2005 DODGE STRATUS COUPE inflation pressure

Outside
1. Engine compartment!p. 259
Engine hood!p. 422. Windshield wiper and washer!p. 128
3. Sunroof (if so equipped)!p. 46
4. Outside rear-view mirrors!p. 190
5. Whip antenna!p. 221
6. Front turn signal lights and parking lights
!p. 122, 297
7. Fog lights (if so equipped)!p. 122
8. Headlights!p. 122, 295
9. Front side marker lights!p. 300
10. Tire inflation pressure!p. 340
Changing tires!p. 270
Tire rotation!p. 347
Tire chains!p. 348
Wheel covers (if so equipped)!p. 268
11. Locking and unlocking!p. 26
Keyless entry system (if so equipped)!p. 29
12. High-mounted stop lights!p. 302
13. Trunk lid!p. 35
14. License plate lights!p. 303
15. Back up lights!p. 294
16. Stop and tail lights!p. 294
17. Rear turn signal and tail lights!p. 294
18. Rear side-marker lights!p. 294
19. Fuel filler!p. 39
8 INTRODUCTION

Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (including spare
tire) for proper pressure. Maintain specified tire inflation
pressures. Replace tires before they are excessively worn.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of all exterior lights
while you activate the controls. Check the turn signals
and highbeam indicators on the instrument panel.
Fluid leaks
Check the area under the vehicle after overnight parking
for fuel, water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Make sure all fluid
levels are at the proper levels. Also, if fuel leaks are
detected, the cause should be located and corrected
immediately.
Driver
Do not drive if you are tired or sleepy. Do not drive if you
have been drinking or taking drugs. Unless you are alert
and able to concentrate on your driving, you could have
an accident, resulting in serious or fatal injury to yourself
and others.
SAFE DRIVING TECHNIQUES
Even this vehicle's safety equipment, and your safest
driving, cannot guarantee that you can avoid accident or
injury. However, we recommend that you give extra
attention to the following, to help maximize the safety of
you and your passengers:
1. Drive defensively. Be aware of traffic, road and
weather conditions. Leave adequate stopping distance
for your vehicle.
2. Before changing lanes, check your mirrors and flash
the proper turn-signal light.
3. While driving, watch the behavior of other drivers,
bicyclists and pedestrians.
4. During an emergency stop, switch on the hazard
warning flasher.
5. When leaving the vehicle, set the parking brake and
place the gearshift lever into low gear.
In vehicles with an automatic transaxle, place the selector
lever in the ªPº (PARK) position. Remove the key.
202 STARTING AND DRIVING

over curbs or parking stop blocks. Always use caution
when traveling up or down sharp inclines as your
bumper may contact the road surface.
2. Maintain specified tire inflation pressures. Replace
tires before they are excessively worn.
3. If you plan to drive in another country, comply with
the vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel.
OPERATION DURING COLD WEATHER
1. Check the battery, including terminals and cables.
During extremely cold weather, the battery capacity will
decrease. Also, the battery power level may drop because
more power is needed for cold starting and operation.
Before driving the vehicle, check to see if the engine runs
at the proper speed and if the headlights are at their usual
intensity. Charge or replace the battery if necessary.
During cold weather, it is possible that a discharged
battery could freeze.
WARNING!
The battery gives off explosive hydrogen gas. Any
spark or flame can cause the battery to explode,
which could seriously injury or kill you.
Always wear protective clothes and a face shield
when doing battery maintenance, or let a skilled
technician do it.
2. Manual transaxles may be more difficult to shift
during cold weather operation. This is normal and shift
effort will become easier as the transaxle reaches a
normal operating temperature.
Maintain low-speed operation at first to allow the trans-
axle oil to be distributed to all lubrication points.
3. Check the engine antifreeze.
If there is a shortage of coolant due to leakage or engine
overheating, add high-quality ethylene glycol antifreeze
and water. The recommended ratio is about 50% water
and 50% anti-freeze. This ratio provides adequate corro-
sion, boiling, and freeze protection.
204 STARTING AND DRIVING

CAUTION!
²When driving in rain, a layer of water may form
between the tires and the road surface (hydroplan-
ing).
This reduces a tire's frictional resistance on the
road, resulting in loss of steering stability and
braking capability. When driving on a wet road,
observe the following:
(a) Drive your vehicle at a safe speed.
(b) Do not drive on worn tires.
(c) Always maintain the specified tire inflation
pressures.
On snowy or icy roads
1. When driving on a road covered by snow or ice, it is
recommended that you use snow tires.
CAUTION!
Tire chains are not recommended for your vehicle.
The clearance between the chains and the body is
small, and body damage may occur.
2. Drive slowly. Avoid any sudden starts or stops, abrupt
brake application or sharp cornering.
3. Depressing the brake pedal during travel on snowy or
icy roads may cause tire slippage and skidding. When a
skid occurs, take your foot off the accelerator. Steer gently
into the skid. Braking will differ, depending upon
whether you have anti-lock brakes (ABS). If you do have
ABS, brake by pressing the brake pedal firmly, and
keeping it pressed. If you do not have ABS (vehicles
without anti-lock braking system) pump the brake pedal
with short rapid jabs, each time fully applying and fully
releasing for greatest effect.
4. Allow extra distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front of you, and avoid sudden braking.
EMERGENCIES 265
8

14. Check tire inflation pressure. Tire inflation pressure
specifications are shown on a placard located on the
driver 's side ``B''-Pillar.
CAUTION!
²The emergency tire is to be used only temporarily
when the standard tire is damaged. Repair the
damaged tire as soon as possible. Replace the
emergency tire with the standard tire.
²After changing the tire and driving the vehicle
approximately 621 miles (1000 km), retighten the
wheel nuts to make sure that they are not loose.
²If the steering wheel vibrates after changing the
tire, have the tire checked for balance at an autho-
rized dealer.
²Avoid mixing one type of tire with another type or
using tires of a size other than the specified size.
Premature mechanical wear and reduced handling
may result.N24A1420
278 EMERGENCIES

NDisconnection and connection.............327
mAutomatic transaxle.....................329
NTo check the fluid level..................330
NProcedure for checking the fluid level.......330
mManual transaxle.......................331
mDisc brake pads, rear drum brake linings
and rear wheel cylinders.................331
mBrake hoses...........................331
mBall joint, steering linkage seal and drive
shaft boots...........................331
mSupplemental Restraint System (SRS)........331
mHood lock release mechanism and
safety catch
...........................332
mExhaust system........................332
mWindshield wiper blades.................333
NWindshield washers....................333
mParking brake.........................334
mDrive belt (for generator, water pump, power
steering pump)
........................335
mTiming belt...........................336
mTi re s................................336
NTire inflation pressures..................340
NRadial ply tires.......................341
N
Tire pressure for sustained high-speed driving...342
NReplacing tire and wheels................342
NTire maintenance......................342
NCargo loads..........................346
NTread wear indicators...................346
NTire rotation.........................347
NTire chains...........................348
NSnow tires...........................348
mRegular Maintenance Schedule.............349
mSevere Maintenance Schedule..............357
310 MAINTENANCE

Amount of belt deflection
in (mm)
Standard value Used belt New belt
A .27 to .33
(6.9 to 8.5).29 to .33
(7.4 to 8.5).17 to .21
(4.4 to 5.4)
B .46 to .61
(11.8 to 15.5).50 to .57
(12.6 to 14.4).34 to .44
(8.8 to 11.1)
C .43 to .56
(11.0 to 14.3).46 to .52
(11.7 to 13.3).33 to .41
(8.4 to 10.4)
D .33 to .43
(8.5 to 10.9).35 to .40
(9.0 to 10.1).24 to .30
(6.2 to 7.6)
WARNING!
Do not check or touch the drive belt with the engine
running, or serious injury may result.
TIMING BELT
The timing belt should be replaced with a new one at the
mileage specified on the scheduled maintenance chart.
TIRES
WARNING!
Driving with tires that are worn or improperly inflated
can result in a collision, and serious or fatal injury.
It is important to familiarize yourself with the following
terms:
·Cold tire pressure:
1. The measured pressure after the vehicle has been
parked for at least three hours, or
2. The measured pressure when the vehicle is driven
less than 1 mile (1.6km) after having been parked for
three hours.
·Maximum inflation pressure : the maximum permis-
sible cold tire inflation pressure for this tire
·Recommended inflation pressure : the inflation pres-
sure for optimum tire performance
·Intended outboard sidewall :
1. The sidewall that contains a whitewall, bears white
lettering or bears manufacturer, brand, and/or model
name molding that is higher or deeper than the same
molding on the other sidewall of the tire, or
336 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