2005 DODGE STRATUS spare tire

•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

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never get any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start
or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If
you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
•The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
Preparations for Jacking
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoid ice or
slippery areas, and set the parking brake. Place the gear
selector in PARK.
•Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher, park vehicle on
firm, level surface.
•Put gear shift in park (automatic transmission) or
reverse (manual transmission).
•Set parking brake and turn off engine.
•Passengers should not remain in the vehicle while the
vehicle is being jacked.
Changing a Tire
The spare wheel, scissors jack, and lug wrench are
stowed under the spare tire cover in the rear cargo area.
Do not attempt to raise this vehicle using a bumper jack.
188 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

1. Block wheel diagonally op-
posite flat tire.
2. Remove the spare tire, scissors jack and lug wrench
from stowage.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 189
6

3. Before raising the vehicle, use lug wrench to carefully
pry off wheel cover (if equipped with steel wheels) or
center cap (if equipped with aluminum wheels). Loosen,
but do not remove, the wheel nuts by turning them
counterclockwise one turn while the wheel is still on the
ground.WARNING!
To avoid possible personal injury, handle the wheel
covers with care to avoid contact with the metal
edges and retention teeth.
4. Turn the jack screw clockwise to firmly engage the jack
saddle with the lift area of the sill flange. Use the lift area
closest to the flat tire
5. Raise the vehicle just enough to remove flat tire and
install spare tire.
Center Cap Removal
190 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle less stable. It could slip off the jack and
hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.
6. Remove lug nuts and tire.
7. Mount spare tire.
8. Tighten all lug nuts on mounting studs.
9. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning the jack
handle counterclockwise.
10. Fully tighten the lug nuts. Torque wheel lug nuts to
135 N·m (100 ft. lbs.).
11. Store the flat tire, jack, and tools.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
12. Wheel cover installation (if required). Do not attempt
to install a wheel cover on a compact spare. Align valve
notch in wheel cover with valve stem on wheel. Snap
cover into place.
NOTE:When reinstalling the center cap it is necessary
to align the center cap notch with the first spoke, just
right of the valve stem.
13. Adjust the tire pressure as soon as possible. Correct
pressure is on the label located on the driver’s door.
192 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Charging System Light................... 90
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 156
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light).............. 204
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............ 49
Child Restraint...................41,43,45,46
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 45
Child Safety Locks....................... 18
Cigar Lighter........................... 98
Circuit Breakers........................ 235
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 174
Cleaning
Glass.............................. 233
Headlights.......................... 233
Instrument Panel..................... 234
WoodTrim .......................... 234
Climate Control........................ 125
Clock................................. 98
Coin Holder........................... 54
Compact Disc Changer................... 119
Compact Disc Maintenance............... 124
Compact Disc Player.................100,105
Compact Spare Tire..................... 166Compass.............................. 95
Compass Calibration..................... 96
Contract, Service....................... 272
Coolant Pressure Cap.................... 223
Cooling System........................ 220
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 223
Coolant Capacity..................... 244
Coolant Level.....................221,224
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 224
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 221
Inspection........................220,221
Points to Remember................... 224
Pressure Cap........................ 223
Radiator Cap........................ 223
Rubber and Plastic Components.......... 225
Selection of Coolant.............222,244,245
Corrosion Protection.................... 230
Crankcase Emission Control System......... 213
Cruise Control (Speed Control)............. 71
Cruise Light........................... 89
Customer Assistance.................... 270
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights.......... 64
282 INDEX

Safety Checks Inside Vehicle............... 49
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle.............. 50
Safety Defects, Reporting................. 274
Safety Information, Tire.................. 154
Safety Tips............................. 49
Schedule, Maintenance................... 249
Seat Belt Maintenance................... 234
Seat Belt Reminder...................... 32
Seat Belts.............................. 27
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage...... 31
And Pregnant Women.................. 33
Child Restraint....................41,42,46
Extender............................ 33
Front Seat............................ 28
Inspection........................... 49
Operating Instructions.................. 28
Pretensioners......................... 31
Reminder............................ 94
Seats................................. 59
Adjustment.......................... 59
Cleaning............................ 232
Head Restraints....................... 61
Lumbar Support....................... 60Power.............................. 60
Rear Folding......................... 61
Reclining............................ 59
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)............... 23
Selection of Coolant..................222,245
Sentry Key.......................... 11,13
Service Assistance...................... 270
Service Contract........................ 272
Service Engine Soon Light (Malfunction Indicator)
..................................... 90
Service Manuals........................ 274
Setting the Clock........................ 98
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage............. 31
Side Airbag............................ 40
Side Window Demisters...............130,135
Signals, Turn........................... 90
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 196
Snow Tires............................ 170
Spare Tire.........................166,167
Spark Plugs........................... 210
Speed Control........................71,89
Speedometer........................... 90
Starting.............................. 142
290 INDEX

Cold Weather........................ 144
Engine Fails to Start................... 144
Starting and Operating................... 142
Steering
Power...........................153,215
Tilt Column.......................... 69
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls............................ 122
Storage.............................. 237
Storage, Vehicle........................ 237
Storing Your Vehicle..................... 237
Stuck, Freeing......................... 197
Sun Roof.............................. 79
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 34
Tachometer............................ 90
Tape Player........................... 122
Temperature Control, Automatic............ 125
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......91,187
Theft Alarm............................ 23
Theft System........................... 23
Tilt Steering Column..................... 69
Tire and Loading Information Placard....... 159Tire Identification Number (TIN)........... 158
Tire Markings......................... 154
Tire Safety Information................... 154
Tires ...........................50,163,276
Air Pressure......................... 163
Alignment.......................... 170
Chains............................. 170
Changing........................... 188
Compact Spare....................... 166
Flat Changing........................ 188
General Information................... 163
High Speed......................... 165
Inflation Pressures.................... 164
Jacking............................. 188
Load Capacity....................159,160
Quality Grading...................... 276
Radial............................. 166
Replacement......................... 169
Rotation............................ 171
Safety...........................154,163
Sizes............................... 156
Snow Tires.......................... 170
Spinning............................ 167
INDEX 291
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