2004 DODGE STRATUS engine

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
²Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never get any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start
or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If
you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
²Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
²The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
Preparations for Jacking
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoid ice or
slippery areas, and set the parking brake. Place the gear
selector in PARK.
²Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher, park vehicle on
firm, level surface.
²Put gear shift in park (automatic transmission) or
reverse (manual transmission).
²Set parking brake and turn off engine.
²Passengers should not remain in the vehicle while the
vehicle is being jacked.
Changing a Tire
The spare wheel, scissors jack, and lug wrench are
stowed under the spare tire cover in the rear cargo area.
Do not attempt to raise this vehicle using a bumper jack.
174 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

JUMP-STARTING THE BATTERY
WARNING!
²Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transaxle cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from another vehicle. This type of
start can be dangerous if done improperly, so
follow this procedure carefully.
²Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-
ever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is on. You can be hurt by the fan.
NOTE:The battery is stored in a compartment behind
the left front fender and is accessible without removing
the tire and wheel. Remote battery terminals are located
in the engine compartment for jump starting.
1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watch bands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.
2. When boosting from a battery in another vehicle, park
that vehicle within booster cable reach but without
letting the vehicles touch. Set parking brake, place auto-
matic transaxle in PARK and turn ignition to OFF for
both vehicles.
3. Turn off the heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the booster battery. Connect the other end to
the positive jump start attachment of the discharged
battery.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 179
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WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and person
injury could result.
5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery and then to the jump start attach-
ment of the vehicle with the discharged battery. Make
sure you have a good contact on the engine.
WARNING!
Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode.
During cold weather when temperatures are below
freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged battery
may freeze. Do not attempt jump starting because
the battery could rupture or explode. The battery
temperature must be brought up above freezing
point before attempting to jump start.
6. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
7. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
180 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels, particularly with high output engines.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is danger-
ous. Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of
the front wheels. You could lose control of the
vehicle and possibly have an accident. Accelerate
slowly and carefully whenever there is likely to be
poor traction (ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain enough distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.
NOTE:If so equipped, turn on the Traction Control
System to accelerate on slippery surfaces.
182 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control, turn
the system off before attempting to ªrockº the vehicle.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and First gear. Usually the least accelerator pedal pres-
sure to maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transaxle overheating and failure. It can
also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Flat bed towing is the preferred towing method. If a flat
bed towing vehicle is not available, a wheel lift towing
vehicle may be used.
Rear towing is not recommended with the front wheels
on the ground, as transaxle damage can result. If rear
towing is the only alternative, a front end dolly must be
used.
CAUTION!
Do not use sling type towing equipment. Damage to
the fascia and air dam may result.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 183
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
m2.4L Engine..........................187
m2.7L Engine..........................188
mOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II......189
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs
............................190
mReplacement Parts.....................191
mDealer Service........................191
mMaintenance Procedures.................192
NEngine Oil..........................192
NCrankcase Emission Control System........198
NMaintenance-Free Battery................198
NAir Conditioner......................199NPower Steering Fluid Check..............200
NSuspension Ball Joints..................201
NBody Mechanism Lubrication.............201
NWindshield Wiper Blades................203
NWindshield Washers...................203
NExhaust System......................204
NCooling System.......................205
NHoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......209
NBrakes.............................209
NFuel System Hoses....................211
NAutomatic Transmission................211
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NAppearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................214
mFuses...............................219
NUnderhood Fuses
(Power Distribution Center)..............219
NInterior Fuses........................219
mReplacement Light Bulbs................221
mBulb Replacement......................222
NHeadlight Bulb Replacement.............222
NPark, Turn Signal, Sidemarker Bulb
Replacement.........................224NFog Light Bulb Replacement.............225
NCenter Stoplight Bulb Replacement.........226
NRear Light Bulb Replacement.............226
NLicense Plate Bulb Replacement...........227
NHeadlight Aiming.....................227
mFluids And Capacities...................227
mRecommended Fluids, Lubricants And
Genuine Parts
.........................228
NEngine.............................228
NChassis............................229
186 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

2.4L ENGINE
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 187
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