2005 DODGE NEON parking brake

CAUTION!
If you skip more than one gear while downshifting
or downshift at too high an engine speed, you could
damage the engine, transaxle, or clutch.
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift
down to 2nd or 1st when descending a steep grade.
When turning a corner, or driving up a steep grade, shift
down early so that the engine will not be overburdened.
PARKING BRAKE
When the parking brake is applied with the
ignition on, the Brake Light in the instrument
cluster will come on.
NOTE:This light only shows that the parking brake is
on. It does not show the degree of brake application.
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is set. To set the parking brake, pull up firmly on
the lever. Also place the gear selector in the Park position
(automatic transaxle) or Reverse (manual transaxle). Torelease the parking brake, apply the brake pedal and pull
up on the parking brake lever. Push the release button
and lower the lever fully.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the gear selector in Park, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism may
make it difficult to move the selector out of Park. As an
added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb
on a downhill grade and away from the curb on a uphill
grade.
Parking Brake Lever
STARTING AND OPERATING 121
5

You should always apply the parking brake before leav-
ing the vehicle.
WARNING!
²Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be injured. Children should be warned not
to touch the parking brake or the gear selector.
Don't leave the keys in the ignition. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
²Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake
failure and an accident.
BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with power assisted brakes as
standard equipment. In the event power assist is lost for
any reason (for example, repeated brake applications
with the engine off), the brakes will still function. The
effort required to brake the vehicle will be much greater
than that required with the power system operating.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You wouldn't have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
If either of the two hydraulic systems lose normal capa-
bility, the remaining system will still function with some
loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be evident
by increased pedal travel during application and greater
pedal force required to slow or stop. In addition, if the
122 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
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 (automatic transaxle) or REVERSE
(manual transaxle).
²Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.
²Block both the front and rear
of the wheel diagonally oppo-
site the jacking position. For
example, if changing the right
front tire, block the left rear
wheel.
²Passengers should not remain in the vehicle while the
vehicle is being jacked.
Instructions
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.
152 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 (manual transaxle in NEU-
TRAL) 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 terminal of the discharged battery.WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
156 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

To check the fluid level properly, the following procedure
must be used:
1. The vehicle must be on level ground.
2. The engine should be running at curb idle speed for a
minimum of 60 seconds.
3. Fully apply parking brake.
4. Place the gear selector momentarily in each gear
position ending with the lever in P (PARK).
5. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until
seated.
6. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level should be in the crosshatch
area at normal operating temperatures. If the fluid is low,
add as required into the dipstick tube.Do not overfill.
NOTE:If it is necessary to check the transmission
belowthe operating temperature, the fluid level should
be between the two COLD (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at approximately 80ÉF (27ÉC) (room tem-
perature). If the fluid level is correctly established at
room temperature, it should be between the HOT (upper)reference holes when the transmission reaches 180ÉF
(82ÉC). Remember it is best to check the level at the
normal operating temperature.
If the fluid level shows low, add sufficient transmission
fluid to bring to the proper level.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 189
7

Brake, Parking......................... 121
Brake System.......................122,186
Anti-Lock........................... 123
Hoses.............................. 186
Master Cylinder...................... 187
Parking............................ 121
Warning Light........................ 77
Brakes............................122,186
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 116
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 46
Bulb Replacement...................198,199
Calibration, Compass..................... 54
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...... 202
Capacities, Fluid....................... 202
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 144
Oil (Engine)......................... 172
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 144
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance........ 97
Cassette Tape Player...................83,86
Catalytic Converter..................... 173
Caution, Exhaust Gas..................... 46CD Changer.......................87,92,98
CD Player...........................88,90
CD Player Maintenance.................. 100
Cellular Phone......................... 101
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 201
Central Door Locks...................... 15
Central Locking......................... 15
Chains, Tire........................... 139
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 152
Charging System Light................... 79
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 125
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light).............. 167
Child Restraint......................... 39
Child Safety Locks....................... 17
Circuit Breakers.....................195,197
Cleaning
Glass.............................. 194
Headlights.......................... 194
Climate Control........................ 101
Clock................................. 82
Compact Disc Changer................... 98
Compact Disc Maintenance............... 100
INDEX 235
10

Odometer
Trip ................................ 80
Oil, Engine.........................169,202
Capacity............................ 202
Change Interval...................... 170
Checking........................... 169
Disposal............................ 172
Filter.............................. 173
Identification Logo.................... 172
Materials Added to.................... 172
Quality............................. 172
Recommendation..................171,202
Synthetic........................... 172
Viscosity............................ 172
Oil Pressure Light....................... 78
Onboard Diagnostic System............166,167
Operator Manuals (Owner's Manuals)......... 4
Outside Air Intake...................103,109
Outside Rearview Mirrors................. 54
Overdrive............................ 118
Overheating, Engine..................... 150
Owner's Manual......................4,229Paint Care............................ 191
Panic Alarm........................... 20
Parking Brake......................... 121
Passing Light........................... 62
Pets.................................. 45
Phone, Cellular........................ 101
Placard, Tire and Loading Information....... 128
Power
Door Locks.......................... 15
Steering.........................124,178
Steering, Checking.................... 178
Sunroof............................. 68
Windows............................ 23
Power Steering Fluid.................... 203
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts............. 30
Preparation for Jacking................... 152
Programming Transmitters................. 20
Radial Ply Tires........................ 135
Radio Broadcast Signals................... 82
Radio Operation......................83,88
Radio, Satellite.......................... 93
Radio (Sound Systems)...............82,83,88
INDEX 241
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