engine DODGE STRATUS COUPE 2005 2.G Owner's Manual

11. High beam indicator!P. 1 1 4
12. Cruise control indicator!P. 1 1 5
13. Theft-alarm indicator!P. 1 1 4
14. Malfunction indicator light
(SERVICE ENGINE SOON)!P. 1 1 7
15. Oil pressure warning light!P. 1 1 6
16. Charging system warning light!P. 1 1 6
17. Overheating warning light!P. 1 1 8
18. Traction control system warning light
(if so equipped)!P. 121
19. Automatic transaxle indicator
(Vehicles with Autostick automatic transaxle-if so
equipped)!P. 121
Speedometer
The speedometer indicates vehicle speed.
·The outer scale indicates miles per hour.
·The inner scale indicates kilometers per hour.
Tachometer
The tachometer indicates engine revolutions per minute.
This allows the driver to determine the most efficient
gear range and engine speed combinations.
D04A0500
2.4 liter
engine3.0 liter
engine
110 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

CAUTION!
The red zone indicates an engine speed in excess of
safe operation.
Select the correct gear to control engine speed so the
tachometer indicator does not enter the red zone.
Fuel gauge
The gauge shows the amount of fuel in the fuel tank
when the ignition key is turned to the ``on'' position.
The arrow A indicates that the fuel lid (fuel filler port) is
located on the right side of the vehicle. (Refer to ªFuel
fillerº on page 39.)
NOTE: Just after refueling, it takes a little time until the
correct fuel level is indicated after turning on the ignition
switch.
D05A0770
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 111
4

since the current trip began and Tripcan be used to
measure the distance from an intermediate location.
To return either Trip
or Tripdisplay to zero,
press the reset button (3) for more than one second. Only
the currently displayed value will be reset.
If Trip
is displayed, for example, only Tripwill
be reset.
NOTE
1. Display TRIPand TRIPeach have a maxi-
mum distance of 9999.9 mile (16 093.28 km)
2. When disconnecting the battery for a long time, the
memory of trip meter display
andwill clear,
and the display returns to ª0º.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
This gauge indicates the engine coolant temperature.
When the engine temperature is low, the indicator will
remain at the ªCº (cold) position. The indicator will
gradually rise as the engine is warmed up.
The indicator will normally stay near the center while
driving, but may rise slightly in congested traffic or when
the engine is under a heavy load.
D06A0600
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 113
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CAUTION!
While driving, care should always be taken to main-
tain normal engine operating temperature. If the
indicator enters the ªHº (hot) position while driving,
the engine is overheating. (Refer to ªEngine over-
heatingº on page 279.)
Turn signal indicators/hazard warning lights
The arrow will flash in unison with the
corresponding exterior turn signals when
the turn signal lever is operated.
Both arrows will flash intermittently when the hazard
warning flasher switch is pressed.
NOTE: If the signal indicator blinks too fast, the cause
may be a faulty turn-signal connection or faulty lamp
bulb.
High beam indicator
A blue light illuminates when the head-
lights are on high beam.
Theft-alarm indicator
When the theft-alarm system has been
armed, the indicator located in the instru-
ment cluster will illuminate and go off in 20
seconds, indicating the system is armed. (See ªTheft-
alarm systemº on page 49.)
Door-ajar warning light and chime
This light illuminates when any door is
open or not completely closed.
When the vehicle is moving at more than 5
mph (8 km/h) and the door is open or ajar,
a chime will sound to inform the driver that
the door is not properly shut.
CAUTION!
Before driving, check to ensure that the door-ajar
warning light is off.
114 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

Trunk-ajar warning light and chime
This light illuminates when the trunk lid is
open or not completely closed.
When the vehicle is moving at more than 5
mph (8 km/h) and the trunk lid is open or
ajar, a chime will sound to inform the driver that the
trunk lid is not properly shut.
Anti-lock braking system warning light (if so
equipped)
This light comes on in the event of a mal-
function in the anti-lock braking system.
Always be sure that the light goes out
before beginning to drive.
It also comes on when the ignition key is turned to the
ªONº position and should go out shortly after starting
the engine.
If the light illuminates during driving;
1. Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the engine.
Test the system by restarting the engine and driving at a
speed of about 12 mph (20 km/h) or higher.
If the light goes out, there is no abnormal condition.2. If the light does not go out or if it illuminates again,
the anti-lock braking system is not functioning, and only
the standard braking system is functioning.
If this occurs, take your vehicle to an authorized dealer
and have the system checked.
NOTE: If the light remains illuminated after the engine
is started, it indicates that a fault has occured in the
Anti-lock brake system. The standard brake system will
function normally. (Refer to ªAnti-lock braking systemº
on page 175).
Cruise/speed control indicator
This indicator will illuminate when the
cruise/speed control main switch is ªONº.
Low-fuel warning light and chime
When the fuel level in the fuel tank gets
low, the light illuminates and the chime will
also sound. It is recommended that fuel be
added as soon as this light illuminates.
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CAUTION!
Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level;
running out of fuel could cause damage to the
catalytic converter.
Front fog light indicator (if so equipped)
This indicator illuminates while the fog
lights are on.
NOTE:Fog lights will not be operational when high
beam (headlights) are selected.
Charging system warning light
This light illuminates in the event of a
malfunction in the charging system.
This light illuminates when the ignition key
is turned to the ªONº position (engine off). When the
engine is started, the light should go off. Always be sure
that the light goes out before beginning to drive.
CAUTION!
If the charging light remains on after the engine has
started, the battery charging system may be malfunc-
tioning. In this case, take your vehicle to an autho-
rized dealer and have the system checked.
Oil pressure warning light
This light illuminates when the engine oil
pressure is below normal. If the light stays
on while driving, stop the engine as soon as possible and
do not drive until the cause of the low oil pressure is
corrected.
116 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

CAUTION!
²If this light illuminates and the engine oil level is
not low, have your vehicle checked at an autho-
rized dealer.
²This warning light does not indicate the amount
of oil in the crankcase. This must be determined
by checking the oil level with the dipstick while
the engine is turned off.
Malfunction indicator light
(SERVICE ENGINE SOON)
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic
(OBD) system which monitors the emis-
sions, engine and automatic transaxle con-
trol systems. If a problem is detected in one
of these systems, this light may illuminate. Although
your vehicle will usually be drivable and not need
towing, have the system checked as soon as possible at an
authorized dealer.
This light will also illuminate for a few seconds, when the
ignition key is turned to the ªONº position. If it does not
go off after a few seconds, take the vehicle to an autho-
rized dealer.
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4

CAUTION!
²Prolonged driving with the malfunction indicator
light on may result in further damage to the
emission control system. Continued driving could
also affect fuel economy and driveability.
²If the light does not illuminate when the ignition
key is turned to the ªONº position (bulb check),
have the system checked at an authorized dealer.
NOTE: Do not disconnect the battery cable when the
Malfunction indicator light (SERVICE ENGINE SOON) is
ON.
The engine electronic control module stores critical OBD
data, which may be lost if the battery is disconnected.
This can make rapid diagnosis more difficult.
If the fuel tank filler cap is not secured properly, the
light may come on. Be sure the fuel tank filler tube cap
is tightened every time you add fuel. (Turn the fuel
tank filler cap clockwise until you hear clicking
sounds.)Overheating warning light
If the warning light illuminates while the
engine is running, it is possible that the
engine is overheated.
Immediately park your vehicle in a safe
place and make the necessary corrections.
(Refer to ``Engine overheating'' on page 279.)
While driving, care should always be taken to maintain
the normal operating temperature.
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)-air bag
warning light
This light illuminates when the Supplemen-
tal Restraint System-air bag is not working
properly. It will also illuminate for about 7
seconds after the ignition key is turned to the ªONº
position or after the engine is started. The light should
then go out.
Check the light every time the vehicle is started.
If it does not illuminate, or stays on for more than
approximately 7 seconds after the ignition key is turned
ªONº or after the engine is started, or if it comes on while
118 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

driving, take your vehicle to your authorized dealer and
have the system checked.
[See ªSupplemental Restraint System (SRS)º on page
118.]
Brake warning light
This light illuminates when the ignition key
is turned to the ªONº position (engine off).
When the engine is started, the light should go off. But
when the parking brake is applied or the brake fluid falls
below the prescribed level, the light illuminates.
Before driving your vehicle, release the parking brake
fully and make certain that the brake warning light has
gone out.
CAUTION!
If the brake warning light does not go on when you
pull the parking brake lever, or if it does not go out
when you release the lever, contact an authorized
dealer immediately.
If the brake warning light illuminates while driving, it
could mean braking performance deterioration. Park
your vehicle in a safe place using the following proce-
dures:
1. If, when pressing the brake pedal, braking is poor,
press your foot harder against the brake pedal.
2. Should the braking deteriorate, use engine braking by
shifting the transaxle into a lower gear (Manual transaxle
or Automatic transaxle autostick) or into the ``3'' (THIRD)
or the ``2'' (SECOND) or the ``L'' (LOW) position (Auto-
matic transaxle) to reduce the speed and slowly pull the
parking brake lever, while applying pressure against the
brake pedal.
Depress the brake pedal to turn on the stop light (brake
light) to alert the vehicles behind you.
CAUTION!
Suddenly applying the parking brake is dangerous,
the wheels may lock.
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 119
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WARNING!
In order to reduce risk of serious or fatal injury in an
accident, always wear your own seat belt, and do not
allow anyone to ride in your vehicle unless he or she
is properly seated and wearing a seat belt. Children
should be properly seated and restrained in an
appropriate child restraint system.
Automatic transaxle indicator (if so equipped)
When the ignition key is turned to the ªONº position, the
indicator light illuminates to show the position of the
selector lever. (i.e. ªPARKº, ªDRIVEº, ªREVERSEº, etc.)
Traction Control System warning light
(if so equipped)
This light will illuminate in the event of a
malfunction in the traction control system.
It will also come on when the ignition key is
turned to the ªONº position and should go out after the
engine starts. (See9Traction control system9on page 198)
Washer fluid level indicator
This light will illuminate and the chime will
sound when the windshield washer level is
low. (approximately 0.1 gal/0.4 L) When
the light comes on, add fluid.
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 121
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