2004 DODGE STRATUS COUPE check engine

over curbs or parking stop blocks. Always use caution
when traveling up or down sharp inclines as your
bumper may contact the road surface.
2. Maintain specified tire inflation pressures. Replace
tires before they are excessively worn.
3. If you plan to drive in another country, comply with
the vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel.
OPERATION DURING COLD WEATHER
1. Check the battery, including terminals and cables.
During extremely cold weather, the battery capacity will
decrease. Also, the battery power level may drop because
more power is needed for cold starting and operation.
Before driving the vehicle, check to see if the engine runs
at the proper speed and if the headlights are at their usual
intensity. Charge or replace the battery if necessary.
During cold weather, it is possible that a discharged
battery could freeze.
WARNING!
The battery gives off explosive hydrogen gas. Any
spark or flame can cause the battery to explode,
which could seriously injury or kill you.
Always wear protective clothes and a face shield
when doing battery maintenance, or let a skilled
technician do it.
2. Manual transaxles may be more difficult to shift
during cold weather operation. This is normal and shift
effort will become easier as the transaxle reaches a
normal operating temperature.
Maintain low-speed operation at first to allow the trans-
axle oil to be distributed to all lubrication points.
3. Check the engine antifreeze.
If there is a shortage of coolant due to leakage or engine
overheating, add high-quality ethylene glycol antifreeze
and water. The recommended ratio is about 50% water
and 50% anti-freeze. This ratio provides adequate corro-
sion, boiling, and freeze protection.
202 STARTING AND DRIVING

Air conditioning switch
The air conditioning can be operated while the engine is
running.
Push the switch, and the air conditioning (cooling/
dehumidifying function) will operate. When ªONº, the
operation indicator lamp (A) will illuminate.
Push the switch again and the air conditioning will stop.
CAUTION!
When using the air conditioning, the idle speed is
slightly increased. Therefore, make sure your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal when shifting the trans-
mission to drive.
For the 3.0 liter engine model, if the air conditioning
indicator (A) blinks, it is suspected that something is
wrong with the air conditioning. Move the vehicle to
a safe place and stop the engine. Then run the engine
again and see the air conditioning indicator (A). If
the indicator goes out, there is nothing wrong with
the air conditioning. If it blinks again, have the
system checked by the authorized dealer.
H23A3260
FOR PLEASANT DRIVING 243
6

Polishing your vehicle
If painted surfaces have been severely damaged and lost
their original luster and color tone, polish the surface
lightly with a fine polishing compound. Avoid limiting
your polishing to the damaged surface only; polish a
somewhat wider area, moving the polishing cloth in one
direction. After polishing, flush the compound from the
surface and apply a coat of wax to regain a beautiful
luster.
Damaged paint
Small cracks and scratches in the paint coat should be
touched up as soon as possible with touch-up paint to
prevent corrosion.
Check body areas facing the road or the tires carefully for
damage to the paint coat caused by flying stones, etc. The
paint code number for your vehicle can be found on the
vehicle information code plate in the engine compart-
ment.
Cleaning plastic parts
Use a sponge or chamois.
If vehicle wax adheres on the plastic bumper or mold-
ings, the surface may appear white in color. In this case,
wipe it off using lukewarm water and a soft cloth or
chamois.
CAUTION!
²Do not use a scrub brush or other hard tools as
they may damage the plastic part surface.
²Do not use wax containing compound (polishing
compound) which may damage the plastic part
surface.
²Do not bring plastic parts into contact with brake
fluids, engine oils, greases, thinner for painting,
and sulfuric acid (battery electrolyte) which may
stain, crack or discolor the plastic parts.
If they touch the plastic part, wipe them with a
soft cloth, or chamois and an aqueous solution of
neutral detergent. Then, immediately rinse the
affected parts with water.
258 VEHICLE CARE

CAUTION!
²The emergency tire is to be used only temporarily
when the standard tire is damaged. Repair the
damaged tire as soon as possible. Replace the
emergency tire with the standard tire.
²After changing the tire and driving the vehicle
approximately 621 miles (1000 km), retighten the
wheel nuts to make sure that they are not loose.
²If the steering wheel vibrates after changing the
tire, have the tire checked for balance at an autho-
rized dealer.
²Avoid mixing one type of tire with another type or
using tires of a size other than the specified size.
Premature mechanical wear and reduced handling
may result.
ENGINE OVERHEATING
If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator enters
the ªHº (hot) position, the engine may be overheated.
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
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.
278 EMERGENCIES

5. Connect one end of one booster cable to the positive
(+) terminal of the discharged battery (A), and the other
end to the positive (+) terminal of the booster battery (B).
NOTE: Remove the terminal cover before connecting
the booster cable to the positive terminal of the battery.
Use the proper cables suitable for the battery size.
Otherwise heat damage to the cables could result.
Check the booster cables for damage and corrosion
before use.
6. Connect one end of the other jumper cable to the
negative (-) terminal of the booster battery (B), and the
other end to the engine block of the vehicle with the
discharged battery (A) at the point farthest from the
battery.
N29A1070
282 EMERGENCIES

MAINTENANCE
CONTENTS
mView of engine compartment..............311
mService precautions.....................312
mEmission-control system maintenance.......313
mEmissions Testing......................314
mOnboard Diagnostic System (OBD II)........314
mReplacement Parts......................315
NFuel system (tank, filler tube, connections,
and fuel tank filler cap).................315
NFuel hoses...........................315
NAir cleaner filter......................316
NEvaporative emission control system
(except evaporative emission canister).......316
NSpark plugs..........................317
NIgnition cables........................317NDistributor cap and rotor................317
mGeneral maintenance....................318
NEngine oil and oil filter..................318
mEngine coolant.........................322
NTo check the coolant level................322
NTo add coolant........................322
mBrake fluid...........................323
mClutch fluid (manual transaxle)............324
NTo check the clutch fluid.................324
NTo replace the fluid....................324
mBattery..............................325
NDuring cold weather...................325
9

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

EMISSIONS TESTING
In some localities, it may be or will become a legal
requirement to ensure that all emissions components and
systems are functioning properly as a part of the test
procedure. The test center accomplishes this by checking
the On Board Diagnostic System system (OBD) with an
electronic scan tool. If your vehicle has recently been
serviced, the OBD system may have been reset to a9not
ready9condition because the OBD system has not had
sufficient time since the servicing to reconfirm that
emissions components are operating properly. In most
cases, a reasonable mix and amount of normal city and
highway driving and at least one overnight-off period
will be required to prepare your vehicle for this check;
however your authorized dealer has the equipment and
procedures required to make certain that the OBD system
of your vehicle is ready for the required testing.
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II)
To meet new government regulations and promote
cleaner air, your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated
onboard diagnostic system called OBD II. This system
monitors the performance of the emissions, engine, andautomatic transaxle control systems. When these systems
are operating properly, your vehicle will provide excel-
lent performance and fuel economy, as well as engine
emissions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the
OBD II system will turn on the Malfunction
Indicator Light. It will also store diagnostic
codes and other information to assist your
service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be driveable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the light on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any state emissions
tests can be performed.
314 MAINTENANCE