2006 DODGE STRATUS battery replacement

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

Sentry Key—If Equipped................ 9
▫Replacement Keys...................... 9
▫Customer Key Programming..............10
▫General Information....................10

Illuminated Entry System.................11

Door Locks...........................11
▫Power Door Locks.....................12
▫Central Locking—If Equipped............13
▫Door Ajar Warning.....................13
▫Automatic (Rolling) Door Locks............13
▫Automatic Unlock On Exit—Only Available If
Automatic Door Locks Are Enabled.........14▫“Child Protection”Door Lock System
(Rear Doors)..........................14

Remote Keyless Entry—If Equipped........15
▫To Unlock The Doors...................15
▫To Lock The Doors.....................16
▫To Unlock The Trunk....................16
▫Panic Alarm..........................17
▫To Use The Panic Alarm.................17
▫To Program Additional Transmitters.........17
▫General Information....................17
▫Transmitter Battery Service...............18

Vehicle Theft Alarm.....................19
2

2. This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation
If your Remote Lock Control fails to operate from a
normal distance, check for these two conditions:
1. Weak batteries in transmitter. The expected life of
batteries is from one to two years
2. Closeness to a radio transmitter such as a radio station
tower, airport transmitter, and some mobile or CB radios.
Transmitter Battery Service
The recommended replacement batteries are CR2016.
1. Pry the transmitter halves apart with a dime or similar
object. Make sure not to damage the rubber gasket
material during removal.2. Remove and replace the batteries. Avoid touching the
new batteries with your fingers. Skin oils may cause
battery deterioration. If you touch the battery, clean it
with rubbing alcohol.
3. Reassemble the transmitter case. Snap the halves
together and test transmitter operation.Separating Transmitter Halves
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

2.4L Engine..........................205

2.7L Engine..........................206

Onboard Diagnostic System—OBD II......207

Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs
............................208

Replacement Parts.....................209

Dealer Service........................209

Maintenance Procedures.................210
▫Engine Oil..........................210
▫Crankcase Emission Control System........216
▫Maintenance-Free Battery................216
▫Air Conditioner......................218▫Power Steering—Fluid Check............219
▫Suspension Ball Joints..................220
▫Body Mechanism Lubrication.............220
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................221
▫Windshield Washers...................222
▫Exhaust System......................223
▫Cooling System.......................223
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......227
▫Brakes.............................228
▫Fuel System Hoses....................230
▫Automatic Transmission................230
7

EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states which have an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance) requirement, this check verifies the
following: the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)
is functioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the OBD (On Board Diagnostic) system is ready
for testing.
Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, if you recently had a dead battery, or a battery
replacement. If the OBD system should be determined
not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key actuated test
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD system is ready, you must do
the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
4. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see your MIL symbol come on as part of a normal
bulb check.
5. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn off
the ignition key or start the engine. This means that
your vehicle’s OBD system isnot readyand you
shouldnotproceed to the I/M station.
b. The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn off the ignition key or
start the engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD
system isreadyand you can proceed to the I/M
station.
208 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

If your OBD system isnot ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL symbol is illuminated
during normal vehicle operation, you should have your
vehicle serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M
station can fail your vehicle because the MIL symbol is on
with the engine running.REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine Mopar parts for normal/scheduled main-
tenance and repairs is highly recommended to insure the
designed performance. Damage or failures caused by the
use of non-Mopar parts for maintenance and repairs will
not be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
DEALER SERVICE
Your dealer has the qualified service personnel, special
tools and equipment to perform all service operations in
an expert manner. Service manuals are available which
include detailed service information for your vehicle.
Refer to these manuals before attempting any procedure
yourself.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 209
7

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.
REPLACEMENT LIGHT BULBS
LIGHT BULBS—Interior Bulb Number
ABS Lamp........................... PC161
Instrument Cluster..................... PC194
Fog Light Indicator..................... PC161
Dome Light............................ 578
Front Reading/Map Lights.................. 906
Trunk Light............................ 562
Cup Holder Light......................... 37
Climate Control Light...................... 37
Traction Control Light...................PC161
LIGHT BULBS—Exterior Bulb Number
Headlight.............................9007
Park/Turn Signal (Front).................3157A
Fog Light.............................880L
Tail/Stop/Turn Signal....................3157
Back Up Light........................... 921
Center Stop Light........................ 921
License Light...........................2825
240 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Shifting............................ 145
Special Additives..................... 232
Autostick............................. 169
Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 76
Ball Joints............................ 220
Battery............................... 216
Emergency Starting.................... 197
Gas Caution......................199,217
Heater............................. 142
Jump Starting........................ 197
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)..... 18
Location.........................197,217
Belts, Drive........................... 214
Belts, Engine.......................... 216
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 220
B-Pillar Location....................... 156
Brake, Parking......................... 147
Brake System.......................149,228
Anti-Lock (ABS)...................... 149
Fluid Check......................... 229
Hoses.............................. 228
Master Cylinder...................... 229Warning Light........................ 87
Brake/Transmission Interlock...........143,145
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 44
Bulb Replacement...................... 241
Bulbs, Light........................... 240
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...... 246
Capacities, Fluid....................... 246
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 177
Oil (Engine)......................... 213
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 225
Car Washes........................... 233
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 174
Carpeting............................. 235
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 120
Cassette Tape Player...............94,103,105
Catalytic Converter..................... 215
CD (Compact Disc) Changer......101,106,111,113
CD (Compact Disc) Player........99,108,110,120
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 245
Central Locking......................... 13
Chains, Tire........................... 168
INDEX 279
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Dimmer Switch, Headlight.............61,63
Engine Temperature Warning............. 86
Exterior Check........................ 46
Fog ...........................62,85,244
Front Replacement.................... 243
Headlight Switch...................... 61
Headlights........................... 61
High Beam........................... 63
High Beam Indicator................... 84
Illuminated Entry...................... 11
Instrument Cluster..................... 61
Interior.............................. 59
License............................. 246
Lights On Reminder.................... 62
Low Fuel............................ 88
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)....... 84
Map Reading......................... 60
Oil Pressure.......................... 87
Rear Servicing....................... 245
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 88
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)............. 19
Service..........................240,241
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . 84Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)............. 88
Traction Control...................... 151
Turn Signal...................61,62,84,243
Voltage.............................. 84
Load Limits........................... 178
Loading Vehicle
Capacities........................... 178
Tires ............................156,178
Locks
Central.............................. 13
Child Protection....................... 14
Door............................... 11
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).............................. 41
Lubricants............................ 220
Lubrication, Body....................... 220
Luggage/Cargo Capacity................. 178
Lumbar Support........................ 55
Maintenance Free Battery................. 216
Maintenance Procedures.................. 210
Maintenance Schedule................... 250
Light Duty Schedule“B”................ 253
INDEX 285
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