2005 DODGE STRATUS COUPE Owners Manual

To start
Depress the clutch pedal fully and shift into 1st. Then
gradually release the clutch pedal while depressing the
accelerator pedal.
CAUTION!
²Do not move the gearshift lever into the ªRº
(REVERSE) while the vehicle is moving forward;
doing so will damage the transaxle.
²Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal as this
will cause premature clutch wear or damage.
²Do not coast in the ªNº (NEUTRAL) position
(illegal in many states).
²Do not use the gearshift lever as a hand rest. This
can result in premature wear of the transaxle shift
forks.
NOTE
1. If it is hard to shift into 1st, depress the clutch pedal
again; the shift will then be easier to make.2. To shift into reverse from 5th gear, move the gearshift
lever to the ªNº (NEUTRAL) position, and then shift into
reverse. Never shift into the ªRº position when the
vehicle is moving.
Proper shift points
Always use care to change gears with the vehicle speed
matching the engine speed. Proper shifting will improve
fuel economy and prolong engine life.
CAUTION!
Avoid downshifting that may cause the tachometer
pointer to enter the red zone.
This puts the engine at risk of being damaged.
Upshifting
In order to efficiently utilize your manual transaxle for
both fuel economy and performance, it should be shifted
as listed below.
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5

At low altitude locations, shift at the vehicle speeds listed
for acceleration. Earlier upshifts during cruise conditions
(relatively steady speeds) will result in increased fuel
economy.
2.4 liter engine
Condition Upshift speeds
mph (km/h)
Acceleration Cruise
1st to 2nd 15 (25) 13 (20)
2nd to 3rd 23 (35) 18 (30)
3rd to 4th 34 (55) 33 (53)
4th to 5th 43 (70) 40 (65)
3.0 liter engine
Condition Upshift speeds
mph (km/h)
Acceleration Cruise
1st to 2nd 15 (25) 13 (20)
2nd to 3rd 23 (35) 21 (34)
3rd to 4th 34 (55) 33 (53)
4th to 5th 43 (70) 37 (60)
In high altitude locations, it should be upshifted as listed
below.
Condition Upshift speeds mph (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (25)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (65)
4th to 5th 45 (70)
Downshifting
It is recommended that you downshift to a lower gear
according to the table as necessary to maintain desired
speeds.
Avoid downshifting at too high a speed; the engine may
suffer damage.
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift
down to 2nd or 1st when descending a steep grade.
Downshifting is also important to avoid ªluggingº the
engine at too low a speed, such as when turning a corner
or when driving up a steep grade.
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Recommended downshifting speed
Downshifting speed
mph (km/h)Condition
Under 20 (30)3rd to 2nd
4th to 2nd
5th to 2nd
20 to 30 (30 to 45)4th to 3rd
5th to 3rd
Driving precautions
1. The table below indicates the driving speed ranges
that may be driven in each gear without causing the
engine to operate in excessive engine speeds.
Possible driving speed
Condition 2.4 liter engine 3.0 liter engine
Vehicles with Vehicles with
205/60R16 215/50R17
tire tire
1st 31 mph
(50 km/h)34 mph (55 km/h)
2nd 59 mph
(95 km/h)55 mph (90 km/h)
3rd 83 mph 86 mph 83 mph
(135 km/h) (140 km/h) (135 km/h)
4th 114 mph
(185 km/h)118 mph (190 km/h)
PARKING BRAKE
When the parking brake is applied with the ignition on,
the Brake Light in the instrument cluster will come on.
NOTE:This light only shows that the parking brake is
on. It does not show the degree of brake application.
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5

Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is set. To set the parking brake, pull up firmly on
the lever. Also place the gear selector in the Park position
(automatic transaxle) or Reverse (manual transaxle). To
release the parking brake, apply the brake pedal and pull
up on the parking brake lever. Push the release button
and lower the lever fully.When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the gear selector in Park, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism may
make it difficult to move the selector out of Park. As an
added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb
on a downhill grade and away from the curb on a uphill
grade.
You should always apply the parking brake before leav-
ing the vehicle.
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172 STARTING AND DRIVING

WARNING!
²Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be injured. Children should be warned not
to touch the parking brake or the gear selector.
Don't leave the keys in the ignition. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
²Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake
failure and an accident.
BRAKE PEDAL
Excessive use of the brake can cause fading, resulting in
poor brake response and premature wear of brake lin-
ings.
When driving down a long or steep grade, use engine
braking by shifting the transaxle into a lower gear
(manual transaxle and Autostick A/T) or ª3º (THIRD) or
ª2º (SECOND) or ªLº (LOW) position (except Autostick
A/T).
WARNING!
Do not leave any objects on the floor near the brake
pedal or permit a floor mat to interfere with the
brake pedal. Doing so could prevent proper depres-
sion of the pedal. Make sure that the pedal can be
operated freely at all times.
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5

WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You wouldn't have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
POWER BRAKES
Your vehicle is equipped with power brakes as standard
equipment. In the event you lose power assist for any
reason (for example, repeated brake applications with the
engine off), the brakes will still function. The effort
required to brake the vehicle will be substantially in-
creased over that required with the power system oper-
ating.
If either of the two hydraulic systems lose normal capa-
bility, the remaining system will still function with some
loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be evidentby increased pedal travel during application, greater
pedal force required to slow or stop, and activation of the
Brake Warning Lamp during brake use.
WARNING!
²Never coast downhill with the engine OFF. Keep
the engine running whenever the vehicle is in
motion. If the engine is stopped while driving, the
power assist servomechanism will cease to func-
tion and braking efficiency will deteriorate.
²If power assist is lost or if either brake hydraulic
systems lose normal capability, take your vehicle
to an authorized dealer immediately.
BRAKE PAD WEAR ALARM
The disc brakes are equipped with an alarm device that
produces a metallic sound (squeal) when the brake pads
have worn down to the serviceable limit. If you hear this
sound, have the brake pads replaced at an authorized dealer.
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WARNING!
Driving on worn brake pads can reduce your ability
to stop, and can result in an accident.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING (ABS) SYSTEM (IF SO
EQUIPPED)
The ABS gives increased vehicle stability and brake
performance under most braking conditions. The system
automatically ªpumpsº the brakes during severe braking
conditions to prevent wheel lock up.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
tires must be properly inflated to produce optimal signals
for the computer. However, the system will compensate
when the compact spare is in use.
During stops where ABS is activated, a vibration of the
brake pedal may be felt and associated system noises
may be heard.
NOTE:Pumping of the brake pedal will diminish the
effectiveness of Anti-lock brakes and may lead to anaccident. Pumping makes the stopping distance longer.
Just press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to
slow down or stop.
General driving hints (standard/anti-lock brakes)
1. During anti-lock braking, steering differs slightly from
normal driving conditions. Be sure to operate steering
wheel carefully.
2. The anti-lock braking system is not restricted to situ-
ations where brakes are applied suddenly. This system
may also operate to prevent wheel lock when driving
over manholes, steel roadwork plates, road markings, or
any uneven road surface.
3. Always maintain a safe distance from vehicles in front
of you. If your vehicle is equipped with Anti-lock braking
system, allow for a greater braking distance when:
·Driving on gravel or snow-covered roads.
·Driving with tire chains installed.
·Driving on uneven road surfaces.
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CAUTION!
²Anti-lock braking system can not prevent acci-
dents. It remains the driver's task to exercise
safety precautions and to drive prudently.
²To prevent failure of the anti-lock braking system,
be sure all 4-wheels and tires are the same size
and type (space saver spare excluded).
²If the anti-lock brake system warning light illu-
minates after starting the engine or while driving,
it indicates that the anti-lock braking system is
not functioning and that only the normal brake
system is in operation. (The normal brake system
will still function properly.)
NOTE
1. After the vehicle is driven for a while a whining sound
and the sound of a motor operating will be heard from
the engine compartment. These are normal sounds of the
anti-lock braking system performing a self check and do
not indicate a malfunction.
2. The anti-lock braking system becomes operative after
the vehicle has accelerated to a speed over approximately
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