2004 DODGE STRATUS Owners Manual

SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
²Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
²If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running, adjust your heating or cooling con-
trols to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower
at high speed.
²To avoid drawing exhaust gases into the vehicle, close
the trunk while driving. However, if for some reason itmust remain open, close all windows. Adjust the
heating or cooling system to force outside air into the
vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Safety belt assemblies must be replaced after a collision if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to
8 seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the bulb is not lit
during starting, have it replaced. If the light stays on or
comes on while driving, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
2

Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are
present, the cause should be corrected immediately.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mConsole Features.......................53
NConsole Features Ð Without Heated Seats....53
NConsole Features Ð With Heated Seats.......54
mMirrors..............................55
NInside Day/Night MirrorÐ If Equipped......55
NElectric Remote-Control MirrorsÐ If
Equipped............................55
NOutside Mirror Ð Driver's Side............56
NOutside Mirror Ð Passenger's Side..........56
NIlluminated Vanity Mirrors Ð If Equipped....56
mSeats................................57
NManual Front Seat Adjustments............57NPower Seats Ð If Equipped...............58
NAdjustable Head Restraints...............58
NFolding Rear Seat......................59
mTo Open And Close The Hood.............60
mLights...............................61
NInterior Lights........................61
NFront Map/Reading Lights Ð If Equipped....62
NMulti-Function Control Lever..............63
NHeadlights, Parking Lights, Instrument Panel
Lights..............................63
NDaytime Running Lights (Canada Only)......63
NLights-On Reminder....................64
3

NFog Lights Ð If Equipped................64
NTurn Signals..........................64
NHeadlight Beam Select Switch.............64
NPassing Light.........................64
NHeadlight Time Delay...................64
mWindshield Wipers And Washers...........65
NMist................................65
NSpeed Sensitive Intermittent Wiper System....66
mTilt Steering Column.....................66
mTraction ControlÐ If Equipped.............67
mElectronic Speed ControlÐ If Equipped......67
NTo Activate...........................68
NTo Set At A Desired Speed................68
NTo Deactivate.........................68
NTo Resume Speed......................68NTo Vary The Speed Setting................68
NTo Accelerate For Passing................69
NUsing Speed Control On Hills.............69
mGarage Door Opener Ð If Equipped.........70
NProgramming The Universal Transceiver......71
NªRolling Codeº Programming.............72
NCanadian Programming/Gate Programming . . .74
NOperation............................74
NReprogramming A Single Button...........74
NSecurity.............................74
mPower Sunroof Ð If Equipped.............75
NSunroof Maintenance....................76
NWind Buffeting........................77
mElectrical Power Outlet...................77
52 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CONSOLE FEATURES
Console Features Ð Without Heated Seats
The front console has two cup holders in the front and a
storage bin. An optional removable ashtray may be
located in the driver's side cup holder.The center console/armrest has a pencil /tire gage holder
and a tissue holder mounted on the underside of the
cover. The bottom of the console bin also has built in
holders for compact discs or cassette tapes. There are also
two cup holders for rear seat passengers located directly
in the back of the center console.
Two coin holders are located toward the front of the
inside of the console bin. The right side coin holder can
accommodate dimes, nickels or pennies, while the left
side coin holder can hold quarters, dimes, nickels, or
pennies. Both can also accommodate various combina-
tions of different types of coins, including some interna-
tional currencies. The slot on the far left side is not for
coins, but for an optional power outlet, if so equipped.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 53
3

Console Features Ð With Heated Seats
The front console has two cup holders. An optional
removable ashtray may be located in the driver's side cup
holder.The center console/armrest has a pencil /tire gage holder
and a tissue holder mounted on the underside of the
cover. The bottom of the console bin also has built in
holders for compact discs or cassette tapes. The power
outlet is also mounted inside the center console (if
equipped). There are also two cup holders for rear seat
passengers and a rear courtesy lamp located directly in
back of the center console.
Two coin holders are located toward the front of the
inside of the console bin. The right side coin holder can
accommodate dimes, nickels or pennies, while the left
side coin holder can hold quarters, dimes, nickels, or
pennies. Both can also accommodate various combina-
tions of different types of coins, including some interna-
tional currencies.
54 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

MIRRORS
Inside Day/Night MirrorÐ If Equipped
Adjust the mirror to center on the view through the rear
window. A two point pivot system allows for horizontal
and vertical mirror adjustment.
Annoying headlight glare can be reduced by moving the
small control under the mirror to the night position
(toward rear of vehicle). The mirror should be adjusted
while set in the day position (toward windshield).
Electric Remote-Control MirrorsÐ If Equipped
Both of the outside mirrors can be adjusted by using the
remote controls mounted on the instrument panel to the
left of the steering wheel.
NOTE:Place the mirror selector switch in the center
(neutral) position to prevent accidental movement of the
mirrors.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 55
3

Outside Mirror Ð Driver's Side
Adjust the outside mirror to center on the adjacent lane of
traffic, with a slight overlap of the view obtained on the
inside mirror.
Outside Mirror Ð Passenger's Side
Adjust the convex outside mirror so you can just see the
side of your vehicle in the part of the mirror closest to the
vehicle.
WARNING!
Vehicles and other objects seen in the right side
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away
than they really are. Relying too much on your right
side mirror could cause you to collide with another
vehicle or other object. Use your inside mirror when
judging the size or distance of a vehicle seen in this
convex mirror.
Illuminated Vanity Mirrors Ð If Equipped
An illuminated vanity mirror is on each sun visor. To use
the mirror, rotate the sun visor down and swing the
mirror cover upward. The lights will turn on automati-
cally. Closing the mirror cover turns off the lights.
56 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE