2005 DODGE STRATUS transmission

•Police, taxi, limousine, commercial type operation, or
trailer towing where the vehicle is drivenregularlyfor
more than 45 minutes of continuous operation.
NOTE:Refer to Section 8 of this manual for mainte-
nance schedules.
If the transaxle is disassembled for any reason, the fluid
and filter should be changed.
Special Additives
The manufacturer recommends against the addition of
any fluid additives to the transaxle. The only exception to
this policy is the use of special dyes to aid in detecting
fluid leaks. The use of transmission sealers should be
avoided as they may adversely affect seals.
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug. The fluid
level should be between the bottom of the fill hole and a
point not more than 4.0 mm below the bottom of the hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
Frequency of Fluid Change
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will give satisfactory lubrication for the life ofthe vehicle. Fluid changes are not necessary unless the
lubricant has become contaminated with water. If con-
taminated with water, the fluid should be changed im-
mediately.
Appearance Care And Protection From Corrosion
Protection of Body and Paint from Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice, and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
230 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cavity Fuse Circuit
11 10 Amp Red Instrument Cluster,
Transmission Control,
Park/Neutral Switch,
Body Control Module
12 10 Amp Red Left Low beam Headlight
13 20 Amp Yellow Right Low Beam Head-
light, Fog Light Switch
14 10 Amp Red Radio
15 10 Amp Red Turn Signal and Hazard
Flashers, Wiper Switch,
Seat Belt Control Module,
Wiper Relays, Rear Win-
dow Defroster Relay
16 10 Amp Red Airbag Control Module
17 10 Amp Airbag Control Module
18 20 Amp
C/BRKRPower Seat Switch, Re-
mote Trunk Release
19 30 Amp
C/BRKRPower WindowsCAUTION!
When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to use
only a fuse having the correct amperage rating. The
use of a fuse with a rating other than indicated may
result in a dangerous electrical system overload. If a
properly rated fuse continues to blow, it shows a
problem in the circuit that must be corrected.
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you are leaving your vehicle dormant for more than 21
days you may want to take steps to protect your battery.
You may:
•Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
•Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of
service (i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the
air conditioning system at idle for about five minutes
in the fresh air and high blower setting. This will
insure adequate system lubrication to minimize the
possibility of compressor damage when the system is
started again.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 237
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Chassis
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transaxle MoparATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Brake Master Cylinder MoparBrake Fluid DOT 3 Motor Vehicle.
Power Steering Reservoir MoparATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Steering Gear & Linkage, Ball
Joints, Prop Shafts & Yokes, Wheel
BearingsMoparMulti-Purpose Lubricant NLGI Grade 2.
246 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

At Each Oil Change
•
Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•Inspect the brake linings, hoses and calipers.
•Inspect the CV joints and front and rear suspension
components.
•Check the automatic transmission fluid level.
•Check the brake master cylinder fluid level.
•Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
NOTE:In 2.7L Engines equipped with Flex Fuel Engine
(FFV), change engine oil every 5 months or 5,000 miles,
whichever comes first. This applies to both Maintenance
Schedule A and B.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 251
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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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Miles 57,000 60,000 63,000 66,000 69,000 72,000
(Kilometers) (91 000) (96 000) (101 000) (106 000) (110 000) (115 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, if not re-
placed at 3 months.XXXXX X
Inspect theair cleaner filterand replace if neces-
sary.*X XXX X
Replace theair cleaner filter.X
Inspect and check tension for power steering belt
(2.4 Liter Engine). Adjust or replace if required.X
Inspect the front and rear brake pads, linings, ro-
tors, rear drums and shoes.XX
Replace theignition cableson 2.4 liter engine. ** X
Replace the accessory drive belts on the 2.7 liter
engine.X
Replace thespark plugson the 2.4 liter engine. ** X
Check and replace, if necessary, thePCV valve.*‡X
Change the automatic transmission fluid and fil-
ter.X
Rotate the tires. X X X
Flush and replace engine coolant at 60 months, if
not done at 100,000 miles.X
256 SCHEDULE“B”
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Miles 108,000 111,000 114,000 117,000 120,000 123,000
(Kilometers) (174 000) (179 000) (183 000) (188 000) (193 000) (198 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, if not
replaced at 3 months.XXXXX X
Inspect theair cleaner filterand replace if
necessary.*XXXX X
Replace theair cleaner filter.X
Replace thespark plugson the 2.4 liter en-
gine. **X
Replace theignition cableson the 2.4 liter en-
gine. **X
Inspect the front and rear brake pads, linings,
rotors, rear drums and shoes.XX
Replace the accessory drive belts on 2.7 liter
engine.X
Check and replace, if necessary, thePCV
valve.*X
Change the automatic transmission fluid and
filter.X
Flush and replace engine coolant at 120
months, if not done at 100,000 miles.X
Rotate the tires. X X X
SCHEDULE“B”259
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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
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