2005 DODGE STRATUS COUPE warning

WARNING!
²Never disconnect the battery while the engine is
running; doing so could damage the vehicle's
electrical components.
²Never short-circuit the battery; doing so could
cause it to overheat and be damaged.
²Keep sparks, cigarettes and flames away from the
battery because the battery may produce an explo-
sion.
²Electrolyte (battery acid) is corrosive diluted sul-
furic acid. If electrolyte comes in contact with,
your hands, eyes, clothes, or the coated surface of
your vehicle, thoroughly flush the area with wa-
ter. If electrolyte gets in your eyes, flush them
with water immediately and get prompt medical
attention.
WARNING!
²Ventilate the area when charging or using the
battery in an enclosed space.
²Always wear protective clothing and goggles
when working with the battery, or have a skilled
technician do it.
²If the battery is to be quick-charged, first discon-
nect the battery cables from the vehicle.
²In order to prevent a short circuit, be sure to
disconnect the negative(-) terminal first, and re-
connect it last.
²If the electrolyte level is very low, have the battery
checked at an authorized dealer.
²Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands
after handling.
328 MAINTENANCE

To check the fluid level
The fluid level should be checked when the engine
temperature gauge indicates a normal warmed up con-
dition and the fluid in the transaxle is heated to its
normal operating temperature. Operation with an im-
proper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transaxle and the fluid.
Procedure for checking the fluid level
1. With the parking brake engaged and the engine idling,
select each gear momentarily, ending with the selector
lever in the ªNº (NEUTRAL) position.
2. The fluid level should be at the HOT mark, but never
above the HOT mark when the engine is at its normal
warmed up condition. Add or drain as necessary to bring
the fluid to this prescribed level.
3. Make certain that the dipstick cap is reseated properly
to prevent dirt and water from entering the transaxle.
WARNING!
Transaxle fluid is extremely flammable and poison-
ous. Do not spill fluid when adding or draining.
To add or change the fluid
Use only recommended Mopar ATF+4 automatic trans-
mission fluid to ensure optimum transaxle performance.
M05A0460
Drain plug
330 MAINTENANCE

HOOD LOCK RELEASE MECHANISM AND
SAFETY CATCH
The door hinges, trunk hinges, hood lock release mecha-
nism and hood safety catch should be inspected, cleaned,
and lubricated as required to maintain ease of operation
and to provide protection against rust and wear. Apply
Multipurpose Grease NLGI Grade 2 sparingly to all
sliding contact areas of the hood latch and release lever.
Work lubricant into the hood lock mechanism until all
frictional surfaces are covered.
Also, apply a film of the same lubricant to the pivot
contact areas of the safety catch.
EXHAUST SYSTEM
WARNING!
Carbon monoxide gas found in the vehicle's exhaust
is poisonous. Inhalation of exhaust fumes can cause
unconsciousness or death.
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle interior is a properly maintained engineexhaust system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system; when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle; or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent technician inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts.
In addition inspect the exhaust system each time the
vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil change. Replace as
required.
Open seams or loose connections could permit danger-
ous exhaust fumes to seep into the trunk and passenger
compartments.
Do this service when performing underbody service.
Check for any of the following conditions:
1. Check for holes or exhaust gas leakage caused by
corrosion or damage.
2. Check the joints and connections for looseness or
exhaust gas leakage.
3. Check the rubber hangers and brackets for damage.
332 MAINTENANCE

Amount of belt deflection
in (mm)
Standard value Used belt New belt
A .27 to .33
(6.9 to 8.5).29 to .33
(7.4 to 8.5).17 to .21
(4.4 to 5.4)
B .46 to .61
(11.8 to 15.5).50 to .57
(12.6 to 14.4).34 to .44
(8.8 to 11.1)
C .43 to .56
(11.0 to 14.3).46 to .52
(11.7 to 13.3).33 to .41
(8.4 to 10.4)
D .33 to .43
(8.5 to 10.9).35 to .40
(9.0 to 10.1).24 to .30
(6.2 to 7.6)
WARNING!
Do not check or touch the drive belt with the engine
running, or serious injury may result.
TIMING BELT
The timing belt should be replaced with a new one at the
mileage specified on the scheduled maintenance chart.
TIRES
WARNING!
Driving with tires that are worn or improperly inflated
can result in a collision, and serious or fatal injury.
It is important to familiarize yourself with the following
terms:
·Cold tire pressure:
1. The measured pressure after the vehicle has been
parked for at least three hours, or
2. The measured pressure when the vehicle is driven
less than 1 mile (1.6km) after having been parked for
three hours.
·Maximum inflation pressure : the maximum permis-
sible cold tire inflation pressure for this tire
·Recommended inflation pressure : the inflation pres-
sure for optimum tire performance
·Intended outboard sidewall :
1. The sidewall that contains a whitewall, bears white
lettering or bears manufacturer, brand, and/or model
name molding that is higher or deeper than the same
molding on the other sidewall of the tire, or
336 MAINTENANCE

Tire pressure for sustained high-speed driving
For sustained high-speed driving, increase inflation pres-
sure 4 psi (28 kPa) above the recommended pressure but
do not exceed the maximum cold inflation pressure
molded into the tire sidewall.
Replacing tire and wheels
CAUTION!
²Avoid using different size tires from the one listed
and the combined use of different types of tires,
as this can affect driving safety.
Refer to the(TIRES AND WHEELS(on page 377.
²Even if a wheel has the same rim size and offset as
the specified type of wheel, its shape may prevent
it from being fitted correctly. Consult an autho-
rized dealer before using wheels that you have.
Tire maintenance
The following maintenance steps are recommended:
1. Check pressure regularly.
2. Maintain wheel balance and front suspension align-
ment.3. Rotate tires regularly in accordance with the recom-
mendation in the section ªTire rotationº on page 347.
Loading information
WARNING!
Overloading of your tire is dangerous. Overloading can
cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and increase
your stopping distance. Use tires of the recommended
load capacity for your vehicle. Never overload them.
It is important to familiarize yourself with the following
terms before loading your vehicle:
²Vehicle maximum load on the tire : load on an indi-
vidual tire that is determined by distributing to each
axle its share of the maximum loaded vehicle weight
and dividing by two.
342 MAINTENANCE

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire's
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B
and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 387
11

Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperatures can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger vehicle tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat build-up and possible tire failure.
388 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Accessory boxes........................ 215
Accessory (installation)................... 250
Adding Fuel.......................... 149
Air cleaner filter........................ 316
Air conditioning........................ 238
Aluminum wheel....................... 259
Antenna.............................. 221
Anti-lock braking system warning light . . . 109,115
Assist-starting procedures if battery is low.... 280
Automatic transaxle indicator.............. 121
Automatic transaxle oil temperature warning
light................................. 109
Automatic transaxle
Automatic transaxle fluid............... 329
Driving speed........................ 159
Gear positions....................... 158
Holding on an upgrade................ 167
Oil temperature warning light............ 109
Parking............................ 171
Reset Mode.......................160,168
Selector lever operation................. 155
Automatic transmission.................. 160
Autostick............................. 165Ball joint, steering linkage seal and drive shaft
boots................................ 331
Battery............................... 325
Charging system warning light........109,116
During cold weather................... 204
Specification......................... 374
Brake pad wear alarm................... 174
Brake System.......................... 174
Fluid.............................. 323
Hose.............................. 331
Parking brake.....................171,334
Pedal.............................. 173
Power brakes........................ 174
Warning light........................ 119
Warning sound for brake pad wear........ 174
Brake
Parking brake........................ 334
Pedal.............................. 173
Break-in recommendations................ 146
Bulb chart.........................293,294
Car preparation before driving............. 201
Cargo loads........................... 346
390 INDEX