2005 DODGE STRATUS COUPE wheel

WARNING!
²Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean your head
or chest close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel. Do not put your feet or legs on or against
the instrument panel.
²Seat all infants and children 12 years of age and
under in the rear seat properly restrained using an
appropriate child restraint system.
WARNING!
²Infants and small children should never ride
unrestrained, or lean against the instrument
panel. They should never ride held in your arms
or on your lap. They could be seriously injured or
killed in a collision, especially when the air bag
inflates. Children should be properly seated in
the rear seat in an appropriate child restraint
system. Refer to ``Child Restraints'' on page 76.
G28G1570G28G1760
SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS 91
3

Driver 's and passenger 's front air bag system
WARNING!
²Do not attach anything to the steering wheel's
padded cover, such as trim material, badges, etc.
These could strike and injure an occupant if the
air bag inflates.
Driver
Front passenger
96 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.
SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS 101
3

driving, take your vehicle to your authorized dealer and
have the system checked.
[See ªSupplemental Restraint System (SRS)º on page
118.]
Brake warning light
This light illuminates when the ignition key
is turned to the ªONº position (engine off).
When the engine is started, the light should go off. But
when the parking brake is applied or the brake fluid falls
below the prescribed level, the light illuminates.
Before driving your vehicle, release the parking brake
fully and make certain that the brake warning light has
gone out.
CAUTION!
If the brake warning light does not go on when you
pull the parking brake lever, or if it does not go out
when you release the lever, contact an authorized
dealer immediately.
If the brake warning light illuminates while driving, it
could mean braking performance deterioration. Park
your vehicle in a safe place using the following proce-
dures:
1. If, when pressing the brake pedal, braking is poor,
press your foot harder against the brake pedal.
2. Should the braking deteriorate, use engine braking by
shifting the transaxle into a lower gear (Manual transaxle
or Automatic transaxle autostick) or into the ``3'' (THIRD)
or the ``2'' (SECOND) or the ``L'' (LOW) position (Auto-
matic transaxle) to reduce the speed and slowly pull the
parking brake lever, while applying pressure against the
brake pedal.
Depress the brake pedal to turn on the stop light (brake
light) to alert the vehicles behind you.
CAUTION!
Suddenly applying the parking brake is dangerous,
the wheels may lock.
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 119
4

There may be occasions when the lever does not return
after cornering. This typically occurs when the steering
wheel is turned only slightly. In this case, return the lever
by hand.
The instrument cluster indicator will flash to indicate
proper operation of the front and rear turn signal lights.
If the indicator light flashes faster than usual, check for a
malfunctioning turn signal light bulb or faulty turn signal
system.
If the indicator fails to light when the lever is moved,
check for a faulty fuse or a burned out indicator bulb.
NOTE: Replace malfunctioning bulbs and fuses
promptly.
FOG LIGHT SWITCH (IF SO EQUIPPED)
The fog lights illuminate only when the headlights are
on. Press the switch to illuminate the fog lights and press
the switch again to turn the lights off.
The indicator light in the instrument cluster will illumi-
nate while the fog lights are on.
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INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 125
4

REAR PERSONAL LIGHTS
ON - The light illuminates
OFF - The light illuminates when a door is opened and
goes out when it is closed.
HORN SWITCH
Pressing on or around themark on the steering wheel,
causes the horn to honk.
GARAGE DOOR OPENER (IF SO EQUIPPED)
The HomeLinkyUniversal Transceiver replaces up to
three remote controls that operate devices such as garage
door openers, motorized gates, or home lighting. It
triggers these devices at the push of a button, located on
your Electrochromic inside rearview mirror (if so
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134 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

NGear positions........................158
NDriving speed
(Vehicles with automatic transaxle).........159
NHolding on an upgrade.................159
NTransaxle reset mode...................160
mAutomatic transaxle Autostick
(if so equipped)
........................160
NSelector lever operation.................161
NIndicator lights.......................163
NSelector positions (Main gate).............164
NSelector positions Manual gate Autostick.....165
NHolding on an upgrade.................167
NTransaxle reset mode...................168
mManual transaxle (if so equipped)..........168
NTo start.............................169
NProper shift points.....................169NRecommended downshifting speed.........171
NDriving precautions....................171
mParking brake.........................171
mBrake pedal...........................173
mPower brakes.........................174
mBrake pad wear alarm...................174
mAnti-lock braking (ABS) system
(if so equipped)
........................175
NGeneral driving hints
(standard/anti-lock brakes)...............175
mSteering wheel tilt lock lever..............177
mPower steering........................178
mInside Day/Night rearview mirrors.........179
NElectrochromic inside rearview mirror
(if so equipped.......................180
NElectrochromic mirror operation
(if so equipped).......................181
144 STARTING AND DRIVING

NOTE: For vehicles with an automatic transaxle, the key
cannot be removed unless the selector lever is set to the
ªPº (PARK) position.
ACC
Allows operation of electrical accessories with the engine
off.
START
Engages the starter. After the engine starts, release the
key and it will return automatically to the ªONº position.
ON
The engine runs and all accessories can be used.
NOTE:Do not use the ªONº position to operate acces-
sories.
CAUTION!
²Do not remove the ignition key from the ignition
switch while driving. The steering wheel will
lock, causing loss of control.
²If the engine is turned off while driving, the
power brake servomechanism will cease to func-
tion and braking efficiency will deteriorate. Also,
the power steering system will not function and it
will require greater effort to operate the steering.
²Do not leave the key in the ªONº position for a
long time when the engine is not running; doing
so will cause the battery to discharge.
²Do not turn the key to the ªSTARTº position
when the engine is running; doing so could dam-
age the starter motor.
KEY REMINDER CHIME
If the driver's door is opened while the ignition key is in
the ªLOCKº or ªACCº position, a warning chime
sounds.
152 STARTING AND DRIVING