2005 DODGE STRATUS trip

CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause aeration or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to decide if any apply to you.
•Day and night temperatures are below 32°F(0°C)
•Stop and Go driving
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C)
•Trailer towing
•Taxi, Police or delivery service (commercial service)
•Off—road or desert operation
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule“B”of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
Engine Oil Dipstick
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 207
7

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The“Scheduled”maintenance services, listed inbold
typemust be done at the times or mileages specified to
assure the continued proper functioning of the emission
control system. These, and all other maintenance services
included in this manual, should be done to provide best
vehicle performance and reliability. More frequent main-
tenance may be needed for vehicles in severe operating
conditions such as dusty areas and very short trip
driving.
Inspection and service also should be done any time a
malfunction is suspected.
NOTE:Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the
emission control devices and systems on your vehicle
may be performed by any automotive repair establish-
ment or individual using any automotive part which has
been certified pursuant to U.S. EPA or, in the State of
California, California Air Resources Board regulations.
Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) for 2.4L—
If Equipped
NOTE:
If the 8th digit of the vehicle identification
number (VIN) contains aJthen your vehicle is
equipped with the Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV)
package in order to meet the state of California’s PZEV
emissions standard.
Vehicle Identification Number
248 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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NOTE:There are specific instructions regarding when
to change the ignition cables and spark plugs with the
PZEV package in this section. This applies to both
maintenance schedule A and B and will be marked with
an ** or ***.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
There are two maintenance schedules that show the
requiredservice for your vehicle.
First is Schedule“B”. It is for vehicles that are operated
under the conditions that are listed below and at the
beginning of the schedule.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32°F(0°C).
•Stop and go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).
•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial ser-
vice).
•Off-road or desert operation.
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5,000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule B of the
“Maintenance Schedules”section of this manual.
NOTE:IFANYof these apply to you then flush and
replace the engine coolant every 100,000 miles (160,000
km) or 60 months, whichever comes first, and follow
schedule B of theMaintenance Schedulessection of this
manual.
NOTE:Most vehicles are operated under the conditions
listed for ScheduleB.
Second is Schedule“A”. It is for vehicles that are not
operated under any of the conditions listed under Sched-
uleB.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 249
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SCHEDULE“B”
Follow schedule“B”if you usually operate your vehicle
under one or more of the following conditions. Change
the automatic transmission fluid and filter every 60,000
miles (96 000 km) if the vehicle is usually operated under
one or more of the conditions marked with an.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32°F(0°C).
•Stop and go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).
•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, police or delivery service (commercial ser-
vices).
•Off-road or desert operation.
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule“B”of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
NOTE:IFANYof these apply to you then flush and
replace the engine coolant every 100,000 miles (160,000
km) or 60 months, whichever comes first, and follow
schedule B of theMaintenance Schedulessection of this
manual.
252 SCHEDULE“B”
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ScheduleA......................... 262
ScheduleB......................... 252
Malfunction Indicator Light.............90,204
Manual, Service........................ 274
Mirrors............................... 56
Automatic Dimming.................... 56
Electric Remote....................... 57
Outside...........................57,58
Rearview............................ 56
Vanity.............................. 58
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............ 7
Mopar Parts........................205,274
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 65
New Vehicle Break-In Period............... 48
Occupant Restraints...................... 26
Odometer............................. 92
Tampering........................... 92
Trip ................................ 92
Oil, Engine......................206,244,245
Capacity............................ 244
Change Interval...................... 207Checking........................... 206
Disposal............................ 210
Filter...........................210,245
Filter Disposal....................... 210
Identification Logo.................181,208
Materials Added to.................... 210
Pressure Gauge....................... 93
Quality..........................181,208
Recommendation..................208,244
Synthetic........................... 209
Viscosity.........................209,244
Onboard Diagnostic System............203,204
Opener, Garage Door..................... 74
Operator Manuals (Owner’s Manuals)......... 4
Overdrive............................ 149
Overheating, Engine..................... 186
Owner’s Manual......................4,274
Paint Care............................ 230
Paint Damage......................... 230
Panic Alarm........................... 21
Parking Brake......................... 150
Parking On Hill........................ 150
288 INDEX

Tread Wear Indicators.................. 168
Towing.........................178,197,198
Disabled Vehicle...................... 197
Trailering........................... 178
Traction Control....................70,89,153
Traction Control Switch................70,153
Trailer Towing......................... 178
Minimum Requirements................ 179
Trailer and Tongue Weight.............. 179
Warnings........................... 178
Transaxle............................. 228
Additives........................... 230
Automatic.....................145,147,228
Filter.............................. 229
Overdrive........................... 149
Selection of Lubricant.................. 228
Transmission
Range Indicator....................... 91
Transmission....................See Transaxle
Transmitter Battery Service................ 22
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener............ 74
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry........... 19
Transporting Pets........................ 48Tread Wear Indicators................... 168
Trip Computer.......................... 95
Trip Odometer.......................... 92
Trunk Release, Emergency...............24,25
Trunk Release Remote Control.............. 24
Turn Signals.........................67,90
Underhood Fuses....................... 235
Uniform Tire Quality Grades.............. 276
Universal Transmitter.................... 74
Unleaded Gasoline...................... 173
Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses................ 225
Vanity Mirrors.......................... 58
Vehicle Identification Number............... 6
Vehicle Loading.....................160,178
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations............ 7
Vehicle Storage......................... 237
Vehicle Theft Alarm...................... 23
Vinyl Trim............................ 232
Viscosity, Engine Oil..................... 244
Voltmeter.............................. 90
292 INDEX