2006 DODGE STRATUS mirror

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

Console Features.......................50
▫Console Features—Without Heated Seats....50
▫Console Features—With Heated Seats.......51

Mirrors..............................52
▫Inside Day/Night Mirror—If Equipped......52
▫Automatic Dimming Mirror—If Equipped....52
▫Electric Remote-Control Mirrors
—If Equipped........................53
▫Outside Mirror—Driver’s Side............53
▫Outside Mirror—Passenger’s Side..........54
▫Illuminated Vanity Mirrors—If Equipped....54

Seats................................54▫Manual Front Seat Adjustments............54
▫Power Seats—If Equipped...............56
▫Adjustable Head Restraints...............56
▫Folding Rear Seat......................57

To Open And Close The Hood.............58

Lights...............................59
▫Interior Lights........................59
▫Front Map/Reading Lights—If Equipped....60
▫Multi-Function Control Lever..............61
▫Headlights, Parking Lights, Instrument Panel
Lights..............................61
▫Automatic Headlights—If Equipped.........62
3

MIRRORS
Inside Day/Night Mirror—If Equipped
Adjust the mirror to center on the view through the rear
window. A two point pivot system allows for horizontal
and vertical mirror adjustment.
Annoying headlight glare can be reduced by moving the
small control under the mirror to the night position
(toward rear of vehicle). The mirror should be adjusted
while set in the day position (toward windshield).
Automatic Dimming Mirror—If Equipped
This mirror will automatically adjust for annoying head-
light glare from vehicles behind you. Push in the button
on the face of the mirror to activate the dimming feature.
Adjusting Rearview Mirror
Automatic Dimming Mirror
52 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
To avoid damage to the mirror during cleaning,
never spray any cleaning solution directly onto the
mirror. Apply the solution onto a clean cloth and
wipe the mirror clean.
Electric Remote-Control Mirrors—If Equipped
Both of the outside mirrors can be adjusted by using the
remote controls mounted on the instrument panel to the
left of the steering wheel.
NOTE:Place the mirror selector switch in the center
(neutral) position to prevent accidental movement of the
mirrors.
Outside Mirror—Driver’s Side
Adjust the outside mirror to center on the adjacent lane of
traffic, with a slight overlap of the view obtained on the
inside mirror.
Power Mirror Controls
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 53
3

Outside Mirror—Passenger’s Side
Adjust the convex outside mirror so you can just see the
side of your vehicle in the part of the mirror closest to the
vehicle.
WARNING!
Vehicles and other objects seen in the right side
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away
than they really are. Relying too much on your right
side mirror could cause you to collide with another
vehicle or other object. Use your inside mirror when
judging the size or distance of a vehicle seen in this
convex mirror.
Illuminated Vanity Mirrors—If Equipped
An illuminated vanity mirror is on each sun visor. To use
the mirror, rotate the sun visor down and swing the
mirror cover upward. The lights will turn on automati-
cally. Closing the mirror cover turns off the lights.
SEATS
Manual Front Seat Adjustments
Forward/Rearward
The adjusting bar is at the front of the seats, near the
floor. Pull the bar up to move the seat to the desired
position.
Illuminated Vanity Mirror
54 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Hot Weather Automatic Recirculation
The system will automatically recirculate the air inside
the vehicle when the interior is very warm. This will
provide maximum cooling. The system will also occa-
sionally return to REC on hot, humid or very hot, dry
days to maintain occupant comfort.
Side Window Demisters
Side window demisters are located on the instrument
panel. These non adjustable outlets direct air toward the
side windows in any mode except Panel or Panel Recir-
culation. The air is directed toward the area of the side
windows through which you view the outside rearview
mirrors.
Rear Seat Outlets
These outlets are located under the front seats and direct
warm air to the rear seat passengers. Air is directed
through these outlets when you select either the Floor,
Bi-Level, or Mix modes.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure that the air intake directly in front of the
windshield is free of obstructions. Leaves, snow, etc.,
could block air flow into the vehicle.
NOTE:If you cannot get comfortable in the AUTO
mode by adjusting the comfort set point up or down
please refer to the Operating Tips chart (for ATC only) at
the end of this section for suggested control settings in
different weather conditions.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 127
4

Rear Seat Outlets
These outlets are located under the front seats and direct
warm air to the rear seat passengers. Air is directed
through these outlets when you select either the Floor,
Bi-Level, or Mix modes.
Rear Window Defroster
The Rear Window Defroster button is located to
the right of the Mode Control. Press this button
once to turn on the Rear Window Defrost and a second
time to turn them off. A light above the button shows that
the defroster is on.
NOTE:The defroster turns off automatically after 15
minutes of operation. Each later activation will allow 10
minutes of operation.
Side Window Demisters
A side window demister outlet is at each end of the
instrument panel. These non-adjustable outlets direct air
toward the side windows when the system is in either the
FLOOR, MIX, or DEFROST modes. A small amount of air
is directed to the side window demisters in BI-LEVEL
mode as well. The air is directed at the area of the
windows through which you view the outside mirrors.
Windshield and Side Window Fogging
Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly
removed by using the defrost position on the mode
control.
Your side windows may fog on the inside in mild
rainy or humid weather. To clear the windows,
select the Panel-Air Conditioning mode on the
Mode Control. Point the panel outlets toward the side
windows.
132 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Automatic Transaxle
The gear selector must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
Manual Transaxle
Fully apply the parking brake, press the clutch pedal to
the floor and place the gear selector in NEUTRAL before
starting the engine.
Normal Starting
Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or depressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the key to the“START’”position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine has not started
within 3 seconds, slightly depress the accelerator pedal
while continuing to crank. If the engine fails to start
within 15 seconds, turn the key to the“OFF”position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting
procedure.
140 STARTING AND OPERATING

About Your Brakes...................... 149
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............. 149
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 224
Adding Fuel.......................... 177
Adding Washer Fluid.................... 222
Additives, Fuel........................ 173
Aiming Headlights...................... 246
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . 215
Air Conditioner Maintenance.............. 218
Air Conditioning....................122,129
Air Conditioning Controls................ 122
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips........128,134
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 219
Air Conditioning System..............129,218
Air Pressure, Tires...................... 161
Airbag................................ 30
Airbag Deployment....................33,34
Airbag Light...................33,34,36,46,84
Airbag Maintenance...................... 36
Airbag, Side........................... 35
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain)...........30,35
Alarm Light............................ 88
Alarm, Panic........................... 17Alarm System (Security Alarm)............. 19
Alignment and Balance.................. 167
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............ 6
Antenna, Satellite Radio.................. 118
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............224,246
Capacities........................... 246
Disposal............................ 226
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............. 149
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 87
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)...... 19
Appearance Care....................... 233
Automatic Dimming Mirror................ 52
Automatic Door Locks..................13,14
Automatic Headlights.................... 62
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)....... 122
Automatic Transaxle.........143,145,202,230,248
Adding Fluid........................ 248
Filter.............................. 232
Fluid and Filter Changes................ 232
Fluid Level Check..................... 231
Interlock System...................... 144
Reset Mode......................... 145
Selection Of Lubricant...............231,248
278 INDEX