wheel DODGE NEON 2005 2.G Owner's Guide

Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. A dolly should be
used under the front wheels if the rear wheels are raised.
Proper towing equipment is necessary to prevent dam-
age to the vehicle.
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle (Flat
Towing With All Four Wheels On The Ground)
If your vehicle is equipped with a manual transaxle, it
may be towed at any legal highway speed, for any
distance, if the transaxle is in neutral.
If the ignition key is not available, vehicles with auto-
matic transaxles can not be flat towed at any time.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 161
6

WARNING!
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter.
Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid as seal damage will result!
Automatic Transaxle
All front wheel drive vehicles have a transaxle and
differential assembly contained within a single housing.
Selection of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transaxle to assure optimum transaxle performance. Use
only manufacturers recommended transmission fluid,
refer to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts for correct fluid type. It is important that the
transmission fluid be maintained at the prescribed level
using the recommended fluid.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turers recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder. Using a transmission fluid other than the
manufacturers recommended fluid will result in
more frequent fluid and filter changes. Refer to
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
for correct fluid type.
Fluid Level Check
The fluid level in the automatic transaxle should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transaxle and of the fluid.
Procedure for Checking Fluid Level
Check the fluid level while the transmission is at normal
operating temperature. This occurs after at least 15 miles
(25 km) of driving. At normal operating temperature,
which is approximately 180ÉF ( 82ÉC), the fluid cannot be
held comfortably between the fingertips.
188 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (highest), B, and C, repre-
senting the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the
tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance which all passen-
ger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
232 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Rear Servicing....................... 201
Rear Tail............................ 201
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 79
Security Alarm........................ 22
Side Marker......................... 201
Theft Alarm.......................... 79
Turn Signal.....................62,78,201
Voltage.............................. 79
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description).... 77
Loading Vehicle........................ 146
Tires ............................... 128
Locks................................ 14
Child Protection....................... 17
Door............................... 14
Power Door.......................... 15
Steering Wheel........................ 13
Lubrication, Body....................... 178
Maintenance.......................169,206
Maintenance, Airbag..................... 38
Maintenance Free Battery................. 176
Maintenance Procedures.................. 169
Maintenance Schedule................... 206Schedule9A9......................... 218
Schedule9B9......................... 209
Maintenance, Sunroof.................... 69
Malfunction Indicator Light.............80,167
Manual, Service........................ 229
Manual Transaxle...............67,114,119,190
Downshifting........................ 120
Fluid Level Check..................... 190
Frequency of Fluid Change.............. 191
Lubricant Selection.................... 190
Map/Reading Lights..................... 60
Master Cylinder........................ 187
Mirrors............................... 51
Compass/Temperature.................. 51
Electric Remote....................... 55
Outside............................. 54
Rearview............................ 51
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............ 6
Mopar Parts........................168,229
Multi-Function Control Lever.............61,62
Occupant Restraints...................... 24
240 INDEX

Shift Speeds, Manual Transaxle............ 120
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage............. 28
Side Airbag............................ 37
Side Window Demisters...............103,109
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 158
Snow Tires............................ 140
Spare Tire.........................135,136
Spark Plugs........................... 173
Speed Control........................65,81
Speedometer........................... 78
Speedometer and Odometer..............75,76
Starting.............................. 114
Engine Fails to Start................... 115
Starting Procedures..................... 114
Steering
Power............................. 124
Tilt Column.......................... 64
Wheel Lock.......................... 13
Storage, Vehicle........................ 198
Sun Roof.............................. 68
Sunroof Maintenance..................... 69
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 31
Synthetic Engine Oil..................... 172Tachometer............................ 78
Tape Player............................ 97
Temperature Control, Automatic............ 101
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......81,151
Theft Alarm............................ 22
Theft System........................... 22
Theft System Arming..................... 22
Theft System Disarming................... 23
Tilt Steering Column..................... 64
Tire and Loading Information Placard....... 128
Tire Identification Number (TIN)........... 127
Tire Markings......................... 124
Tire Safety Information................... 124
Tires ...........................47,132,231
Air Pressure......................... 132
Alignment.......................... 139
Chains............................. 139
Changing........................... 152
Compact Spare....................... 135
General Information................... 132
High Speed......................... 134
Inflation Pressures.................... 133
Jacking............................. 152
INDEX 243
10

Warning Lights (Instrument Cluster Description) . 77
Warnings and Cautions.................... 6
Warranty Information.................... 227
Washer, Adding Fluid................... 180
Washers, Windshield..................... 63
Washing Vehicle........................ 192
Wheel Alignment and Balance............. 139
Wheel and Wheel Trim Care............... 193
Wind Buffeting......................... 69
Window Fogging....................... 109
Windows
Power.............................. 23
Windshield Washer Aiming............... 180
Windshield Washers..................... 63
Fluid.............................. 180
Windshield Wiper Blades................. 179
Windshield Wipers...................... 63
Wiper Blade Replacement................. 179
Wipers, Intermittent...................... 64
Wiring, Ignition........................ 175
INDEX 245
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