steering DODGE STRATUS COUPE 2004 2.G Owner's Guide

3. Ride comfort and vehicle stability
Proper tire inflation pressures contribute to the excellent
ride quality built into your vehicle. Over-inflation pro-
duces an uncomfortable and jarring ride.
Under-inflation can produce a feeling of sluggish re-
sponse.
Unequal inflation pressures can produce erratic and
unpredictable vehicle response to steering maneuvers.
The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is listed on a
placard attached near the door sill striker on the driver's
side ``B''-Pillar.
The recommended inflation pressures should be followed
when the specified tires are installed.
Item Tire size Front Rear
Normal tire P205/60R16 91H 32 psi (220 kpa)
P215/50R17 90H 32 psi (220 kpa)
Compact spare tire T125/70D16 60 psi (420 kpa)
The pressures should be checked and adjusted, if neces-
sary, at least once a month.
Tire pressures should be checked more often when weather
temperatures vary widely, because tire pressures vary withoutdoor temperatures. Inflation pressures specified on the
placard are always ªcold inflation pressureº.
Cold inflation pressure can be measured after the vehicle
has been stationary for at least three hours or driven less
than one mile (1.6 km) after being stationary for three
hours.
Cold inflation pressure must not exceed the maximum
values molded into the tire sidewall. After driving sev-
eral miles, tire inflation pressure may increase 2 to 6 psi
(14 to 41 kPa) over the cold inflation pressure; do NOT let
air out of the tires to match the specified cold pressure, or
your tires will be underinflated.
Check your tires each time you refuel. If one tire looks
lower than the others, check the tire inflation pressure for
all of them. The following precautions also should be
observed:
1. Keep your tires inflated to the pressures that are
recommended. (See the tire and loading information
placard attached the driver's side ``B''-Pillar.)
2. Stay within the load limits that are recommended.
MAINTENANCE 335
9

3. Make sure that the weight of your vehicle load is
evenly distributed.
4. Drive at safe speeds.
5. After the tire inflation pressure has been adjusted,
check the tires for damage and air leaks. Be sure to
replace the rubber caps on the valve stems.
Radial ply tires
Radial ply tires provide improved tread life, road hazard
resistance and smoother high speed ride. The radial ply
factory-installed tires on this vehicle are of belted con-
struction and are selected to complement the ride and
handling characteristics of your vehicle.
Radial ply tires have the same load carrying capacity as
bias or bias-belted tires of the same letter size, and use the
same recommended inflation pressures.
Mixing of radial ply tires with bias or bias-belted tires is
not recommended. Combining radial ply and bias or
bias-belted tires on one vehicle will negatively affect
vehicle handling. It is recommended that radial ply tires
should always be used as a set of four.As longer wearing tires can be more susceptible to
irregular tread wear, it is very important to follow the tire
rotation interval shown in the section ªTire rotationº to
achieve full tread life potential in these tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial ply tires are repairable only
in the tread area, because of sidewall flexing. Consult
your tire dealer for radial ply tire repairs.
Tire pressure for sustained high-speed driving
For sustained high-speed driving, increase inflation pres-
sure 4 psi (28 kPa) above the recommended pressure but
do not exceed the maximum cold inflation pressure
molded into the tire sidewall.
Oversize tires
The use of tire sizes other than those listed may cause
interference with vehicle components under extremes of
suspension and steering travel, and may result in tire and
vehicle damage.
336 MAINTENANCE

!30,000 Miles (48 000 km) or at 30 months
NReplace air cleaner filter.
NReplace spark plugs, standard type.
NCheck drive belts condition (for the generator,
water pump, power steering pump).
NCheck manual transaxle oil level.
NCheck coolant hoses (radiator hose, heater hose).
NCheck fuel hoses condition.
NInspect rear drum brake linings and rear wheel
cylinders (except vehicles with disc brakes) for
wear and leaks of all wheels.
NInspect ball joint and steering linkage seals for
grease leaks and damage.
NInspect suspension system for looseness and dam-
age.
NCheck and service exhaust system as required
(connection portion of muffler, muffler pipes and
converter heat shields).
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!30,000 Miles (48 000 km) or at 30 months
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NRotate tires.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!36,000 Miles (58 000 km) or at 36 months
NCheck automatic transaxle fluid level.
NInspect disc brake pads, rotors and calipers for
wear and leaks.
NCheck brake hoses for deterioration or leaks.
NInspect drive shaft boots for grease leaks and damage.
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NRotate tires.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
342 MAINTENANCE

