2004 DODGE STRATUS COUPE ESP

NOTE: The Scheduled Maintenance Charts are located
in the rear of this maintenance section. Always refer to
the schedules for proper service intervals.
SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
Adequate care of your vehicle at regular intervals serves
to preserve the value and appearance as long as possible.
Some maintenance items can be performed by the owner,
while others should be done only by an authorized
dealer.
This section describes only those items which can be
performed by the owner. In the event a malfunction or
other problem is discovered, have it corrected by an
authorized dealer.
This section contains information on inspection mainte-
nance procedures that you can do yourself, if you so
desire. Follow the instructions and precautions for each
of the various procedures.
WARNING!
²When checking or servicing the inside of the
engine compartment, be sure the engine is
stopped and has had a chance to cool down.
²If it is necessary to do work in the engine com-
partment with the engine running, be especially
careful that your clothing, hair, etc. does not
become caught by the fan, drive belts, or other
moving parts.
312 MAINTENANCE

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

Customer Assistance For The Hearing Or Speech
Impaired (TDD/TTY)
To assist customers who have hearing difficulties,
DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation has installed spe-
cial TDD (Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf)
equipment at its Customer Center. Any hearing or speech
impaired customer who has access to a TDD or a
conventional teletypewriter (TTY) in the United States
can communicate with DaimlerChrysler Motors Corpo-
ration by dialing 1±800±380±CHRY.
Service Contract
You may have purchased a service contract for your
vehicle to help protect you from the high cost of unex-
pected repairs after your DaimlerChrysler Motors Cor-
poration new vehicle limited warranty expires.
DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation stands behind only
Genuine DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation Service
Contracts. If you purchased a Genuine DaimlerChrysler
Motors Corporation Service Contract, you will receive
Plan Provisions and an Owner Identification Card in the
mail within three weeks of your vehicle delivery date. If
you have any questions about your service contract, call
the DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation Service Con-
tract National Customer Hotline at 1-800-521-9922.DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation will not stand be-
hind any service contract that is not a Genuine
DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation Service Contract. It
is not responsible for any service contract other than a
Genuine DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation Service
Contract. If you purchased a service contract that is not a
Genuine DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation Service
Contract, and you require service after your
DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation new vehicle lim-
ited warranty expires, please refer to your contract docu-
ments, and contact the person listed in those documents.
We appreciate that you have made a major investment
when you purchased your new vehicle. Your dealer has
also made a major investment in facilities, tools, and
training to assure that you are absolutely delighted with
your ownership experience. You'll be pleased with their
sincere efforts to resolve any warranty issues or related
concerns.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
See your DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation Warranty
Information Booklet for information on warranty cover-
age and transfer of warranty.
374 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing 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 temperatures 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
passenger vehicle 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 for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat build-up and possible tire failure.
380 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE