2005 DODGE STRATUS COUPE overheating

EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mIf the vehicle breaks down................263
NIf the engine quits.....................263
mOperation under adverse driving conditions...263
NIf your vehicle becomes stuck in sand, mud or
snow..............................263
NOnawetroad........................264
NOn snowy or icy roads..................265
mSpare tire, jack and tool set storage.........266
NHandling spare tire....................266
NJack...............................267
mCompact spare tire.....................267
mWheel covers (if so equipped).............268
mJacking and tire changing................270
NJacking up the vehicle..................270
mEngine overheating.....................279
mJump-starting the engine.................280
NIf your vehicle has anti-lock brakes.........284
mTowing..............................284
mFuses...............................286
NFuse block...........................287
mFusible links..........................287
NFuse load capacities....................288
mReplacement of light bulbs................293
NBulb capacity.........................293
8

IF THE VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN
If the vehicle breaks down on the road, move to the
shoulder and activate the hazard warning flashers. If
there is no shoulder, or the shoulder is not safe, drive in
the right lane, slowly, with the hazard flashers activated,
until you reach a safe place to stop. Keep the flashers
activated.
If the engine quits
If the engine stops, power will be lost to the steering and
brakes, making steering and braking difficult.
1. The brake booster becomes inoperative and the brake
pedal will be harder to push than usual.
2. Since power steering system is not operative, the
steering wheel will be stiff when turning. Turn the wheel
with more effort than usual.
OPERATION UNDER ADVERSE DRIVING
CONDITIONS
If your vehicle becomes stuck in sand, mud or
snow
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your steering
wheel right and left to clear the area around the wheels.
Move the gearshift lever or selector lever rhythmically
between the 1st and REVERSE position (with manual
transaxle), ``L'' (Low) and ``R'' (REVERSE) position (with
automatic transaxle), Autostick and ``R'' (REVERSE posi-
tion (with automatic transaxle autostick), while applying
slight pressure to the accelerator pedal.
Avoid racing the engine or spinning the wheels. Pro-
longed efforts to free a stuck vehicle may result in
overheating and transaxle failure.
Allow the engine to idle for a few minutes to let the
transaxle cool between rocking attempts.
If the vehicle remains stuck after several rocking at-
tempts, seek other assistance.
EMERGENCIES 263
8

ENGINE OVERHEATING
If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator enters
the ªHº (hot) position, the engine may be overheated.
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways Ð Slow down.
²In city traffic Ð While stopped, put transaxle in
neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and
the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads ªHº, pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the
air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the ªHº, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Maintenance Section of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
EMERGENCIES 279
8

Engine coolant......................... 322
Engine coolant level warning light.......... 109
Engine coolant temperature gauge.......108,113
Engine hood release...................... 42
Engine oil and oil filter.................. 318
Engine overheating..................... 279
Engine serial number.................... 373
Engine specifications.................... 377
Exhaust system.....................332,377
Fluid
Automatic transaxle fluid............... 329
Brake fluid.......................... 323
Clutch fluid......................... 324
Fog light switch........................ 125
Front fog lamp indicator lamp............. 116
Front seat adjustment..................... 57
Fuel
Filler Cap........................... 150
Fuel economy........................ 151
Fuel filler............................ 39
Fuel gauge.......................108,111
Fuel hoses.......................... 315Fuel selection........................ 146
Low-fuel warning light..............109,115
Fuses................................ 286
Fusible links.......................... 287
Garage Door Opener.................... 134
GasCap .............................. 150
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............... 148
Gauges.........................108,111,113
Gear positions......................... 158
General maintenance
Maintenance service................... 318
General vehicle data..................... 375
Glove compartment..................215,216
Handling of Compact Discs............... 234
Hazard warning flasher switch............. 126
Hazard warning light.................109,114
Head restraints......................... 66
Headlights (Type 1)..................... 295
Headlights
Aiming............................. 297
Dimmer............................ 124
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