2004 DODGE STRATUS service

SCHEDULE ªBº
Follow schedule ªBº if you usually operate your vehicle
under one or more of the following conditions. Change
the automatic transmission fluid and filter every 60,000
miles (96 000 km) if the vehicle is usually operated under
one or more of the conditions marked with anL.
²Day or night temperatures are below 32É F (0É C).
²Stop and go driving.
²Extensive engine idling.
²Driving in dusty conditions.
²Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km).
²More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90É F (32É C).
²Trailer towing.L
²Taxi, police or delivery service (commercial ser-
vices).L
²Off-road or desert operation.
²If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule ªBº of the
9Maintenance Schedules9section of this manual.
236 SCHEDULE ªBº
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Miles 144,000 147,000 150,000
(Kilometers) (232 000) (237 000) (241 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X
Inspect theair cleaner filterand replace if necessary.* X X
Replace theair cleaner filter.*X
Replace thespark plugson the 2.4 liter engine. ** X
Inspect the front and rear brake pads, linings, rotors, rear drums
and shoes.X
Check and replace, if necessary, thePCV valve.*³ 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.
SCHEDULE ªBº 245
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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.
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IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
CONTENTS
mSuggestions For Obtaining Service For Your
Vehicle
..............................252
NPrepare For The Appointment............252
NPrepare A List........................252
NBe Reasonable With Requests.............252
mIf You Need Assistance..................252
mWarranty Information...................254
mMopartParts.........................256
mReporting Safety Defects.................256
NIn Canada..........................256
mPublication Order Forms.................256
mDepartment Of Transportation Uniform Tire
Quality Grades
........................258
NTreadwear..........................258
NTraction Grades......................258
NTemperature Grades...................259
9

SUGGESTIONS FOR OBTAINING SERVICE FOR
YOUR VEHICLE
Prepare For The Appointment
If you're having warranty work done, be sure to have the
right papers with you. Take your warranty folder. All
work to be performed may not be covered by the
warranty, discuss additional charges with the service
manager. Keep a maintenance log of your vehicle's
service history. This can often provide a clue to the
current problem.
Prepare A List
Make a written list of your vehicle's problems or the
specific work you want done. If you've had an accident,
or work done that is not on your maintenance log, let the
service advisor know.
Be Reasonable With Requests
If you list a number of items, and you must have your
vehicle by the end of the day, discuss the situation with
the service advisor and list the items in order of priority.
At many dealers you may obtain a rental vehicle at aminimal daily charge. If you need a rental, it is advisable
to make these arrangements when you call for an ap-
pointment.
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE
The manufacturer and its dealers are vitally interested in
your satisfaction. We want you to be happy with our
products and services.
Your selling dealer is best equipped and most anxious to
provide prompt resolution for any warranty issue or
related matter that you may experience. The manufactur-
er's dealers have the facilities, factory-trained techni-
cians, special tools, and the latest information to assure
your vehicle is fixed correctly and in a timely manner.
The manufacturer has empowered its dealers to make
warranty and repair decisions that ensure you are not
inconvenienced. There is no need for you to wait for a
decision from the manufacturer. If a special circumstance
occurs that requires information from the manufacturer,
we have asked the dealer's service management to make
the contact on your behalf.
252 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

This is why you should always talk to your dealer's
service manager first. Most matters can be resolved with
this process.
²If for some reason you are still not satisfied, talk to the
general manager or owner of the dealership. They
want to know if you need assistance.
²If your dealership is unable to resolve the concern, you
may contact the Manufacturer's Customer Center.
Any communication to the Manufacturer's Customer
Center should include the following information:
²Owner's name and address
²Owner's telephone number (home and office)
²Dealership name
²Vehicle identification number
²Vehicle delivery date and mileage
DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation Customer Center
P.O. Box 21±8004
Auburn Hills, MI 48321±8004
Phone: (800) 992-1997
DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc. Customer Center
P.O. Box 1621
Windsor, Ontario N9A 4H6
Phone Ð(800) 465±2001
In Mexico contact:
Av. Prolongacion Paseo de la Reforma, 1240
Sante Fe C.P. 05109
Mexico, D. F.
In Mexico (915) 729±1248 or 729±1240
Outside Mexico (525) 729±1248 or 729±1240
Customer Assistance For The Hearing Or Speech
Impaired (TDD/TTY)
To assist customers who have hearing difficulties, the
manufacturer has installed special TDD (Telecommuni-
cation 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 the
manufacturer by dialing 1±800±380±CHRY.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 253
9

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 manufacturer's new vehicle
limited warranty expires. The manufacturer stands be-
hind only the manufacturer's Service Contracts. If you
purchased a manufacturer's 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 manufacturer's Service Contract Na-
tional Customer Hotline at 1-800-521-9922.
The manufacturer will not stand behind any service
contract that is not the manufacturer's Service Contract. It
is not responsible for any service contract other than the
manufacturer's Service Contract. If you purchased a
service contract that is not a manufacturer's Service
Contract, and you require service after your manufactur-
er's new vehicle limited warranty expires, please refer to
your contract documents, 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 manufacturer's Warranty Information Booklet
for information on warranty coverage and transfer of
warranty.
254 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

MOPARTPARTS
Mopartfluids, lubricants, parts, and accessories are
available from your dealer. They will help you keep your
vehicle operating at its best.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
In the 50 United States and Washington D.C.: If you
believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause
a crash or cause injury or death, you should immediately
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administra-
tion (NHTSA) in addition to notifying the manufacturer.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer, and the
manufacturer.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in Wash-
ington DC area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Dept. ofTransportation, Washington DC 20590. You can also
obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from
the Hotline.
In Canada:
If you believe that your vehicle has a safety defect, you
should contact the Customer Service Department imme-
diately. Canadian customers who wish to report a safety
defect to the Canadian government should write to
Transport Canada, Motor Vehicle Defect Investigations
and Recalls, 2780 Sheffield Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1B
3V9.
PUBLICATION ORDER FORMS
To order the following manuals, you may use either the
website or the phone numbers listed below. Visa, Mas-
tercard, American Express, and Discover orders are ac-
cepted. If you prefer mailing your payment, please call
for an order form.
NOTE:A street address is required when ordering
manuals. (No P.O. Boxes).
256 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE