2005 DODGE STRATUS SEDAN engine

Headlights, Parking Lights, Instrument Panel
Lights
Turn the end of the control lever to the first detent for
parking light operation. Turn to the second detent for
headlight operation.
To change the brightness of the instrument panel lights,
turn the center portion of the lever up or down. Turning
the dimmer control to the full up position also turns onthe courtesy lights. Turning the dimmer control to the full
down position prevents the courtesy lights from coming
on when a door is opened.
Automatic Headlights—If Equipped
This system automatically turns your headlights on at a
preset level of outdoor lighting. Turn the end of the
control lever to the third detent to turn the system on.
When the system is on, the headlight delay feature is also
on. This means that your headlights will stay on for about
90 seconds after you turn the ignition switch off. To turn
the Automatic system off, turn the control lever clock-
wise, to the off position.
NOTE:The engine must be running before the head-
lights will come on in the automatic mode.
NOTE:The Automatic Headlight System will turn on
the headlights if it detects that the windshield wipers
have been in operation for more than 10 seconds.
Multi-Function Lever
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ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL—IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, this device will control the throttle op-
eration to maintain a constant vehicle speed between 30
mph (48 km/h) and 85 mph (137 km/h). The controls are
on the steering wheel.
To Activate:
Press the ON/OFF switch to turn the speed control
system ON. To turn the system OFF, press the ON/OFF
switch again. The system should be turned OFF when notin use. The CRUISE Indicator in the instrument cluster
will light up when the Speed Control is ON.
NOTE:You must press the ON button to activate the
system each time the engine is started.
WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system ON
when not in use is dangerous. You could accidentally
set the system or cause it to go faster than you want.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the system OFF when you aren’t using it.
To Set At A Desired Speed:
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed and the
system is ON, press and release the SET button. Release
the accelerator and the vehicle will operate at the selected
speed. The speed control is now Engaged.
Speed Control Switches
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When Climbing A Hill
If vehicle speed drops 3 mph (5 km/h) below the Speed
Control set speed, the transaxle will downshift to third
gear. Under severe conditions the transaxle may down-
shift again to second gear. The transaxle will upshift to
fourth gear after the vehicle has reached the top of the
hill.
When Descending A Hill
If vehicle speed rises 3 mph (5 km/h) over the Speed
Control set speed, the transaxle will downshift to third
gear. This provides engine braking to keep vehicle speed
under control. The transaxle will not downshift below
third gear to control vehicle overspeed. The transaxle will
upshift to fourth gear after the vehicle has reached the
bottom of the hill.
NOTE:On very steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain
may occur. It may be preferable to drive without Speed
Control.
Rolling Hills
The transaxle may downshift into third gear and remain
there as the vehicle travels over rolling hills. The trans-
axle will upshift into fourth gear when the road flattens
out.
The transaxle will resume its normal shift schedule if you
depress the accelerator pedal during any of the above
conditions.
WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don’t use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
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GARAGE DOOR OPENER—IF EQUIPPED
The HomeLinkUniversal Transceiver replaces up to
three remote controls (hand held transmitters) that oper-
ate devices such as garage door openers, motorized
gates, or home lighting. It triggers these devices at the
push of a button. The Universal Transceiver operates off
your vehicle’s battery and charging system; no batteries
are needed.
For additional information on HomeLink, call 1–800–
355–3515, or on the internet at www.homelink.com.WARNING!
A moving garage door can cause injury to people and
pets in the path of the door. People or pets could be
seriously or fatally injured. Only use this transceiver
with a garage door opener that has a“stop and
reverse”feature as required by federal safety stan-
dards. This includes most garage door opener mod-
els manufactured after 1982. Do not use a garage
door opener without these safety features it could
cause injury or death. Call toll-free 1–800–355–3515
or, on the Internet at www.homelink.com for safety
information or assistance.
Programming The Universal Transceiver
For best results, install a new battery in the hand held
transmitter before programming. If your garage door
opener (located in the garage) is equipped with an
antenna, make sure that the antenna is hanging straight
down.
1. Turn off the engine.
Homelink Buttons
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Sunroof Fully Closed
Press and hold the switch forward until the sunroof stops
completely to ensure that the sunroof is fully closed.
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLET
The power outlet is located in the lower center of your
instrument panel. If your vehicle is equipped with heated
seats, a second power outlet is located inside the center
console. All accessories connected to any outlet should be
removed or turned off when the vehicle is not in use.
CAUTION!
Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off
•Many accessories that can be plugged in draw
power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not in
use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s battery will
discharge sufficiently to degrade battery life
and/or prevent engine starting.
•Accessories that draw higher power (i.e., coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.) will degrade the
battery even more quickly. Only use these inter-
mittently and with greater caution.
•After the use of high power draw accessories, or
long periods of the vehicle not being started (with
accessories still plugged in), the vehicle must be
driven a sufficient length of time to allow the
alternator to recharge the vehicle’s battery.
•Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs
only. Do not hang any type of accessory or acces-
sory bracket from the plug. Improper use of the
power outlet can cause damage.
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5. Tachometer
The red area of the scale shows the maximum permissible
engine revolutions-per-minute (rpm x 1000) for each gear
range. Before reaching the red area (over 6,500 rpm), ease
up on the accelerator to prevent engine over speed.
6. Turn Signal Indicators
The arrows will flash in unison with the exterior turn
signal, when using the turn signal lever.
7. High Beam Indicator
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the turn signal lever toward the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from high or
low beam.
8. Speedometer
Shows the vehicle speed in miles-per-hour and
kilometers-per-hour.
9. Charging System Light
This light shows the status of the electrical
charging system. The light should come on
briefly when the ignition is first turned on and remain
on briefly as a bulb check. If the light stays on orcomes on while driving, turn off some of the vehicle’s
electrical devices, such as the Fog Lights or Rear
Defroster. If the Charging System Light remains on, it
means that the vehicle is experiencing a problem with
the charging system. Obtain SERVICE IMMEDI-
ATELY. See your local authorized dealer.
10. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic
system called OBD that monitors engine and
automatic transmission control systems. The
light will illuminate as long as the key is in the ON
position, prior to engine start up. Approximately 15
seconds later the MIL may blink for 10 seconds then
resume to full illumination. (See“EMISSIONS IN-
SPECTION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS”in
the“MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE”section of
your Owner Manual for more details). If the bulb does
not come on when turning the key from OFF to ON,
have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap or
poor fuel quality may illuminate the light after engine
start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays on
90 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

through several of your typical driving cycles. In most
situations the vehicle will drive normally and will not
require towing.
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert to serious
conditions that could lead to immediate loss of power or
severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle should be
serviced as soon as possible if this occurs.
11. Fog Light Indicator—If Equipped
This light shows when the fog lights are ON.
12. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant
temperature. Any reading within the normal
range (approximately mid point on the scale)
shows that the cooling system is operating properly.
The gauge pointer may show a higher than normal
temperature when driving in hot weather, up moun-
tain grades, in heavy stop and go traffic, or when
towing a trailer.
If the pointer rises to the“H”mark, stop the vehicle and
turn off the engine until the problem is corrected.There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning is
on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the cooling system and turning off the A/C removes this
heat. You can also turn the Temperature control to
maximum heat, the Mode control to Floor and the Fan
control to High. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the cooling system.
13. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine cool-
ant condition.
14. Trip Odometer Button
Press and release this button to change the display from
odometer to trip odometer. The word TRIP will appear
when in the trip odometer mode. To reset the trip
odometer, press and hold the button for at least 1/2
second.
15. Transmission Range Indicator
This indicator illuminates to show the automatic trans-
mission gear selection.
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the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally provided that the BRAKE warning light is not
on.
18. Oil Pressure Light
Shows low engine oil pressure. The light will
come on and remain on briefly when the igni-
tion is turned on as a bulb check. If the bulb does not
come on during starting, have the bulb repaired
promptly.
If the light comes on and remains on while driving, stop
the vehicle and shut off the engine. Do not operate the
vehicle until the cause is corrected.
The light does not show the quantity of oil in the engine.
This can be determined using the procedure shown in
Section 7.
19. Brake System Warning Light
This light monitors both the brake fluid level
and the parking brake. If the light comes on,
it indicates either that the parking brake is
on or there is a low fluid level in the brakemaster cylinder. On vehicles equipped with Anti-lock
brakes (ABS), the brake light may also indicate re-
duced braking performance.
If the parking brake is off and the light remains on, have
the brake system inspected as soon as possible.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. A significant decrease in braking performance
may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle.
You could have an accident. Have the vehicle
checked immediately.
The warning light should be checked frequently to assure
that it is operating properly. Turn the ignition key to the
RUN position. (Refer to“A Word About Your Keys,
Ignition Key Removal”in this manual for an illustration
of the ignition positions.) The light should come on. If the
light does not come on, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
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