2005 DODGE STRATUS warning

WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the right equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent me-
chanic.
268 SCHEDULE“A”
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

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 Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and
C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade is based on braking (straight-
ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering
(turning) performance.
276 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (highest), B, and C, repre-
senting 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 temperature 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 passen-
ger car 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 is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 277
9

About Your Brakes...................... 151
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) System............. 152
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 223
Adding Fuel.......................... 176
Adding Washer Fluid.................... 218
Additives, Fuel........................ 175
Aiming Headlights...................... 244
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . 211
Air Conditioner Maintenance.............. 214
Air Conditioning....................125,132
Air Conditioning Controls................ 125
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips........131,137
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 215
Air Conditioning System..............132,214
Air Pressure, Tires...................... 164
Airbag................................ 34
Airbag Deployment....................37,38
Airbag Light.....................38,41,49,89
Airbag Maintenance...................... 40
Airbag, Side........................... 40
Airbag, Window......................34,40
Alarm Light............................ 94
Alarm, Panic........................... 21Alarm System.......................... 23
Alignment and Balance.................. 170
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............ 7
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant).........222,223,244
Capacities........................... 244
Disposal............................ 224
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............. 152
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 92
Anti-Theft Security Alarm................. 23
Appearance Care....................... 230
Automatic Dimming Mirror................ 56
Automatic Door Locks..................17,18
Automatic Headlights.................... 66
Automatic Temperature Control............ 125
Automatic Transaxle.........145,147,198,228,246
Adding Fluid........................ 246
Filter.............................. 229
Fluid and Filter Changes................ 229
Fluid Level Check..................... 229
Interlock System....................12,147
Reset Mode......................... 147
Selection Of Lubricant...............228,246
Shifting............................ 148
280 INDEX

Special Additives..................... 230
Autostick............................. 172
Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 81
Ball Joints............................ 216
Battery............................... 213
Emergency Starting.................... 193
Gas Caution......................195,214
Heater............................. 145
Jump Starting........................ 193
Keyless Transmitter Replacement.......... 22
Location.........................193,213
Belts, Drive........................... 210
Belts, Engine.......................... 212
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 216
B-Pillar Location....................... 159
Brake, Parking......................... 150
Brake System.......................151,225
Anti-Lock........................... 152
Fluid Check......................... 227
Hoses.............................. 226
Master Cylinder...................... 227
Warning Light........................ 93Brake/Transmission Interlock...........145,148
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 48
Bulb Replacement...................... 238
Bulbs, Light........................... 238
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...... 244
Capacities, Fluid....................... 244
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 176
Oil (Engine)......................... 209
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 223
Car Washes........................... 231
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 176
Carpeting............................. 232
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 123
Cassette Tape Player...............100,108,111
Catalytic Converter..................... 211
CD Changer..................107,112,117,119
CD Player....................105,113,115,123
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 242
Central Locking......................... 17
Chains, Tire........................... 170
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 188
INDEX 281
10

Daytime Running Lights.................. 67
Dealer Service......................... 205
Defroster, Rear Window.................. 135
Defroster, Windshield...............50,128,134
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 203
Dimmer Control........................ 64
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 67
Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle................... 229
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............. 224
Engine Oil.......................... 210
Door Ajar Warning...................... 17
Door Locks............................ 15
Door Locks, Automatic................... 17
Door Opener, Garage..................... 74
Drive Belts............................ 210
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 196
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary................. 81
Electrical Power Outlets................... 81
Electronic Speed Control.................. 71Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 197
Jacking............................. 188
Jump Starting........................ 193
Overheating......................... 186
Towing............................. 197
Emergency Trunk Release...............24,25
Emission Control System Maintenance....204,248
Engine............................201,202
Air Cleaner Filter..................... 211
Block Heater......................... 145
Break-In Recommendations............... 48
Checking Oil Level.................... 206
Compartment.....................201,202
Coolant (Antifreeze)................221,245
Cooling............................ 220
Exhaust Gas Caution.................. 176
Fails to Start......................... 144
Fuel Requirements.................173,244
Oil ..........................206,244,245
Oil Change Interval................... 207
Oil Selection......................208,244
Oil Synthetic......................... 209
INDEX 283
10

Overheating......................... 186
Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle for 2.4 Liter . . 248
Timing Belt.......................... 212
Engine Oil Viscosity..................... 244
Entry System, Illuminated................. 15
Exhaust Gas Caution...............49,176,220
Exhaust System........................ 219
Exterior Light Service.................... 238
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 211
Automatic Transaxle................... 229
Engine Fuel......................... 211
Engine Oil.......................210,245
Engine Oil Disposal................... 210
Flashers
Hazard Warning...................... 186
Turn Signal.......................... 90
Flash-To-Pass........................... 67
Flat Tire Changing...................... 188
Flexible Fuel Vehicles.................... 180
Cruising Range....................... 183
Engine Oil.......................181,209Fuel Requirements.................... 181
Maintenance......................... 183
Replacement Parts.................... 183
Starting............................ 183
Fluid, Brake........................... 246
Fluid Capacities........................ 244
Fluid Leaks............................ 50
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle................... 229
Capacities........................... 244
Cooling System....................... 221
Engine Oil.......................... 206
Power Steering....................... 215
Fluids............................... 245
Fog Light Service....................... 241
Fog Lights........................67,91,241
Folding Rear Seat....................... 61
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 197
Fuel................................. 173
Adding............................. 176
Additives........................... 175
Clean Air........................... 174
Ethanol............................. 180
284 INDEX

Filler Cap........................... 176
Filter.............................. 211
Gasoline............................ 173
Gauge.............................. 89
Hoses.............................. 228
Light............................... 94
Octane Rating........................ 245
Requirements.....................173,244
Tank Capacity........................ 244
Fueling.............................. 176
Fuses................................ 235
Garage Door Opener..................... 74
GasCap .............................. 176
Gasoline............................. 173
Gasoline, Clean Air..................... 174
Gasoline, Reformulated.................. 174
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............... 174
Gauges
Coolant Temperature................... 91
Fuel................................ 89
Speedometer......................... 90
Tachometer.......................... 90Gearshift............................. 148
General Information...................15,21
Glass Cleaning......................... 233
Hazard Warning Flasher.................. 186
Head Restraints......................... 61
Headlights............................ 238
Aiming............................. 244
Automatic........................... 66
Bulb Replacement..................... 238
Cleaning............................ 233
High Beam.........................67,90
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch....... 67
Passing............................. 67
Switch.............................. 66
Time Delay........................66,67
Heater............................125,132
Heater, Engine Block.................... 145
Homelink Transmitter.................... 74
Hood Prop............................ 63
Hood Release.......................... 62
Hoses............................225,228
INDEX 285
10