2005 DODGE STRATUS COUPE Owners Manual

PUBLICATION ORDER FORMS
11

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire's
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
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 a 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, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B, C
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.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 387
11

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

INDEX
12

Accessory boxes........................ 215
Accessory (installation)................... 250
Adding Fuel.......................... 149
Air cleaner filter........................ 316
Air conditioning........................ 238
Aluminum wheel....................... 259
Antenna.............................. 221
Anti-lock braking system warning light . . . 109,115
Assist-starting procedures if battery is low.... 280
Automatic transaxle indicator.............. 121
Automatic transaxle oil temperature warning
light................................. 109
Automatic transaxle
Automatic transaxle fluid............... 329
Driving speed........................ 159
Gear positions....................... 158
Holding on an upgrade................ 167
Oil temperature warning light............ 109
Parking............................ 171
Reset Mode.......................160,168
Selector lever operation................. 155
Automatic transmission.................. 160
Autostick............................. 165Ball joint, steering linkage seal and drive shaft
boots................................ 331
Battery............................... 325
Charging system warning light........109,116
During cold weather................... 204
Specification......................... 374
Brake pad wear alarm................... 174
Brake System.......................... 174
Fluid.............................. 323
Hose.............................. 331
Parking brake.....................171,334
Pedal.............................. 173
Power brakes........................ 174
Warning light........................ 119
Warning sound for brake pad wear........ 174
Brake
Parking brake........................ 334
Pedal.............................. 173
Break-in recommendations................ 146
Bulb chart.........................293,294
Car preparation before driving............. 201
Cargo loads........................... 346
390 INDEX

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