DODGE NEON 2005 2.G Owners Manual

Frequency of Fluid Change
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will give satisfactory lubrication for the life of
the vehicle. Fluid changes are not necessary unless the
following conditions exist:
²The lubricant has become contaminated with water. If
contaminated with water, the fluid should be changed
immediately.
²If severe usage has occurred, refer to Maintenance
Schedule ªBº in Section 8 of this manual.
Appearance Care and Protection from Corrosion
Protection of Body and Paint from Corrosion
Vehicle body car requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice, and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in you vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extremehot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of
paint and protective coatings from your vehicle.
The most common causes are:
²Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation.
²Stone and gravel impact.
²Insects, tree sap and tar.
²Salt in the air near sea coast localities.
²Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants.
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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.
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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

Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in the vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.
1. Clean with a wet soft rag. A mild soap solution may be
used, but do not use high alcohol content of abrasive
cleaners. If soap is used, wipe clean with a clean damp
rag.
2. Dry with a soft tissue.
Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye or clean the belts with chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners. This will weaken the fabric.
Sun damage will also weaken the fabric.
If the belts need cleaning, use a mild soap solution or
lukewarm water. Do not remove the belts from the
vehicle to wash them.
Replace the belts if they appear frayed or worn or if the
buckles do not work properly.
FUSES
Underhood Fuses (Power Distribution Center)
A Power Distribution Center is located in the engine
compartment; next to the battery. A label identifying the
components and circuits is located on the underside of
the cover.
Underhood Fuses (Power Distribution Center)
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7

MAXI
FUSEAmp/Color Items Fused
1Ð Ð
2Ð Ð
3 40 Amp/
GreenHeadlamps
4 40 Amp/
GreenIgnition Run
5 30 Amp/Pink ABS Solenoid
6 30 Amp/Pink Radiator Fan
7 Spare
8 40 Amp/
GreenABS Pump
9 30 Amp/Pink Starter
10 40 Amp/
GreenElectric Back Light (EBL)MINI
FUSEAmp/Color Items Fused
11 Spare
12 Spare
13 20 Amp/
YellowIOD/Int Lighting/Radio
14 20 Amp/
YellowPower Outlet
15 15 Amp/Blue Hazard Flasher
16 15 Amp/Blue MTV
17 20 Amp/
YellowElectronic Automatic
Transaxle (EATX)
18 10 Amp/Red Horn
19 Spare
20 20 Amp/
YellowFog Lamp (Export Only)
21 20 Amp/
YellowASD/Fuel Pump
22 10 Amp/Red A/C Clutch
23 15 Amp/Blue Stop Lamps
196 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Interior Fuses
The fuse access panel is behind the end cover at the left
side of the instrument panel. To remove the panel, pull it
out, as shown. A diagram identifying the components
and circuits is located on the inside of the cover.
FUSE Amp/Color Items Fused
1 10 Amp/Red Power Mirror/
Multifunction
2 20 Amp/
YellowWiper Switch/Motor
3 20 Amp/
YellowRadio/Power Sunroof
4 15 Amp/Blue Interior Lighting
5 10 Amp/Red Airbag Run Only
6 20 Amp/
YellowHVAC Blower
7 10 Amp/Red Backup Switch/EBL/
Temp/Comp
8 15 Amp/Blue High Headlamp
9 10 Amp/Red Airbag Run-Start
10 15 Amp/Blue ABS Engine Run Start
11 10 Amp/Red ARKEM Run Start
12 10 Amp/Red Ignition Off/Run/ Start
13 20 Amp/
YellowPower Seat Height Adjust
14 20 Amp/
YellowARKEM Door Locks
15 15 Amp/Blue Exterior Lighting
16 25 Amp/
NaturalHeadlamp
Interior Fuse Panel
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7

17 10 Amp/Red Lt Low Beam Headlamp/
Headlamp Level Switch
(Bux Only)
18 10 Amp/Red Rt Low Beam Headlamp/
Headlamp Level Motor
19 10 Amp/Red Fog lamps
20 Spare
CAUTION!
When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to use
only a fuse having the correct amperage rating. The
use of a fuse with a rating other than indicated may
result in a dangerous electrical system overload. If a
properly rated fuse continues to blow, it shows a
problem in the circuit that must be corrected.
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you will not be using your vehicle for more than 21
days you may want to take steps to preserve your battery.
You may:
²Disengage the mini fuse in the Power Distribution
Center labeled IOD (Ignition Off-Draw).
²Or, disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
REPLACEMENT BULBS
LIGHT BULBS Ð Inside Bulb No.
ABS Indicator.......................... LED
Airbag Indicator........................ LED
Brake System Warning Indicator............. LED
Climate Controls........................ LED
Console Gear Selector...................PC194
Dome Light............................T579
Front Fog Indicator...................... LED
High Beam Indicator....................PC194
Instrument Cluster Illumination............PC194
Low Fuel Indicator....................... LED
Low Oil Pressure Indicator................. LED
Rear Cargo............................T906
198 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

LIGHT BULBS Ð Inside Bulb No.
Seat Belt Indicator....................... LED
Security Alarm Indicator................... LED
Malfunction Indicator Light................ LED
Turn Signal Indicator....................PC194
Voltage Indicator........................ LED
All the inside bulbs are brass or glass wedge base.
Aluminum base bulbs are not approved and should not
be used for replacement.
LIGHTS BULBS Ð Outside Bulb No.
Headlight.............................9007
Front Park/Turn Signal Light.............3457AK
Front Side Marker Light.................... 168
Front Fog Light.......................... 899
Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL).....921±
W16W
Rear Tail/Stop/Turn Signal Light......3157±P27/7W
Backup Light......................921±W16W
License Light........................... 168BULB REPLACEMENT
Headlight Bulb Replacement
CAUTION!
Do not touch the new headlight bulb with your
fingers. Oil contamination will severely shorten
bulb life.
1. Remove the three upper fascia screws.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 199
7

2. Remove two screws from the headlight assembly and
remove the assembly from the vehicle.
NOTE:The headlight assembly is located to the fender
by a molded pin. Pull the outboard side of the headlight
straight out until the molded pin clears the fender, then
slide the headlight out from behind the bumper fascia
and grille.3. Disconnect the electrical connector.
4. Remove the retaining ring and replace the bulb.
CAUTION!
During installation, be sure when tightening the
inboard screw, to only tighten until the rubber
grommet on the screw starts to compress against the
headlamp module housing.
200 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE