Dodge Neon SRT (2005 year). Manual

Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to inflate for your
protection in an impact. While the airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free, if any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
immediately:

• The AIRBAG light does not come on or flickers during

the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.

• The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second

interval.

• The light flickers or comes on and remains on while

driving.

Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times — babies and children, too. Every state in the
United States and all Canadian provinces require that
small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the
law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.

Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats, rather than in the front.

WARNING!

In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny
baby, can become a missile inside the vehicle. The
force required to hold even an infant on your lap
could become so great that you could not hold the
child, no matter how strong you are. The child and
others could be badly injured. Any child riding in
your vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the
child’s size.

Infants And Small Children
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat Owner’s Manual to ensure you have the right seat
for your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your
child:

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Safety experts recommend that children ride

rearward-facing in the vehicle until they are at least
one year old and weigh at least 20 lbs (9 kg). Two types
of child restraints can be used rearward-facing: infant
carriers and “convertible” child seats. Both types of
child restraints are held in the vehicle by the lap/
shoulder belt or the LATCH child restraint anchorage
system.

• The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the

vehicle. It is recommended for children who weigh up
to about 20 lbs (9 kg). “Convertible” child seats can be
used either rearward-facing or forward-facing in the
vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a higher
weight limit in the rearward-facing direction than
infant carriers do, so they can be used rearward-facing
by children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) but are
less than one year old.

• Rearward-facing child seats must NEVER be used in

the front seat of a vehicle with the front passenger
airbag. An airbag deployment could cause severe
injury or death to infants in this position.

• Children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) and who

are older than one year can ride forward-facing in the
vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and convertible
child seats used in the forward-facing direction are for
children who weigh 20 to 40 lbs (9 to 18 kg) and who
are older than one year. These child seats are also held
in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt or the LATCH
child restraint anchorage system.

• The belt-positioning booster seat is for children weigh-

ing more than 40 lbs (18 kg), but who are still too small
to fit the vehicle’s seat belts properly. If the child
cannot sit with knees bent over the vehicle’s seat
cushion while the child’s back is against the seat back;
they should use a Belt Positioning Booster Seat. The
child and booster seat are held in the vehicle by the
lap/shoulder belt. (Some booster seats are equipped
with a front shield and are held in the vehicle by the
lap portion).

NOTE:

For

additional

information

refer

www.seatcheck.org.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• Improper installation can lead to failure of an

infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions ex-
actly when installing an infant or child restraint.

• A rearward facing infant restraint should only be

used in a rear seat. A rearward facing infant
restraint in the front seat may be struck by a
deploying passenger airbag which may cause se-
vere or fatal injury to the infant.

Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint:

• Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it

has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. We also recommend that you make sure
that you can install the child restraint in the vehicle
where you will use it before you buy it.

• The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s

weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.

• Carefully follow the instructions that come with the

restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.

The passenger seat belts are equipped with cinching latch
plates which are designed to keep the lap portion tight
around the child restraint so that it is not necessary to use
a locking clip. Pulling up on the shoulder portion of the
lap/shoulder belt will tighten the belt. The cinching latch
plate will keep the belt tight, however, any seat belt
system will loosen with time, so check the belt occasion-
ally and pull it tight if necessary.

• In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the

lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint because the
buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt path
opening on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate
from the buckle and twist the short buckle-end belt
several times to shorten it. Insert the latch plate into
the buckle with the release button facing out.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• If the belt still can’t be tightened, or if pulling and

pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, disconnect
the latch plate from the buckle, turn the buckle
around, and insert the latch plate into the buckle
again. If you still can’t make the child restraint secure,
try a different seating position.

• Buckle the child into the seat according to the child

restraint manufacturer’s directions.

• When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the

vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle.
Do not leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
collision, it could strike the occupants or seat backs
and cause serious personal injury.

