2004 DODGE STRATUS COUPE warning

ª3º THIRD / ª2º SECOND
For driving slowly in heavy city traffic or on mountain
roads where more precise speed control is desired.
Also use it when climbing long grades, and for engine
braking when descending moderately steep grades.
Engine braking is automatically applied when necessary,
depending on road conditions.
ªLº LOW
This position is for driving up very steep hills and for
engine braking at low speeds when descending steep
gradients.
WARNING!
Be very careful not to shift into ªLº suddenly. Doing
so may cause the tires to slip.
Driving speed (Vehicles with automatic transaxle)
In order to avoid damage to the engine from excessively
high rpm, do not exceed the listed driving speed when
the selector lever is set to the ª3º (THIRD) position, the
ª2º (SECOND) position or the ªLº (LOW) position.
ConditionDriving speed mph (km/h)
2.4 liter engine 3.0 liter engine
ª3º (THIRD) 114 (180) 118 (190)
ª2º (SECOND) 74 (115) 80 (130)
ªLº (LOW) 28 (45) 31 (45)
WARNING!
Always obey posted speed limits. Use common
sense and drive safely, regardless of posted speed
limits. Drive at speeds that are safe for the traffic,
weather, or road conditions.
Holding on an upgrade
To avoid transaxle overheating, never hold the vehicle
stationary on an incline by using the accelerator pedal.
Instead, use the brake pedal.
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WARNING!
Always depress the brake pedal when shifting the
selector lever into a gear from the ªNº (NEUTRAL)
position. When beginning to drive, do not shift the
selector lever from the ªNº (NEUTRAL) position
while depressing the accelerator pedal; doing so may
cause the vehicle to ªjumpº forward or backward.
CAUTION!
If the button is always depressed to operate the
selector lever, the lever may be accidentally shifted
into the ªPº, ªRº position. Be sure not to depress the
button when performing the operations indicated by
in the illustration.
NOTE:
If the brake pedal is not depressed and held, the
shift-lock device activates to prevent the selector lever
from being moved from the ªPº (PARK) position.Indicator lights
A - Selector lever position indicator light
B - ªNº indicator light
The indicator lights in the instrument panel are for
indicating the selector lever position (A).
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If the ªNº indicator light in the instrument panel flashes,
there could be a malfunction with the automatic transaxle
system. Identify and take action in accordance with the
following procedures:
1. The ªNº indicator light flashes rapidly (twice per
second) in the ªDº or ªAutostickº range.
If this occurs, the automatic transaxle fluid is overheat-
ing. Park your vehicle in a safe place but do not turn off
the engine. Move the selector lever to the ªPº position
and open the hood. Keep the engine idling.
After a while, move the selector lever to the ªDº or
ªAutostickº position and confirm that the ªNº indicator
light stops flashing. It is safe to continue driving if the
ªNº light no longer flashes.
Be sure to carry out this check with the selector lever in
the ªDº or ªAutostickº position. The ªNº indicator light
warning function operates only in the ªDº or ªAutostickº
range.
If the ªNº indicator light continues flashing or flashes
intermittently, have your vehicle inspected by an autho-
rized dealer.2. The ªNº indicator light flashes slowly (once per
second) in the ªDº or ªAutostickº range.
The automatic transaxle safety device may be operating
due to a malfunction.
Have your vehicle inspected by an authorized dealer as
soon as possible.
Selector positions (Main gate)
P-PARK
This position locks the transaxle to prevent the vehicle
from moving. The engine can be started in this position.
R - REVERSE
Shift into this position only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
CAUTION!
Never shift into the ªPº (PARK) or ªRº (REVERSE)
position while the vehicle is in motion. If the lever is
shifted into the ªPº or ªRº position while the vehicle
is in motion, the transaxle may be damaged.
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ªNº NEUTRAL
The engine may be started in this position.
WARNING!
²Never move the lever to the ªNº position while
driving since you could accidentally move the
lever into the(P(or(R(position, damaging the
transaxle.
²To prevent the vehicle from rolling when stopped
on a slope, the engine should be started in the ªPº
(PARK) position, not in ªNº (NEUTRAL).
²Always keep your foot on the brake pedal when
the vehicle is in ªNº (NEUTRAL), or when shift-
ing into or out of ªNº (NEUTRAL), to maintain
control.
ªDº DRIVE
This position is used for most city and highway driving.
Engine shifting is done automatically, depending on road
conditions.
Selector positions Manual gate Autostick
Autostick is a driver-interactive transaxle that offers
manual gear shifting capability to provide you with more
control. Autostick allows you to maximize engine brak-
ing, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and
improve overall vehicle performance. This system can
also provide you with more control during passing, city
driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations.
Whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion, Autostick
is selected by pushing the selector lever from the ªDº
position into the manual gate. To return to ªDº range
operation, push the selector lever back into the main gate.
In Autostick, gear shifts can be made rapidly by moving
the selector lever backward and forward. In contrast to a
manual transaxle, the Autostick allows gear shifts with
the accelerator pedal depressed.
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WARNING!
²Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for a number of 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.
²Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake
failure and an accident.
BRAKE PEDAL
Excessive use of the brake can cause fading, resulting in
poor brake response and premature wear of brake lin-
ings.
When driving down a long or steep grade, use engine
braking by shifting the transaxle into a lower gear
(manual transaxle and Autostick A/T) or ª3º (THIRD) or
ª2º (SECOND) or ªLº (LOW) position (except Autostick
A/T).
WARNING!
Do not leave any objects on the floor near the brake
pedal or permit a floor mat to interfere with the
brake pedal. Doing so could prevent proper depres-
sion of the pedal. Make sure that the pedal can be
operated freely at all times.
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WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You wouldn't have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
POWER BRAKES
Your vehicle is equipped with power brakes as standard
equipment. In the event you lose power assist for any
reason (for example, repeated brake applications with the
engine off), the brakes will still function. The effort
required to brake the vehicle will be substantially in-
creased over that required with the power system oper-
ating.
If either of the two hydraulic systems lose normal capa-
bility, the remaining system will still function with some
loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be evidentby increased pedal travel during application, greater
pedal force required to slow or stop, and activation of the
Brake Warning Lamp during brake use.
WARNING!
²Never coast downhill with the engine OFF. Keep
the engine running whenever the vehicle is in
motion. If the engine is stopped while driving, the
power assist servomechanism will cease to func-
tion and braking efficiency will deteriorate.
²If power assist is lost or if either brake hydraulic
systems lose normal capability, take your vehicle
to an authorized dealer immediately.
BRAKE PAD WEAR ALARM
The disc brakes are equipped with an alarm device that
produces a metallic sound (squeal) when the brake pads
have worn down to the serviceable limit. If you hear this
sound, have the brake pads replaced at an authorized dealer.
172 STARTING AND DRIVING

WARNING!
Driving on worn brake pads can reduce your ability
to stop, and can result in an accident.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING (ABS) SYSTEM (IF SO
EQUIPPED)
The ABS gives increased vehicle stability and brake
performance under most braking conditions. The system
automatically ªpumpsº the brakes during severe braking
conditions to prevent wheel lock up.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
tires must be properly inflated to produce optimal signals
for the computer. However, the system will compensate
when the compact spare is in use.
During stops where ABS is activated, a vibration of the
brake pedal may be felt and associated system noises
may be heard.
NOTE:Pumping of the brake pedal will diminish the
effectiveness of Anti-lock brakes and may lead to anaccident. Pumping makes the stopping distance longer.
Just press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to
slow down or stop.
General driving hints (standard/anti-lock brakes)
1. During anti-lock braking, steering differs slightly from
normal driving conditions. Be sure to operate steering
wheel carefully.
2. The anti-lock braking system is not restricted to situ-
ations where brakes are applied suddenly. This system
may also operate to prevent wheel lock when driving
over manholes, steel roadwork plates, road markings, or
any uneven road surface.
3. Always maintain a safe distance from vehicles in front
of you. If your vehicle is equipped with Anti-lock braking
system, allow for a greater braking distance when:
·Driving on gravel or snow-covered roads.
·Driving with tire chains installed.
·Driving on uneven road surfaces.
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CAUTION!
²Anti-lock braking system can not prevent acci-
dents. It remains the driver's task to exercise
safety precautions and to drive prudently.
²To prevent failure of the anti-lock braking system,
be sure all 4-wheels and tires are the same size
and type (space saver spare excluded).
²If the anti-lock brake system warning light illu-
minates after starting the engine or while driving,
it indicates that the anti-lock braking system is
not functioning and that only the normal brake
system is in operation. (The normal brake system
will still function properly.)
NOTE
1. After the vehicle is driven for a while a whining sound
and the sound of a motor operating will be heard from
the engine compartment. These are normal sounds of the
anti-lock braking system performing a self check and do
not indicate a malfunction.
2. The anti-lock braking system becomes operative after
the vehicle has accelerated to a speed over approximately
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174 STARTING AND DRIVING