2005 DODGE STRATUS brake light

•The system has been automatically deactivated to
prevent damage to the brake system due to overheated
brake temperatures.
NOTE:Extended heavy use of Traction Control may
cause the system to deactivate and turn on the traction
control light located in the instrument cluster.
This is to prevent overheating of the brake system and is
a normal condition. The system will remain disabled for
about 4 minutes until the brakes have cooled. The system
will automatically reactivate and turn off the traction
control light.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, ice, or snow, turn
the Traction Control System Off before attempting to
“rock”the vehicle free.
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
154 STARTING AND OPERATING

•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
•Remember that everything put in or on the trailer adds
to the load on your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
•
The maximum trailer load is 1,000 lbs (450 kg).
•The maximum frontal area of the trailer cannot exceed
20 square feet (1.86 square meters).
•If using a manual transaxle vehicle for trailer towing,
all starts must be in FIRST gear to avoid excessive
clutch slippage.
•The trailer tongue load must be considered as part of
the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and
should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire
and Loading Information placard. Refer to the Tire–
Safety Information Section in this manual.
•The“D”range can be selected when towing. However,
if frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the“3”
range must be selected.
NOTE:Using the“3”range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend tranaxle life by reducing excessive
shifting and heat build up.
WARNING!
Connecting trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hydraulic
brake lines can overload your brake system and
cause it to fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have an accident.
•Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
•Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer
size, stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are
recommended for motoring safety.
•The automatic transaxle fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more
than 45 minutes of continuous operation. See Schedule
“B”in section 8 of this manual for transaxle fluid
change intervals.
STARTING AND OPERATING 179
5

The identity of each fuse is indicated on the backside of
the cover.
Cavity Fuse Circuit
1 30 Amp Green Blower Motor
2 10 Amp Red Right High Beam Head-
light, High Beam Indica-
tor
3 10 Amp Red Left High Beam Head-
light
4 15 Amp Blue Power Door Lock Switch
Illumination, Transmis-
sion Range Switch, Day-
time Running Light Mod-
ule (Canada), Power
Windows, Anti-lock
Brake System Module
Cavity Fuse Circuit
5 10 Amp Red Power Door Lock and
Door Lock Arm/Disarm
Switches, Vanity, Read-
ing, Map, Rear Seating,
Ignition, and Trunk
Lights, Illuminated Entry,
Radio, Power Antenna,
Data Link Connector,
Body Control Module,
Power Amplifier
6 10 Amp Red Heated Rear Window
Indicator
7 20 Amp Yellow Instrument cluster illumi-
nation, Park and tail
Lights
8 20 Amp Yellow Power Receptacle, Horns,
Ignition, Fuel, Start
9 15 Amp Blue Power Door Lock Motors
(Body Control Module)
10 20 Amp Yellow Daytime Running Light
Module (Canada)
236 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Use the schedule that best describes your driving condi-
tions. Where time and mileage are listed, follow the
interval that occurs first.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever
comes first.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
At Each Stop for Fuel
•
Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•
Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and transaxle and add as needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
•Check rubber seals on each side of the radiator for
proper fit.
250 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

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

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

Ignition
Key ................................ 11
Lock................................ 11
Illuminated Entry....................... 15
Immobilizer............................ 13
Infant Restraint......................... 42
Inside Rearview Mirror................... 56
Instrument Cluster....................... 88
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 87
Instrument Panel Cover.................. 234
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............ 234
Interior Appearance Care................. 232
Interior Fuses.......................... 235
Interior Lighting........................ 63
Interior Lights........................63,64
Introduction............................ 4
Jack Location.......................... 188
Jack Operation......................... 188
Jump Starting......................... 193
Key, Programming....................... 14
Key, Replacement....................... 14Key, Sentry............................ 13
Key-In Reminder........................ 12
Keyless Entry System..................... 19
Keys................................. 11
Knee Bolster........................... 34
Lap/Shoulder Belts...................... 27
LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren)..... 45
Latch Plate............................ 28
Latches
Hood............................... 62
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 173
Leaks, Fluid............................ 50
Lights..............................50,63
Airbag........................38,41,49,89
Anti-Lock............................ 92
Automatic Headlights................... 66
Brake Warning.....................93,150
Bulb Replacement..................... 238
Check Engine......................... 90
Daytime Running...................... 67
Dimmer Switch, Headlight.............65,67
286 INDEX