!60,000 Miles (96 000 km) or at 60 months
NReplace air cleaner filter.
NReplace spark plugs, standard type.
NReplace timing belt.*1
*1: For California, Massachusetts and Vermont
this maintenance is recommended but not re-
quired.
NChange automatic transaxle fluid.
NCheck drive belts condition (for the generator,
water pump, power steering pump).
NCheck manual transaxle oil level.
NCheck fuel hoses condition.
NFlush and replace engine coolant.
NInspect rear drum brake linings and rear wheel
cylinders (except vehicles with disc brakes) for
wear and leaks of all wheels.
NInspect disc brake pads, rotors and calipers for
wear and leaks.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!60,000 Miles (96 000 km) or at 60 months
NInspect suspension system for looseness and dam-
age.
NInspect ball joint and steering linkage seals for
grease leaks and damage.
NCheck and service exhaust system as required
(connection portion of muffler, muffler pipes and
converter heat shields).
NCheck fuel system for leak
(tank, pipe line and connection, and fuel tank
filler tube cap).
NCheck evaporative emission control system for
leaks and clogging (except evaporative emission
canister).
NReplace ignition cables.
NCheck distributor cap and rotor.
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NRotate tires.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
344 MAINTENANCE

!90,000 Miles (144 000 km) or at 90 months
NReplace air cleaner filter.
NReplace spark plugs, standard type.
NCheck drive belts condition (for the generator,
water pump, power steering pump).
NCheck manual transaxle oil level.
NCheck fuel hoses condition.
NCheck automatic transaxle fluid level.
NFlush and replace engine coolant.
NInspect rear drum brake linings and rear wheel
cylinders (except vehicles with disc brakes) for
wear and leaks of all wheels.
NInspect ball joint and steering linkage seals for
grease leaks and damage.
NInspect suspension system for looseness and damage.
NCheck and service exhaust system as required
(connection portion of muffler, muffler pipes and
converter heat shields).
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!90,000 Miles (144 000 km) or at 90 months
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NRotate tires.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!96,000 Miles (154 000 km) or at 96 months
NCheck automatic transaxle fluid level.
NInspect disc brake pads, rotors and calipers for
wear and leaks.
NCheck brake hoses for deterioration or leaks.
NInspect drive shaft boots for grease leaks and
damage.
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NRotate tires.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
346 MAINTENANCE

!102,000 Miles (163 000 km) or at 102 months
NReplace spark plugs, platinum-tipped type.
NReplace timing belt.*2
*2: Not required if belt was previously changed.
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NRotate tires.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!108,000 Miles (173 000 km) or at 108 months
NCheck automatic transaxle fluid level.
NInspect disc brake pads, rotors and calipers for
wear and leaks.
NCheck brake hoses for deterioration or leaks.
NInspect drive shaft boots for grease leaks and damage.
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NRotate tires.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!114,000 Miles (183 000 km) or at 114 months
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NRotate tires.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!120,000 Miles (192 000 km) or at 120 months
NReplace air cleaner filter.
NReplace spark plugs, standard type.
NReplace timing belt.*1
*1:For California, Massachusetts and Vermont this
maintenance is recommended but not required.
NChange automatic transaxle fluid.
NCheck drive belts condition (for the generator,
water pump, power steering pump).
NCheck manual transaxle oil level.
NCheck fuel hoses condition.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
MAINTENANCE 347
9

