tire type DODGE STRATUS COUPE 2005 2.G Owners Manual

CAUTION!
²Anti-lock braking system can not prevent acci-
dents. It remains the driver's task to exercise
safety precautions and to drive prudently.
²To prevent failure of the anti-lock braking system,
be sure all 4-wheels and tires are the same size
and type (space saver spare excluded).
²If the anti-lock brake system warning light illu-
minates after starting the engine or while driving,
it indicates that the anti-lock braking system is
not functioning and that only the normal brake
system is in operation. (The normal brake system
will still function properly.)
NOTE
1. After the vehicle is driven for a while a whining sound
and the sound of a motor operating will be heard from
the engine compartment. These are normal sounds of the
anti-lock braking system performing a self check and do
not indicate a malfunction.
2. The anti-lock braking system becomes operative after
the vehicle has accelerated to a speed over approximately
I24A1590
176 STARTING AND DRIVING

Jack
To remove
Turn the shaft end so that the jack contracts and detach it
from the storage bracket.
To store
Turn the shaft end by hand to expand the jack until it is
secured firmly in position.
COMPACT SPARE TIRE
The compact spare tire is designed to save space in the
trunk and its lighter weight makes it easier to use if a flat
tire occurs.
CAUTION!
²The tire pressure should be periodically checked
and maintained at the specified pressure while
the tire is stowed.
²Driving with an insufficient tire pressure can lead
to an accident. If you have no choice but to drive
with an insufficient tire pressure, keep your speed
down and adjust to the specified pressure [60 psi
(420 kPa)] as soon as possible.
²The compact spare should only be used temporarily
and should be returned to the trunk and the
original
tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible. If your
vehicle is equipped with aluminum type wheels, the
wheel nuts for aluminum type wheels can be used
temporarily on the compact spare tire wheel.
²Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) while the com-
pact spare tire is installed on the vehicle.
N21C0010To removeTo storeStorage
bracket
EMERGENCIES 267
8

14. Check tire inflation pressure. Tire inflation pressure
specifications are shown on a placard located on the
driver 's side ``B''-Pillar.
CAUTION!
²The emergency tire is to be used only temporarily
when the standard tire is damaged. Repair the
damaged tire as soon as possible. Replace the
emergency tire with the standard tire.
²After changing the tire and driving the vehicle
approximately 621 miles (1000 km), retighten the
wheel nuts to make sure that they are not loose.
²If the steering wheel vibrates after changing the
tire, have the tire checked for balance at an autho-
rized dealer.
²Avoid mixing one type of tire with another type or
using tires of a size other than the specified size.
Premature mechanical wear and reduced handling
may result.N24A1420
278 EMERGENCIES

Special additives
DaimlerChrysler does not recommend the addition of
any fluid additives to the transaxle.
MANUAL TRANSAXLE
Add oil to maintain the proper level. Refill or change oil
according to the scheduled maintenance table.
Lubricant Gear Oil Classification GL-4
Viscosity range SAE75W-90 or 75W-85W
DISC BRAKE PADS, REAR DRUM BRAKE
LININGS AND REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS
Proper brakes are essential to safe operation of your
vehicle. Check brake pads and rear brake linings for
wear, and check rear wheel cylinders for leakage.
For proper braking performance, replace brake pads with
original equipment type pads.
BRAKE HOSES
Brake hoses and tubing should be checked for:
1. Severe surface cracking, scuffing or worn spots. If the
casing of the hose is exposed by cracks or abrasions in therubber hose cover, the hose should be replaced. Deterio-
ration of the hose could cause brake failure.
2. Faulty installation may cause twisting, or wheel, tire
or chassis interference.
BALL JOINT, STEERING LINKAGE SEAL AND
DRIVE SHAFT BOOTS
Check the following parts for damage and grease leak-
age:
1. Ball joint boots of the front suspension and steering
linkage
2. Bellows on both ends of the drive shaft
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)
The entire SRS system must be inspected by an autho-
rized dealer 10 years after the vehicle manufacture date
shown on the certification label. [See ªSRS servicingº on
page 101.]
MAINTENANCE 331
9

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.
Replacing tire and wheels
CAUTION!
²Avoid using different size tires from the one listed
and the combined use of different types of tires,
as this can affect driving safety.
Refer to the(TIRES AND WHEELS(on page 377.
²Even if a wheel has the same rim size and offset as
the specified type of wheel, its shape may prevent
it from being fitted correctly. Consult an autho-
rized dealer before using wheels that you have.
Tire maintenance
The following maintenance steps are recommended:
1. Check pressure regularly.
2. Maintain wheel balance and front suspension align-
ment.3. Rotate tires regularly in accordance with the recom-
mendation in the section ªTire rotationº on page 347.
Loading information
WARNING!
Overloading of your tire is dangerous. Overloading can
cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and increase
your stopping distance. Use tires of the recommended
load capacity for your vehicle. Never overload them.
It is important to familiarize yourself with the following
terms before loading your vehicle:
²Vehicle maximum load on the tire : load on an indi-
vidual tire that is determined by distributing to each
axle its share of the maximum loaded vehicle weight
and dividing by two.
342 MAINTENANCE

When the indicators appear in two or more adjacent
grooves, tire replacement is recommended.
NOTE: The mark and the location of the tire wear
indicator are different depending on tire manufacturers.
Tire rotation
To equalize wear and help extend tire life, DaimlerChrysler
recommends that you rotate your tires at the mileage speci-
fied on the scheduled maintenance chart.
However, the timing for tire rotation may vary according toyour vehicle condition, road surface conditions and each
individual driver's driving habits. Any time you notice
unusual wear, rotate your tires as soon as possible.
When rotating tires, check for uneven wear, damage and
wheel alignment. Abnormal wear is usually caused by incor-
rect tire pressure, improper wheel alignment, out-of-balance
wheel or severe braking. Consult an authorized dealer to
determine the cause of irregular tread wear.
The first rotation is the most important to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle.
M40A0270
Type 1
M40A0490
Type 2
MAINTENANCE 347
9

CAUTION!
Do not use the compact spare tire for tire rotation.
Tire chains
CAUTION!
Tire chains are not recommended for your vehicle.
The clearance between the chains and the body is
small, and the body might be damaged.
Snow tires
Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during winter. Standard tires are of the all season type
and satisfy this requirement as indicated by the M+S
designation on the tire side wall.
If you need snow tires, select tires equivalent in size and
type to the original equipment tires. Failure to do so may
adversely affect the safety and handling of your vehicle.Snow tires should be inflated 4 psi (28 kPa) higher than
the inflation pressure shown on the vehicle's tire placard.
Never inflate over the maximum pressure shown on the
tire sidewall.
Snow tires should not be operated at sustained speeds
over 75 mph (120 km/h).
NOTE: As flange nuts are used on your vehicle, change
to tapered nuts when snow tires (steel wheels) are used.
348 MAINTENANCE

!24,000 Miles (38 000 km) or at 24 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 #
!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 #
350 MAINTENANCE

!54,000 Miles (86 000 km) or at 54 months
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NRotate tires.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!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 #
352 MAINTENANCE

!78,000 Miles (125 000 km) or at 78 months
NChange engine oil and engine oil filter.
NRotate tires.
MILEAGE/
MONTHSDEALERSHIP
NAME/CODE DATEREPAIR
ORDER #
!84,000 Miles (134 000 km) or at 84 months
NCheck automatic transaxle fluid level.
NInspect disc brake pads, rotors and calipers for
wear.
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 #
!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 #
354 MAINTENANCE