oil temperature DODGE STRATUS 2006 2.G Owners Manual

Observing these precautions will avoid possible hard
starting and/or significant deterioration in drivability
during warm up.
NOTE:When the ambient temperature is above 90°F,
you may experience hard starting and rough idle follow-
ing start up even if the above recommendations are
followed.
Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) and Gasoline Vehicles
Whether operating the vehicle on an E-85 ethanol fuel or
unleaded gasoline the engine oil requirements are the
same. Refer to“Engine Oil Selection in the“Maintenance
Procedures”section of this manual for the proper quality
and viscosity engine oil.
Starting
The characteristics of E-85 fuel make it unsuitable for use
when ambient temperatures fall below 0°F. In the range
of 0°Fto32°F, you may experience an increase in the time
it takes for your engine to start, and a deterioration in
drivability (sags and/or hesitations) until the engine is
fully warmed up.
Cruising Range
Because E-85 fuel contains less energy per gallon than
gasoline, you will experience an increase in fuel con-
sumption. You can expect your MPG and your driving
range to decrease by about 30% compared to gasoline
operation.
Replacement Parts
Many components in your Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) are
designed to be compatible with ethanol. Always be sure
that your vehicle is serviced with correct ethanol com-
patible parts.
CAUTION!
Replacing fuel system components with non-ethanol
compatible components can damage your vehicle.
Maintenance
If you operate the vehicle using E-85 fuel, follow Sched-
ule B in the maintenance schedule section of this manual.
176 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads“H”, pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle in Park
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the“H”, turn the engine off immediately,
and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never get any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start
or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If
you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
•The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 191
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CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause aeration or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to decide if any apply to you.
•Day and night temperatures are below 32°F(0°C)
•Stop and Go driving
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C)
•Trailer towing
•Taxi, Police or delivery service (commercial service)
•Off—road or desert operation
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule“B”of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
Engine Oil Dipstick
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 211
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Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
SAE 5W-20 and SAE 5W-30 engine oils are recom-
mended for all operating temperatures. These engine
oils are designed to improve low temperature starting
and vehicle fuel economy. Refer to the engine oil filler
cap for the preferred engine oil viscosity grade for each
vehicle.Lubricants which do not have both, the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils provided that the
recommended oil quality requirements are met and the
recommended maintenance intervals for oil and filter
changes are followed.
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.
CAUTION!
If Flexible Fuel engine oil is not used when using
E-85, engine wear may be increased significantly.
Engine Oil Fill Cap
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 213
7

Exhaust System
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
If you notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system;
or if exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle; or
when the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged;
have a competent mechanic inspect the complete exhaust
system and adjacent body areas for broken, damaged,
deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams or
loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep
into the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the
exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised for lubri-
cation or oil change. Replace as required.
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing CO, fol-
low the preceding safety tips.
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is controlled
by both the temperature of the engine cooling
system and the pressure in the air conditioning
system and can start at any time the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
•You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant
or steam from your radiator. If you see or hear
steam coming from under the hood, don’t open
the hood until the radiator has had time to cool.
Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap
when the radiator is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 223
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SCHEDULE“B”
Follow schedule“B”if you usually operate your vehicle
under one or more of the following conditions. Change
the automatic transmission fluid and filter every 60,000
miles (96 000 km) if the vehicle is usually operated under
one or more of the conditions marked with an.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32°F(0°C).
•Stop and go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).
•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, police or delivery service (commercial ser-
vices).
•Off-road or desert operation.
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule“B”of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
NOTE:IFANYof these apply to you then flush and
replace the engine coolant every 100,000 miles (160,000
km) or 60 months, whichever comes first, and follow
schedule B of theMaintenance Schedulessection of this
manual.
SCHEDULE“B”253
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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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