2005 DODGE STRATUS fuel pressure

Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are
present, the cause should be corrected immediately.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Tire Markings........................154
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........158
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........159

Ti re s—General Information...............163
▫Tire Pressure.........................163
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................164
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................166
▫Compact Spare Tire—If Equipped.........166
▫Limited Use Spare—If Equipped.........167
▫Tire Spinning........................167
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................168
▫Replacement Tires.....................169
▫Alignment And Balance.................170

Tire Chains...........................170

Snow Tires...........................170

Tire Rotation Recommendations...........171

AutoStick—If Equipped................172
▫AutoStick Operation...................172
▫AutoStick General Information............173

Fuel Requirements.....................173
▫Spark Knock.........................173
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................174
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............174
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................175
▫Materials Added To Fuel................175
▫Fuel System Cautions..................175
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............176

Adding Fuel..........................176
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............176

Vehicle Loading.......................178

Trailer Towing........................178
▫Towing Requirements..................179
140 STARTING AND OPERATING

2. Economy—
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal
wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for
earlier tire replacement. Underinflation also increases tire
rolling resistance and results in higher fuel consumption.
3. Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability—
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Overinflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable ride.
Tire Inflation Pressures
The proper cold tire inflation pressure for passenger cars
is listed on either the face of the driver’s door or the
driver’s side“B”pillar. For vehicles other than passenger
cars, the cold tire inflation pressures are listed on either
the“B”pillar, the Certification Label or in the Tire
Inflation Pressures brochure in the glove compartment.
Some vehicles may have Supplemental Tire Pressure
Information for vehicle loads that are less than the
maximum loaded vehicle condition. These pressure con-
ditions will be found in the“Supplemental Tire Pressure
Information”section of this manual.The pressure should be checked and adjusted as well as
inspecting for signs of tire wear or visible damage at least
once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to
check tire pressure. Do not make a visual judgement
when determining proper inflation. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they are underinflated.
Tire Placard Location
164 STARTING AND OPERATING

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

Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid as seal damage will result!
Fuel System Hoses
Electronic Fuel Injection high pressure fuel systems are
designed with hoses and clamps which have unique
material characteristics to provide adequate sealing and
resist attack by deteriorated gasoline.
You are urged to use only manufacturer specified hoses
and clamps, or their equivalent in material and specifi-
cation, in any fuel system servicing. It is mandatory to
replace all clamps that have been loosened or removed
during service. Care should be taken in installing new
clamps to insure they are properly torqued.
Automatic Transmission
Your front wheel drive vehicle has a transmission and
differential assembly contained within a single housing.
This is referred to as a“Transaxle.”
Selection of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transmission to assure optimum transmission perfor-
mance. Use only manufacturers recommended transmis-
sion fluid, refer to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and
Genuine Parts for correct fluid type. It is important that
the transmission fluid be maintained at the prescribed
level using the recommended fluid.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turers recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder. Using a transmission fluid other than the
manufacturers recommended fluid will result in
more frequent fluid and filter changes. Refer to
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
for correct fluid type.
228 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
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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
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