warning DODGE NEON SRT 2004 2.G Repair Manual

Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Suggested service intervals can be found in the Mainte-
nance Section.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You wouldn't have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake and Power Steering System Hoses
When servicing the vehicle for scheduled maintenance,
inspect surface of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence of
heat and mechanical damage. Hard and brittle rubber,
cracking, checking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and excessive
swelling suggest deterioration of the rubber. Particularattention should be made to examining those hose sur-
faces nearest to high heat sources, such as the exhaust
manifold.
Inspect all hose clamps and couplings to make sure they
are secure and no leaks are present.
Insure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
NOTE:Often, fluids such as oil, power steering fluid,
and brake fluid are used during assembly plant opera-
tions to ease the assembly of hoses to couplings. There-
fore, oil wetness at the hose-coupling area is not neces-
sarily an indication of leakage. Actual dripping of hot
fluid when systems are under pressure (during vehicle
operation) should be noted before hose is replaced based
on leakage.
NOTE:Inspection of brake hoses should be done
whenever the brake system is serviced and every engine
oil change.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 153
7

WARNING!
Worn brake hoses can burst and cause brake failure.
You could have an accident. If you see any signs of
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, have the brake
hoses replaced immediately.
Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under hood services, or immediately if
the brake system warning lamp is on.
Be sure to clean the top of the master cylinder area before
removing the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the
fluid level up to the requirements described on the brake
fluid reservoir. Fluid level can be expected to fall as the
brake pads wear. Brake fluid level should be checked
when pads are replaced. However, low fluid level may be
caused by a leak and a checkup may be needed.Use only manufacturers recommended brake fluid, refer
to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
for correct fluid type.
WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point or unidentified as to specification, may
result in sudden brake failure during hard pro-
longed braking. You could have an accident.
154 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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!
Manual Transaxle
Lubricant Selection
Use only manufacturers recommended transmission
fluid, refer to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and
Genuine Parts for correct fluid type.
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug. The fluid
level should be between the bottom of the fill hole and a
point not more that 3/16º (4.76 mm) below the bottom of
the hole.Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
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, extreme
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 155
7

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 whencleaning 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.
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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 159
7

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
Glove Box............................PC194
Front Fog Indicator...................... LED
High Beam Indicator....................PC194
Instrument Cluster Illumination............PC194
Low Fuel Indicator....................... LED
Low Oil Pressure Indicator................. LED
Rear Cargo............................T906
Seat Belt Indicator....................... LED
Security Alarm Indicator................... LED
Malfunction Indicator Light................ LED
TRAC OFF Indicator..................... LED
Turn Signal Indicator....................PC194
Voltage Indicator........................ LEDAll 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............4157NAK
Front Side Marker Light.................... 168
Front Fog Light......................9145/H10
Center High Mounted Stop Light
(CHMSL).........................921±W16W
Rear Tail/Stop/Turn Signal Light......3157±P27/7W
Backup Light......................921±W16W
License Light........................... 168
162 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the right equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent me-
chanic.
182 SCHEDULE ªAº
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire's
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and
C, and they represent the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade is based on braking (straight-
ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering
(turning) performance.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 189
9

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.
190 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) System.............. 94
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 150
Adding Fuel........................... 116
Air Cleaner, Engine..................... 142
Air Conditioning.....................78,144
Air Conditioning Controls................. 78
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 144
Air Conditioning System................. 144
Air Pressure, Tires...................... 105
Airbag................................ 27
Airbag Deployment...................... 33
Airbag Light.......................35,44,65
Airbag Maintenance...................... 35
Airbag, Side........................... 34
Alarm, Panic........................... 17
Alarm System.......................... 65
Alignment and Balance.................. 110
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............ 6
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 76
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............165,166
Anti-Lock Brake System................... 94
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 63
Appearance Care....................... 155Ashtrays and Lighter..................... 58
Automatic Door Locks.................... 13
Ball Joints............................ 145
Battery............................... 142
Keyless Transmitter Replacement.......... 18
Belts, Drive........................... 140
Belts, Engine.......................... 142
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 145
B-Pillar Location....................... 100
Brake Fluid........................... 166
Brake, Parking.......................... 92
Brake System........................94,153
Anti-Lock............................ 94
Hoses.............................. 153
Master Cylinder...................... 154
Parking............................. 92
Warning Light........................ 63
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 42
Bulb Replacement...................162,163
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 116
192 INDEX

Fuses................................ 160
GasCap .............................. 116
Gasoline............................. 165
Gasoline, Reformulated.................. 114
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............... 114
Gauges
Coolant Temperature................... 67
Fuel................................ 65
Tachometer.......................... 64
Turbo Boost.......................83,113
General Information...................... 11
Glass Cleaning......................... 159
Hazard Warning Flasher.................. 120
Headlights............................. 54
Bulb Replacement..................... 163
Cleaning............................ 159
High Beam........................... 64
Switch.............................. 54
Hood Prop............................ 52
Hood Release.......................... 51
Hoses............................... 152Ignition
Key ................................. 9
Wiring System....................... 142
Immobilizer............................. 9
Infant Restraint......................... 36
Inside Rearview Mirror................... 47
Instrument Cluster.....................62,63
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 61
Instrument Panel Cover.................. 159
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............ 159
Interior Appearance Care................. 158
Interior Fuses.......................... 161
Interior Lights.......................... 53
Intermittent Wipers...................... 56
Introduction............................ 4
Jack Operation......................... 122
Jump Starting......................... 125
Key, Programming....................... 11
Key, Replacement....................... 10
Key, Sentry............................. 9
Key-In Reminder......................... 9
INDEX 195
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