2006 DODGE STRATUS SEDAN lock

child restraint rearward and downward into the seat,
removing slack in the straps according to the child
restraint manufacturer’s instructions.
NOTE:When using the LATCH attaching system to
install a child restraint, please ensure that all seat belts
not being used for occupant restraints are stowed and out
of reach of children. It is recommended that before
installing the child restraint buckle the seat belt so the
seat belt is tucked behind the child restraint and out of
reach. If the buckled seat belt interferes with the child
restraint installation, instead of tucking the seat belt
behind the child restraint, route the seat belt through the
child restraint belt path and then buckle it. This should
stow the seat belt out of the reach of an inquisitive child.
Remind all children in the vehicle that the seat belts are
not toys and should not be played with, and never leave
your child unattended in the vehicle.
WARNING!
Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of an infant or
child restraint. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly
when installing an infant or child restraint.
Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat
belt
The passenger seat belts are equipped with cinching latch
plates which are designed to keep the lap portion tight
around the child restraint so that it is not necessary to use
a locking clip. Pulling up on the shoulder portion of the
lap/shoulder belt will tighten the belt. The cinching latch
plate will keep the belt tight, however, any seat belt
system will loosen with time, so check the belt occasion-
ally and pull it tight if necessary.
42 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Folding Rear Seat
To provide additional storage area, the rear seatback can
be folded forward. Pull on the loops shown in the picture
to fold down either or both seatbacks.
When returning the rear seat back to the upright position
be sure the seat back is latched.WARNING!
The cargo area in the rear of the vehicle (with the
rear seatbacks in the locked-up or folded down
position) should not be used as a play area by
children when the vehicle is in motion. They could
be seriously injured in an accident. Children should
be seated and using the proper restraint system.
Adjustable Head RestraintFolding Rear Seats
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 57
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WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
You could have a collision. Be sure all hood latches
are fully latched before driving.
LIGHTS
Interior Lights
The map/courtesy lights come on when a door is opened
and the panel lamp dimmer switch (located on the turn
signal control stalk) is in any detent except fully counter-
clockwise (dome lamp ON position) or fully clockwise
(dome lamp OFF position). Rotating the panel dimmer
switch fully counter-clockwise will turn on the lights.
Turn the panel dimmer switch fully clockwise to prevent
the lights from coming on when a door is opened.
NOTE:The interior lights have a“fade to off”feature.
When the lights are turned off, they gradually“fade”off.
Dimmer Control
With the parking lights or headlights
on, rotating the dimmer control for the
interior lights on the Multi-Function
Control Lever upward will increase
the brightness of the instrument panel
lights.
Dome Light Position
Rotate the dimmer control completely
upward to the second detent to turn
on the interior lights. The interior
lights will remain on when the dim-
mer control is in this position.
Interior Light Defeat (OFF)
Rotate the dimmer control to the ex-
treme bottom full-circle position. The
interior lights will remain off when the
doors are open.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 59
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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.
Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only)
The headlights come on at a low intensity level whenever
the ignition switch is turned on. The lights remain on
until the ignition switch is turned OFF or the parking
brake is engaged. The headlight switch must be used for
normal night time driving.
Lights-on Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned off, a chime will sound when the driver’s door
is opened.
Fog Lights—If Equipped
The fog light switch is in the multi-function lever.
To activate the fog lights, turn on the low beam
headlights and pull out the end of the control
lever. A light in the instrument cluster shows when the
fog lights are on.
NOTE:The switch will turn on the fog lights only if the
low beam headlights are on. Turning on the high beam
headlights turns off the fog lights.
Turn Signals
Move the turn signal lever up or down and the arrows in
the instrument cluster flash to show proper operation of
the front and rear turn signal lights. You can signal a lane
change by moving the lever partially up or down.
62 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To use the washer, pull the lever toward you and hold
while spray is desired. If the lever is pulled while in the
delay range, the wiper will operate for several cycles
after the lever is released, and then resume the intermit-
tent interval previously selected.
If the lever is pulled while in the OFF position, the wipers
will operate for several cycles, then turn OFF.
WARNING!
Sudden loss of visibility through the windshield
could lead to an accident. You might not see other
vehicles or other obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of
the windshield during freezing weather, warm the
windshield with defroster before and during wind-
shield washer use.
Mist
Use this feature when weather conditions make occa-
sional usage of the wipers necessary. Pull down and
release the control lever for a single wiping cycle.
Speed Sensitive Intermittent Wiper System
Use the intermittent wiper when weather conditions
make a single wiping cycle, with a variable pause be-
tween cycles, desirable. Turn the lever to the delay
position, then select the delay interval. The delay can be
regulated from a maximum of approximately 18 seconds
between cycles, to a cycle every 1/2 second.
NOTE:The wiper delay times depend on vehicle speed.
If the vehicle is moving less than 16 km/h (10 mph),
delay times will be doubled.
TILT STEERING COLUMN
To tilt the column, push down on the lever below the turn
signal control and move the wheel up or down, as
desired. Push the lever back up to lock the column firmly
in place.
64 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
TRACTION CONTROL—IF EQUIPPED
To turn the Traction Control System Off, press
the switch located on the top of the steering
column, to the right of the hazard switch, until
the Traction Control indicator in the instrument
cluster lights up.
To turn the Traction Control System On, press the switch
until the Traction Control indicator in the instrument
cluster turns off.
Tilt Steering Column Control
Traction Control Switch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 65
3

NOTE:The Traction Control System is enabled each
time the ignition switch is turned On. This will occur
even if you used the switch to turn the system off before
powering down or turning the ignition to Lock.
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 not
in 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
66 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
CONTENTS

Instruments And Controls.................81

Instrument Cluster......................82

Instrument Cluster Description.............83

Compass, Temperature, And Trip Computer
Display—If Equipped
...................89
▫Control Buttons.......................89
▫Trip Conditions........................90
▫Compass Temperature Display.............90

Cigar Lighter/Ashtray...................92

Electronic Digital Clock..................92
▫To Set The Clock.......................93

Radio General Information................93
▫Radio Broadcast Signals..................93
▫Two Types Of Signals...................93
▫Electrical Disturbances...................93
▫AM Reception........................93
▫FM Reception.........................93

Sales Code RAZ—AM/ FM Stereo Radio With
Cassette Tape Player, CD Player And
CD Changer Controls
....................94
▫Operating Instructions—Radio............94
▫Power Switch, Volume Control.............94
▫Seek Button (Radio Mode)................94
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