DODGE INTREPID 2004 2.G Owners Manual

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher.................152
If Your Engine Overheats................152
Jacking And Tire Changing...............153
▫Preparations For Jacking................154
▫Jacking And Changing a Tire.............154
▫Compact Spare Tire-For Temporary Emergency
Use Only...........................157
▫Wheel Cover Installation (If Required)......157
Jump-Starting The Battery...............158
Driving On Slippery Surfaces.............161
▫Acceleration.........................161
▫Traction............................161
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................162
Towing A Disabled Vehicle...............163
6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The flasher switch is on the steering column, just
behind the steering wheel. Push in the flasher
switch and all front and rear directional signals
will flash. Press the flasher switch a second time to turn
the flashers off.
Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE:With extended use, the flasher may run down
your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — Slow down.
•In city traffic — While stopped, put transaxle in
neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and
152 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
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 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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 153
6

Preparations For Jacking
•
Turn on the Hazard Warning Flashers and park the
vehicle on a firm level surface, avoiding ice or slippery
areas.
•Put the gear shift in PARK (Automatic transmission)
or REVERSE (Manual Transmission).
•Set the parking brake and turn off the engine.
WARNING!
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.
Jacking and Changing a Tire
1. Block the wheel diagonally
opposite the flat tire. Passengers
should not remain in the vehicle
when the vehicle is being jacked.
154 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

2. Remove the spare tire, scissors, jack and lug wrench.
3. Before raising the vehicle, use the lug wrench to loosen
the lug nuts of the flat tire.4. Turn the jack screw clockwise to firmly engage the jack
saddle with the lift area of the sill flange, use the lift area
closest to the flat tire.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 155
6

5. Raise the vehicle just enough to remove the flat tire
and install the spare tire.
6. Remove the lug nuts, wheel cover (if equipped) and
tire. Remove the cover by hand, do not pry off.
7. Mount the spare tire. For vehicles equipped with
wheel covers, see the wheel cover installation instruc-
tions. Do not attempt to install a wheel cover on a
compact spare.8. Tighten all the lug nuts on the mounting studs.
9. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning the jack
handle counterclockwise.
10. Fully tighten the lug nuts. Torque the wheel lug nuts
to 100 ft/lb. (135N. m).
156 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

11. Store the flat tire, jack and tools.
WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle less stable. It could slip off the jack and
hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
Compact Spare Tire-For Temporary Emergency
Use Only
•
Keep tire inflated to 60 PSI (414 KPa) Cold Inflation
Pressure.
•Avoid driving more than 50 miles (80 km) before
replacing tire and wheel.
•This tire is designed as an emergency spare only-do
not exceed 50 MPH (80 km/h) speed.
Wheel Cover Installation (If Required)
1. Tighten the two lug nuts on the mounting studs on
each side of the stud which is in alignment with the valve
stem.
2. Align the valve notch in the wheel cover with the
valve stem on the wheel.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 157
6

3. Install the cover by hand, snapping the cover over the
two lug nuts. Do not use a hammer or excessive force to
install the cover.
4. Return to Changing a Tire Section, Item #8 above.
JUMP-STARTING THE BATTERY
WARNING!
Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever
the hood is raised. It can start anytime the ignition
switch is on. You can be hurt by the fan.
CAUTION!
Do not try to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Your vehicle cannot be started this way.
Pushing with another vehicle may damage the trans-
axle or the rear of your vehicle. If your vehicle has a
discharged (dead) battery, booster cables may be
used to obtain a start from another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly, so
follow the procedure carefully.
158 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or clothing.
Don’t lean over battery when attaching clamps or
allow the clamps to touch each other. If acid splashes
in eyes or on skin, flush the contaminated area
immediately with large quantities of water.
A battery generates hydrogen gas which is flam-
mable and explosive. Keep flame or spark away
from the vent holes. Do not use a booster battery or
any other booster source with an output that exceeds
12 volts.
NOTE:The battery is stored in a compartment in front
of the tire in the right front fender and is accessible
through the engine compartment. The tire and wheel
need not be removed to gain access to the battery.
Remote jump starting terminals are located in the
engine compartment.
Remote Jump Starting Terminals
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 159
6

Check the Battery Test Indicator. If a light or bright
colored dot is visible in the indicator, DO NOT jump-start
the battery.
If the indicator is dark or shows a green dot, proceed as
follows:
1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watch bands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.
2. When boost is provided by a battery in another
vehicle, park that vehicle within booster cable reach but
without letting the vehicles touch. Set parking brake,
place automatic transaxle in PARK, and turn ignition to
OFF for both vehicles.3. Turn off heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
jump start attachment of the booster battery. Connect the
other end of the same cable to the positive jump start
attachment of the discharged battery.
160 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES