2004 DODGE STRATUS COUPE traction control

If this warning light comes on¼
Warning light Do this Ref. page
´Have the vehicle inspected at an authorized dealer as
soon as possible.P. 159
ªNº indicator light in the
instruemnt cluster flashes slowly
(once per second)
´Your vehicle will usually be drivable and not need
towing, have the engine system checked at an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
If the vehicle is not drivable, contact Emergency
Roadside Service (ERS), authorized dealer, or local
towing company for assistance.P. 1 1 5
Malfunction indicator light
(ªSERVICE ENGINE SOONº)
SRS
´Have the air bag system checked at an authorized dealer. P. 116
Air bag warning light
´It is not necessary to stop the vehicle immediately but we
recommend that you have the system checked at an
authorized dealer as soon as possilble.
P. 1 1 8
Traction control system warning light
12 INTRODUCTION

NChanging the setting for warning operation . . . 118
NAutomatic transaxle indicator
(if so equipped).......................119
NTraction Control System warning light
(if so equipped).......................119
NWasher fluid level indicator..............119
mCombination headlights, dimmer and
turn signal lever
.......................120
NHeadlights..........................120
NLight auto-cutout feature
(headlights, fog lights, etc.)...............120
NWhen you want to keep the lights on
(time delay)..........................120
NHeadlight reminder chime...............121
NHeadlight flasher (high/low beam).........121
NDimmer (high/low beam change)..........122
NTurn signals..........................122
mFog light switch (if so equipped)...........123
mHazard warning flasher switch............124
mInstrument panel light dimmer control.......125
mElectric rear window defroster.............125
mWindshield wipers......................126
mIntermittent wipers.....................127
mWindshield washer.....................128
mPrecautions to observe when using wipers
and washers
..........................128
mDome light...........................129
mLights (dome lights, etc.) auto-cutout
function
.............................130
mReading lights.........................131
mRear personal lights.....................132
mHorn switch..........................132
mGarage door opener (if so equipped)........132
NTraining the Universal Transceiver..........133
104 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

11. High beam indicator!P. 1 1 2
12. Cruise control indicator!P. 1 1 3
13. Theft-alarm indicator (if so equipped)!P. 1 1 2
14. Malfunction indicator light
(SERVICE ENGINE SOON)!P. 1 1 5
15. Oil pressure warning light!P. 1 1 4
16. Charging system warning light!P. 1 1 4
17. Overheating warning light!P. 1 1 6
18. Traction control system warning light
(if so equipped)!P. 1 1 8
19. Automatic transaxle indicator
(Vehicles with Autostick automatic transaxle-if so
equipped)!P. 1 1 8
Speedometer
The speedometer indicates vehicle speed.
·The outer scale indicates miles per hour.
·The inner scale indicates kilometers per hour.
Tachometer
The tachometer indicates engine revolutions per minute.
This allows the driver to determine the most efficient
gear range and engine speed combinations.
D04A0500
2.4 liter
engine3.0 liter
engine
108 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

WARNING!
In order to reduce risk of serious or fatal injury in an
accident, always wear your own seat belt, and do not
allow anyone to ride in your vehicle unless he or she
is properly seated and wearing a seat belt. Children
should be properly seated and restrained in an
appropriate child restraint system.
Automatic transaxle indicator (if so equipped)
When the ignition key is turned to the ªONº position, the
indicator light illuminates to show the position of the
selector lever. (i.e. ªPARKº, ªDRIVEº, ªREVERSEº, etc.)
Traction Control System warning light
(if so equipped)
This light will illuminate in the event of a
malfunction in the traction control system.
It will also come on when the ignition key is
turned to the ªONº position and should go out after the
engine starts. (See9Traction control system9on page 194)
Washer fluid level indicator
This light will illuminate and the chime will
sound when the windshield washer level is
low. (approximately 0.1 gal/0.4 L) When
the light comes on, add fluid.
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 119
4

mCruise/speed control....................189
NTo activate...........................190
NTo deactivate.........................194
NTo resume the set speed.................195
mTraction control (if so equipped)...........196
mCatalytic converter.....................197
mVehicle preparation before driving..........199
NSeat belts and seats....................199
NDefrosters...........................199
NTires...............................199NLights..............................200
NFluid leaks..........................200
NDriver..............................200
mSafe driving techniques..................200
mDriving, alcohol and drugs...............201
mTips for driving in various conditions........201
mOperation during cold weather............202
mTrailer Towing.........................203
NWarranty Requirements.................203
STARTING AND DRIVING 143
5

procedure:
(1) The ignition key is turned OFF.
(2) The main switch is turned OFF.
TRACTION CONTROL (IF SO EQUIPPED)
On slippery surfaces, traction control system prevents the
drive wheels (front wheels) from excessive spinning,
during starting or while accelerating in turns on slippery
roads.
NOTE
²
The traction control system functions at speeds
below about 25mph (40km/h).
²Some vibration will be felt in the vehicle body and a
whining sound of a motor will be heard from the
engine compartment when the traction control sys-
tem functions. This is a normal result of the traction
control system operation, and does not indicate a
malfunction.
Driving hints
1. Traction control system does not actively apply brakes.
Always decelerate the vehicle sufficiently before entering
corners or bends.
2. On snowy or icy roads, drive slowly using tire chains
or snow tires.
3. Never mix or use tires of different size since the
traction control system could function incorrectly and
make safe driving difficult.
196 STARTING AND DRIVING

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire's
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B
and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 379
11