2004 DODGE STRATUS COUPE spare tire

CAUTION!
²Avoid rapid starting and braking with a compact
spare tire.
²Avoid driving through automatic vehicle washes
and over obstacles that could possibly damage the
vehicle's under-carriage. Because the tire is
smaller than the original tire, vehicle ground
clearance is slightly reduced.
²As the compact spare tire is specifically designed
for your vehicle, it should not be used on any
other vehicle.
²The compact spare tire should not be used on any
other wheels, nor should standard tires, snow tires,
wheel covers or trim rings be used with the compact
spare wheel. If such use is attempted, damage to
these items or other vehicle components may occur.
²Do not use snow chains with your compact spare
tire. Because of the smaller tire size, a snow chain
will not fit properly. This could cause damage to
the vehicle and could result in loss of the chains.
²The compact spare tire pressure should be
checked once a month while the tire is stowed.
WHEEL COVERS (IF SO EQUIPPED)
To remove
Wrap the tip of the bar with a cloth, insert it deeply into
the notch provided in the wheel cover, and pry the cover
away from the wheel.
Using the same procedure on the other side, work the
wheel cover away from the wheel to remove it com-
pletely.
N23B0630
268 EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
²Before using the jack, chock or block the wheel
that is tire diagonally opposite the jacking point.
²Stop jacking up the vehicle when the tire is raised
off the ground. It is dangerous to raise the vehicle
any higher.
²Do not get under the vehicle while using the jack.
²Avoid jarring the raised vehicle or leaving it
supported on the jack for extended periods. Both
are very dangerous.
²Do not use a jack other than the one provided
with your vehicle.
²The jack should not be used for any purpose other
than changing a tire.
²No one should stay in the vehicle while the jack is
used.
²Do not start or run the engine while the vehicle is
on the jack.
NOTE: Place the spare wheel under the vehicle body
near the jack; this helps to minimize danger should the
jack slip out of position.
N24A1500
274 EMERGENCIES

9. Remove the wheel nuts with the wheel nut wrench,
then take the wheel off.
CAUTION!
Handle the wheel cover carefully when replacing the
flat tire, to avoid the wheel surface becoming
scratched and causing premature corrosion.
NOTE:Clear out any mud, etc. on the hub surface, hub
bolts or in the installation holes in the wheel.
10. Install the spare wheel with the nut's tapered end
facing inward, then tighten by hand until the wheel is no
longer loose.
N24A0210N24A1410
Tapered nut
Flange nut
EMERGENCIES 275
8

3. Ride comfort and vehicle stability
Proper tire inflation pressures contribute to the excellent
ride quality built into your vehicle. Over-inflation pro-
duces an uncomfortable and jarring ride.
Under-inflation can produce a feeling of sluggish re-
sponse.
Unequal inflation pressures can produce erratic and
unpredictable vehicle response to steering maneuvers.
The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is listed on a
placard attached near the door sill striker on the driver's
side ``B''-Pillar.
The recommended inflation pressures should be followed
when the specified tires are installed.
Item Tire size Front Rear
Normal tire P205/60R16 91H 32 psi (220 kpa)
P215/50R17 90H 32 psi (220 kpa)
Compact spare tire T125/70D16 60 psi (420 kpa)
The pressures should be checked and adjusted, if neces-
sary, at least once a month.
Tire pressures should be checked more often when weather
temperatures vary widely, because tire pressures vary withoutdoor temperatures. Inflation pressures specified on the
placard are always ªcold inflation pressureº.
Cold inflation pressure can be measured after the vehicle
has been stationary for at least three hours or driven less
than one mile (1.6 km) after being stationary for three
hours.
Cold inflation pressure must not exceed the maximum
values molded into the tire sidewall. After driving sev-
eral miles, tire inflation pressure may increase 2 to 6 psi
(14 to 41 kPa) over the cold inflation pressure; do NOT let
air out of the tires to match the specified cold pressure, or
your tires will be underinflated.
Check your tires each time you refuel. If one tire looks
lower than the others, check the tire inflation pressure for
all of them. The following precautions also should be
observed:
1. Keep your tires inflated to the pressures that are
recommended. (See the tire and loading information
placard attached the driver's side ``B''-Pillar.)
2. Stay within the load limits that are recommended.
MAINTENANCE 335
9

