brake DODGE STRATUS SEDAN 2004 Owners Manual

inoperable. The engine can be started and stopped but
the key cannot be removed until you obtain service.
WARNING!
Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is danger-
ous for a number of reasons. A child or others could
be injured. Children should be warned not to touch
the parking brake, brake pedal or the gear selector
lever. Don't leave the keys in the ignition. A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove key from the ignition and lock all doors
when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the OFF or RUN positions.
Manual Transaxle
Depress and hold the release button located between the
ignition switch and the instrument panel. Turn the igni-
tion key to the LOCK position and remove the key.
Key-In-Ignition Reminder
Opening the driver's door when the key is in the ignition
and is in the OFF, LOCK, or ACC position, sounds a
signal to remind you to remove the key.
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

until the ignition switch is turned OFF or the parking
brake is engaged. The headlight switch must be used for
normal night time driving.
Lights-on Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned off, a chime will sound when the driver's door
is opened.
Fog Lights Ð If Equipped
The fog light switch is in the multi-function lever.
To activate the fog lights, turn on the low beam
headlights and pull out the end of the control
lever. A light in the instrument cluster shows when the
fog lights are on.
NOTE:The switch will turn on the fog lights only if the
low beam headlights are on. Turning on the high beam
headlights turns off the fog lights.
Turn Signals
Move the turn signal lever up or down and the arrows in
the instrument cluster flash to show proper operation of
the front and rear turn signal lights. You can signal a lane
change by moving the lever partially up or down.
Headlight Beam Select Switch
Pull the turn signal lever towards you to switch the
headlights to HIGH beam. Pull the turn signal lever a
second time to switch the headlights to LOW beam.
Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the turn signal lever toward the steering
wheel. This will cause the headlights to turn on at high
beam and remain on until the lever is released.
Headlight Time Delay
This feature provides the safety of headlight illumination
for about 90 seconds when leaving your vehicle in an
unlighted area.
To activate the delay, turn off the ignition while the
headlights are still on. Then turn off the headlights. The
delay interval begins when the ignition is turned off.
If the headlights are turned off before the ignition, they
will turn off in the normal manner.
64 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To Activate:
Press the ON/OFF switch to turn the speed control
system ON. To turn the system OFF, press the ON/OFF
switch again. The system should be turned OFF when not
in use. The CRUISE Indicator in the instrument cluster
will light up when the Speed Control is ON.
NOTE:You must press the ON button to activate the
system each time the engine is started.
WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system ON
when not in use is dangerous. You could accidentally
set the system or cause it to go faster than you want.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the system OFF when you aren't using it.
To Set At A Desired Speed:
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed and the
system is ON, press and release the SET button. Release
the accelerator and the vehicle will operate at the selected
speed. The speed control is now Engaged.
To Deactivate:
A soft tap on the brake pedal, pushing the CANCEL
button, or normal brake or clutch pressure will deactivate
speed control without erasing the memory. Pushing the
ON/OFF button or turning off the ignition turns the
speed control system off and erases the memory.
To Resume Speed:
To resume a previously set speed, push and release the
RESUME/ACCEL button. Resume can be used at any
speed above 25 mph (40 km/h).
To Vary The Speed Setting:
When the speed control is Engaged (actively controlling
to a SET speed), speed can be increased by pressing and
holding the RESUME/ACCEL button. When the button
is released, a new set speed will be established.
Tapping the RESUME/ACCEL button once will result in
a 2 mph (3 km/h) increase in the SET speed. Each time
the button is tapped, the SET speed increases. For ex-
ample tapping the button three times will increase speed
by 6 mph (10 km/h), etc.
68 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition key is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in
the fuel tank.
2. Traction Control Ð If Equipped
This display indicator illuminates momentarily
as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. The indicator will blink during an
active traction event, but will remain solid when the
system is deactivated or if a system malfunction occurs.
The Traction Control indicator will turn ON if:
²The Traction Control system is in use.
²The Traction Control switch has been used to turn
the system OFF.
²There is an Anti-Lock Brake system malfunction or
Traction Control system malfunction.
²The system has been deactivated to prevent damage
to the brake system due to overheated brake tem-
peratures.
NOTE:Extended heavy use of Traction Control may
cause the system to deactivate and turn on the Traction
Control indicator. This is to prevent overheating of the
brake system and is a normal condition. The system will
remain disabled for about 4 minutes until the brakes have
cooled. The system will automatically reactivate and turn
off the Traction Control indicator.
3. Cruise Light Ð If Equipped
This light shows that the Speed Control System is ON.
This light will also illuminate for a 5±second bulb check
when the ignition switch is first turned to the ON
position.
4. Airbag Light
The light comes on and remains on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the bulb does not
come on during starting, have the bulb replaced. If the
light stays on, or comes on while driving, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 85
4

