warning light DODGE STRATUS SEDAN 2005 Owner's Manual

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“START’”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“OFF”position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting
procedure.
142 STARTING AND OPERATING

•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
•Remember that everything put in or on the trailer adds
to the load on your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
•
The maximum trailer load is 1,000 lbs (450 kg).
•The maximum frontal area of the trailer cannot exceed
20 square feet (1.86 square meters).
•If using a manual transaxle vehicle for trailer towing,
all starts must be in FIRST gear to avoid excessive
clutch slippage.
•The trailer tongue load must be considered as part of
the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and
should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire
and Loading Information placard. Refer to the Tire–
Safety Information Section in this manual.
•The“D”range can be selected when towing. However,
if frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the“3”
range must be selected.
NOTE:Using the“3”range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend tranaxle life by reducing excessive
shifting and heat build up.
WARNING!
Connecting trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hydraulic
brake lines can overload your brake system and
cause it to fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have an accident.
•Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
•Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer
size, stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are
recommended for motoring safety.
•The automatic transaxle fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more
than 45 minutes of continuous operation. See Schedule
“B”in section 8 of this manual for transaxle fluid
change intervals.
STARTING AND OPERATING 179
5

You should not increase the gloss level, especially on top
of the instrument panel top surface. Higher gloss levels
will increase the reflectivity in the windshield that could
decrease visibility under bright light driving conditions.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
Leather Seat Care and Cleaning
CAUTION!
Never use polishes, oils, cleaning fluids, solvents,
detergents, or ammonia based cleaners to clean the
leather. The leather has already been pretreated. The
application of any leather conditioner may damage
the factory applied top coat.
Leather is best preserved by regular cleaning with a
damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt can act as an
abrasive and damage the leather surface and should be
removed immediately with a damp cloth. Stubborn soils
can be removed easily with a soft cloth and Mopar Total
Clean. Care should be taken to avoid soaking the leather
with any liquid.
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights that are lighter and
less susceptible to stone breakage than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.
To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other aggressive material to clean the lenses.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis
with any commercial household-type glass cleaner.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 233
7

About Your Brakes...................... 151
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) System............. 152
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 223
Adding Fuel.......................... 176
Adding Washer Fluid.................... 218
Additives, Fuel........................ 175
Aiming Headlights...................... 244
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . 211
Air Conditioner Maintenance.............. 214
Air Conditioning....................125,132
Air Conditioning Controls................ 125
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips........131,137
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 215
Air Conditioning System..............132,214
Air Pressure, Tires...................... 164
Airbag................................ 34
Airbag Deployment....................37,38
Airbag Light.....................38,41,49,89
Airbag Maintenance...................... 40
Airbag, Side........................... 40
Airbag, Window......................34,40
Alarm Light............................ 94
Alarm, Panic........................... 21Alarm System.......................... 23
Alignment and Balance.................. 170
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............ 7
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant).........222,223,244
Capacities........................... 244
Disposal............................ 224
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............. 152
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 92
Anti-Theft Security Alarm................. 23
Appearance Care....................... 230
Automatic Dimming Mirror................ 56
Automatic Door Locks..................17,18
Automatic Headlights.................... 66
Automatic Temperature Control............ 125
Automatic Transaxle.........145,147,198,228,246
Adding Fluid........................ 246
Filter.............................. 229
Fluid and Filter Changes................ 229
Fluid Level Check..................... 229
Interlock System....................12,147
Reset Mode......................... 147
Selection Of Lubricant...............228,246
Shifting............................ 148
280 INDEX

Special Additives..................... 230
Autostick............................. 172
Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 81
Ball Joints............................ 216
Battery............................... 213
Emergency Starting.................... 193
Gas Caution......................195,214
Heater............................. 145
Jump Starting........................ 193
Keyless Transmitter Replacement.......... 22
Location.........................193,213
Belts, Drive........................... 210
Belts, Engine.......................... 212
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 216
B-Pillar Location....................... 159
Brake, Parking......................... 150
Brake System.......................151,225
Anti-Lock........................... 152
Fluid Check......................... 227
Hoses.............................. 226
Master Cylinder...................... 227
Warning Light........................ 93Brake/Transmission Interlock...........145,148
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 48
Bulb Replacement...................... 238
Bulbs, Light........................... 238
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...... 244
Capacities, Fluid....................... 244
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 176
Oil (Engine)......................... 209
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 223
Car Washes........................... 231
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 176
Carpeting............................. 232
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 123
Cassette Tape Player...............100,108,111
Catalytic Converter..................... 211
CD Changer..................107,112,117,119
CD Player....................105,113,115,123
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 242
Central Locking......................... 17
Chains, Tire........................... 170
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 188
INDEX 281
10

