2005 DODGE STRATUS COUPE service indicator

If this warning light comes on¼
Warning light Do this Ref. page
´Have the vehicle inspected at an authorized dealer as
soon as possible.P. 163
ªNº indicator light in the
instruemnt cluster flashes slowly
(once per second)
´Your vehicle will usually be drivable and not need
towing, have the engine system checked at an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
If the vehicle is not drivable, contact Emergency
Roadside Service (ERS), authorized dealer, or local
towing company for assistance.P. 1 1 7
Malfunction indicator light
(ªSERVICE ENGINE SOONº)
SRS
´Have the air bag system checked at an authorized dealer. P. 118
Air bag warning light
´It is not necessary to stop the vehicle immediately but we
recommend that you have the system checked at an
authorized dealer as soon as possilble.
P. 121
Traction control system warning light
12 INTRODUCTION

Low fuel warning chime
If a chime sounds when the low fuel warning light is on,
that means the fuel is low.
NOTE: If the low fuel warning light goes off, then comes
back on again, the chime will not sound.
Fuel tank capacity 62 L (16.4 gal)
CAUTION!
²As the fuel system may be under pressure, remove the
fuel tank filler tube cap slowly. Removing the cap
slowly relieves any pressure or vacuum that might have
built up in the fuel tank. If the cap is venting vapor or
if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops before
completely removing the cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
²If you need to replace the fuel tank filler tube cap,
use only a cap specified for your model vehicle.
²To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not ªtop-offº
the fuel tank again and again after filling.
NOTE: If the fuel tank filler tube cap is not tight while
driving, the ªMalfunction indicator light (SERVICE EN-
GINE SOON)º may illuminate when the onboard diag-
nostic (OBD) system performs its self check.
Always tighten the fuel tank filler tube cap until you hear
clicking sounds. The indicator light will go off after
driving several times. If the indicator light does not go
off, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING 41
2

INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
CONTENTS
mInstrument cluster......................108
NMeter cluster.........................108
NIndicator and warning light package........109
NSpeedometer.........................110
NTachometer..........................110
NFuel gauge..........................111
NOdometer/Trip odometer................112
NEngine coolant temperature gauge..........113
NTurn signal indicators/hazard warning lights . . 114
NHigh beam indicator...................114
NTheft-alarm indicator...................114
NDoor-ajar warning light and chime.........114NAnti-lock braking system warning light
(if so equipped).......................115
NCruise/speed control indicator............115
NLow-fuel warning light and chime..........115
NFront fog light indicator (if so equipped).....116
NCharging system warning light............116
NOil pressure warning light...............116
NMalfunction indicator light
(SERVICE ENGINE SOON)...............117
NSupplemental Restraint System (SRS)-air bag
warning light.........................118
NBrake warning light....................119
NSeat belt reminder/warning light...........120
4

11. High beam indicator!P. 1 1 4
12. Cruise control indicator!P. 1 1 5
13. Theft-alarm indicator!P. 1 1 4
14. Malfunction indicator light
(SERVICE ENGINE SOON)!P. 1 1 7
15. Oil pressure warning light!P. 1 1 6
16. Charging system warning light!P. 1 1 6
17. Overheating warning light!P. 1 1 8
18. Traction control system warning light
(if so equipped)!P. 121
19. Automatic transaxle indicator
(Vehicles with Autostick automatic transaxle-if so
equipped)!P. 121
Speedometer
The speedometer indicates vehicle speed.
·The outer scale indicates miles per hour.
·The inner scale indicates kilometers per hour.
Tachometer
The tachometer indicates engine revolutions per minute.
This allows the driver to determine the most efficient
gear range and engine speed combinations.
D04A0500
2.4 liter
engine3.0 liter
engine
110 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

CAUTION!
²If this light illuminates and the engine oil level is
not low, have your vehicle checked at an autho-
rized dealer.
²This warning light does not indicate the amount
of oil in the crankcase. This must be determined
by checking the oil level with the dipstick while
the engine is turned off.
Malfunction indicator light
(SERVICE ENGINE SOON)
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic
(OBD) system which monitors the emis-
sions, engine and automatic transaxle con-
trol systems. If a problem is detected in one
of these systems, this light may illuminate. Although
your vehicle will usually be drivable and not need
towing, have the system checked as soon as possible at an
authorized dealer.
This light will also illuminate for a few seconds, when the
ignition key is turned to the ªONº position. If it does not
go off after a few seconds, take the vehicle to an autho-
rized dealer.
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 117
4

CAUTION!
²Prolonged driving with the malfunction indicator
light on may result in further damage to the
emission control system. Continued driving could
also affect fuel economy and driveability.
²If the light does not illuminate when the ignition
key is turned to the ªONº position (bulb check),
have the system checked at an authorized dealer.
NOTE: Do not disconnect the battery cable when the
Malfunction indicator light (SERVICE ENGINE SOON) is
ON.
The engine electronic control module stores critical OBD
data, which may be lost if the battery is disconnected.
This can make rapid diagnosis more difficult.
If the fuel tank filler cap is not secured properly, the
light may come on. Be sure the fuel tank filler tube cap
is tightened every time you add fuel. (Turn the fuel
tank filler cap clockwise until you hear clicking
sounds.)Overheating warning light
If the warning light illuminates while the
engine is running, it is possible that the
engine is overheated.
Immediately park your vehicle in a safe
place and make the necessary corrections.
(Refer to ``Engine overheating'' on page 279.)
While driving, care should always be taken to maintain
the normal operating temperature.
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)-air bag
warning light
This light illuminates when the Supplemen-
tal Restraint System-air bag is not working
properly. It will also illuminate for about 7
seconds after the ignition key is turned to the ªONº
position or after the engine is started. The light should
then go out.
Check the light every time the vehicle is started.
If it does not illuminate, or stays on for more than
approximately 7 seconds after the ignition key is turned
ªONº or after the engine is started, or if it comes on while
118 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

states adopting California emission standards, your ve-
hicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting Federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be adversely affected.
Gasoline sold outside of California is permitted to have
higher sulfur levels which may affect the performance of
the vehicle's catalytic converter. This may cause the
Check Engine Light to illuminate. The manufacturer
recommends that you try a different brand of unleaded
gasoline having lower sulfur to determine if the problem
is fuel related prior to returning your vehicle to an
authorized dealer for service.
CAUTION!
If the Malfunction Indicator Light (Service Engine
Soon) is flashing, immediate service is required. See
the On Board Diagnostics paragraph in the Mainte-
nance section of this manual.
Materials Added to Fuel
All gasoline sold in the United States is required to
contain effective detergent additives. Use of additional
detergents or other additives is not needed under normal
conditions and would result in additional cost. Therefore
you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
Adding Fuel
NOTE:
The fuel tank filler tube has a restricting door
about 2 inches (50 mm) down from the opening. If fuel is
poured from a portable container, the container should
have a flexible nozzle long enough to force open the
restricting door.
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not ªtop
offº the fuel tank after filling.
NOTE:When the fuel nozzle ªclicksº or shuts off, the
fuel tank is full.
STARTING AND DRIVING 149
5

NOTE:Tighten the gas cap until you hear a ªclickingº
sound. This is an indication that the gas cap is properly
tightened.
The Malfunction Indicator Light (ªSERVICE ENGINE
SOONº) will come on if the gas cap is not properly
secured. Make sure that the gas cap is tightened each
time the vehicle is refueled.
WARNING!
A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on the
ground while filling.
Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)
The gas cap is behind the fuel filler door, on the passen-
ger's side of the vehicle. If the gas cap is lost or damaged,
be sure the replacement cap is for use with this vehicle.
CAUTION!
Damage to the fuel system or emission control
system could result from using an improper fuel
tank filler tube cap (gas cap). A poorly fitting cap
could let impurities into the fuel system.
CAUTION!
A poorly fitting gas cap may cause the Malfunction
Indicator Light (ªSERVICE ENGINE SOONº) to
turn on.
WARNING!
²Never have any smoking materials lit in or near
the vehicle when the gas cap is removed or the
tank filled.
²Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is
running.
150 STARTING AND DRIVING