2005 DODGE STRATUS Owners Manual

U.S. ONLY
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 273
9

MOPARPARTS
Moparfluids, lubricants, parts, and accessories are
available from your dealer. They will help you keep your
vehicle operating at its best.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
In the 50 United States and Washington D.C.: If you
believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause
a crash or cause injury or death, you should immediately
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administra-
tion (NHTSA) in addition to notifying the manufacturer.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer, and the
manufacturer.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in Wash-
ington DC area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Dept. ofTransportation, Washington DC 20590. You can also
obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from
the Hotline.
In Canada:
If you believe that your vehicle has a safety defect, you
should contact the Customer Service Department imme-
diately. Canadian customers who wish to report a safety
defect to the Canadian government should write to
Transport Canada, Motor Vehicle Defect Investigations
and Recalls, 2780 Sheffield Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1B
3V9.
PUBLICATION ORDER FORMS
To order the following manuals, you may use either the
website or the phone numbers listed below. Visa, Mas-
tercard, American Express, and Discover orders are ac-
cepted. If you prefer mailing your payment, please call
for an order form.
NOTE:A street address is required when ordering
manuals. (No P.O. Boxes).
274 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

•Service Manuals.
These comprehensive service manuals provide the
information that students and professional technicians
need in diagnosing/troubleshooting, problem solving,
maintaining, servicing and repairing DaimlerChrysler
Corporation vehicles. A complete working knowledge
of the vehicle, system and/or components is written in
straightforward language with illustrations, diagrams
and charts.
•Diagnostic Procedure Manuals.
Filled with diagrams, charts and detailed illustrations,
these practical manuals make it easy for students and
technicians to find and fix problems on computer-
controlled vehicle systems and features. They show
exactly how to find and correct problems the first time,
using step-by-step troubleshooting and driveability
procedures, proven diagnostic tests and a complete list
of all tools and equipment.
•Owner’s Manuals.
These manuals have been prepared with the assistance
of service and engineering specialists to acquaint you
with specific Chrysler group vehicles. Included are
starting, operating, emergency and maintenance pro-
cedures as well as specifications, capabilities and
safety tips.
Call Toll Free at1–800–890–4038 (U.S.)or1–800–387–1143
(Canada)
Or
Visit us on the World Wide Web at:
www.techauthority.daimlerchrysler.comor
www.daimlerchrysler.ca/manuals
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 275
9

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

INDEX
10

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