tire pressure DODGE STRATUS 2006 2.G User Guide

Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare.
Do not install more than one compact spare tire/wheel
on the vehicle at any given time.
CAUTION!
Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with the
compact spare installed. Damage to the vehicle may
result.
Limited Use Spare—If Equipped
The limited use spare tire is for temporary emergency use
on your vehicle. This tire is identified by a limited use
spare tire warning label located on the limited use spare
tire and wheel assembly. This tire may look like the
original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle, but it is not. Installation of this limited use sparetire affects vehicle handling. Since it is not the same tire,
replace (or repair) the original tire and reinstall on the
vehicle at the first opportunity.
WARNING!
The limited use spare tires are for emergency use
only. Installation of this limited use spare tire affects
vehicle handling. With this tire, do not drive more
than 60 mph (100 km/h). Keep inflated to the cold
tire inflation pressure listed on either your tire
placard or limited use spare tire and wheel assembly.
Replace (or repair) the original tire at the first
opportunity and reinstall it on your vehicle. Failure
to do so could result in loss of vehicle control.
Tire Spinning
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not
spin your vehicle’s wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h).
See the paragraph on Freeing A Stuck Vehicle in Section
6 of this manual.
164 STARTING AND OPERATING

Life of Tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying
factors including but not limited to:
•Driving style
•Tire pressure
•Distance driven
WARNING!
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after six
years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to
follow this warning can result in sudden tire failure.
You could lose control and have an accident result-
ing in serious injury or death.
Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-
lent to the originals in size, quality and performance
when replacement is needed (see the paragraph on tread
wear indicators). Refer to the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion placard for the size designation of your tire. The
service description and load identification will be found
on the original equipment tire. Failure to use equivalent
replacement tires may adversely affect the safety, han-
dling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend that you
contact your original equipment or an authorized tire
dealer with any questions you may have on tire specifi-
cations or capability.
166 STARTING AND OPERATING

4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).
Towing Requirements—Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
Tires–General Information section of this manual on
Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the Tires–General
Information section of this manual on Tread Wear
Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires refer to the Tires–General Infor-
mation section of this manual on Replacement Tires for
proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires
with a higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements—Trailer Brakes

Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000
lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000
lbs (907 kg).
184 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 in Park
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.
•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.
•The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 191
6

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.
6. Remove lug nuts and tire.
7. Mount spare tire.
8. Tighten all lug nuts on mounting studs.
9. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning the jack
handle counterclockwise.
10. Fully tighten the lug nuts. Torque wheel lug nuts to
135 N·m (100 ft. lbs.).
11. Store the flat tire, jack, and tools.
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.
12. Wheel cover installation (if required). Do not attempt
to install a wheel cover on a compact spare. Align valve
notch in wheel cover with valve stem on wheel. Snap
cover into place.
NOTE:When reinstalling the center cap it is necessary
to align the center cap notch with the first spoke, just
right of the valve stem.
13. Adjust the tire pressure as soon as possible. Correct
pressure is on the label located on the driver’s door.
196 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Once a Month
•
Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and transaxle and add as needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
•Check rubber seals on each side of the radiator for
proper fit.
At Each Oil Change
•
Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•Inspect the brake linings, hoses and calipers.
•Inspect the CV joints and front and rear suspension
components.
•Check the automatic transmission fluid level.
•Check the brake master cylinder fluid level.
•Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
NOTE:In 2.7L Engines equipped with Flex Fuel Engine
(FFV), change engine oil every 5 months or 5,000 miles,
whichever comes first. This applies to both Maintenance
Schedule A and B.
252 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

About Your Brakes...................... 149
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............. 149
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 224
Adding Fuel.......................... 177
Adding Washer Fluid.................... 222
Additives, Fuel........................ 173
Aiming Headlights...................... 246
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . 215
Air Conditioner Maintenance.............. 218
Air Conditioning....................122,129
Air Conditioning Controls................ 122
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips........128,134
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 219
Air Conditioning System..............129,218
Air Pressure, Tires...................... 161
Airbag................................ 30
Airbag Deployment....................33,34
Airbag Light...................33,34,36,46,84
Airbag Maintenance...................... 36
Airbag, Side........................... 35
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain)...........30,35
Alarm Light............................ 88
Alarm, Panic........................... 17Alarm System (Security Alarm)............. 19
Alignment and Balance.................. 167
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............ 6
Antenna, Satellite Radio.................. 118
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............224,246
Capacities........................... 246
Disposal............................ 226
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............. 149
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 87
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)...... 19
Appearance Care....................... 233
Automatic Dimming Mirror................ 52
Automatic Door Locks..................13,14
Automatic Headlights.................... 62
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)....... 122
Automatic Transaxle.........143,145,202,230,248
Adding Fluid........................ 248
Filter.............................. 232
Fluid and Filter Changes................ 232
Fluid Level Check..................... 231
Interlock System...................... 144
Reset Mode......................... 145
Selection Of Lubricant...............231,248
278 INDEX

