2004 DODGE STRATUS COUPE warning

If this problem occurs¼
Problem Do this Ref. page
The vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, or
snow.1. Carefully rock the vehicle by shifting the transmission
from low to reverse.
WARNING
1.When attempting to rock your vehicle out of a stuck
position, be sure that no one is near the vehicle. The
rocking motion may cause the vehicle to suddenly lurch
forward or backward, and injure bystanders.
2.Avoid racing the engine or spinning the wheels.
Prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle may result in
overheating and transaxle failure.
If the vehicle remains stuck after several rocking
attempts, have a towing service pull the vehicle out.P. 261
The brakes are not functioning
properly after crossing a puddle or
stream.Dry out the brakes by driving slowly while lightly
depressing the brake pedal.Ð
18 INTRODUCTION

Key reminder chime
After the ignition switch is off, if the driver's door is
opened while the ignition key is in the ignition, a chime
will sound to remind you to remove the key.
Forgotten-key prevention mechanism
If the inside lock knobs on the doors are set to the locked
position and the driver 's door or passenger 's door is
closed while the key is still in the ignition switch, the lock
will automatically be released.
Door-ajar warning chime
When the vehicle is moving at more than 5 mph (8 km/h)
and the door or the trunk is open, a chime will sound to
inform the driver that the door is not properly shut.
To lock the door with the key
Rotate the key toward the front of the vehicle to lock the
door. After checking that the door is locked, turn the key
back to the center and remove it from the lock cylinder.
F12A2330
LockUnlock
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING 27
2

Locking and unlocking with key or inside lock
knob
Using the key to lock or unlock the driver 's or passen-
ger 's (if so equipped) door will automatically lock or
unlock all of the doors.
·Turn the key inserted in the driver 's door lock once in
the unlocking direction, and the front driver 's door
will be unlocked.
·Give another turn in the unlocking direction, and both
doors will be unlocked.
Locking by means of the inside lock knob
Place the inside lock knob of the driver's door in the
locked position, and both doors will be locked.
TRUNK LID
WARNING!
²It is dangerous to drive with the trunk lid open
since carbon monoxide (CO) gas can enter the
cabin. CO is an invisible, odorless gas that can
cause unconsciousness and even death.
²Do not allow children to have access to the trunk,
either by climbing into the trunk from outside or
through the inside of the vehicle. Always close the
trunk lid when your vehicle is unattended. If
trapped in the trunk, it is possible to escape from
the trunk by using the inside emergency trunk
release handle. (See ``Inside emergency trunk re-
lease'' on Page 37).
F12B0710
Lock Unlock
Lock
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING 35
2

CAUTION!
Do not stand behind the exhaust pipe when loading
and unloading luggage. Heat from the exhaust could
lead to burns.
To open the trunk lid
Vehicles with keyless entry system
Press the TRUNK switch twice within five seconds.
(Refer to ``Keyless entry system'' on page 29.) The trunk
lid will unlock and pop up slightly. Lift it to open the
trunk.
Vehicles without keyless entry system
Insert the ignition key and turn it clockwise. The trunk
lid will unlock and pop up slightly. Lift it to open the
trunk.To close the trunk lid
Lower the trunk lid and push down with both hands
until it locks.
Trunk-ajar warning chime
When the vehicle is moving at more than 5 mph (8 km/h)
and the trunk lid is open, a chime will sound to inform
the driver that the trunk lid is not properly shut.
F15A2670
36 LOCKING AND UNLOCKING

The handle glows in the dark after exposure to sunlight.
You and your family should familiarize yourselves with the
location and operation of the emergency trunk release
handle. Children should be taught not to play in or around
vehicles.
WARNING!
²Children should never be left unsupervised in or
around vehicles.
²Unsupervised children could lock themselves in
an open vehicle or trunk.
²People trapped inside a vehicle, or trunk, even if
only for a short period of time, can quickly die
from suffocation or heat stroke, especially on hot
days. Interior temperatures in vehicles can rise in
minutes.
²Keep your vehicle doors locked and the trunk
closed when not in use. Keep your vehicle keys
away from children.
To open the trunk from inside the trunk, tear off the
illuminated9T9handle from its holder by pulling in the
direction of the arrow (1). Then pull the handle in the
direction of the arrow (2). Push up on the trunk to exit.
F15A2180
1. Tear off
2. PullHandle
Holder
38 LOCKING AND UNLOCKING

CAUTION!
²When loading objects in the trunk, position them
so that they will not contact the emergency trunk
release handle when closing the trunk. This will
prevent damage to the handle that could render it
inoperable.
²Always keep the handle in its holder when oper-
ating the vehicle to prevent trunk cargo from
moving the handle that might result in the open-
ing of the trunk lid.
FUEL FILLER
WARNING!
Turn off the engine while refueling.
Do not smoke and do not operate other ignition
sources while refueling.
C20A1520
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING 39
2

The fuel filler is located on the right rear of the body.
Hook a finger behind the fuel filler door, and pull the
door toward you.
Remove the fuel tank filler tube cap slowly by turning it
counterclockwise.
To close, securely turn the fuel tank filler tube cap
clockwise until you hear clicking sounds, and gently
push the fuel filler tank door into the closed position.Low fuel warning chime
If a chime sounds when the low fuel warning light is on,
that means the fuel is low.
NOTE: If the low fuel warning light goes off, then comes
back on again, the chime will not sound.
Fuel tank capacity 61.7 L (16.3 gal)
CAUTION!
²As the fuel system may be under pressure, remove the
fuel tank filler tube cap slowly. Removing the cap
slowly relieves any pressure or vacuum that might have
built up in the fuel tank. If the cap is venting vapor or
if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops before
completely removing the cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
²If you need to replace the fuel tank filler tube cap,
use only a cap specified for your model vehicle.
²To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not ªtop-offº
the fuel tank again and again after filling.
C20A1140
RemoveClose
40 LOCKING AND UNLOCKING

WARNING!
²Never release the engine hood using the release
lever while the vehicle is in motion.
²Do not operate the vehicle unless the engine hood
is latched.
Release the safety lever and lift the engine hood.
NOTE: Only open the engine hood when the wipers are
at their parked position to prevent damage to the engine
hood and wipers.
Support the engine hood with the hood prop by
inserting the hood prop securely in the opening in the
hood marked with an arrow.
F13A2240
F13A1710
42 LOCKING AND UNLOCKING