ESP DODGE NEON 2005 2.G User Guide

Tire Rotation Recommendations
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles operate at
different loads and perform different steering, driving
and braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at
unequal rates, and tend to develop irregular wear pat-
terns.
These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of tires.
The benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile with
aggressive tread designs such as those on all season type
tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help to maintain
mud, snow and wet traction levels, and contribute to a
smooth, quiet ride.
Follow the recommended tire rotation frequency for your
type of driving found in the ªMaintenance Schedulesº
Section of this manual. More frequent rotation is permis-
sible if desired. The reasons for any rapid or unusual
wear should be corrected before rotating. The suggested
rotation method is the ªforward-crossº shown in the
diagram.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
Your engine is designed to meet all emis-
sion regulations and provide excellent fuel
economy and performance when using
high quality unleaded ªregularº gasoline
having an octane rating of 87. The use of
premium gasoline is not recommended.
The use of premium gasoline will provide no benefit over
high quality regular gasolines, and in some circum-
stances may result in poorer performance.
STARTING AND OPERATING 141
5

Spark Knock
Light spark knock at low engine speeds is not harmful to
your engine. However, continued heavy spark knock at
high speeds can cause damage and immediate service is
required.
Poor quality gasoline can cause problems such as hard
starting, stalling and hesitations. If you experience these
symptoms, try another brand of ªregularº gasoline be-
fore considering service for the vehicle.
Over 40 automobile manufacturers around the world
have issued and endorsed consistent gasoline specifica-
tions (the World Wide Fuel Charter, WWFC) to define
fuel properties necessary to deliver enhanced emissions,
engine performance, and durability for your vehicle. The
manufacturer recommends the use of gasolines that meet
the WWFC specifications if they are available.
Reformulated Gasoline
Many areas of the country require the use of cleaner
burning fuel referred to as Reformulated Gasoline. Re-
formulated gasolines contain oxygenates, and are specifi-
cally blended to reduce vehicle emissions and improve
air quality.The manufacturer supports the use of reformulated gaso-
lines. Properly blended reformulated gasolines will pro-
vide excellent performance and durability for the engine
and fuel system components.
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends
Some fuel suppliers blend unleaded gasoline with mate-
rials called oxygenates such as 10% ethanol, MTBE and
ETBE. Oxygenates are required in some areas of the
country during the winter months to reduce carbon
monoxide emissions. Fuels blended with these oxygen-
ates may be used in your vehicle.
CAUTION!
DO NOT use gasolines containing Methanol. Gaso-
line containing methanol may damage critical fuel
system components.
Problems that result from using methanol/gasoline
blends are not the responsibility of The manufacturer.
While MTBE is an oxygenate made from Methanol, it
does not have the negative effects of Methanol.
142 STARTING AND OPERATING

Fuel system damage or vehicle performance problems
resulting from the use of such fuels or additives is not
the responsibility of the manufacturer.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
Carbon Monoxide Warnings
WARNING!
Carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaust gases is deadly.
Follow the precautions below to prevent carbon
monoxide poisoning:
²Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill.
Never run the engine in a closed area, such as a
garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for an extended period. If the vehicle is
stopped in an open area with the engine running for
more than a short period, adjust the ventilation system
to force fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
²Guard against carbon monoxide with proper mainte-
nance. Have the exhaust system inspected every time
the vehicle is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.
²Keep the trunk closed when driving your vehicle to
prevent carbon monoxide and other poisonous ex-
haust gases from entering the vehicle.
ADDING FUEL
NOTE:
The fuel tank filler tube has a restricting door
about 2 inches (50 mm) down from the opening. If fuel is
poured from a portable container, the container should
have a flexible nozzle long enough to force open the
restricting door.
Fuel Tank Filler Cap
The gas cap is behind the fuel filler door, on the passen-
ger's side of the vehicle. If the gas cap is lost or damaged,
be sure the replacement cap has been designed for use
with this vehicle.
144 STARTING AND OPERATING

Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
coolant can be used up to 5 Years or 100,000 miles before
replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance period, it is important that you use the same
coolant throughout the life of your vehicle. Please review
these recommendations for using Hybrid Organic Addi-
tive Technology (HOAT) coolant.
When adding coolant, a minimum solution of 50% rec-
ommended Mopar Antifreeze/ Coolant 5 Year/100,000
Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technol-
ogy), or equivalent, in water should be used. Use higher
concentrations (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below
234ÉF (237ÉC ) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/engine coolant solution.
The use of lower quality water will reduce the amount of
corrosion protection in the engine cooling system.Please note that it is the owner's responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:Mixing coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
coolant, and to insure that coolant will return to the
radiator from the coolant recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 183
7

