2005 DODGE STRATUS COUPE service indicator

8. Stop driving the vehicle if you think the performance
is noticeably less, or that there is unnecessary engine
miss, or any other engine trouble, such as with the
ignition, etc. If it is impractical to stop driving immedi-
ately, reduce the speed and drive for only a short time.
Have an inspection made by an authorized dealer as
soon as possible.
9. In an unusual event of a severe engine malfunction, a
scorching odor may indicate severe and abnormal cata-
lytic converter overheating. If this occurs, the vehicle
should be stopped in a safe place, the engine shut off and
the vehicle allowed to cool. Once the engine is cool, the
vehicle should immediately be taken to a dealer for
service.
VEHICLE PREPARATION BEFORE DRIVING
Before starting on a trip, perform the following checks to
obtain the greatest possible enjoyment and safety from
your vehicle:
Seat belts and seats
1. Before starting the vehicle, make certain that you and
all your passengers are seated and properly wearing the
seat belts (with children in the rear seat, in appropriate
restraints), and that all doors are locked.
2.
Adjust the driver's seat as far back as possible, while still
maintaining good visibility, and good control of the steering
wheel, brakes, accelerator, and controls. Examine the instru-
ment panel indicators for any possible malfunction.
3. Have the front passenger adjust their seat as far
rearward as possible.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defroster mode and set
the blower switch for high speed operation. You should
be able to feel the air directed against the windshield.
(See ªHeater /Air conditioningº page 238.)
Tires
Examine all tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks.
STARTING AND DRIVING 201
5

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

EMISSIONS TESTING
In some localities, it may be or will become a legal
requirement to ensure that all emissions components and
systems are functioning properly as a part of the test
procedure. The test center accomplishes this by checking
the On Board Diagnostic System system (OBD) with an
electronic scan tool. If your vehicle has recently been
serviced, the OBD system may have been reset to a9not
ready9condition because the OBD system has not had
sufficient time since the servicing to reconfirm that
emissions components are operating properly. In most
cases, a reasonable mix and amount of normal city and
highway driving and at least one overnight-off period
will be required to prepare your vehicle for this check;
however your authorized dealer has the equipment and
procedures required to make certain that the OBD system
of your vehicle is ready for the required testing.
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II)
To meet new government regulations and promote
cleaner air, your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated
onboard diagnostic system called OBD II. This system
monitors the performance of the emissions, engine, andautomatic transaxle control systems. When these systems
are operating properly, your vehicle will provide excel-
lent performance and fuel economy, as well as engine
emissions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the
OBD II system will turn on the Malfunction
Indicator Light. It will also store diagnostic
codes and other information to assist your
service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be driveable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the light on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any state emissions
tests can be performed.
314 MAINTENANCE

Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 226
Cassette Tape Player..................221,223
CD Player.........................221,229
Center console......................... 217
Center console box...................... 215
Charging system warning light..........109,116
Check engine/malfunction indicator lamp . 109,117
Child restraint.......................... 76
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 147
Cleaning
Exterior of your car................... 254
Interior of your car.................... 253
Clock................................ 218
Compact spare tire...................267,375
Contract, Service....................... 382
Coolant (engine)....................... 322
Cruise control (for non-turbo)
Indicator.........................109,115
Cruise control (for turbo)
Indicator.........................109,115
Cup holder........................... 214
Customer Arbitration Board............... 383
Customer Assistance.................... 380Dealer Service......................... 380
Defroster (rear window).................. 127
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 314
Dimmer control........................ 124
Disc brake pads........................ 331
Dome light........................... 306
Dome light/Reading light................ 131
Door hinges, rear hatch hinges, hood lock
release mechanism and safety catch......... 332
Door Opener, Garage.................... 134
Door-ajar warning light...............109,114
Doors
Lock............................... 26
Power door locks...................... 34
Drive belt............................ 335
Driving, alcohol and drugs................ 203
Driving speed
Automatic transaxle................... 159
Manual transaxle..................... 171
Electric rear window defroster switch........ 127
Emission-control system maintenance........ 313
Engine compartment.................259,311
INDEX 391

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
392 INDEX

Headlight flasher (high/low beam)........ 123
Switch............................. 122
Heater............................... 238
High beam indicator..................109,114
High-mounted stoplights
Bulb capacity........................ 293
Homelink Transmitter................... 134
Horn switch........................... 134
Ignition switch......................... 151
Indicator and warning light............... 109
Inside day/night rearview mirrors.......... 179
Instrument cluster...................... 108
Instrument panel light dimmer control....... 127
Intermittent Wipers..................... 129
Jack
Jacking points........................ 270
Jacking up the car..................... 270
Storage............................. 266
Key reminder chime..................... 152
Keyless entry system..................... 29Keys..............................23,152
Labeling............................. 372
Lap Belts.............................. 87
Lights
Bulb chart........................... 293
Dome light/Reading light............... 131
Headlights.......................... 122
Reading lamps....................... 133
Low-fuel warning light................109,115
Luggage hooks......................... 217
Malfunction Indicator Light............... 314
Manual, Service........................ 385
Manual transaxle
Oil ................................ 331
Possible driving speed................. 171
Shift points (recommended speed)........ 169
Meters............................... 108
Mirrors
Vanity mirror........................ 213
Mopar Parts........................315,383
INDEX 393

Seats
Front seats........................... 57
Rear seats............................ 66
SECURITY indicator................49,109,114
Service Assistance...................... 380
Service Manuals........................ 385
Setting the clock........................ 218
Severe maintenance schedule.............. 357
Snow tires............................ 348
Spare tire.......................266,267,375
Spark plugs........................317,377
Speedometer.......................108,110
Starting
At extremely cold ambient temperature..... 155
Flooded engine....................... 155
Normal conditions.................... 154
Steering system
Steering lock......................... 153
Tilt lock lever........................ 177
Sun visors............................ 211
Sunroof............................... 46
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag
Maintenance......................... 331Warning light.....................109,118
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Air bag . . 89
Supplemental Restraint System warning light . . 118
Tachometer.........................108,110
Tape Player........................... 221
Temperature Gage, Engine Coolant.......... 279
Theft protection........................ 153
Theft-alarm
SECURITY indicator..............49,109,114
System.............................. 49
Timing belt........................... 336
Tips for driving in various conditions........ 203
Tire chains............................ 348
Ti re s
Compact spare tire.................... 267
Inflation pressure...............340,374,375
Maintenance......................336,342
Quality Grading...................... 387
Rotation............................ 347
Size (tire and wheels).................. 375
Snow tires.......................... 348
Spare tire........................... 266
INDEX 395