warning light DODGE STRATUS COUPE 2005 2.G Owner's Manual

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.
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 115
4

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.
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 117
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
4

Seat belt reminder/warning light
A chime and warning light are used to
remind the driver to fasten the seat belt.
When the ignition key is turned to the
``ON'' position, the warning light will illu-
minate and a chime will sound for about 6
seconds. If the driver 's seat belt remains unfastened
approximately 1 minute later, the warning light will flash
and the chime sound intermittently (each 12 times) when
the vehicle is driven. If the driver subsequently unfastens
the seat belt while driving, the warning light and chime
will issue further warnings. And if the seat belt remains
unfastened, the warning light and chime will issue
further warnings each time the vehicle starts moving.
When the seat belt is fastened, the warnings will stop.
Changing the setting for warning operation
It is possible to disable the warning function so that
warnings are not issued after the start of driving. (The
function is initially enabled at the factory.)
1. Fasten the driver 's seat belt.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the ``ON'' position.3. With the seat belt still fastened, confirm that the
warning light goes off.
4. Within 1 minute of seeing the warning light go off,
remove the plate from the buckle and re-insert it 3 times.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the ``LOCK'' or ``ACC''
position. The buzzer (with a short tone) will sound once
to indicate that the setting change is complete.
NOTE
²
If the driver 's door is open at this time, the buzzer
(with long intermittent tones) will sound continously
but the setting change will not be completed. To
complete the setting change, remove the key or close
the driver 's door. The buzzer (with a short tone) will
sound once to indicate that the setting change is
complete.
²If you wish to change the setting again, perform the
same procedure again.
²If you do not understand how to change the setting,
consult an authorized dealer.
120 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

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
4

NOTE
1. If the headlights are switched to high beam, the fog
lights will go out; they will illuminate again when the
headlights are switched back to low beam.
2. If the light switch is rotated to OFF while the fog lights
are illuminated, they will automatically turn off. They
can be turned back on again by moving the light switch
back to ON and pressing the fog light switch again.
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCH
Press the flasher switch and the front and rear turn
signals will flash intermittently, as the hazard warning
lights. This is an emergency warning system and is not
intended for use when the vehicle is in motion.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle, the flasher system
will continue to operate with the ignition key removed.
NOTE: If the lights are kept flashing for several hours,
the battery will be discharged (rundown), resulting in
hard engine starting or a no start condition.
E16A0520
126 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

NOTE:Tighten the gas cap until you hear a ªclickingº
sound. This is an indication that the gas cap is properly
tightened.
The Malfunction Indicator Light (ªSERVICE ENGINE
SOONº) will come on if the gas cap is not properly
secured. Make sure that the gas cap is tightened each
time the vehicle is refueled.
WARNING!
A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on the
ground while filling.
Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)
The gas cap is behind the fuel filler door, on the passen-
ger's side of the vehicle. If the gas cap is lost or damaged,
be sure the replacement cap is for use with this vehicle.
CAUTION!
Damage to the fuel system or emission control
system could result from using an improper fuel
tank filler tube cap (gas cap). A poorly fitting cap
could let impurities into the fuel system.
CAUTION!
A poorly fitting gas cap may cause the Malfunction
Indicator Light (ªSERVICE ENGINE SOONº) to
turn on.
WARNING!
²Never have any smoking materials lit in or near
the vehicle when the gas cap is removed or the
tank filled.
²Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is
running.
150 STARTING AND DRIVING