LATCH —L ower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
Your vehicle’s rear seat is equipped with the child
restraint anchorage system called LATCH, which stands
for Lower Anchors and Tether for Children. The LATCH
system provides for the installation of the child restraint
without using the vehicle seat belt. All three rear seating
positions have exclusive lower anchorages. These are
round bars, located at the rear of the seat cushion where
it meets the seat back, and just visible when you lean into

the rear seat to install the child restraint. You will easily
feel them if you run your finger along the intersection of
the surfaces. The lower strap hooks are passed over the
top of each bar, pushing aside the seat cover material.

In addition, there are tether strap anchorages
behind each rear seating position located in the
panel between the rear seat back and the rear
window — under a hinged plastic cover with

this symbol on it. (Shown to the left) In recent years, only
the tether anchorage has been provided in new vehicles.

Latch Anchorages

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To attach a child restraint tether strap:

1. Lift the cover over the anchor directly behind the seat
where you are placing the child restraint.

2. Route the tether strap to provide the most direct path
for the strap between the anchor and the child seat. If
your vehicle is equipped with adjustable rear head
restraints, raise the head restraint and, where possible,
route the tether strap under the head restraint and

between the two posts. If not possible, lower the head
restraint and pass the tether strap around the outboard
side of the head restraint.

3. Attach the tether strap hook (A) of the child restraint to
the anchor (B) and remove slack in the tether strap
according to the child restraint manufacturer’s instruc-
tions.

WARNING!

An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchor positions directly behind
the child seat to secure a child restraint top tether
strap.

Child restraint systems having attachments designed to
connect to the lower anchorages are now available. Child
restraints having tether straps and hooks for connection
to the top tether anchorage have been available for some
time. In fact, many child restraint manufacturers will

Tether Strap Mounting

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

provide add-on tether strap kits for some of their older
products. Tether anchorage kits are also available for
most older vehicles.

Because the lower anchorages are to be introduced to
passenger carrying vehicles over a period of years, child
restraint systems having attachments for those anchor-
ages will continue to have features for installation in
vehicles using the lap or lap/shoulder belt. They will also
have tether straps, and you are urged to take advantage
of all of the available attachments provided with your
child restraint in any vehicle.

Installing the Child Restraint System
While there are LATCH anchorages at all three rear
seating positions, do not install child restraints at all three
positions at the same time. The anchorages are not
designed to restrain three child restraints at one time.
Instead, you may install one child restraint at the center
position, or two child restraints at the right and left
positions.

WARNING!

Do not install child restraint systems equipped with
LATCH attachments at all three rear seating posi-
tions at one time. The LATCH anchorages are de-
signed to restrain no more than two child restraints
at a time in the event of a collision.

We urge that you carefully follow the directions of the
manufacturer when installing your child restraint. Many,
but not all, restraint systems will be equipped with
separate straps on each side, with each having a hook or
connector and a means for adjusting the tension in the
strap. Forward-facing toddler restraints and some
rearward-facing infant restraints will also be equipped
with a tether strap, a hook and means for adjusting the
tension in the strap.

In general, you will first loosen the adjusters on the lower
straps and tether straps so that you can more easily attach
the hook or connector to the lower anchorages and tether
anchorages. Then tighten all three straps as you push the
child restraint rearward and downward into the seat.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Not all child restraint systems will be installed as we
have described here. Again, carefully follow the instruc-
tions that come with the child restraint system.

WARNING!

Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of an infant or
child restraint. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly
when installing an infant or child restraint.

NOTE:

If your child restraint seat is not LATCH

compatible, install the restraint using the vehicle seat
belts.

Children Too Large For Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seat back, should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.

• Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.

• The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug

as possible.

• Check belt fit periodically. A child’s squirming or

slouching can move the belt out of position.

• If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the

child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind
their back.

Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision.

Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The engine in your new vehicle does not require a long
break-in period.

Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55
mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.

While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.

Wide open throttle acceleration in low gear can be
detrimental and should be avoided.

The crankcase oil installed in the engine at the factory is
a high quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with expected climate con-
ditions under which vehicle operations will occur. The
recommended viscosity and quality grades are in Section
7 of this manual.

Do not use non-detergent or straight mineral oils.

