spare wheel DODGE STRATUS 2006 2.G Owners Manual

Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to
8 seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the bulb is not lit
during starting, have it replaced. If the light stays on or
comes on while driving, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are
present, the cause should be corrected immediately.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with power assisted brakes as
standard equipment. In the event power assist is lost for
any reason (for example, repeated brake applications
with the engine off), the brakes will still function. The
effort required to brake the vehicle will be much greater
than that required with the power system operating.
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.
If either of the two hydraulic systems lose normal capa-
bility, the remaining system will still function with some
loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be evident
by increased pedal travel during application and greater
pedal force required to slow or stop.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)—If Equipped
The ABS gives increased vehicle stability and brake
performance under most braking conditions. The system
automatically“pumps”the brakes during severe braking
conditions to prevent wheel lock-up.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
tires must be properly inflated to produce accurate
signals for the ABS computer. However, the system will
compensate when the compact spare is in use.
During stops where ABS is activated, a vibration of the
brake pedal may be felt and associated system noises
may be heard.
WARNING!
Pumping of the brake pedal will diminish the effec-
tiveness of Anti-lock brakes and may lead to an
accident. Pumping makes the stopping distance
longer. Just press firmly on your brake pedal when
you need to slow down or stop.
STARTING AND OPERATING 149
5

WARNING!
High speed driving with your vehicle under maxi-
mum load is dangerous. The added strain on your
tires could cause them to fail. You could have a
serious accident. Don’t drive a vehicle loaded to the
maximum capacity at continuous speeds above 75
mph (120 km/h).
Radial-Ply Tires
WARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires
on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle
poorly. The instability could cause an accident. Al-
ways use radial ply tires in sets of four (or 6, in case
of trucks with dual rear wheels). Never combine
them with other types of tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs.
Compact Spare Tire—If Equipped
The compact spare is for temporary emergency use with
radial tires. It is engineered to be used on your style
vehicle only. Since this tire has limited tread life, the
original tire should be repaired (or replaced) and rein-
stalled at the first opportunity.
WARNING!
Temporary use spare tires are for emergency use
only. With these tires, do not drive more than 50 mph
(80 km/h). Temporary-use spare tires have limited
tread life. When the tread is worn to the tread wear
indicators, the temporary use spare tire needs to be
replaced. Be sure to follow the warnings which
apply to your spare. Failure to do so could result in
spare tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
STARTING AND OPERATING 163
5

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

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

1. Block wheel diagonally op-
posite flat tire.
2. Remove the spare tire, scissors jack and lug wrench
from stowage.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 193
6

3. Before raising the vehicle, use lug wrench to carefully
pry off wheel cover (if equipped with steel wheels) or
center cap (if equipped with aluminum wheels). Loosen,
but do not remove, the wheel nuts by turning them
counterclockwise one turn while the wheel is still on the
ground.WARNING!
To avoid possible personal injury, handle the wheel
covers with care to avoid contact with the metal
edges and retention teeth.
4. Turn the jack screw clockwise to firmly engage the jack
saddle with the lift area of the sill flange. Use the lift area
closest to the flat tire
5. Raise the vehicle just enough to remove flat tire and
install spare tire.
Center Cap Removal
194 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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

Starting.............................. 140
Cold Weather........................ 141
Engine Fails to Start................... 142
Starting and Operating................... 140
Steering
Power...........................150,219
Tilt Column.......................... 64
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls............................ 119
Storage.............................. 240
Storage, Vehicle........................ 240
Storing Your Vehicle..................... 240
Stuck, Freeing......................... 201
Sun Roof.............................. 74
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 30
Tachometer............................ 84
Tape Player........................... 119
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC)....... 122
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......86,191
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)............... 19
Theft System (Security Alarm).............. 19
Tilt Steering Column..................... 64Tire and Loading Information Placard....... 156
Tire Identification Number (TIN)........... 154
Tire Markings......................... 152
Tire Safety Information................... 152
Tires ...........................46,160,275
Aging (Life of Tires)................... 166
Air Pressure......................... 160
Alignment.......................... 167
Chains............................. 168
Changing........................191,192
Compact Spare....................... 163
Flat Changing.....................191,192
General Information................... 160
High Speed......................... 162
Inflation Pressures.................... 161
Jacking............................. 192
Life of Tires......................... 166
Load Capacity....................156,157
Quality Grading...................... 275
Radial............................. 163
Replacement......................... 166
Rotation............................ 168
Safety...........................152,160
INDEX 289
10