2005 DODGE STRATUS COUPE lock

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

Seat belt reminder/warning light
A chime and warning light are used to
remind the driver to fasten the seat belt.
When the ignition key is turned to the
``ON'' position, the warning light will illu-
minate and a chime will sound for about 6
seconds. If the driver 's seat belt remains unfastened
approximately 1 minute later, the warning light will flash
and the chime sound intermittently (each 12 times) when
the vehicle is driven. If the driver subsequently unfastens
the seat belt while driving, the warning light and chime
will issue further warnings. And if the seat belt remains
unfastened, the warning light and chime will issue
further warnings each time the vehicle starts moving.
When the seat belt is fastened, the warnings will stop.
Changing the setting for warning operation
It is possible to disable the warning function so that
warnings are not issued after the start of driving. (The
function is initially enabled at the factory.)
1. Fasten the driver 's seat belt.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the ``ON'' position.3. With the seat belt still fastened, confirm that the
warning light goes off.
4. Within 1 minute of seeing the warning light go off,
remove the plate from the buckle and re-insert it 3 times.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the ``LOCK'' or ``ACC''
position. The buzzer (with a short tone) will sound once
to indicate that the setting change is complete.
NOTE
²
If the driver 's door is open at this time, the buzzer
(with long intermittent tones) will sound continously
but the setting change will not be completed. To
complete the setting change, remove the key or close
the driver 's door. The buzzer (with a short tone) will
sound once to indicate that the setting change is
complete.
²If you wish to change the setting again, perform the
same procedure again.
²If you do not understand how to change the setting,
consult an authorized dealer.
120 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, DIMMER AND
TURN SIGNAL LEVER
Headlights
Rotate the switch to operate the lights.
OFF - All lights off
- Parking, tail, front and rear side marker, license
plate and instrument panel lights on
- Headlights and other lights on
NOTE: Do not leave the headlights and other lamps on
for a long time while the engine is not running. A
discharged battery could result.
Light auto-cutout feature (headlights, fog lights,
etc.)
1. This feature will help prevent a discharged battery. If
the headlamps are left on ª
ºorªº when leaving
the vehicle (ignition key removed, in ªACCº or ªLOCKº
position), the lights will stay on for approximately 10
minutes and then turn off.
2. If the light switch is turned to ON ª
ºorªº
again, the light auto-cutout will not function and the
headlamps will stay on.
When you want to keep the lights on (time delay):
The lights can be made to stay on for about 60 seconds
after the driver leaves the vehicle. This feature provides
the safety of headlight illumination when leaving your
vehicle in an unlighted area.E11A0320
122 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

1. Rotate the ignition key to ªLOCKº or ªACCº position
with the light switch in the ON ª
º position.
2. Turn light switch to ªOFFº position within about 45
seconds of ignition key removal.
3. The headlights will stay on for about 60 seconds, then
automatically turn off.
Headlight reminder chime
If the driver 's door is opened (ignition key in ªLOCKº,
ªACCº or out of ignition cylinder) with the light switch
in the ON ª
ºorªº position, a chime will sound
to remind the driver to turn off the lights. Turning off the
light switch will stop the chime.
Headlight flasher (high/low beam)
The headlights can be made to flash (high beam) when
the lever is pulled slightly to (2), and will go back to
normal when it is released. While the high beam is on, a
blue light in the instrument cluster will also illuminate.
E11C0130
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 123
4

WINDSHIELD WASHER
The windshield washer can be operated by pulling the
lever toward you to spray fluid when the ignition key is
in either the ªONº or ªACCº position.
When washer fluid is sprayed, the wipers will automati-
cally operate several times.
The spraying fluid stops when the lever is released.
PRECAUTIONS TO OBSERVE WHEN USING
WIPERS AND WASHERS
CAUTION!
If the washer is used in cold weather, the washer
fluid sprayed onto the glass might freeze, resulting
in poor visibility. Heat the glass with the defroster
before using the washer.
NOTE
1. Do not use the wipers when the glass is dry; this could
scratch the glass and wear the wiper blades prematurely.
2. Before operating the wipers in cold weather, check to
be sure that the wiper blades are not frozen to the
windshield. Attempting to operate the wipers while the
blades are frozen could damage the wiper motor.
3. If the wipers become blocked by ice or other deposits
on the glass, the motor may be damaged even if the
wiper switch is OFF. If obstruction occurs, park your
E13A1300
130 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

Push the light switch (A) to turn on the light, and push
the light switch again to turn them off.
LIGHTS (DOME LIGHTS, ETC.) AUTO-CUTOUT
FUNCTION
If any of the interior lights is left on with the ignition key
in the ``LOCK'' position, the light goes off automatically
after approximately 30 minutes to prevent the battery
from running down.
The light comes on again if the ignition key is turned to
the9ON9or9ACC9position (except ``Dome Light'' Type
2), or ``ON'' position (``Dome light'' Type 2 only), any
door is opened and closed, or the keyless entry system is
operated.
G08C0070
132 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

STARTING AND DRIVING
CONTENTS
mBreak-in recommendations................146
mFuel selection.........................146
NGasoline additives.....................147
NOctane requirement....................147
NReformulated gasoline..................147
NGasoline/Oxygenate blends..............148
NMMT in gasoline......................148
NSulfur in gasoline......................148
NMaterials added to fuel..................149
NAdding fuel..........................149
mFuel economy.........................151
mIgnition switch........................151
mKey reminder chime....................152
mTheft protection........................153
mSteering lock..........................153
mStarting..............................153
NTips for starting.......................153
NNormal conditions.....................154
NFlooded engine.......................155
NAt extremely cold ambient temperature......155
mAutomatic transaxle (if so equipped)........155
NSelector lever operation.................156
5

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