Daytime Running Lights.................. 67
Dealer Service......................... 205
Defroster, Rear Window.................. 135
Defroster, Windshield...............50,128,134
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 203
Dimmer Control........................ 64
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 67
Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle................... 229
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............. 224
Engine Oil.......................... 210
Door Ajar Warning...................... 17
Door Locks............................ 15
Door Locks, Automatic................... 17
Door Opener, Garage..................... 74
Drive Belts............................ 210
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 196
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary................. 81
Electrical Power Outlets................... 81
Electronic Speed Control.................. 71Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 197
Jacking............................. 188
Jump Starting........................ 193
Overheating......................... 186
Towing............................. 197
Emergency Trunk Release...............24,25
Emission Control System Maintenance....204,248
Engine............................201,202
Air Cleaner Filter..................... 211
Block Heater......................... 145
Break-In Recommendations............... 48
Checking Oil Level.................... 206
Compartment.....................201,202
Coolant (Antifreeze)................221,245
Cooling............................ 220
Exhaust Gas Caution.................. 176
Fails to Start......................... 144
Fuel Requirements.................173,244
Oil ..........................206,244,245
Oil Change Interval................... 207
Oil Selection......................208,244
Oil Synthetic......................... 209
INDEX 283
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Overheating......................... 186
Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle for 2.4 Liter . . 248
Timing Belt.......................... 212
Engine Oil Viscosity..................... 244
Entry System, Illuminated................. 15
Exhaust Gas Caution...............49,176,220
Exhaust System........................ 219
Exterior Light Service.................... 238
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 211
Automatic Transaxle................... 229
Engine Fuel......................... 211
Engine Oil.......................210,245
Engine Oil Disposal................... 210
Flashers
Hazard Warning...................... 186
Turn Signal.......................... 90
Flash-To-Pass........................... 67
Flat Tire Changing...................... 188
Flexible Fuel Vehicles.................... 180
Cruising Range....................... 183
Engine Oil.......................181,209Fuel Requirements.................... 181
Maintenance......................... 183
Replacement Parts.................... 183
Starting............................ 183
Fluid, Brake........................... 246
Fluid Capacities........................ 244
Fluid Leaks............................ 50
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle................... 229
Capacities........................... 244
Cooling System....................... 221
Engine Oil.......................... 206
Power Steering....................... 215
Fluids............................... 245
Fog Light Service....................... 241
Fog Lights........................67,91,241
Folding Rear Seat....................... 61
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 197
Fuel................................. 173
Adding............................. 176
Additives........................... 175
Clean Air........................... 174
Ethanol............................. 180
284 INDEX

Filler Cap........................... 176
Filter.............................. 211
Gasoline............................ 173
Gauge.............................. 89
Hoses.............................. 228
Light............................... 94
Octane Rating........................ 245
Requirements.....................173,244
Tank Capacity........................ 244
Fueling.............................. 176
Fuses................................ 235
Garage Door Opener..................... 74
GasCap .............................. 176
Gasoline............................. 173
Gasoline, Clean Air..................... 174
Gasoline, Reformulated.................. 174
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............... 174
Gauges
Coolant Temperature................... 91
Fuel................................ 89
Speedometer......................... 90
Tachometer.......................... 90Gearshift............................. 148
General Information...................15,21
Glass Cleaning......................... 233
Hazard Warning Flasher.................. 186
Head Restraints......................... 61
Headlights............................ 238
Aiming............................. 244
Automatic........................... 66
Bulb Replacement..................... 238
Cleaning............................ 233
High Beam.........................67,90
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch....... 67
Passing............................. 67
Switch.............................. 66
Time Delay........................66,67
Heater............................125,132
Heater, Engine Block.................... 145
Homelink Transmitter.................... 74
Hood Prop............................ 63
Hood Release.......................... 62
Hoses............................225,228
INDEX 285
10

Ignition
Key ................................ 11
Lock................................ 11
Illuminated Entry....................... 15
Immobilizer............................ 13
Infant Restraint......................... 42
Inside Rearview Mirror................... 56
Instrument Cluster....................... 88
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 87
Instrument Panel Cover.................. 234
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............ 234
Interior Appearance Care................. 232
Interior Fuses.......................... 235
Interior Lighting........................ 63
Interior Lights........................63,64
Introduction............................ 4
Jack Location.......................... 188
Jack Operation......................... 188
Jump Starting......................... 193
Key, Programming....................... 14
Key, Replacement....................... 14Key, Sentry............................ 13
Key-In Reminder........................ 12
Keyless Entry System..................... 19
Keys................................. 11
Knee Bolster........................... 34
Lap/Shoulder Belts...................... 27
LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren)..... 45
Latch Plate............................ 28
Latches
Hood............................... 62
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 173
Leaks, Fluid............................ 50
Lights..............................50,63
Airbag........................38,41,49,89
Anti-Lock............................ 92
Automatic Headlights................... 66
Brake Warning.....................93,150
Bulb Replacement..................... 238
Check Engine......................... 90
Daytime Running...................... 67
Dimmer Switch, Headlight.............65,67
286 INDEX

Engine Temperature Warning............. 91
Exterior Check........................ 50
Fog ...........................67,91,241
Front Replacement.................... 240
Headlight Switch...................... 66
Headlights........................... 66
High Beam........................... 67
High Beam Indicator................... 90
Illuminated Entry...................... 15
Instrument Cluster..................... 66
Interior.............................. 63
License............................. 243
Lights On Reminder.................... 67
Low Fuel............................ 94
Malfunction Indicator................... 90
Map Reading......................... 65
Oil Pressure.......................... 93
Rear Servicing....................242,243
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 94
Security Alarm........................ 23
Service............................. 238
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . 90
Theft Alarm.......................... 94Traction Control...................... 154
Turn Signal...................65,67,90,240
Voltage.............................. 90
Load Limits........................... 178
Loading Vehicle
Capacities........................... 178
Tires ............................159,178
Locks
Central.............................. 17
Child Protection....................... 18
Door............................... 15
Ignition............................. 11
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).............................. 45
Lubricants............................ 216
Lubrication, Body....................... 216
Luggage/Cargo Capacity................. 178
Lumbar Support........................ 60
Maintenance Free Battery................. 213
Maintenance Procedures.................. 206
Maintenance Schedule................... 249
Light Duty ScheduleB................ 252
INDEX 287
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