2005 DODGE STRATUS COUPE Owners Manual

WARNING!
²Do not set anything on, or attach anything to, the
instrument panel above the glove compartment. Such
items could strike and injure an occupant if the air
bag inflates.
²Do not mount or locate any aftermarket equipment
on or behind the knee bolsters.
²Do not attach accessories to, or put them in front of,
the windshield. They could restrict the air bag infla-
tion, or strike and injure an occupant, when the air
bag inflates.
²Do not put packages, pets or other objects between the
air bags and either the driver or the front passenger.
This could affect air bag performance, or could cause
severe or even fatal injury when the air bag inflates.
²Right after air bag inflation, several parts of the air
bag system will be hot. Do not touch them. You could
be burned.
²The air bag system is designed to work only once.
After the air bags deploy, they will not work again.
They must promptly be replaced and the entire air
bag system inspected by an authorized dealer.
Side air bag system (if so equipped)
The side air bags (A) are contained in the driver and front
passenger seatbacks.
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A label is attached to the seatbacks in vehicles with side
air bags.
The side air bag is designed to inflate only on the side of
the vehicle that is hit.
Because the side air bags do not protect the occupants in
all types of collisions, be sure to always wear your seat
belts properly.
WARNING!
²The side air bags are designed to supplement the
driver and front passenger seat belts in certain
side impacts. Seat belts should always be worn
properly, and the driver and front passenger
should sit well back and upright in their seats
without leaning against the window or door.
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WARNING!
²The side air bag inflates with great force. In order
to reduce the risk of serious or possibly fatal
injury when the air bag is inflating, the driver and
front passenger should not put their arms out in
the windows or lean against the doors.
WARNING!
²In order to reduce risk of injury from a deploying
side air bag, do not allow any rear seat passengers
to hold onto the back of either front seat. Special
care should be taken with children.
²Do not place any objects near or around the front
of either front seatback. Such objects could inter-
fere with proper side air bag inflation, and could
also cause injury if thrown by the deployment of
the side air bag.
²Do not place stickers, labels or additional trim on
the back of either front seat. It could interfere
with proper side air bag inflation.
²Do not install seat covers on seats with side air
bags. Do not re-cover the seats that have side air
bags. Covers could interfere with proper side air
bag inflation.
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WARNING!
²Never install a rear-facing child restraint in the front
passenger seat. Rear-facing child restraints MUST
ONLY be used in the rear seat. Forward-facing child
restraints should also be used in the rear seat. If a
forward-facing child restraint must be used in the front
passenger seat, move the seat as far back as possible,
and make sure that the child stays in the child restraint
and away from the door.
Do not allow the child to lean against or close to the
passenger door even if the child is seated in a child
restraint system. The child's head should also not lean
against or be close to the section of the seatback where
the side air bag is located. It is dangerous if the side air
bag inflates. Failure to follow all of these instructions
could lead to serious or fatal injury to the child.
²Work done around and on the side air bag system
components should only be done by an authorized
dealer. Improper work methods could cause an acci-
dental side air bag deployment, or could make a side
air bag inoperable. Either of these situations could
result in serious injury. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has air bags.
SRS warning light
There is a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) warning
light on the instrument panel. The system checks itself
each time the ignition is turned on and the light indicates
if there is a problem.
When the ignition key is turned to the ``ON'' or ``START''
position, the warning light should come on for several
seconds and then go out. This means the system is
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100 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.
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WARNING!
²On vehicles with side air bags, do not modify
your front seats, center pillar or center console.
Such modifications can adversely affect SRS per-
formance and may lead to possible injury.
Also, if you discover any tear or open seam in the
seat fabric near the side air bag, have the seat
inspected by an authorized dealer.
²On vehicles with side air bags, if your vehicle has
received any damage on either side, you should
have the SRS inspected by an authorized dealer to
make sure it is in proper working order.
NOTE:
²
When you transfer ownership of the vehicle to another
person, we urge you to alert the new owner that it is
equipped with the SRS and refer that owner to the
applicable sections in this owner 's manual.
²If you decide to junk or scrap your vehicle, we urge
you to first take it to an authorized dealer so that the
SRS can be made safe for disposal.
Caution label
Passenger restraint warning/caution labels for the SRS
are located in the vehicle as shown in the illustration.
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Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
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