transmission DODGE STRATUS 2006 2.G User Guide

The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.
If using a manual transmission vehicle for trailer towing,
all starts must be in FIRST gear to avoid excessive clutch
slippage.
4 - Pin Connector
7- Pin Connector
186 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips—Automatic Transmission
The“D”range can be selected when towing. However, if
frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the“3”range
should be selected.
NOTE:Using the“3”range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than
45 minutes of continuous operation. See Schedule“B”in
section 8 of this manual for transmission fluid change
intervals.
NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
Towing Tips—Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)

Don’t use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips—Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
refer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
STARTING AND OPERATING 187
5

Preparations for Jacking
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoid ice or
slippery areas, and set the parking brake. Place the gear
selector in PARK.
•Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher, park vehicle on
firm, level surface.
•Put gear shift in park (automatic transmission) or
reverse (manual transmission).
•Set parking brake and turn off engine.
•Passengers should not remain in the vehicle while the
vehicle is being jacked.
Changing a Tire
CAUTION!
Care must be taken to correctly position the jack to
prevent contact and possible damage to the ground
effects.
The spare wheel, scissors jack, and lug wrench are
stowed under the spare tire cover in the rear cargo area.
Do not attempt to raise this vehicle using a bumper jack.
192 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

2.4L Engine..........................205

2.7L Engine..........................206

Onboard Diagnostic System—OBD II......207

Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs
............................208

Replacement Parts.....................209

Dealer Service........................209

Maintenance Procedures.................210
▫Engine Oil..........................210
▫Crankcase Emission Control System........216
▫Maintenance-Free Battery................216
▫Air Conditioner......................218▫Power Steering—Fluid Check............219
▫Suspension Ball Joints..................220
▫Body Mechanism Lubrication.............220
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................221
▫Windshield Washers...................222
▫Exhaust System......................223
▫Cooling System.......................223
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......227
▫Brakes.............................228
▫Fuel System Hoses....................230
▫Automatic Transmission................230
7

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM—OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the“Malfunction Indicator Light.”It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the“Malfunction Indica-
tor Light”on could cause further damage to the
emission control system. It could also affect fuel
economy and driveability. The vehicle must be
serviced before any emissions tests can be per-
formed.
•If the“Malfunction Indicator Light”is flashing
while the engine is running, severe catalytic con-
verter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 207
7

Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid, refer
to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct fluid
type.
WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that has a lower initial boiling
point than MOPAR DOT 3 Brake Fluid or that is
unidentified as to DOT FMVSS specification may
result in sudden brake failure during hard or pro-
longed braking. You could have an accident.
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 base fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid as seal damage will result!
Fuel System Hoses
Electronic Fuel Injection high pressure fuel systems are
designed with hoses and clamps which have unique
material characteristics to provide adequate sealing and
resist attack by deteriorated gasoline.
You are urged to use only manufacturer specified hoses
and clamps, or their equivalent in material and specifi-
cation, in any fuel system servicing. It is mandatory to
replace all clamps that have been loosened or removed
during service. Care should be taken in installing new
clamps to insure they are properly torqued.
Automatic Transmission
Your front wheel drive vehicle has a transmission and
differential assembly contained within a single housing.
This is referred to as a“Transaxle.”
230 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Selection of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transmission to assure optimum transmission perfor-
mance. Use only manufacturers recommended transmis-
sion fluid, refer to 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
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct
fluid type.
Procedure For Checking Fluid Level
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.
To properly check the automatic transaxle fluid level, the
following procedure must be used:
•The vehicle must be on level ground.
•The engine should be running at curb idle speed for a
minimum of 60 seconds.
•Fully apply parking brake.
•Place the gear selector momentarily in each gear
position ending with the lever in P (PARK).
•Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated.
Remove dipstick and note reading.
•If the fluid is cold (80°F/27°C), the reading should be
in the cross hatched area marked“COLD”(between
the lower two holes in the dipstick).
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 231
7

•If the fluid is hot (180°F/82°C), the reading should be
in the cross hatched area marked”HOT”(between the
upper two holes in the dipstick).
•If the fluid level shows low, add sufficient transmis-
sion fluid to bring to the proper level.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill. Dirt and water in the transaxle can
cause serious damage. To prevent dirt and water
from entering the transaxle after checking or replen-
ishing fluid, make certain that the dipstick cap is
seated properly.
Fluid and Filter Changes
Automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed as follows:
Maintenance schedule“A”—No change necessary.
Maintenance schedule“B”—Every 60,000 miles (96 000
km) change fluid and filter under the following condi-
tions:
•Police, taxi, limousine, commercial type operation, or
trailer towing where the vehicle is drivenregularlyfor
more than 45 minutes of continuous operation.
NOTE:Refer to Section 8 of this manual for mainte-
nance schedules.
If the transaxle is disassembled for any reason, the fluid
and filter should be changed.
Special Additives
The manufacture strongly recommends against the addi-
tion of any additives to the transaxle. The only exception
to this policy is the use of special dyes to aid in detecting
fluid leaks. The use of transmission sealers should be
avoided as they may adversely affect seals.
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 than 4.0 mm below the bottom of the hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
232 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

A Power Distribution Center is located in the engine
compartment; near the air cleaner. This information ap-
plies to vehicles built without the fuse and relay num-
bering embossed on the Power Distribution Center Top
Cover.
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.The identity of each fuse is indicated on the backside of
the cover.
Cavity Fuse Circuit
1 30 Amp Green Blower Motor
2 10 Amp Red Right High Beam Headlight,
High Beam Indicator
3 10 Amp Red Left High Beam Headlight
4 15 Amp Blue Power Door Lock Switch Il-
lumination, Transmission
Range Switch, Daytime Run-
ning Light Module (Canada),
Power Windows, Anti-lock
Brake System Module
5 10 Amp Red Power Door Lock and Door
Lock Arm/Disarm Switches,
Vanity, Reading, Map, Rear
Seating, Ignition, and Trunk
Lights, Illuminated Entry,
Radio, Power Antenna, Data
Link Connector, Body Con-
trol Module, Power Ampli-
fier
Fuse Panel Cover
238 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Chassis
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transaxle MoparATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Brake Master Cylinder MoparDOT 3, SAE J1703 should be used. If DOT 3, SAE J1703 brake fluid
is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only recommended brake flu-
ids.
Power Steering Reservoir MoparPower Steering Fluid + 4, MoparATF+4 Automatic Transmission
Fluid.
Steering Gear & Linkage, Ball
Joints, Prop Shafts & Yokes, Wheel
BearingsMoparMulti-Purpose Lubricant NLGI Grade 2 or equivalent.
248 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE