2005 DODGE NEON SRT steering

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

A Word About Your Keys................. 9
▫Ignition Key Removal................... 9
▫Locking Doors With The Key..............10
▫Key-In-Ignition Reminder................10

Sentry Key............................10
▫Replacement Keys......................11
▫Customer Key Programming..............12
▫General Information....................12

Steering Wheel Lock.....................13
▫To Manually Lock The Steering Wheel.......13
▫To Release The Steering Wheel Lock.........13

Door Locks...........................13
▫Manual Door Locks.....................13
▫Power Door Locks.....................14
▫Central Locking/Unlocking...............14
▫Automatic Door Locks...................15
▫Child-Protection Door Lock System
(Rear Doors)..........................16

Internal Emergency Trunk Lid Release.......17

Remote Trunk Lid Release................17

Remote Keyless Entry—If Equipped........18
▫To Unlock The Doors...................18
▫To Lock The Doors.....................18
2

STEERING WHEEL LOCK
Your vehicle is equipped with a passive steering wheel
lock. This lock prevents steering the vehicle without the
ignition key. If the steering wheel is rotated no more than
1/2 turn in either direction and the key is not in the
ignition switch, the steering wheel will lock.
To manually lock the steering wheel:
With the engine running, rotate the steering wheel 1/2
turn, turn off the engine and remove the key. Turn the
steering wheel slightly in either direction until the lock
engages.
To release the steering wheel lock:
Insert the key in the ignition switch and start the engine.
If the key is difficult to turn, rotate the wheel slightly to
the right or left to disengage the lock.
NOTE:If you turned the wheel to the right to engage
the lock, you must turn the wheel slightly to the right to
disengage it. If you turned the wheel to the left to engage
the lock, turn the wheel slightly to the left to disengage it.An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove the key from the ignition and lock all the doors
when leaving the vehicle unattended.
DOOR LOCKS
Manual Door Locks
All doors are equipped with a rocker-type interior door
lock. To lock a door when leaving your vehicle, press the
rocker switch to the LOCK position and close the door.
NOTE:To avoid accidentally locking your keys in the
vehicle, make sure you have them with you before
closing any door.
WARNING!
For personal security, and safety in the event of an
accident, lock the vehicle doors as you drive as well
as when you park and leave the vehicle.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
2

Keep the belt low so that it does not come across the
abdomen. That way the strong bones of the hips will take
the force if there is a collision.
Seat Belt Extender
If a seat belt is too short, even when fully extended and
when the adjustable upper shoulder belt anchorage (if
equipped) is in its lowest position, your dealer can
provide you with a seat belt extender. This extender
should be used only if the existing belt is not long
enough. When it is not required, remove the extender
and store it.
WARNING!
Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use
when the seat belt is not long enough when it is
worn low and snug, and in the recommended seating
positions. Remove and store the extender when not
needed.
Driver and Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbags
This vehicle has front airbags for both the driver and
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver’s front airbag is mounted in the
center of the steering wheel. The passenger’s front airbag
is mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove
compartment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on
the airbag covers.
Front Airbag Components
30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

3.The driver and front passenger seats should be
moved back as far as practical to allow the front airbags
room to inflate.
4.If your vehicle has side airbags, do not lean against
the door, airbags will inflate forcefully into the space
between you and the door.
WARNING!
•Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work with
your seat belt to restrain you properly. In some
collisions the airbags won’t deploy at all. Always
wear your seat belts even though you have airbags.
•Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel during airbag deployment could cause seri-
ous injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back,
comfortably extending your arms to reach the steer-
ing wheel or instrument panel.
•If the vehicle has side airbags, they also need room
to inflate. Do not lean against the door. Sit upright
in the center of the seat.
Airbag System Components
The front airbag system consists of the following:
•Airbag Control Module (ACM)
•AIRBAG Readiness Light
•Driver Airbag
•Passenger Airbag
•Steering Wheel and Column
•Instrument Panel
•Crash Sensor
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Knee Impact Bolsters
The side airbag system, if equipped, consists of the
following:
•AIRBAG Readiness Light (shared with the front airbag
system)
•Side Airbag in the Driver’s Seat
•Side Airbag in the Passenger’s Seat
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 33
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•Right and Left Side Impact Airbag Control Modules
(SIACM)
•Interconnecting Wiring
How The Airbag System Works
Front Airbag System
•The front Airbag Control Module determines if a
frontal collision is severe enough to require the airbags
to inflate.
•The Airbag Control Module is not designed to detect
side, roll over, or rear collisions.
•The Airbag Control Module also monitors the readi-
ness of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or ON/RUN positions.
These include all of the items listed above except the
knee bolsters, the instrument panel, and the steering
wheel and column. If the key is in the OFF position, in
the ACC position, or not in the ignition switch, the
airbags are not on and will not inflate.
•The Airbag Control Module also turns on the AIRBAG
light in the instrument panel for 6 to 8 seconds when
the ignition switch is first turned to ON/RUN, then
turns the light off. If it detects a malfunction in any
part of the system, it turns on the light either momen-
tarily or continuously.
Airbag Light
34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

•In moderate to severe side collisions, the side airbag
inflator on the crash side of the vehicle is triggered by
the appropriate SIACM, releasing a quantity of non-
toxic gas. The inflating side airbag exits through the
seat seam into the space between the occupant and the
door. The side airbag moves at a very high speed and
with such a high force, that it could injure you if you
are not seated properly, or if items are positioned in
the area where the side airbag inflates. This especially
applies to children.
Enhanced Accident Response Time—If Equipped
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, vehicles equipped with
power door locks will unlock automatically. In addition,
approximately 10 seconds after the vehicle has stopped
moving, the interior lights will light until the ignition
switch is turned off.
Maintaining Your Airbag Systems
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolster.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37
2

▫Windshield Washers....................58
▫Mist Function.........................58
▫Intermittent Wiper System................59
▫Lo Speed Wipers.......................59
▫Hi Speed Wipers.......................59

Tilt Steering Column.....................59

Power Sunroof—If Equipped.............60
▫Sunroof Maintenance....................61
▫Wind Buffeting........................62

Console Features.......................62
▫Ash Receiver And Cigar Lighter............63
48 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Multi-Function Control Lever
The Multi-Function Control Lever controls the operation
of the headlights, parking lights, turn signals, headlight
beam selection, instrument panel light dimming, interior
lights, the passing lights, and fog lights. The lever is
located on the left side of the steering column.
Headlights, Parking Lights, Instrument Panel
Lights
Turn the end of the Multi-Function Control Lever to the
first detent for parking light operation. Turn to the
second detent for headlight operation.
To change the brightness of the instrument panel lights,
rotate the center portion of the Multi-Function Control
Lever up or down.
Multi-Function Control Lever
56 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE