2005 DODGE STRATUS COUPE ignition

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
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CAUTION!
The red zone indicates an engine speed in excess of
safe operation.
Select the correct gear to control engine speed so the
tachometer indicator does not enter the red zone.
Fuel gauge
The gauge shows the amount of fuel in the fuel tank
when the ignition key is turned to the ``on'' position.
The arrow A indicates that the fuel lid (fuel filler port) is
located on the right side of the vehicle. (Refer to ªFuel
fillerº on page 39.)
NOTE: Just after refueling, it takes a little time until the
correct fuel level is indicated after turning on the ignition
switch.
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INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 111
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Odometer/Trip odometer
When the ignition switch is turned to the ªONº position,
an ªODOº or ªTRIPº indication is given.
Every time the reset button (3) is pressed lightly (less
than one second), the indicators will change from ªODOº
to ªTrip Aº to ªTrip Bº.
1. Odometer
2. Trip odometer
3. Reset buttonODO --- Odometer
The odometer indicates the total distance the vehicle has
travelled.
TRIP --- Trip odometer
The trip odometer indicates the distance traveled during
a particular trip or period.
As a feature, there are two trip odometer displays:
and.
Trip
can be used to measure the distance traveled
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D03F0120
112 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

Trunk-ajar warning light and chime
This light illuminates when the trunk lid is
open or not completely closed.
When the vehicle is moving at more than 5
mph (8 km/h) and the trunk lid is open or
ajar, a chime will sound to inform the driver that the
trunk lid is not properly shut.
Anti-lock braking system warning light (if so
equipped)
This light comes on in the event of a mal-
function in the anti-lock braking system.
Always be sure that the light goes out
before beginning to drive.
It also comes on when the ignition key is turned to the
ªONº position and should go out shortly after starting
the engine.
If the light illuminates during driving;
1. Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the engine.
Test the system by restarting the engine and driving at a
speed of about 12 mph (20 km/h) or higher.
If the light goes out, there is no abnormal condition.2. If the light does not go out or if it illuminates again,
the anti-lock braking system is not functioning, and only
the standard braking system is functioning.
If this occurs, take your vehicle to an authorized dealer
and have the system checked.
NOTE: If the light remains illuminated after the engine
is started, it indicates that a fault has occured in the
Anti-lock brake system. The standard brake system will
function normally. (Refer to ªAnti-lock braking systemº
on page 175).
Cruise/speed control indicator
This indicator will illuminate when the
cruise/speed control main switch is ªONº.
Low-fuel warning light and chime
When the fuel level in the fuel tank gets
low, the light illuminates and the chime will
also sound. It is recommended that fuel be
added as soon as this light illuminates.
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 115
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CAUTION!
Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level;
running out of fuel could cause damage to the
catalytic converter.
Front fog light indicator (if so equipped)
This indicator illuminates while the fog
lights are on.
NOTE:Fog lights will not be operational when high
beam (headlights) are selected.
Charging system warning light
This light illuminates in the event of a
malfunction in the charging system.
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. Always be sure
that the light goes out before beginning to drive.
CAUTION!
If the charging light remains on after the engine has
started, the battery charging system may be malfunc-
tioning. In this case, take your vehicle to an autho-
rized dealer and have the system checked.
Oil pressure warning light
This light illuminates when the engine oil
pressure is below normal. If the light stays
on while driving, stop the engine as soon as possible and
do not drive until the cause of the low oil pressure is
corrected.
116 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

CAUTION!
²If this light illuminates and the engine oil level is
not low, have your vehicle checked at an autho-
rized dealer.
²This warning light does not indicate the amount
of oil in the crankcase. This must be determined
by checking the oil level with the dipstick while
the engine is turned off.
Malfunction indicator light
(SERVICE ENGINE SOON)
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic
(OBD) system which monitors the emis-
sions, engine and automatic transaxle con-
trol systems. If a problem is detected in one
of these systems, this light may illuminate. Although
your vehicle will usually be drivable and not need
towing, have the system checked as soon as possible at an
authorized dealer.
This light will also illuminate for a few seconds, when the
ignition key is turned to the ªONº position. If it does not
go off after a few seconds, take the vehicle to an autho-
rized dealer.
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 117
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CAUTION!
²Prolonged driving with the malfunction indicator
light on may result in further damage to the
emission control system. Continued driving could
also affect fuel economy and driveability.
²If the light does not illuminate when the ignition
key is turned to the ªONº position (bulb check),
have the system checked at an authorized dealer.
NOTE: Do not disconnect the battery cable when the
Malfunction indicator light (SERVICE ENGINE SOON) is
ON.
The engine electronic control module stores critical OBD
data, which may be lost if the battery is disconnected.
This can make rapid diagnosis more difficult.
If the fuel tank filler cap is not secured properly, the
light may come on. Be sure the fuel tank filler tube cap
is tightened every time you add fuel. (Turn the fuel
tank filler cap clockwise until you hear clicking
sounds.)Overheating warning light
If the warning light illuminates while the
engine is running, it is possible that the
engine is overheated.
Immediately park your vehicle in a safe
place and make the necessary corrections.
(Refer to ``Engine overheating'' on page 279.)
While driving, care should always be taken to maintain
the normal operating temperature.
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)-air bag
warning light
This light illuminates when the Supplemen-
tal Restraint System-air bag is not working
properly. It will also illuminate for about 7
seconds after the ignition key is turned to the ªONº
position or after the engine is started. The light should
then go out.
Check the light every time the vehicle is started.
If it does not illuminate, or stays on for more than
approximately 7 seconds after the ignition key is turned
ªONº or after the engine is started, or if it comes on while
118 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

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
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