2004 DODGE STRATUS warning

Use only manufacturer's recommended brake fluid, refer
to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
for correct fluid type.
WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that has a lower initial boiling
point than MOPAR DOT 3 Brake Fluid or that is
unidentified as to DOT FMVSS specification may
result in sudden brake failure during hard or pro-
longed braking. You could have an accident.
WARNING!
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter.Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid as seal damage will result!
Fuel System Hoses
Electronic Fuel Injection high pressure fuel systems are
designed with hoses and clamps which have unique
material characteristics to provide adequate sealing and
resist attack by deteriorated gasoline.
You are urged to use only manufacturer specified hoses
and clamps, or their equivalent in material and specifi-
cation, in any fuel system servicing. It is mandatory to
replace all clamps that have been loosened or removed
during service. Care should be taken in installing new
clamps to insure they are properly torqued.
Automatic Transmission
Your front wheel drive vehicle has a transmission and
differential assembly contained within a single housing.
This is referred to as a ªTransaxle.º
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 211
7

Do not use cleaners, conditioners and protectants con-
taining silicon or bleach as these may cause gloss level
increases and/or discoloration.
You should not increase the gloss level, especially on top
of the instrument panel top surface. Higher gloss levels
will increase the reflectivity in the windshield that could
decrease visibility under bright light driving conditions.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
Leather Seat Care and Cleaning
CAUTION!
Never use polishes, oils, cleaning fluids, solvents,
detergents, or ammonia based cleaners to clean the
leather. The leather has already been pretreated. The
application of any leather conditioner may damage
the factory applied top coat.
Leather is best preserved by regular cleaning with a
damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt can act as an
abrasive and damage the leather surface and should be
removed immediately with a damp cloth. Stubborn soils
can be removed easily with a soft cloth and Mopar Total
Clean. Care should be taken to avoid soaking the leather
with any liquid.
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights that are lighter and
less susceptible to stone breakage than glass headlights.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 217
7

Miles144,000 150,000
(Kilometers) (232 000) (241 000)
[Months][144] [150]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X
Inspect theair cleaner filterand replace if required.* X
Replace theair cleaner filter.*X
Inspect the front and rear brake pads, linings, rotors, rear drums and shoes. X
Check and replace, if necessary, thePCV valve.*³ X
Replace thespark plugson 2.4 liter engine. ** X
* This maintenance is recommended by the manufacture
to the owner but is not required to maintain the emis-
sions warranty.
** Except for the 2.4 liter Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle
(PZEV).
*** 2.4 liter PZEV only.
³ This maintenance is not required if previously replaced.
Inspection and service should also be performed anytime
a malfunction is observed or suspected. Retain all re-
ceipts.
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the right equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent me-
chanic.
250 SCHEDULE ªAº
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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 Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and
C, and they represent the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade is based on braking (straight-
ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering
(turning) performance.
258 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (highest), B, and C, repre-
senting 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 temperature 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 passen-
ger car 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 is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 259
9

About Your Brakes...................... 140
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 206
Adding Fuel.......................... 162
Aiming Headlights...................... 227
Air Cleaner, Engine..................... 196
Air Conditioning....................... 120
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips........... 125
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 200
Air Conditioning System..............120,199
Air Pressure, Tires...................... 151
Airbag................................ 33
Airbag Deployment....................36,37
Airbag Light.....................37,40,49,85
Airbag Maintenance...................... 39
Airbag, Side........................... 38
Airbag, Window......................33,38
Alarm Light............................ 90
Alarm, Panic........................... 21
Alarm System.......................... 22
Alignment and Balance.................. 156
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............ 7
Antifreeze Disposal..................... 207
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 206Capacities........................... 227
Anti-Lock Brake System.................. 141
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 88
Anti-Theft Security Alarm................. 22
Appearance Care....................... 214
Automatic Door Locks.................... 17
Automatic Transaxle...............133,184,211
Filter.............................. 213
Fluid and Filter Changes................ 213
Fluid Level Check..................... 212
Interlock System....................12,134
Reset Mode......................... 135
Selection Of Lubricant................. 212
Shifting............................ 135
Special Additives..................... 213
Autostick............................. 158
Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 77
Ball Joints............................ 201
Battery............................... 198
Emergency Starting.................... 179
Gas Caution......................181,199
Heater............................. 132
262 INDEX

Jump Starting........................ 179
Keyless Transmitter Replacement.......... 22
Location.........................179,198
Belts, Drive........................... 196
Belts, Engine.......................... 198
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 201
B-Pillar Location....................... 147
Brake, Parking......................... 139
Brake System.......................140,209
Anti-Lock........................... 141
Fluid Check......................... 210
Hoses.............................. 209
Master Cylinder...................... 210
Warning Light........................ 89
Brake/Transmission Interlock...........133,135
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 48
Bulbs, Light........................... 221
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...... 227
Capacities, Fluid....................... 227
Car Washes........................... 215
Carpeting............................. 216
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 118Cassette Tape Player...............95,104,106
Catalytic Converter..................... 197
CD Changer..................102,107,112,114
CD Player....................100,109,111,118
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 226
Central Locking......................... 17
Chains, Tire........................... 157
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 174
Charging System Light................... 86
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 144
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............ 49
Child Restraint...................40,42,44,45
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 44
Child Safety Locks....................... 18
Cigar Lighter........................... 94
Circuit Breakers........................ 219
Cleaning
Glass.............................. 218
Headlights.......................... 217
Instrument Panel..................... 218
Climate Control........................ 120
Clock................................. 94
Coin Holder........................... 53
INDEX 263
10

Compact Disc Changer................... 114
Compact Disc Maintenance............... 119
Compact Disc Player..................95,100
Compact Spare Tire..................... 153
Compass.............................. 90
Compass Calibration..................... 92
Contract, Service....................... 254
Cooling System........................ 205
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 206
Coolant Capacity..................... 227
Coolant Level........................ 207
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 207
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 206
Inspection........................... 205
Points to Remember................... 208
Pressure Cap........................ 207
Radiator Cap........................ 207
Rubber and Plastic Components.......... 209
Selection of Coolant................... 206
Corrosion Protection.................... 214
Crankcase Emission Control System......... 198
Cruise Control.......................... 67
Cruise Light........................... 85Customer Assistance.................... 252
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights.......... 62
Daytime Running Lights.................. 63
Dealer Service......................... 191
Defroster, Rear Window.................. 123
Defroster, Windshield..................50,123
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 189
Dimmer Control........................ 61
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 64
Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle................... 212
Disposal
Antifreeze........................... 207
Engine Oil.......................... 195
Door Ajar Warning...................... 17
Door Locks, Automatic................... 17
Door Opener, Garage..................... 70
Drive Belts............................ 196
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 182
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary................. 77
264 INDEX