!120,000 Miles (192 000 km) or at 120 months
NFlush and replace engine coolant.
NInspect rear drum brake linings and rear wheel
cylinders (except vehicles with disc brakes) for
wear and leaks of all wheels.
NInspect disc brake pads, rotors and calipers for
wear and leaks.
NInspect suspension system for looseness and dam-
age.
NInspect ball joint and steering linkage seals for
grease leaks and damage.
NCheck and service exhaust system as required
(connection portion of muffler, muffler pipes and
converter heat shields).
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!120,000 Miles (192 000 km) or at 120 months
NCheck fuel system for leak
(tank, pipe line and connection, and fuel tank
filler tube cap).
NCheck evaporative emission control system for
leaks and clogging (except evaporative emission
canister).
NReplace ignition cables.
NCheck distributor cap and rotor.
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NRotate tires.
NInspect SRS*2airbag system.
*2: Supplemental Restraint System
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
348 MAINTENANCE

!24,000 Miles (38 000 km) or at 24 months
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NCheck automatic transaxle fluid level.
NCheck brake hoses for deterioration or leaks.
NInspect suspension system for looseness or dam-
age.
NInspect drive shaft boots for grease leaks and
damage.
NInspect disc brake pads, rotors and calipers for
wear and leaks.
NRotate tires.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!27,000 Miles (43 000 km) or at 27 months
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NRotate tires.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!30,000 Miles (48 000 km) or at 30 months
NReplace air cleaner filter.
NReplace spark plugs, standard type.
NCheck drive belts condition (for the generator,
water pump, power steering pump).
NChange manual transaxle oil.
NChange automatic transaxle fluid.
NCheck fuel hoses condition.
NInspect rear drum brake linings and rear wheel
cylinders (except vehicles with disc brakes) for
wear and leaks of all wheels.
NInspect ball joint and steering linkage seals for
grease leaks and damage.
NCheck and service exhaust system as required
(connection portion of muffler, muffler pipes and
converter heat shields).
NCheck coolant hoses (radiator hose, heater hose).
NInspect suspension system for looseness and dam-
age.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
MAINTENANCE 351
9

!54,000 Miles (86 000 km) or at 54 months
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NInspect disc brake pads, rotors and calipers for
wear and leaks.
NRotate tires.
NInspect suspension system for looseness and dam-
age.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!57,000 Miles (91 000 km) or at 57 months
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NRotate tires.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!60,000 Miles (96 000 km)
NReplace air cleaner filter.
NReplace spark plugs, standard type.
NCheck drive belts condition (for the generator,
water pump, power steering pump).
NReplace timing belt.*1
*1: For California, Massachusetts and Vermont
this maintenance is recommended but not re-
quired.
NChange manual transaxle fluid.
NChange automatic transaxle fluid.
NCheck fuel hoses condition.
NFlush and replace engine coolant.
NCheck coolant hoses (radiator hose, heater hose).
NInspect rear drum brake linings and rear wheel
cylinders (except vehicles with disc brakes) for
wear and leaks of all wheels.
NCheck brake hoses for deterioration or leaks.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
354 MAINTENANCE

!60,000 Miles (96 000 km) or at 48 months
NInspect ball joint and steering linkage seals for
grease leaks and damage.
NInspect drive shaft boots for grease leaks and damage.
NCheck and service exhaust system as required
(connection portion of muffler, muffler pipes and
converter heat shields).
NCheck fuel system for leaks
(tank, pipe line and connection, and fuel tank
filler tube cap).
NCheck evaporative emission control system (ex-
cept evaporative emission canister).
NReplace ignition cables.
NCheck distributor cap and rotor.
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NInspect disc brake pads, rotors and calipers for
wear and leaks.
NRotate tires.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!63,000 Miles (100 000 km) or at 63 months
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NRotate tires.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!66,000 Miles (106 000 km) or at 66 months
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NInspect disc brake pads, rotors and calipers for
wear and leaks.
NRotate tires.
NInspect suspension system for looseness and dam-
age.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
MAINTENANCE 355
9