2004 DODGE NEON SRT engine

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

Reformulated Gasoline
Many areas of the country require the use of cleaner
burning fuel referred to as Reformulated Gasoline. Re-
formulated gasolines contain oxygenates, and are specifi-
cally blended to reduce vehicle emissions and improve
air quality.
The manufacturer supports the use of reformulated gaso-
lines. Properly blended reformulated gasolines will pro-
vide excellent performance and durability for the engine
and fuel system components.
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends
Some fuel suppliers blend unleaded gasoline with mate-
rials called oxygenates such as 10% ethanol, MTBE and
ETBE. Oxygenates are required in some areas of the
country during the winter months to reduce carbon
monoxide emissions. Fuels blended with these oxygen-
ates may be used in your vehicle.
CAUTION!
DO NOT use gasolines containing Methanol. Gaso-
line containing methanol may damage critical fuel
system components.
Problems that result from using methanol/gasoline
blends are not the responsibility of The manufacturer and
may not be covered by the vehicle warranty. While MTBE
is an oxygenate made from Methanol, it does not have
the negative effects of Methanol.
MMT in Gasoline
MMT is a manganese containing metallic additive that is
blended into some gasoline to increase octane. Gasolines
blended with MMT provide no performance advantage
beyond gasolines of the same octane number without
MMT. Gasolines blended with MMT have shown to
reduce spark plug life and reduce emission system
performance in some vehicles. The manufacturer recom-
mends that gasolines free of MMT be used in your
114 STARTING AND OPERATING

vehicle. The MMT content of gasoline may not be indi-
cated on the gasoline pump, therefore you should ask
your gasoline retailer whether or not his/her gasoline
contains MMT.
It is even more important to look for gasolines without
MMT in Canada because MMT can be used at higher
levels than allowed in the United States.
MMT is prohibited in both Federal and California refor-
mulated gasolines.
Sulfur in Gasoline
Your vehicle may have been designed to meet California
low emission standards with cleaner burning California
reformulated gasoline with low sulfur. This vehicle may
be sold nationwide. Your vehicle will operate satisfacto-
rily on fuels meeting Federal specifications, but emission
control system performance may be adversely affected.
Gasoline sold outside of California is permitted to have
higher sulfur levels which may affect the performance of
the vehicle's catalytic converter. This may cause the
Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light to illuminate.
The manufacturer recommends that you try a differentbrand of unleaded gasoline having lower sulfur to deter-
mine if the problem is fuel related prior to returning your
vehicle to an authorized dealer for service.
CAUTION!
If the Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light is
flashing, immediate service is required. See the On
Board Diagnostics paragraph in the Maintenance
section of this manual.
Materials Added to Fuel
All gasoline sold in the United States is required to
contain effective detergent additives. Use of additional
detergents or other additives is not needed under normal
conditions and would result in unnecessary cost. There-
fore you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
STARTING AND OPERATING 115
5

WARNING!
²Remove the fuel tank filler tube cap (gas cap)
slowly to prevent fuel spray from the filler neck
which may cause injury.
²The volatility of some gasolines may cause a build
up of pressure in the fuel tank that may increase
while you drive. This pressure can result in a
spray of gasoline and/or vapors when you remove
the cap from a hot vehicle. Removing the cap
slowly allows the pressure to vent and prevents
fuel spray.
²Never have any smoking materials lit in or near
the vehicle when the gas cap is removed or the
tank filled.
²Never add fuel when the engine is running.
²Turn off engine.
²Rotate the gas cap to the left to remove.
²To replace the cap, insert it into the filler neck and
tighten to the right until at least one click is heard.
WARNING!
A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on the
ground while filling.
VEHICLE LOADING
Vehicle Loading Capacities
Front Seat Occupants....................... 2
Rear Seat Occupants........................ 3
Luggage....................... 115lbs. (52 kg)
Rated Vehicle Capacity............ 865lbs. (392 kg)
STARTING AND OPERATING 117
5

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mHazard Warning Flasher.................120
mIf Your Engine Overheats................120
mJacking And Tire Changing...............122
NPreparations For Jacking................122
NInstructions.........................122
mJump-Starting Procedures Due To A Low
Battery
..............................125
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces.............128
NAcceleration.........................128NTraction............................128
mFreeing A Stuck Vehicle.................129
mTowing A Disabled Vehicle...............130
NWith Ignition Key.....................130
NWithout The Ignition Key...............130
NTowing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................130
6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The flasher switch is on top of the steering column,
just behind the steering wheel. Depress the switch
and both cluster indicators and all front and rear direc-
tional signals will flash. Depress the switch again to turn
Hazard Warning Flashers off.
Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE:With extended use, the flasher may wear down
your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways Ð Slow down.
²In city traffic Ð While stopped, put transaxle in
neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
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
120 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads over 250
degrees (in the red zone), pull over and stop the
vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air conditioner
turned off until the pointer drops back into the
normal range. If the pointer remains above 250
degrees (in the red zone), turn the engine off imme-
diately, and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 121
6

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
²Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never get any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start
or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If
you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
²Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
Preparations For Jacking
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoid ice or
slippery areas, and set the parking brake. Place the gear
selector in REVERSE.
²Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.
²Block both the front and rear
of the wheel diagonally oppo-
site the jacking position. For
example, if changing the right
front tire, block the left rear
wheel.
²Passengers should not remain in the vehicle while the
vehicle is being jacked.
Instructions
The spare wheel, scissors jack, and lug wrench are
stowed under the spare tire cover in the rear cargo area.
Do not attempt to raise this vehicle using a bumper jack.
1. Remove the spare wheel, scissors jack and lug wrench
from stowage.
122 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES