2005 DODGE STRATUS COUPE jump cable

CAUTION!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In
the event of an engine malfunction, particularly one
involving engine misfire or other apparent loss of
performance, have your vehicle serviced promptly.
Prolonged operation of your vehicle while it is
overheated may result in damage to the converter
and vehicle.
WARNING!
²Do not park or operate this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as dry grass or leaves
can come in contact with a hot exhaust, since a fire
could occur.
²Undercoating should not be applied to the cata-
lytic converter.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
1. Use UNLEADED GASOLINE ONLY of the type rec-
ommended in ªFuel selectionº.
2. Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level; running
out of fuel could damage the catalytic converter.
3. Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transaxle is in gear and the vehicle is in motion.
4. Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle. If the battery is weak or discharged, use jumper
cables to properly start the engine.
5. Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when performing
diagnostic tests.
6. Do not idle the engine for prolonged periods if it is
idling roughly or otherwise obviously malfunctioning.
7. To prevent the catalytic converter from being dam-
aged due to unburned gas, do not race the engine when
turning off the ignition switch.
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WARNING!
²When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition key
to the OFF position. The fan is temperature con-
trolled and can start at any time the ignition key is
in the ON position.
²You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant
or steam from your radiator. If you see or hear
steam coming from under the hood, don't open
the hood until the radiator has had time to cool.
Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap
when the radiator is hot.
JUMP-STARTING THE ENGINE
If the engine cannot be started because the battery is
weak or dead, the battery from another vehicle can be
used with booster cables to start the engine.
WARNING!
When using jumper cables to start a vehicle, follow
procedures exactly and exercise extreme caution.
CAUTION!
Do not try to start your vehicle by pushing or towing.
Vehicles equipped with an automatic transaxle can-
not be started this way. Pushing or towing a vehicle
equipped with a manual transaxle may overheat and
damage the catalytic converter. Also, there is a
greater risk of an accident when a vehicle is being
pushed or towed.
1. Remove any metal jewelry such as watch bands or
bracelets that might make an inadvertent electrical con-
tact.
2. Position the vehicles close enough together so the
booster cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren't
touching each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
280 EMERGENCIES

connection. You wouldn't be able to start your vehicle,
and the bad ground could damage the electrical systems.
CAUTION!
Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery. If the other system isn't 12-volts, both sys-
tems can be damaged.
3. You could be injured if the vehicles move. Set the
parking brake firmly on each vehicle. Put an automatic
transaxle in ªPº (PARK) or a manual transaxle in ªNº
(Neutral). Turn the ignition key to the ªLOCKº position.
WARNING!
Turn the ignition key to the ªLOCKº position on
both vehicles.
Use care to make sure that the cables or your clothes
are never caught by the fan or drive belt. Personal
injury could result.
NOTE: Turn off all lights, heater and other electrical
loads. This will avoid sparks and help save both batter-
ies.
4. Make sure battery electrolyte is at the proper level.
(See ªBatteryº on page 325.)
WARNING!
If electrolyte fluid is not visible, or appears to be
frozen, do not attempt jump starting.
The battery might rupture or explode if the tempera-
ture is below the freezing point or if it is not filled to
the proper level.
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6. Connect one end of the other jumper cable to the
negative (-) terminal of the booster battery (B), and the
other end to the engine block of the vehicle with the
discharged battery (A) at the point farthest from the
battery.WARNING!
²Be sure to observe the connecting sequence of¬
!­!®!¯.
²Make sure that the connection¯is made to the
engine properly. If the connection is directly made
to the negative side of the battery, the flammable
gases generated from the battery might catch fire
and explode.
²When connecting the booster cable, do not con-
nect the positive (+) cable to the negative (-)
terminal. Otherwise sparks might cause explosion
of the battery.
²Use care not to have the booster cable caught in
the cooling fan or other rotating parts in the
engine compartment.
7. Start the engine in the vehicle which has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
8. After the engine is started, disconnect the cables in the
reverse order.
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