Shifting............................ 145
Special Additives..................... 232
Autostick............................. 169
Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 76
Ball Joints............................ 220
Battery............................... 216
Emergency Starting.................... 197
Gas Caution......................199,217
Heater............................. 142
Jump Starting........................ 197
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)..... 18
Location.........................197,217
Belts, Drive........................... 214
Belts, Engine.......................... 216
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 220
B-Pillar Location....................... 156
Brake, Parking......................... 147
Brake System.......................149,228
Anti-Lock (ABS)...................... 149
Fluid Check......................... 229
Hoses.............................. 228
Master Cylinder...................... 229Warning Light........................ 87
Brake/Transmission Interlock...........143,145
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 44
Bulb Replacement...................... 241
Bulbs, Light........................... 240
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...... 246
Capacities, Fluid....................... 246
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 177
Oil (Engine)......................... 213
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 225
Car Washes........................... 233
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 174
Carpeting............................. 235
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 120
Cassette Tape Player...............94,103,105
Catalytic Converter..................... 215
CD (Compact Disc) Changer......101,106,111,113
CD (Compact Disc) Player........99,108,110,120
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 245
Central Locking......................... 13
Chains, Tire........................... 168
INDEX 279
10

Changing A Flat Tire.................... 191
Charging System Light................... 84
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 153
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)............................... 208
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............ 45
Child Restraint...................36,39,41,42
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 41
Child Safety Locks....................... 14
Cigar Lighter........................... 92
Circuit Breakers.....................237,238
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 172
Cleaning
Glass.............................. 236
Headlights.......................... 236
Instrument Panel..................... 236
WoodTrim .......................... 236
Climate Control........................ 122
Clock................................. 92
Coin Holder........................... 50
Compact Disc (CD) Changer............... 113
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance........... 121
Compact Disc (CD) Player...............94,99Compact Spare Tire..................... 163
Compass.............................. 89
Compass Calibration..................... 90
Contract, Service....................... 272
Coolant Pressure Cap.................... 225
Cooling System........................ 223
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 224
Coolant Capacity..................... 246
Coolant Level.....................223,226
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 226
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 224
Points to Remember................... 227
Pressure Cap........................ 225
Radiator Cap........................ 225
Rubber and Plastic Components.......... 227
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)....224,246,247
Corrosion Protection.................... 233
Crankcase Emission Control System......... 216
Cruise Control (Speed Control)............. 66
Cruise Light........................... 83
Customer Assistance.................... 270
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights.......... 60
280 INDEX

Dimmer Switch, Headlight.............61,63
Engine Temperature Warning............. 86
Exterior Check........................ 46
Fog ...........................62,85,244
Front Replacement.................... 243
Headlight Switch...................... 61
Headlights........................... 61
High Beam........................... 63
High Beam Indicator................... 84
Illuminated Entry...................... 11
Instrument Cluster..................... 61
Interior.............................. 59
License............................. 246
Lights On Reminder.................... 62
Low Fuel............................ 88
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)....... 84
Map Reading......................... 60
Oil Pressure.......................... 87
Rear Servicing....................... 245
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 88
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)............. 19
Service..........................240,241
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . 84Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)............. 88
Traction Control...................... 151
Turn Signal...................61,62,84,243
Voltage.............................. 84
Load Limits........................... 178
Loading Vehicle
Capacities........................... 178
Tires ............................156,178
Locks
Central.............................. 13
Child Protection....................... 14
Door............................... 11
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).............................. 41
Lubricants............................ 220
Lubrication, Body....................... 220
Luggage/Cargo Capacity................. 178
Lumbar Support........................ 55
Maintenance Free Battery................. 216
Maintenance Procedures.................. 210
Maintenance Schedule................... 250
Light Duty Schedule“B”................ 253
INDEX 285
10