2005 DODGE NEON SRT clutch

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Manual Transaxle
Place the gear selector in NEUTRAL, press the clutch
pedal to the floor, and fully apply the parking brake
before starting the engine.
NOTE:The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal
is pressed to the floor.
Normal Starting
Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or depressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the key to the START position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine has not started
within 5 seconds, slightly depress the accelerator pedal
while continuing to crank. If the engine fails to start
within 15 seconds, turn the key to the OFF position, wait
10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting proce-
dure.
Starting in Cold Weather (Below 32°For0°C)
Slightly depress and hold the accelerator before starting
the engine. Turn the key to the START position. When the
engine starts, release the key, then the accelerator pedal.
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MANUAL TRANSAXLE
NOTE:
The parking brake should be engaged and the
gear selector placed in REVERSE before leaving the
vehicle, especially on an incline.
NOTE:Clutch must be depressed for engine to start.
Fully depress the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As
you release the clutch pedal, lightly depress the accelera-
tor pedal.
Use each gear in numerical order - do not skip a gear. Be
sure the transaxle is in FIRST gear, (not THIRD), when
starting from a standing position. Damage to the clutch
can result from starting in THIRD.
98 STARTING AND OPERATING

For most city driving you will find it easier to use only
the lower gears. For steady highway driving with light
accelerations, 5th gear is recommended.
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, or
try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch pedal
partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear on the
clutch.
Never shift into REVERSE until the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NOTE:During cold weather, until the transaxle lubri-
cant has warmed, you may have difficulty shifting. This
is normal and not harmful to the transaxle.
Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transaxle for optimal fuel economy,
it should be upshifted as listed in tables 1 and 2.
TABLE 1-MANUAL TRANSAXLE RECOMMENDED
SHIFT SPEEDS
IN MPH (KM/H)
ENGINE NORMAL ACCELERATION SHIFT
SPEEDS
1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5
2.4L
TURBO15 25 33 44
(24) (40) (53) (71)
TABLE 2-MANUAL TRANSAXLE RECOMMENDED
SHIFT SPEEDS
IN MPH (KM/H)
ENGINE CRUISE SHIFT SPEEDS
1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5
2.4L
TURBO16 20 28 38
(26) (32) (45) (61)
For improved performance, your manual transaxle may
be upshifted up to the maximum speeds listed in table 3
(within legal speed limits).
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TABLE 3-MANUAL TRANSAXLE RECOMMENDED
SHIFT SPEEDS
IN MPH (KM/H)
ENGINE MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE SHIFT
SPEEDS
SIZE 1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5
2.4L
TURBO30 50 80 110
(48) (80) (129) (177)
If you exceed these speeds, you may notice the engine cut
in and out. This is caused by an electronic limiter in the
engine computer. The engine will run normally when
you reduce engine speed.
Downshifting
Proper downshifting may improve fuel economy and
prolong engine life.
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.
100 STARTING AND OPERATING

15 15 Amp/
YellowHazard Flasher
16 15 Amp/Lt.
BlueMTV
17 20 Amp/
YellowElectronic Automatic
Transaxle (EATX)
18 10 Amp/Red Horn
19 Spare
20 20 Amp/
YellowFog Lamp (Export Only)
21 20 Amp/
YellowASD/Fuel Pump
22 10 Amp/Red A/C Clutch
23 15 Amp/Lt.
BlueStop Lamps
Interior Fuses
The fuse access panel is behind the end cover at the left
side of the instrument panel. To remove the panel, pull it
out, as shown. A diagram identifying the components
and circuits is located on the inside of the cover.
FUSE Amp/Color Items Fused
1 10 Amp/Red Power Mirror/
Multifunction
2 20 Amp/
YellowWiper Switch/Motor
3 20 Amp/
YellowRadio/Power Sunroof
4 15 Amp/Lt.
BlueInterior Lighting
Interior Fuse Panel
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 171
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