. Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels, particularly with high output engines.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is danger-
ous. Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of
the front wheels. You could lose control of the
vehicle and possibly have an accident. Accelerate
slowly and carefully whenever there is likely to be
poor traction (ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
128 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain enough distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and First gear. Usually the least accelerator pedal pres-
sure to maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster
than 35 mph (55km/h) when you are stuck. And don't
let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the
speed.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transaxle overheating and failure. It can
also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels above
35 mph (55km/h).
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 129
6

At Each Oil Change
²
Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the exhaust system.
²Inspect the brake hoses.
²Inspect the CV joints and front suspension compo-
nents.
²Check the manual transaxle fluid level and fill plug
condition.
²Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
²Rotate the tires at each oil change interval shown on
SCHEDULE ªAº 5,000 miles (8 000 km), or every other
interval shown on SCHEDULE ªBº 6,000 miles (10,000
km).
170 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire's
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and
C, and they represent the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade is based on braking (straight-
ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering
(turning) performance.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 189
9

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (highest), B, and C, repre-
senting the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the
tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance which all passen-
ger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
190 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) System.............. 94
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 150
Adding Fuel........................... 116
Air Cleaner, Engine..................... 142
Air Conditioning.....................78,144
Air Conditioning Controls................. 78
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 144
Air Conditioning System................. 144
Air Pressure, Tires...................... 105
Airbag................................ 27
Airbag Deployment...................... 33
Airbag Light.......................35,44,65
Airbag Maintenance...................... 35
Airbag, Side........................... 34
Alarm, Panic........................... 17
Alarm System.......................... 65
Alignment and Balance.................. 110
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............ 6
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 76
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............165,166
Anti-Lock Brake System................... 94
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 63
Appearance Care....................... 155Ashtrays and Lighter..................... 58
Automatic Door Locks.................... 13
Ball Joints............................ 145
Battery............................... 142
Keyless Transmitter Replacement.......... 18
Belts, Drive........................... 140
Belts, Engine.......................... 142
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 145
B-Pillar Location....................... 100
Brake Fluid........................... 166
Brake, Parking.......................... 92
Brake System........................94,153
Anti-Lock............................ 94
Hoses.............................. 153
Master Cylinder...................... 154
Parking............................. 92
Warning Light........................ 63
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 42
Bulb Replacement...................162,163
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 116
192 INDEX

Keyless Entry System..................... 16
Keys.................................. 9
Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 64
Lap/Shoulder Belts...................... 20
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 113
Leaks, Fluid............................ 44
Light Bulbs........................162,163
Lighter, Cigar.......................... 58
Lights................................ 52
Airbag..........................35,44,65
Anti-Lock............................ 63
Brake Warning........................ 63
Center Mounted Stop.................. 164
Daytime Running...................... 54
Dimmer Switch, Headlight.............53,55
Dome............................... 53
Exterior Check........................ 44
Fog ................................ 54
Headlights On Reminder................ 54
High Beam Indicator................... 64
Instrument Cluster..................... 54
Lights On Reminder.................... 54Malfunction Indicator................... 66
Map Reading......................... 52
Oil Pressure.......................... 64
Park................................ 54
Passing............................. 55
Rear Servicing....................... 164
Rear Tail............................ 164
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 65
Side Marker......................... 164
Theft Alarm.......................... 65
Turn Signal.....................55,64,164
Voltage.............................. 65
Loading Vehicle........................ 117
Tires ............................... 100
Locks................................ 12
Child Protection....................... 14
Door............................... 12
Ignition............................ 134
Power Door.......................... 13
Steering Wheel........................ 12
Lubrication, Body....................... 145
Maintenance Free Battery................. 142
196 INDEX