Washing
²
Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your ve-
hicle in the shade using a mild car wash soap, and
rinse the panels completely with clear water.
²If insects, tar or other similar deposits have accumu-
lated on your vehicle, wash it as soon as possible.
²Use Mopar auto polish to remove road film and stains
and to polish your vehicle. Take care never to scratch
the paint.
²Avoid using abrasive compounds and power buffing
that may diminish the gloss or thin out the paint
finish.
CAUTION!
Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning materials
such as steel wool or scouring powder, which will
scratch metal and painted surfaces. Many wheel
cleaners contain acids that may harm the wheel
surface.
Special Care
²
If you drive on salted or dusty roads or if you drive
near the ocean, hose off the undercarriage at least once
a month.
²It is important that the drain holes in the lower edges
of the doors, rocker panels and rear deck lid be kept
clear and open.
²If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint,
touch them up immediately. The cost of such repairs is
considered the responsibility of the owner.
²Use Mopar touch up paint on scratches or chips as
soon as possible. Your dealer has touch up paint to
match the color of your vehicle.
²If your vehicle is damaged due to an accident or
similar cause which destroys the paint and protective
coating, have your vehicle repaired as soon as pos-
sible. The cost of such repairs is considered the respon-
sibility of the owner.
192 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

²If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers,
deicer salt, etc., be sure that such materials are well
packaged and sealed.
²If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider
mud or stone shields behind each wheel.
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care
All wheels and wheel trim, especially Aluminum and
Chrome plated, should be cleaned regularly, using mild
soap and water to maintain their luster and to prevent
corrosion. Wash them with the same soap solution as the
body of your vehicle. Rinse wheels thoroughly.
When cleaning extremely dirty wheels, care must be
taken in the selection of tire and wheel cleaning chemi-
cals and equipment to prevent damage to the wheels.
Only Mopar Wheel Cleaners are recommended. Any of
the ªDO NOT USEº items listed below can damage
wheels and wheel trim.
DO NOT USE:
²Any abrasive cleaner
²Any abrasive cleaning pad (such as steel wool) or
abrasive brush
²Any cleaner that contains an acid which can react with
and discolor the chrome surface.
CAUTION!
Many wheel cleaners contain acids that may harm
the wheel surface.
²Oven cleaner
²A car wash that uses carbide-tipped wheel cleaning
brushes or acidic solutions.
Interior Care
Use Mopar Fabric Cleaner to clean fabric upholstery and
carpeting.
Use Mopar Vinyl Cleaner to clean vinyl upholstery.
Mopar Vinyl Cleaner is specifically recommended for
vinyl trim.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 193
7

Your leather upholstery can be best preserved by regular
cleaning with a damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt
can act as an abrasive and damage the leather upholstery
and should be removed promptly with a damp cloth.
Stubborn soils can be removed easily with a soft cloth
and Mopar Total Clean. Care should be taken to avoid
soaking your leather upholstery with any liquid. Please
do not use polishes, oils, cleaning fluids, solvents, deter-
gents, or ammonia based cleaners to clean your leather
upholstery. Application of a leather conditioner is not
required to maintain the original condition.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights that are lighter and
less susceptible to stone breakage than glass headlights.Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.
To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other aggressive material to clean the lenses.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis
with any commercial household-type glass cleaner.
Never use an abrasive type cleaner. Use caution when
cleaning inside rear windows equipped with electric
defrosters. Do not use scrapers or other sharp instru-
ments which may scratch the elements.
Instrument Panel Cover
The instrument panel cover has a low glare surface which
minimizes reflections in the windshield. Do not use
protectants or other products which may cause undesir-
able reflections. Use soap and warm water to restore the
low glare surface.
194 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Miles 18,000 21,000 24,000 27,000 30,000
(Kilometers ) (29 000) (34 000) (38 000) (43 000) (48 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, if not re-
placed at 3 months..XX X XX
Rotate tires. X X X
Inspect the front brake pads and rear brake linings
and rotors.XX
Replaceair cleaner filter.X
Inspect thePCV valveand replace if necessary. * X
Adjust the generator belt tension.X
Replace themake-up air filter(located inside the
air cleaner).X
Replace thespark plugs.X
Inspect the tie rod ends and boot seal. X
SCHEDULE ªBº 211
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Miles 48,000 51,000 54,000 57,000 60,000
(Kilometers) (77 000) (82 000) (86 000 ) (91 000) (96 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, if not re-
placed at 3 months.XX X XX
Rotate tires. X X X
Inspect the front brake pads and rear brake linings
and rotors.X
Replaceair cleaner filter.X
Check and replace, if necessary, thePCV valve.*³ X
Change the automatic transaxle fluid and adjust the
bands.LX
Replace manual transaxle fluid.² X
Inspect the tie rod ends and boot seals. X
Replace the drive belts.X
Replace themake-up air filter(located inside the
air cleaner).X
Replace thespark plugs and ignition cables.X
Flush and replace engine coolant at 60 months, if
not done at 102,000 miles.X
SCHEDULE ªBº 213
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Miles 78,000 81,000 84,000 87,000 90,000
(Kilometers) (125 000) (130 000 ) (134 000 ) (139 000 ) (144 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, if not re-
placed at 3 months.XX X XX
Rotate tires. X X X
Inspect the front brake pads and rear brake linings
and rotors.XX
Replaceair cleaner filter.X
Inspect thePCV valveand replace if necessary. *³ X
Inspect the tie rod ends and boot seals. X
Adjust the generator drive belt tension. X
Replace themake-up air filter(located inside the
air cleaner).X
Replace thespark plugs.X
SCHEDULE ªBº 215
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