tire pressure DODGE STRATUS SEDAN 2005 Owners Manual

Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are
present, the cause should be corrected immediately.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Tire Markings........................154
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........158
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........159

Ti re s—General Information...............163
▫Tire Pressure.........................163
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................164
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................166
▫Compact Spare Tire—If Equipped.........166
▫Limited Use Spare—If Equipped.........167
▫Tire Spinning........................167
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................168
▫Replacement Tires.....................169
▫Alignment And Balance.................170

Tire Chains...........................170

Snow Tires...........................170

Tire Rotation Recommendations...........171

AutoStick—If Equipped................172
▫AutoStick Operation...................172
▫AutoStick General Information............173

Fuel Requirements.....................173
▫Spark Knock.........................173
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................174
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............174
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................175
▫Materials Added To Fuel................175
▫Fuel System Cautions..................175
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............176

Adding Fuel..........................176
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............176

Vehicle Loading.......................178

Trailer Towing........................178
▫Towing Requirements..................179
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POWER STEERING
The power assisted steering system of your vehicle
provides mechanical steering capability in the event
power assist is lost.
If for some reason the hydraulic pressure is interrupted,
it will still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these
conditions you will observe a substantial increase in
steering effort.
TRACTION CONTROL—IF EQUIPPED
The Traction Control System will improve acceleration
and steering on slippery surfaces by reducing tire spin.
The system reduces wheel slip and maintains traction at
the driving (front) wheels by engaging the brake on the
wheel that is losing traction. When this occurs the
traction control indicator light located in the instrument
cluster will flash. The system operates at speeds below 35
mph (56 km/h).A push-button located on the top of the steering column
turns the Traction Control System ON or OFF.
The system is always in the“ON”mode unless:
•The traction control switch has been used to turn the
system off;
•There is a Anti-Lock Brake System malfunction;
•There is a Traction Control System malfunction;
Traction Control Switch
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NOTE:
•
P(Passenger)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards. P-Metric tires have the letter“P”molded
into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: P215/65R15 95H.
•European Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letterPis absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H
•LT(Light Truck)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metrictires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters“LT”that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
•Temporary Spare tires are high pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter“T”
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
•High Flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards and begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
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EXAMPLE:
Service Description:
95= Load Index
—A numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry.
H= Speed Symbol
—A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding
to its load index under certain operating conditions.
—The maximum speed corresponding to the Speed Symbol should only be achieved un-
der specified operating conditions. (ie. tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions and
posted speed limits).
Load Identification:
....blank....= Absence of any text on sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) Tire
Extra Load (XL)= Extra Load (or Reinforced) Tire
Light Load= Light Load Tire
C,D,E= Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure
Maximum Load—Maximum Load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry.
Maximum Pressure—Maximum Pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for this
tire.
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Tire Loading and Tire Pressure
Tire Placard Location
NOTE:
The proper cold tire inflation pressure for
passenger cars is listed on either the face of the driver’s
door or the driver’s side“B”pillar. For vehicles other
than passenger cars, the cold tire inflation pressures are
listed on either the“B”pillar, the Certification Label or in
the Tire Inflation Pressures brochure in the glove com-
partment.
Tire and Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about
the,
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) the total weight your vehicle can carry
3) the tire size designed for your vehicle
4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear
and spare tires.
Tire Placard Location
Tire and Loading Information
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Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and the Vehicle Loading section of
this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR’s) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR’s, vehicle loading and trailer towing, see the
Vehicle Loading section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement“The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.”on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement“The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds”on
your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if“XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lb. (since 5 x 150 = 750,
and 1400–750 = 650 lb.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in step 4.
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WARNING!
Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading
can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and
increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the
recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never
overload them.
TIRES—GENERAL INFORMATION
Tire Pressure
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure:
1. Safety—
WARNING!
Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can
cause accidents.
•Under inflation increases tire flexing and can
result in tire failure.
•Over inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion
shock. Objects on the road and chuck holes can cause
damage that results in tire failure.
•Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob-
lems. You could lose control of your vehicle.
•Over inflated or under inflated tires can affect
vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
•Unequal tire pressures from one side of the vehicle
to the other can cause the vehicle to drift to the right
or left.
Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom-
mended cold tire inflation pressure.
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2. Economy—
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal
wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for
earlier tire replacement. Underinflation also increases tire
rolling resistance and results in higher fuel consumption.
3. Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability—
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Overinflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable ride.
Tire Inflation Pressures
The proper cold tire inflation pressure for passenger cars
is listed on either the face of the driver’s door or the
driver’s side“B”pillar. For vehicles other than passenger
cars, the cold tire inflation pressures are listed on either
the“B”pillar, the Certification Label or in the Tire
Inflation Pressures brochure in the glove compartment.
Some vehicles may have Supplemental Tire Pressure
Information for vehicle loads that are less than the
maximum loaded vehicle condition. These pressure con-
ditions will be found in the“Supplemental Tire Pressure
Information”section of this manual.The pressure should be checked and adjusted as well as
inspecting for signs of tire wear or visible damage at least
once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to
check tire pressure. Do not make a visual judgement
when determining proper inflation. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they are underinflated.
Tire Placard Location
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CAUTION!
After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure al-
ways reinstall the valve stem cap–if equipped. This
will prevent moisture and dirt from entering the
valve stem, which could damage the valve stem.
Inflation pressures specified on the placard are always
“cold tire inflation pressure”. Cold tire inflation pressure
is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not
been driven for at least 3 hours, or driven less than 1mile
(1 km) after a 3 hour period. The cold tire inflation
pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation pres-
sure molded into the tire side wall.
Check tire pressures more often if subject to a wide range
of outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary with
temperature changes.
Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) per
12°F(7°C) of air temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure inside a garage especially in
the winter.Example: If garage temperature = 68°F (20°C) and the
outside temperature = 32°F(0°C) then the cold tire
inflation pressure should be increased by 3 psi (21 kPa),
which equals 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F(7°C) for this
outside temperature condition.
Tire pressure may increase from 2 to 6 psi (13 to 40 kPa)
during operation. DO NOT reduce this normal pressure
build up or your tire pressure will be too low.
Tire Pressures for High Speed Operation
The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds
within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or condi-
tions are such that the vehicle can be driven at high
speeds, maintaining correct tire inflation pressure is very
important. Increased tire pressure and reduced vehicle
loading may be required for high speed vehicle opera-
tion. Refer to original equipment or an authorized tire
dealer for recommended safe operating speeds, loading
and cold tire inflation pressures.
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