2005 DODGE STRATUS COUPE maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1
INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING..................................................21
3
SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS..........................55
4
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS.............................................105
5
STARTING AND DRIVING...................................................143
6
FOR PLEASANT DRIVING...................................................207
7
VEHICLE CARE.............................................................251
8
EMERGENCIES.............................................................261
9
MAINTENANCE...........................................................309
10
SPECIFICATIONS...........................................................371
11
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE.......................................379
12
INDEX...................................................................389
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INTRODUCTION
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your new vehicle. It is
supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet and
various customer oriented documents. You are urged to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE:After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold.
When it comes to service, remember that your manufac-
turers dealer knows your vehicle best, has the factory-
trained technicians and genuine Mopartparts, and is
interested in your satisfaction.
This manual includes instructions for standard and op-
tional equipment available at the time this manual was
printed. The manufacturer reserves the right to make
changes in design and specifications and to make addi-
tions or improvements in its product without imposing
any obligations upon itself to install them on previously
manufactured products.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the table of contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
The detailed index, at the rear of this manual, contains a
complete listing of all subjects.
4 INTRODUCTION

NTether anchors for the child restraint system....85
NTether strap anchor installation.............86
NChildren who have outgrown child restraint
systems..............................86
NSeat Belts and Pregnant Women............87
mMaintenance and inspection of seat belts......88
mSupplemental Restraint System (SRS) - air bag..89
mEvent Data Recording....................95
NSRS servicing.........................101
NTransporting Pets......................103
56 SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SEAT
BELTS
The seat belt webbing may be cleaned with mild soap or
detergent solution. Allow the belts to dry in the shade.
Do not allow them to retract until completely dry. Do not
attempt to bleach or re-dye belts. The color may rub off
and webbing strength could be affected.
Regularly check seat belt buckles and release mecha-
nisms for positive action and the retractors when in the
automatic locking retractor mode for positive engage-
ment. Refer to ªInstalling a child restraint system to a
UNIBELTº on page 82.
Check that the anchor mounting bolts are tight. If the seat
belt webbing shows obvious cuts, tears, protruding bro-
ken fibers that cause a local increase in webbing thick-
ness, or severe fading which indicates weakening by
exposure to sunlight, the entire seat belt assembly should
be replaced.The lap belt portion of the front UNIBELT has a sleeve
inside which the belt is folded back over itself in a loop.
This allows the belt to help absorb the energy of a
collision through a controlled release of the loop. In the
event that the loop inside the sleeve has come loose,
replace the entire seat belt assembly.
G28A0420
Good
No GoodSleeve
Sleeve
88 SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

working properly. The SRS warning light is shared by the
driver 's air bag, the front passenger 's air bag, and the
optional side air bags.
The air bags will operate only when the ignition switch is
in the ``ON'' or ``START'' position
WARNING!
²If any of the following conditions occur, the SRS
is not working properly and you should immedi-
ately have it inspected by an authorized dealer;
²The SRS warning light does not illuminate
when you start the vehicle.
²The SRS warning light does not go out after
several seconds.
²The SRS warning light comes on while driving.
SRS servicing
The entire SRS must be inspected by an authorized dealer
10 years after the vehicle's manufacture date as shown on
the certification label located on the center pillar of the
vehicle, on the driver's side.
WARNING!
²Any maintenance performed on or near the com-
ponents of the SRS should be performed only by
an authorized dealer. Do not permit anyone else to
do service, inspection, maintenance or repair on
any SRS components or wiring. Similarly, no part
of the SRS should ever be handled, removed or
disposed of by anyone except at an authorized
dealer.
Improper work on the SRS components or wiring
could result in an accidental air bag deployment
or could make the SRS inoperative. Either of these
situation could result in serious injury.
²Do not modify your steering wheel or any other SRS
components or related vehicle part. For example,
replacement of the steering wheel, or modifications
to the front bumper or body structure can negatively
affect SRS performance and may lead to possible
injury.
²If your vehicle has received any front-end dam-
age, you should have the SRS inspected by an
authorized dealer to make sure it is in proper
working order.
SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS 101
3

Warning light
When the ignition key is turned to ªONº, the warning
light illuminate and go out after a few seconds.
CAUTION
²If the warning light illuminates, a malfunction
may have occurred in the system.
When this happens, have your vehicle checked at an
authorized dealer.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER
The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded fuel
only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effectiveness of the
converter.
Under normal operating conditions the catalytic con-
verter does not require maintenance. However, it is
important to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper converter operation and prevent damage.
I26A1290
STARTING AND DRIVING 199
5

over curbs or parking stop blocks. Always use caution
when traveling up or down sharp inclines as your
bumper may contact the road surface.
2. Maintain specified tire inflation pressures. Replace
tires before they are excessively worn.
3. If you plan to drive in another country, comply with
the vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel.
OPERATION DURING COLD WEATHER
1. Check the battery, including terminals and cables.
During extremely cold weather, the battery capacity will
decrease. Also, the battery power level may drop because
more power is needed for cold starting and operation.
Before driving the vehicle, check to see if the engine runs
at the proper speed and if the headlights are at their usual
intensity. Charge or replace the battery if necessary.
During cold weather, it is possible that a discharged
battery could freeze.
WARNING!
The battery gives off explosive hydrogen gas. Any
spark or flame can cause the battery to explode,
which could seriously injury or kill you.
Always wear protective clothes and a face shield
when doing battery maintenance, or let a skilled
technician do it.
2. Manual transaxles may be more difficult to shift
during cold weather operation. This is normal and shift
effort will become easier as the transaxle reaches a
normal operating temperature.
Maintain low-speed operation at first to allow the trans-
axle oil to be distributed to all lubrication points.
3. Check the engine antifreeze.
If there is a shortage of coolant due to leakage or engine
overheating, add high-quality ethylene glycol antifreeze
and water. The recommended ratio is about 50% water
and 50% anti-freeze. This ratio provides adequate corro-
sion, boiling, and freeze protection.
204 STARTING AND DRIVING

NFade..............................222
NGraphic Equalizer.....................222
NAM/FM Selection.....................222
NScan Button.........................222
NTo Set The Radio Pushbutton Memory......223
NGeneral Information...................223
NTo Change From Clock To Radio Mode......223
NTape Player Operation..................223
NSeek Button.........................224
NFast Forward (FF).....................224
NRewind (RW)........................224
NTape Eject...........................224
NScan Button.........................224
NChanging Tape Direction................224
NMetal Tape Selection...................224
NPinch Roller Release...................224NNoise Reduction......................225
NOperation InstructionsÐCD Player.........225
NInserting The Compact Disc..............225
NSeek Button.........................225
NEJT CD (Eject) Button..................225
NFF/Tune/RW Button...................225
NProgram Button 4 (Random Play)..........226
NTape /CD Button.....................226
NTime Button.........................226
NScan Button.........................226
mCassette Tape And Player Maintenance......226
mAM/FM Stereo Radio With 4 Disc CD Changer
(if so equipped)
.......................227
NOperating Instructions - Radio Mode.......227
NPower Switch, Volume Control............227
NSeek Button (Radio Mode)...............228
208 FOR PLEASANT DRIVING