2005 DODGE STRATUS oil additives

This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). We
only recommend API Certified en-
gine oils that meet the require-
ments of DaimlerChrysler’s Mate-
rial Standard MS-9214. Use Mopar
or an equivalent oil meeting the
specification MS-9214.
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and it’s
performance may be impaired by supplemental addi-
tives.
•Engine Oil Selection for Operating on E-85
If you operate the vehicle on E-85 fuel, either full or
part-time, use only Mopar Flexible Fuel 5W-30 engine
oil (P/N 4318086) or an equivalent that meets the
Manufacturer’s Standard MS-9214. Equivalent com-
mercial Flexible Fuel engine oils may be labeled asFlexible Fuel (FFV) or Alternate Fuel (AFV). These
engine oils may be satisfactory if they meet the Manu-
facturer’s Standard.
The 5W-30 engine oil installed at the factory meets the
manufacturer’s requirements for Flexible Fuel engine oil.
SAE 5W-30 engine oil is preferred for use in Flexible Fuel
engines.
CAUTION!
If Flexible Fuel engine oil is not used when using
E-85, engine wear may be increased significantly.
This may void your warranty.
•Engine Oil Selection for Operating on Gasoline
If you operate the vehicle on regular unleaded gasoline
ONLY, use Mopar oil or an equivalent that meets certified
API (American Petroleum Institute) Quality.
182 STARTING AND OPERATING

Materials Added To Engine Oils
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and it’s
performance may be impaired by supplemental addi-
tives.
Disposing of Used Engine Oil and Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil from
your vehicle. Used oil, indiscriminately discarded, can
present a problem to the environment. Contact your
dealer, service station, or governmental agency for advice
on how and where used oil can be safely discarded in
your area.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be replaced at every engine
oil change.
Engine Oil Filter Selection
All manufacturer’s engines have a full-flow type dispos-
able oil filter. Use a filter of this type for replacement. The
quality of replacement filters varies considerably. Onlyhigh quality filters should be used to assure most efficient
service. Mopar Engine Oil Filters are high quality oil
filters and are recommended.
Drive Belts—Check Condition and Tension
At the mileage shown in the maintenance schedules,
check all drive belts for condition and proper tension.
Improper belt tension can cause belt slippage and failure.
Inspect the drive belts for evidence of cuts, cracks, or
glazing and replace them if there is any sign of damage
which could result in belt failure. If adjustment is re-
quired, adjust the belts according to the specifications
and procedures shown in the Service Manual.
Special tools are required to properly measure tension
and to restore belt tension to factory specifications. Also,
check belt routing to make sure there is no interference
between the belts and other engine components.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs must fire properly to assure engine perfor-
mance and emission control. New plugs should be in-
stalled at the specified mileage. The entire set should be
210 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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
10

Overheating......................... 186
Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle for 2.4 Liter . . 248
Timing Belt.......................... 212
Engine Oil Viscosity..................... 244
Entry System, Illuminated................. 15
Exhaust Gas Caution...............49,176,220
Exhaust System........................ 219
Exterior Light Service.................... 238
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 211
Automatic Transaxle................... 229
Engine Fuel......................... 211
Engine Oil.......................210,245
Engine Oil Disposal................... 210
Flashers
Hazard Warning...................... 186
Turn Signal.......................... 90
Flash-To-Pass........................... 67
Flat Tire Changing...................... 188
Flexible Fuel Vehicles.................... 180
Cruising Range....................... 183
Engine Oil.......................181,209Fuel Requirements.................... 181
Maintenance......................... 183
Replacement Parts.................... 183
Starting............................ 183
Fluid, Brake........................... 246
Fluid Capacities........................ 244
Fluid Leaks............................ 50
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle................... 229
Capacities........................... 244
Cooling System....................... 221
Engine Oil.......................... 206
Power Steering....................... 215
Fluids............................... 245
Fog Light Service....................... 241
Fog Lights........................67,91,241
Folding Rear Seat....................... 61
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 197
Fuel................................. 173
Adding............................. 176
Additives........................... 175
Clean Air........................... 174
Ethanol............................. 180
284 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