An optionalAutoStick Gear Indicatordisplays the current
transaxle gear when in AutoStick mode.
16. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed, during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
The trip odometer shows individual trip mileage. To
switch from odometer to trip odometer, press and release
the Trip Odometer button. Press and release the Trip
button a second time to return to the odometer. While in
trip mode, press and hold the button for at least
1¤2second
to reset the trip odometer.
Door, Deck or Trunk Ajar WarningsIf you move the vehicle and a door is not completely
closed, the word DOOR will replace the odometer dis-
play and a chime will sound once. The odometer display
will reappear when the door is closed. If the trunk is not
completely closed, the work DECK will replace the
odometer display. The odometer display will reappear
when the trunk is closed.
17. Anti-Lock Warning Light Ð If Equipped
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
described elsewhere in this manual. This light
will come on when the ignition key is turned to the
RUN position and may stay on for several seconds. If
the light does not come on, have the system checked
by an authorized dealer. The warning light should be
checked frequently to assure that it is operating prop-
erly.
If the ABS light remains on or comes on during driving,
it indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required, however,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally provided that the BRAKE warning light is not
on.
88 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

18. Oil Pressure Light
Shows low engine oil pressure. The light will
come on and remain on briefly when the igni-
tion is turned on as a bulb check. If the bulb does not
come on during starting, have the bulb repaired
promptly.
If the light comes on and remains on while driving, stop
the vehicle and shut off the engine. Do not operate the
vehicle until the cause is corrected.
The light does not show the quantity of oil in the engine.
This can be determined using the procedure shown in
Section 7.
19. Brake System Warning Light
This light monitors both the brake fluid level
and the parking brake. If the light comes on,
it indicates either that the parking brake is
on or there is a low fluid level in the brake
master cylinder. On vehicles equipped with Anti-lock
brakes (ABS), the brake light may also indicate re-
duced braking performance.
If the parking brake is off and the light remains on, have
the brake system inspected as soon as possible.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. A significant decrease in braking performance
may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle.
You could have an accident. Have the vehicle
checked immediately.
The warning light should be checked frequently to assure
that it is operating properly. Turn the ignition key to the
RUN position. (Refer to ªA Word About Your Keys,
Ignition Key Removalº in this manual for an illustration
of the ignition positions.) The light should come on. If the
light does not come on, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
The light will also come on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition in the RUN position.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
on. It does not show the degree of brake application.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 89
4

In an ABS equipped vehicle, the Brake System Warning
light will come on if the ABS light is not functioning or if
the ABS system is not communicating.
20. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned ON, this
light will turn on for 5 to 8 seconds as a bulb
check. During the bulb check, if the driver's seat
belt is unbuckled, a chime will sound. After the bulb
check or when driving, if the driver seat belt remains
unbuckled, the Seat Belt Warning Light will flash or
remain on continuously. Refer to9Enhanced Driver
Seat Belt Reminder System (BeltAlertŸ)9in the Occu-
pant Restraints section for more information.
21. Theft Alarm Light Ð If Equipped
The light in the instrument cluster will flash rapidly for
15 seconds. This shows that the system is arming. If the
light comes on but does not flash, the system is still
armed, but there is a problem in the trunk circuit. After 15
seconds the light will continue to flash slowly. This
shows that the system is fully armed.
22. Low Fuel Light
When the fuel level drops to about 21¤2gallons (91¤2liters), the fuel symbol will light and remain lit
until fuel is added.
COMPASS, TEMPERATURE, AND TRIP
COMPUTER DISPLAY Ð IF EQUIPPED
This feature allows you to choose between a compass /
temperature display and one of five trip conditions being
monitored.
90 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures....................130
NAutomatic Transaxle...................130
NManual Transaxle.....................130
NNormal Starting......................130
NExtreme Cold Weather
(Below -20ÉF Or -29ÉC).................131
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................132
NAfter Starting........................132
mBattery And Engine Block Heaters Ð If
Equipped
............................132
mAutomatic Transaxle....................133
NBrake/Transmission Interlock.............133NAutomatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock
System.............................134
NFour Speed Automatic Transaxle..........135
NReset Mode.........................135
NGear Ranges For Four Speed Automatic
Transaxle...........................135
mManual Transaxle......................137
NRecommended Shift Speeds..............138
NDownshifting........................138
NCruise Control.......................138
mParking Brake.........................139
mBrake System.........................140
5

NAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Ð If
Equipped...........................141
mPower Steering........................142
mTraction Control Ð If Equipped...........142
mTire Safety Information..................143
NTire Markings........................143
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........146
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........147
mTiresÐGeneral Information...............150
NTire Pressure.........................150
NTire Inflation Pressures.................151
NRadial-Ply Tires......................153
NCompact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped.........153
NTire Spinning........................154
NTread Wear Indicators..................155
NReplacement Tires.....................155NAlignment And Balance.................156
mTire Chains...........................157
mSnow Tires...........................157
mTire Rotation Recommendations...........157
mAutoStick Ð If Equipped................158
NAutoStick Operation...................158
NAutoStick General Information............159
mFuel Requirements.....................160
NReformulated Gasoline.................160
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............160
NMMT In Gasoline.....................161
NSulfur In Gasoline.....................161
NMaterials Added To Fuel................162
mAdding Fuel..........................162
NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............162
mVehicle Loading.......................164
128 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Automatic Transaxle
The gear selector must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
Manual Transaxle
Fully apply the parking brake, press the clutch pedal to
the floor and place the gear selector in NEUTRAL before
starting the engine.
Normal Starting
Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or depressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the key to the ªSTART'º position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine has not started
within 3 seconds, slightly depress the accelerator pedal
while continuing to crank. If the engine fails to start
within 15 seconds, turn the key to the ªOFFº position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting
procedure.
130 STARTING AND OPERATING