2005 DODGE STRATUS COUPE ESP

NOTE: The Scheduled Maintenance Charts are located
in the rear of this maintenance section. Always refer to
the schedules for proper service intervals.
SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
Adequate care of your vehicle at regular intervals serves
to preserve the value and appearance as long as possible.
Some maintenance items can be performed by the owner,
while others should be done only by an authorized
dealer.
This section describes only those items which can be
performed by the owner. In the event a malfunction or
other problem is discovered, have it corrected by an
authorized dealer.
This section contains information on inspection mainte-
nance procedures that you can do yourself, if you so
desire. Follow the instructions and precautions for each
of the various procedures.
WARNING!
²When checking or servicing the inside of the
engine compartment, be sure the engine is
stopped and has had a chance to cool down.
²If it is necessary to do work in the engine com-
partment with the engine running, be especially
careful that your clothing, hair, etc. does not
become caught by the fan, drive belts, or other
moving parts.
312 MAINTENANCE

letters9LT9that are molded into the sidewall preceding
the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
²Temporary spare tires are high pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter9T9
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
Service Description
EXAMPLE: 95H
95Load index
A numerical code associated with the maximum
load a tire can carry.
HSpeed symbol
A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which
a tire can carry a load corresponding to its load
index under certain operating conditions.
The maximum speed corresponding to the speed
symbol should only be achieved under specified
operating conditions. (i.e. tire pressure, vehicle
loading, road conditions and posted speed limits).
Maximum Load
Maximum load indicates the maximum load this tire is
designed to carry
Maximum Pressure
Maximum Pressure indicates the maximum permissible
cold tire inflation pressure for this tire.
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire,
but the date code may only be on one side. Tires with
white sidewalls will have the full TIN including date
code located on the white sidewall side of the tire. Look
for the TIN on the outboard side of black sidewall tires as
mounted on the vehicle. If the TIN is not found on the
outboard side then you will find it on the inboard side of
the tire.
338 MAINTENANCE

EXAMPLE : DOT MA L9 ABCD 1504
DOT Department of Transportation
This symbol certifies that the tire is in compli-
ance with U.S. Department of Transportation tire
safety standards, and is approved for highway
use.
MA Code representing the tire manufacturing loca-
tion. (2 digits)
L9
ABCDCode representing the tire size. (2 digits)
Code used by tire manufacturer. (1 to 4 digits)
15 Number representing the week in which the tire
was manufactured. (2 digits)
04 Number representing the year in which the tire
was manufactured. (2 digits)
Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
Traction
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 one 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, andmay depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction
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.
Temperature
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 temperature 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 car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
MAINTENANCE 339
9

Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
Tire inflation pressures
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure:
1. Safety
Under-inflation increases tire flexing and can result in tire
failure. Over-inflation results in a tire losing its ability to
cushion shock. Objects on the road and potholes could
cause tire damage that may result in tire failure.
2. Economy
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal
wear patterns will reduce tread life, resulting in a need
for earlier tire replacement.
Under-inflation also increases tire rolling resistance and
results in higher fuel consumption.
3. Ride comfort and vehicle stability
Proper tire inflation pressures contribute to the excellentride quality built into your vehicle. Over-inflation pro-
duces an uncomfortable and jarring ride.
Under-inflation can produce a feeling of sluggish response.
Unequal inflation pressures can produce erratic and
unpredictable vehicle response to steering maneuvers.
The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is listed on a
placard attached near the door sill striker on the driver's
side ``B''-Pillar.
The recommended inflation pressures should be followed
when the specified tires are installed.
Item Tire size Front Rear
Normal tire P205/60R16 91H 32 psi (220 kpa)
P215/50R17 90H 32 psi (220 kpa)
Compact spare tire T125/70D16 60 psi (420 kpa)
The pressures should be checked and adjusted, if neces-
sary, at least once a month.
Tire pressures should be checked more often when weather
temperatures vary widely, because tire pressures vary with
outdoor temperatures. Inflation pressures specified on the
placard are always ªcold inflation pressureº.
Cold inflation pressure can be measured after the vehicle has
been stationary for at least three hours or driven less than
340 MAINTENANCE

Customer Assistance For The Hearing Or Speech
Impaired (TDD/TTY)
To assist customers who have hearing difficulties,
DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation has installed spe-
cial TDD (Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf)
equipment at its Customer Center. Any hearing or speech
impaired customer who has access to a TDD or a
conventional teletypewriter (TTY) in the United States
can communicate with DaimlerChrysler Motors Corpo-
ration by dialing 1±800±380±CHRY.
Service Contract
You may have purchased a service contract for your
vehicle to help protect you from the high cost of unex-
pected repairs after your DaimlerChrysler Motors Cor-
poration new vehicle limited warranty expires.
DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation stands behind only
Genuine DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation Service
Contracts. If you purchased a Genuine DaimlerChrysler
Motors Corporation Service Contract, you will receive
Plan Provisions and an Owner Identification Card in the
mail within three weeks of your vehicle delivery date. If
you have any questions about your service contract, call
the DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation Service Con-
tract National Customer Hotline at 1-800-521-9922.DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation will not stand be-
hind any service contract that is not a Genuine
DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation Service Contract. It
is not responsible for any service contract other than a
Genuine DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation Service
Contract. If you purchased a service contract that is not a
Genuine DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation Service
Contract, and you require service after your
DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation new vehicle lim-
ited warranty expires, please refer to your contract docu-
ments, and contact the person listed in those documents.
We appreciate that you have made a major investment
when you purchased your new vehicle. Your dealer has
also made a major investment in facilities, tools, and
training to assure that you are absolutely delighted with
your ownership experience. You'll be pleased with their
sincere efforts to resolve any warranty issues or related
concerns.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
See your DaimlerChrysler Motors Corporation Warranty
Information Booklet for information on warranty cover-
age and transfer of warranty.
382 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

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