2005 DODGE STRATUS instrument panel

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
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INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE...........................9
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE............................51
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL..................................83
5
STARTING AND OPERATING................................................139
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES.............................................185
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE..............................................199
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES................................................247
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE.......................................269
10
INDEX...................................................................279
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ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety feature is
inoperable. The engine can be started and stopped but
the key cannot be removed until you obtain service.
WARNING!
Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is danger-
ous for a number of reasons. A child or others could
be injured. Children should be warned not to touch
the parking brake, brake pedal or the gear selector
lever. Don’t leave the keys in the ignition. A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove key from the ignition and lock all doors
when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the OFF or RUN positions.
Manual Transaxle
Depress and hold the release button located between the
ignition switch and the instrument panel. Turn the igni-
tion key to the LOCK position and remove the key.
Key-In-Ignition Reminder
Opening the driver’s door when the key is in the ignition
and is in the OFF, LOCK, or ACC position, sounds a
signal to remind you to remove the key.
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

TRUNK LOCK AND RELEASE
Use the key or the Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter to
open the trunk from outside the vehicle. From inside the
car the trunk lid can be released by depressing the Trunk
Release Button located on the instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel. The transmission must be in Park
before the switch will operate. Vehicles with manual
transmissions must be at zero mph for the switch to
work.With the ignition ON, the word“deck”will be displayed
in place of the odometer display indicating that the trunk
is open. The odometer display will reappear once the
trunk is closed or if the trip button is depressed.
With the key in lock position or key out, the“deck”will
be displayed until the trunk is closed.
TRUNK SAFETY WARNING
WARNING!
Do not allow children to have access to the trunk,
either by climbing into the trunk from outside, or
through the inside of the vehicle. Always close the
trunk lid when your vehicle is unattended. Once in
the trunk, young children may not be able to escape,
even if they entered through the rear seat. If trapped
in the trunk, children can die from suffocation or
heat stroke.
Trunk Release Button
24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Driver and Right Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag
This vehicle has front airbags for both the driver and
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver’s airbag is mounted in the center of
the steering wheel. The passenger’s front airbag is
mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove com-
partment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on the
airbag covers.This vehicle may also be equipped with left and right
window bags to protect the driver and passengers sitting
next to a window. If the vehicle is equipped with window
bags, they are located above the side windows. Their
covers are also labeled SRS AIRBAG.
NOTE:Airbag covers may not be obvious in the
interior trim; but they will open to allow airbag deploy-
ment.
Front Airbag Components
Window Airbag
34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Children that are not big enough to properly wear the
vehicle seat belt (see section on“Child Restraint”) should
be secured in the rear seat in child restraints or belt-
positioning booster seats.
Older children who do not use child restraints or belt-
positioning booster seats should ride properly buckled
up in the rear seat. Never allow children to slide the
shoulder belt behind them or under their arm.
If a child from 1 to 12 years old must ride in the front
passenger seat because the vehicle is crowded, move the
seat as far back as possible, and use the proper child
restraint. See the section on“Child Restraint”.
2. You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.
3. All occupants should use their seat belts properly.
4. The driver and front passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the airbags time to inflate.
5. If your vehicle has left and right window bags, do not
lean against the door, airbags will inflate forcefully into
the space between you and the door.WARNING!
•Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won’t deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you
have airbags.
•Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during airbag deployment could cause
serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit
back, comfortably extending your arms to reach
the steering wheel or instrument panel.
•If the vehicle has left and right window bags, they
also need room to inflate. Do not lean against the
door or window. Sit upright in the center of the
seat.
36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Airbag System Components
The front airbag system consists of the following:
•Airbag Control Module
•AIRBAGReadiness Light
•Driver Airbag
•Passenger Airbag
•Steering Wheel and Column
•Instrument Panel
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Knee Impact Bolsters
•Left and Right Window Bags Above Side Windows—
If Equipped
•Left and Right Side Impact Sensors—If Equipped
•Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioners
How The Airbag System Works
•
The airbag control module determines if a frontal
collision is severe enough to require the airbags to
inflate. The control module receives the level of colli-
sion severity, determines the proper level of airbag to
be deployed. The frontal airbag inflators are designed
to provide three different rates of air bag inflation.
•The airbag control module will not detect rollover or
rear collisions.
•The airbag control module also monitors the readiness
of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or RUN positions.
These include all of the items listed above except the
knee bolster, the instrument panel, and the steering
wheel and column. If the key is in the“off”position, in
the ACC position, or not in the ignition, the airbags are
not on and will not inflate.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37
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The airbag control module also turns on the
AIRBAGlight in the instrument panel for 6 to 8
seconds when the ignition is first turned on, then
turns the light off. If it detects a malfunction in any part
of the system, it turns on the light either momentarily or
continuously.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won’t have the airbags to protect
you in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.
•When the airbag control module detects a collision
requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator units. A
large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate
the airbags. Three levels of airbag inflation rates are
possible. These rates are determined by the airbag
control module based on collision severity. The airbag
covers separate and fold out of the way as the airbags
inflate to their full size. The airbags fully inflate inabout 60 milliseconds. This is only about half of the
time it takes you to blink your eyes. The airbags then
quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and
front passenger. The driver’s front airbag gas is vented
through a vent hole in the rear of the airbag. The
passenger’s front airbag gas is vented through vent
holes in the sides of the airbag. In this way the airbags
do not interfere with your control of the vehicle.
•The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees and
position you for the best interaction with the front
airbag.
If A Deployment Occurs
The airbag system is designed to deploy when the airbag
control module detects a moderate-to-severe collision, to
help restrain the driver and front passenger, and then to
immediately deflate.
NOTE:A collision that is not severe enough to need
airbag protection will not activate the system. This does
not mean something is wrong with the airbag system.
38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Side Airbag System
The airbag control module determines if a side collision is
severe enough to require the airbag to inflate. The control
module receives the level of collision severity from the
side impact sensors. The airbag control module will not
detect rollover or rear impacts.
The side impact SRS Airbags are designed to activate
only in certain side collisions. When the airbag control
module detects a collision requiring the window bags to
inflate, it signals the inflators on the crash side of the
vehicle. A quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate
the window bag. The inflating window bag pushes the
outside edge of the headliner out of the way and inflates
(in about the same time it takes to blink your eyes) with
enough force to injure you if you are not belted and
seated properly, or if items are positioned in the area
where the window bag inflates. This especially applies to
children. The window bag is only about 3
1⁄2inches (83⁄4
cm) thick when it is inflated.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact bolster.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE