warning light DODGE STRATUS 2006 2.G Owner's Manual

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

CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Towing Requirements—Trailer Lights & Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may includea4and7pin
wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness
and connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
STARTING AND OPERATING 185
5

Never use cleaners that contain acid, oven cleaners or
any abrasive metal cleaner as they will cause perma-
nent staining and/or corrosion.
•If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers,
deicer salt, etc., be sure that such materials are well
packaged and sealed.
•If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider
mud or stone shields behind each wheel.
Interior Care
Use Mopar Fabric Cleaner or equivalent to clean fabric
upholstery and carpeting.
Use Mopar Vinyl Cleaner or equivalent to clean vinyl or
leather upholstery.
Mopar Vinyl Cleaner or equivalent is specifically recom-
mended for vinyl trim.
Use mild (Ivory Flake) solution or equivalent to clean all
surfaces. Wipe with clear water and soft (lint free) cloth.
Do not use cleaners, conditioners and protectants con-
taining silicon or bleach as these may cause gloss level
increases and/or discoloration.You should not increase the gloss level, especially on top
of the instrument panel top surface. Higher gloss levels
will increase the reflectivity in the windshield that could
decrease visibility under bright light driving conditions.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
Leather Seat Care and Cleaning
CAUTION!
Never use polishes, oils, cleaning fluids, solvents,
detergents, or ammonia based cleaners to clean the
leather. The leather has already been pretreated. The
application of any leather conditioner may damage
the factory applied top coat.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 235
7

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

Daytime Running Lights.................. 62
Dealer Service......................... 209
Defroster, Rear Window.................. 132
Defroster, Windshield...............46,126,131
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 207
Dimmer Control........................ 59
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 63
Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle................... 231
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............. 226
Engine Oil.......................... 214
Door Ajar Warning...................... 13
Door Locks............................ 11
Door Locks, Automatic................... 13
Door Opener, Garage..................... 69
Drive Belts............................ 214
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 200
E-85 Fuel............................. 175
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary (Power Outlet)..... 76
Electrical Power Outlets................... 76Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 66
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 201
Jacking............................. 191
Jump Starting........................ 197
Overheating......................... 190
Towing............................. 201
Emergency Trunk Release...............20,21
Emission Control System Maintenance....208,250
Engine............................205,206
Air Cleaner Filter..................... 215
Block Heater......................... 142
Break-In Recommendations............... 44
Checking Oil Level.................... 210
Compartment.....................205,206
Coolant (Antifreeze)................223,247
Cooling............................ 223
Exhaust Gas Caution.................. 174
Fails to Start......................... 142
Fuel Requirements.................171,246
Oil ..........................210,246,247
Oil Change Interval................... 211
Oil Selection......................212,246
INDEX 281
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Oil Synthetic......................... 213
Overheating......................... 190
Timing Belt.......................... 216
Engine Oil Viscosity..................... 246
Entry System, Illuminated................. 11
Exhaust Gas Caution...............45,174,223
Exhaust System........................ 223
Exterior Light Service.................... 241
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 215
Automatic Transaxle................... 232
Engine Fuel......................... 215
Engine Oil.......................214,247
Engine Oil Disposal................... 214
Flashers
Hazard Warning...................... 190
Turn Signal.......................... 84
Flash-To-Pass........................... 63
Flat Tire Changing...................... 191
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Cruising Range....................... 176
Engine Oil.......................... 176Fuel Requirements.................... 175
Maintenance......................... 176
Replacement Parts.................... 176
Starting............................ 176
Fluid, Brake........................... 248
Fluid Capacities........................ 246
Fluid Leaks............................ 46
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle................... 231
Capacities........................... 246
Cooling System....................... 223
Engine Oil.......................... 210
Power Steering....................... 219
Fluids............................... 247
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts........ 247
Fog Light Service....................... 244
Fog Lights........................62,85,244
Folding Rear Seat....................... 57
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 201
Fuel................................. 171
Adding............................. 177
Additives........................... 173
Clean Air........................... 172
282 INDEX

Filler Cap (Gas Cap)................... 177
Filter.............................. 215
Gasoline............................ 171
Gauge.............................. 83
Hoses.............................. 230
Light............................... 88
Octane Rating........................ 247
Requirements.....................171,246
Tank Capacity........................ 246
Fuel, Flexible............See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fueling.............................. 177
Fuses................................ 237
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) .......... 69
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)................. 177
Gasoline, Clean Air..................... 172
Gasoline (Fuel)........................ 171
Gasoline, Reformulated.................. 172
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............... 172
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................85,86
Fuel................................ 83
Speedometer......................... 84Tachometer.......................... 84
Gearshift............................. 145
General Information...................10,17
Glass Cleaning......................... 236
Gross Axle Weight Rating................. 179
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating............... 179
Hazard Warning Flasher.................. 190
Head Restraints......................... 56
Headlights............................ 241
Aiming............................. 246
Automatic........................... 62
Bulb Replacement..................... 241
Cleaning............................ 236
High Beam.........................63,84
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch....... 63
Passing............................. 63
Switch.............................. 61
Time Delay........................62,63
Heater............................122,129
Heater, Engine Block.................... 142
Hitches
Trailer Towing....................... 180
INDEX 283
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HomeLink(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . 69
Hood Prop............................ 58
Hood Release.......................... 58
Hoses............................227,230
Illuminated Entry........................ 11
Immobilizer (Sentry Key)................... 9
Infant Restraint......................... 37
Inside Rearview Mirror................... 52
Instrument Cluster....................... 82
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 81
Instrument Panel Cover.................. 236
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............ 237
Interior Appearance Care................. 235
Interior Fuses.......................... 238
Interior Lighting........................ 59
Interior Lights.......................... 59
Introduction............................ 4
Jack Location.......................... 192
Jack Operation......................... 192
Jump Starting......................... 197Key, Programming....................... 10
Key, Replacement........................ 9
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer).................. 9
Keyless Entry System..................... 15
Knee Bolster........................... 30
Lap/Shoulder Belts...................... 23
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren)............................. 41
Latch Plate............................ 24
Latches
Hood............................... 58
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 171
Leaks, Fluid............................ 46
Life of Tires........................... 166
Lights..............................46,59
Airbag........................34,36,46,84
Anti-Lock............................ 87
Automatic Headlights................... 62
Brake Warning.....................87,147
Bulb Replacement..................... 240
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator)....... 84
Daytime Running...................... 62
284 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
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