jump start DODGE STRATUS 2006 2.G Owners Manual

WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
axle cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could
enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has
started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle.
This type of start can be dangerous if done improp-
erly, so follow the procedure carefully. See section 6
of this manual for jump starting instructions.
Extreme Cold Weather (below -20°For-29°C)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater and
battery blanket heater package (available from your
dealer) is recommended.
Ignition Key Positions
STARTING AND OPERATING 141
5

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS

Hazard Warning Flasher.................190

If Your Engine Overheats................190

Jacking And Tire Changing...............191
▫Preparations For Jacking................192

Jump-Starting Procedures If Battery Is Low...197

Driving On Slippery Surfaces.............200
▫Acceleration.........................200▫Traction............................200

Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................201

Towing A Disabled Vehicle...............201

Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)
.............................202
▫Automatic Transaxle...................202
6

JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES IF BATTERY IS
LOW
WARNING!
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transaxle cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from another vehicle. This type of
start can be dangerous if done improperly, so
follow this procedure carefully.
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-
ever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is on. You can be hurt by the fan.
NOTE:The battery is stored in a compartment behind
the left front fender and is accessible without removing
the tire and wheel. Remote battery terminals are located
in the engine compartment for jump starting.
1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watch bands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.
2. When boosting from a battery in another vehicle, park
that vehicle within booster cable reach but without
letting the vehicles touch. Set parking brake, place auto-
matic transaxle in PARK and turn ignition to OFF for
both vehicles.
3. Turn off the heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the booster battery. Connect the other end to
the positive jump start attachment of the discharged
battery.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 197
6

WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and person
injury could result.
5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery and then to the jump start attach-
ment of the vehicle with the discharged battery. Make
sure you have a good contact on the engine.
WARNING!
Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode.
During cold weather when temperatures are below
freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged battery
may freeze. Do not attempt jump starting because
the battery could rupture or explode. The battery
temperature must be brought up above freezing
point before attempting to jump start.
6. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.Jump Starting
198 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NOTE:The battery is stored in a compartment behind
the left front fender and is accessible without removing
the tire and wheel. Remote battery terminals are located
in the engine compartment for jump starting.
To access the battery, turn the steering wheel fully to the
right and remove the inner fender shield.WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories con-
tain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling. Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution
and can burn or even blind you. Don’t allow battery
fluid to contact your eyes, skin or clothing. Don’t
lean over a battery when attaching clamps. If acid
splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area immedi-
ately with large amounts of water. Battery gas is
flammable and explosive. Keep flame or sparks
away from the battery. Don’t use a booster battery or
any other booster source with an output greater than
12 volts. Don’t allow cable clamps to touch each
other.
Battery Location
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 217
7

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
10

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