warning DODGE STRATUS COUPE 2004 2.G Owners Manual

To check the fluid level
The fluid level should be checked when the engine
temperature gauge indicates a normal warmed up con-
dition and the fluid in the transaxle is heated to its
normal operating temperature. Operation with an im-
proper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transaxle and the fluid.
Procedure for checking the fluid level
1. With the parking brake engaged and the engine idling,
select each gear momentarily, ending with the selector
lever in the ªNº (NEUTRAL) position.
2. The fluid level should be at the HOT mark, but never
above the HOT mark when the engine is at its normal
warmed up condition. Add or drain as necessary to bring
the fluid to this prescribed level.
3. Make certain that the dipstick cap is reseated properly
to prevent dirt and water from entering the transaxle.
WARNING!
Transaxle fluid is extremely flammable and poison-
ous. Do not spill fluid when adding or draining.
To add or change the fluid
Use only recommended Mopar ATF+4 automatic trans-
mission fluid to ensure optimum transaxle performance.
M05A0460
Drain plug
328 MAINTENANCE

DOOR HINGES, REAR HATCH HINGES, HOOD
LOCK RELEASE MECHANISM AND SAFETY
CATCH
The door hinges, trunk hinges, hood lock release mecha-
nism and hood safety catch should be inspected, cleaned,
and lubricated as required to maintain ease of operation
and to provide protection against rust and wear. Apply
engine oil to door hinges, hood hinges, and trunk hinges.
Apply Multipurpose Grease NLGI Grade 2 sparingly to
all sliding contact areas of the hood latch and release
lever. Work lubricant into the hood lock mechanism until
all frictional surfaces are covered.
Also, apply a film of the same lubricant to the pivot
contact areas of the safety catch.
EXHAUST SYSTEM
WARNING!
Carbon monoxide gas found in the vehicle's exhaust
is poisonous. Inhalation of exhaust fumes can cause
unconsciousness or death.
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle interior is a properly maintained engine
exhaust system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system; when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle; or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent technician inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts.
In addition inspect the exhaust system each time the
vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil change. Replace as
required.
Open seams or loose connections could permit danger-
ous exhaust fumes to seep into the trunk and passenger
compartments.
Do this service when performing underbody service.
Check for any of the following conditions:
1. Check for holes or exhaust gas leakage caused by
corrosion or damage.
2. Check the joints and connections for looseness or
exhaust gas leakage.
3. Check the rubber hangers and brackets for damage.
330 MAINTENANCE

Amount of belt deflection
in (mm)
Standard value Used belt New belt
A .26 to .35
(6.7 to 9.0).28 to .33
(7.2 to 8.4).17 to .21
(4.4 to 5.3)
B .46 to .60
(11.7 to 15.3).49 to .56
(12.5 to 14.3).34 to .43
(8.8 to 11.0)
C .43 to .56
(11.0 to 14.3).46 to .52
(11.7 to 13.3).33 to .41
(8.4 to 10.4)
D .33 to .43
(8.5 to 10.9).35 to .40
(9.0 to 10.1).24 to .30
(6.2 to 7.6)
WARNING!
Do not check or touch the drive belt with the engine
running, or serious injury may result.
TIMING BELT
The timing belt should be replaced with a new one at the
mileage specified on the scheduled maintenance chart.
TIRES
WARNING!
Driving with tires that are worn or improperly inflated
can result in a collision, and serious or fatal injury.
Tire inflation pressures
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure:
1. Safety
Under-inflation increases tire flexing and can result in tire
failure. Over-inflation results in a tire losing its ability to
cushion shock. Objects on the road and potholes could
cause tire damage that may result in tire failure.
2. Economy
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal
wear patterns will reduce tread life, resulting in a need
for earlier tire replacement.
Under-inflation also increases tire rolling resistance and
results in higher fuel consumption.
334 MAINTENANCE

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire's
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B
and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 379
11

Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperatures can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger vehicle tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat build-up and possible tire failure.
380 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Accessory boxes........................ 213
Accessory (installation)................... 248
Adding Fuel.......................... 147
Air cleaner filter........................ 316
Air conditioning........................ 236
Aluminum wheel....................... 259
Antenna.............................. 219
Anti-lock braking system warning light . . . 107,113
Assist-starting procedures if battery is low.... 279
Automatic transaxle indicator.............. 119
Automatic transaxle oil temperature
warning light.......................... 107
Automatic transaxle
Automatic transaxle fluid............... 327
Driving speed........................ 157
Gear positions....................... 156
Holding on an upgrade................ 165
Oil temperature warning light............ 107
Parking............................ 169
Reset Mode.......................158,166
Selector lever operation................. 153
Automatic transmission.................. 158
Autostick............................. 163Ball joint, steering linkage seal and drive
shaft boots............................ 329
Battery............................... 325
Charging system warning light........107,114
During cold weather................... 202
Specification......................... 366
Brake pad wear alarm................... 172
Brake System.......................... 172
Fluid.............................. 323
Hose.............................. 329
Parking brake.....................169,332
Pedal.............................. 171
Power brakes........................ 172
Warning light........................ 117
Warning sound for brake pad wear........ 172
Brake
Parking brake........................ 332
Pedal.............................. 171
Break-in recommendations................ 144
Bulb chart.........................293,294
Car preparation before driving............. 199
Cargo loads........................... 337
382 INDEX

Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 224
Cassette Tape Player..................219,221
CD Player.........................219,227
Center console......................... 215
Center console box...................... 213
Charging system warning light..........107,114
Check engine/malfunction indicator
lamp.............................107,115
Child restraint.......................... 76
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 145
Cleaning
Exterior of your car................... 254
Interior of your car.................... 253
Clock................................ 216
Compact spare tire...................267,367
Contract, Service....................... 374
Coolant (engine)....................... 322
Cruise control (for non-turbo)
Indicator.........................107,113
Cruise control (for turbo)
Indicator.........................107,113
Cup holder........................... 212Customer Arbitration Board............... 375
Customer Assistance.................... 372
Dealer Service......................... 372
Defroster (rear window).................. 125
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 314
Dimmer control........................ 122
Disc brake pads........................ 329
Dome light........................... 305
Dome light/Reading light................ 129
Door hinges, rear hatch hinges, hood lock
release mechanism and safety catch......... 330
Door Opener, Garage.................... 132
Door-ajar warning light...............107,112
Doors
Lock............................... 26
Power door locks...................... 34
Drive belt............................ 333
Driving, alcohol and drugs................ 201
Driving speed
Automatic transaxle................... 157
Manual transaxle..................... 169
INDEX 383

Electric rear window defroster switch........ 125
Emission-control system maintenance........ 313
Engine compartment.................259,311
Engine coolant......................... 322
Engine coolant level warning light.......... 107
Engine coolant temperature gauge.......106,111
Engine hood release...................... 41
Engine oil and oil filter.................. 318
Engine overheating..................... 278
Engine serial number.................... 365
Engine specifications.................... 369
Exhaust system.....................330,369
Fluid
Automatic transaxle fluid............... 327
Brake fluid.......................... 323
Clutch fluid......................... 324
Fog light switch........................ 123
Front fog lamp indicator lamp............. 114
Front seat adjustment..................... 57
Fuel
Filler Cap........................... 148
Fuel economy........................ 149Fuel filler............................ 39
Fuel gauge.......................106,109
Fuel hoses.......................... 315
Fuel selection........................ 144
Low-fuel warning light..............107,113
Fuses................................ 286
Fusible links.......................... 287
Garage Door Opener.................... 132
GasCap .............................. 148
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............... 146
Gauges.........................106,109,111
Gear positions......................... 156
General maintenance
Maintenance service................... 318
General vehicle data..................... 367
Glove compartment..................213,214
Handling of Compact Discs............... 232
Hazard warning flasher switch............. 124
Hazard warning light.................107,112
Head restraints......................... 66
Headlights (Type 1)..................... 294
384 INDEX

Headlights
Aiming............................. 297
Dimmer............................ 122
Headlight flasher (high/low beam)........ 121
Switch............................. 120
Heater............................... 236
High beam indicator..................107,112
High-mounted stoplights
Bulb capacity........................ 292
Homelink Transmitter................... 132
Horn switch........................... 132
Ignition switch......................... 149
Indicator and warning light............... 107
Inside day/night rearview mirrors.......... 177
Instrument cluster...................... 106
Instrument panel light dimmer control....... 125
Intermittent Wipers..................... 127
Jack
Jacking points........................ 270
Jacking up the car..................... 270
Storage............................. 266Key reminder chime..................... 150
Keyless entry system..................... 29
Keys..............................23,150
Labeling............................. 364
Lap Belts.............................. 87
Lights
Bulb chart........................... 293
Dome light/Reading light............... 129
Headlights.......................... 120
Reading lamps....................... 131
Low-fuel warning light................107,113
Luggage hooks......................... 215
Malfunction Indicator Light............... 314
Manual, Service........................ 377
Manual transaxle
Oil ................................ 329
Possible driving speed................. 169
Shift points (recommended speed)........ 167
Meters............................... 106
Mirrors
Vanity mirror........................ 211
INDEX 385

Mopar Parts........................315,375
Odometer..........................106,110
Oil pressure gauge...................... 106
Oil pressure warning light.............107,114
Oil
Engine oil........................... 318
Onboard Diagnostic System............... 314
Opener, Garage Door.................... 132
Operation during cold weather............. 202
Operation under adverse driving conditions . . . 263
Overdrive indicator..................... 107
Oversize tires.......................... 336
Owner 's Manual....................... 377
Parking brake
Operating method.................... 169
Parking brake lever stroke.............. 332
Polishing............................. 258
Power brakes.......................... 172
Power door locks........................ 34
Power windows......................... 43
Proper shift points...................... 167Puncture (tire changing).................. 274
Radial ply tires........................ 336
Radiator cap..................... 311,322,323
Radio................................ 219
General information................... 216
Reading lamps......................... 131
Reading light.......................... 131
Rear seats............................. 66
Rear window defroster................... 125
Replacement of light bulbs................ 292
Reporting Safety Defects................. 375
Safe driving techniques.................. 200
Scheduled maintenance.................. 340
Seat belt extender....................... 75
Seat Belts
Adjustable seat belt anchor.............73,80
And Pregnant Women.................. 87
Child restraint........................ 76
Maintenance and inspection.............. 88
Seat belt extender...................... 75
Seat belt reminder/warning light......... 107
386 INDEX