The first rotation is the most important to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Do not use the compact spare tire for tire rotation.
Tire chains
CAUTION!
Tire chains are not recommended for your vehicle.
The clearance between the chains and the body is
small, and the body might be damaged.
Snow tires
Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during winter. Standard tires are of the all season type
and satisfy this requirement as indicated by the M+S
designation on the tire side wall.
If you need snow tires, select tires equivalent in size and
type to the original equipment tires. Failure to do so may
adversely affect the safety and handling of your vehicle.Snow tires should be inflated 4 psi (28 kPa) higher than
the inflation pressure shown on the vehicle's tire placard.
Never inflate over the maximum pressure shown on the
tire sidewall.
Snow tires should not be operated at sustained speeds
over 75 mph (120 km/h).
NOTE: As flange nuts are used on your vehicle, change
to tapered nuts when snow tires (steel wheels) are used.
MAINTENANCE 339
9

GENERAL VEHICLE DATA
Overall length 191.9in (4,875mm)
Overall width 69.9in (1,775mm)
Overall height 53.9in (1,370mm)
Wheel base 103.7in (2,635mm)
TIRES AND WHEELS
Item 2.4 liter3.0 liter
SE R/T
Ti reType Radial, tubeless
Size P205/60R16 91HP215/50R17
90H
Spare tire T125/70D16
WheelType Steel/Aluminum* Aluminum
Size 16x6JJ 17x6 1/2JJ
PCD 4.5 in. (114.3 mm)
Offset 1.81 in. (46 mm)
Spare wheel 16x4T
*: optional
VEHICLE WEIGHTS
Item 2.4 liter 3.0 liter
Gross vehicle
weight rating4,061lb (1,842 kg) 4,227lb (1,917 kg)
Gross axle
weight
ratingFront
2,171lb (985 kg) 2,322lb (1,053 kg)
Rear
1,894lb (859 kg) 1,905lb (864 kg)
Seating capacity 5 persons
GVWR: maximum total weight(load) limit
specified for the vehicle
GAWR: maximum weight(load) limit specified for
the front or rear axle.
seating capacity: the number of maximum
occupants
cargo capacity: weight subtracted 68 kilograms
times the designated seating
capacity from the vehicle capacity
weight
SPECIFICATIONS 367
10

Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 224
Cassette Tape Player..................219,221
CD Player.........................219,227
Center console......................... 215
Center console box...................... 213
Charging system warning light..........107,114
Check engine/malfunction indicator
lamp.............................107,115
Child restraint.......................... 76
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 145
Cleaning
Exterior of your car................... 254
Interior of your car.................... 253
Clock................................ 216
Compact spare tire...................267,367
Contract, Service....................... 374
Coolant (engine)....................... 322
Cruise control (for non-turbo)
Indicator.........................107,113
Cruise control (for turbo)
Indicator.........................107,113
Cup holder........................... 212Customer Arbitration Board............... 375
Customer Assistance.................... 372
Dealer Service......................... 372
Defroster (rear window).................. 125
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 314
Dimmer control........................ 122
Disc brake pads........................ 329
Dome light........................... 305
Dome light/Reading light................ 129
Door hinges, rear hatch hinges, hood lock
release mechanism and safety catch......... 330
Door Opener, Garage.................... 132
Door-ajar warning light...............107,112
Doors
Lock............................... 26
Power door locks...................... 34
Drive belt............................ 333
Driving, alcohol and drugs................ 201
Driving speed
Automatic transaxle................... 157
Manual transaxle..................... 169
INDEX 383

UNIBELT restraint system............... 69
Seatback.............................. 60
Seats
Front seats........................... 57
Rear seats............................ 66
SECURITY indicator................49,107,112
Service Assistance...................... 372
Service Manuals........................ 377
Setting the clock........................ 216
Severe maintenance schedule.............. 349
Snow tires............................ 339
Spare tire.......................266,267,367
Spark plugs........................317,369
Speedometer.......................106,108
Starting
At extremely cold ambient temperature..... 153
Flooded engine....................... 153
Normal conditions.................... 152
Steering system
Steering lock......................... 151
Tilt lock lever........................ 175
Sun visors............................ 209
Sunroof............................... 46Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag
Maintenance......................... 329
Warning light.....................107,116
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Air bag . . 89
Supplemental Restraint System warning light . . 116
Tachometer........................106,108
Tape Player........................... 219
Temperature Gage, Engine Coolant.......... 279
Theft protection........................ 151
Theft-alarm
SECURITY indicator..............49,107,112
System.............................. 48
Timing belt........................... 334
Tips for driving in various conditions........ 201
Tire chains............................ 339
Ti re s
Compact spare tire.................... 267
Inflation pressure...............334,366,367
Maintenance......................334,337
Quality Grading...................... 379
Rotation............................ 338
Size (tire and wheels).................. 367
INDEX 387