A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles of operation. This is a normal part of the
break-in and not an indication of a problem.

SAFETY TIPS

Exhaust Gas

WARNING!

Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.

Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in or
out of the area.

If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine
running, adjust your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.

To avoid drawing exhaust gases into the vehicle, close the
trunk while driving. However, if for some reason it must
remain open, close all windows. Adjust the heating or
cooling system to force outside air into the vehicle. Set
the blower at high speed.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle

Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.

Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn
webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.

Airbag Light

The light should come on and remain on for 6 to
8 seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned to ON/RUN. If the bulb is

not lit during starting, have it replaced. If the light stays
on or comes on while driving, have the system checked
by an authorized dealer.

Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle

Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.

Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.

Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are
present, the cause should be corrected immediately.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CONTENTS

䡵 Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

▫ Inside Day/Night Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
▫ Outside Mirror — Driver’s Side . . . . . . . . . . . .49
▫ Outside Mirror — Passenger’s Side . . . . . . . . . .49
▫ Electric Remote-Control Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . .50

䡵 Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

▫ Front Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
▫ Reclining Bucket Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
▫ Folding Rear Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

䡵 To Open And Close The Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
䡵 Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

▫ Front Map/Reading Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
▫ Interior Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
▫ Multi-Function Control Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
▫ Headlights, Parking Lights, Instrument Panel

Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

▫ Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only) . . . . . .57
▫ Lights-On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
▫ Fog Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
▫ Turn Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
▫ Headlight Dimmer Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
▫ Passing Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

䡵 Windshield Wipers And Washers . . . . . . . . . . .58

▫ Windshield Washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
▫ Mist Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
▫ Intermittent Wiper System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
▫ Lo Speed Wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
▫ Hi Speed Wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

䡵 Tilt Steering Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

䡵 Power Sunroof — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

▫ Sunroof Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
▫ Wind Buffeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

䡵 Console Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

▫ Ash Receiver And Cigar Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . .63

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

MIRRORS

Inside Day/Night Mirror
Adjust the mirror to center on the view through the rear
window. A two point pivot system allows for horizontal
and vertical mirror adjustment.

Annoying headlight glare can be reduced by moving the
small control under the mirror to the night position
(toward rear of vehicle). The mirror should be adjusted
while set in the day position (toward windshield).

Outside Mirror — Driver’s Side
Adjust the outside mirror to center on the adjacent lane of
traffic, with a slight overlap of the view obtained on the
inside mirror.

Outside Mirror — Passenger’s Side
Adjust the convex outside mirror so you can just see the
side of your vehicle in the part of the mirror closest to the
vehicle.

WARNING!

Vehicles and other objects seen in the passenger side
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away
than they really are. Relying too much on your
passenger side mirror could cause you to collide
with another vehicle or other object. Use your inside
mirror when judging the size or distance of a vehicle
seen in this convex mirror.

Adjusting Rear View Mirror

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Electric Remote-Control Mirrors
Use the mirror select switch, located on the drivers door
trim panel, to adjust the view obtained in the outside
mirrors. Press the rocker knob to the L or R for Left or
Right mirror selection. Use the center off position to
guard against accidentally moving a mirror position.

Select a mirror and press one of the four arrows for the
direction you want the mirror to move.

SEATS

Front Seat Adjustment
The adjusting bar is at the front of the seats, near the
floor. Pull the bar up to move the seat to the desired
position.

Using body pressure, move forward and rearward on the
seat to be sure the seat adjusters have latched after the
adjustment bar is released.

Power Mirror Switches

Manual Front Seat Adjuster

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• Adjusting a seat while the vehicle is moving is

dangerous. The sudden movement of the seat
could cause you to lose control. The seat belt
might not be properly adjusted and you could be
injured. Adjust the seat only while the vehicle is
parked.

• Do not ride with the seatback reclined so that the

shoulder belt is no longer resting against your
chest. In a collision you could slide under the seat
belt and be seriously or even fatally injured. Use
the recliner only when the vehicle is parked.

Reclining Bucket Seats
The recliner control is on the side of the seat. To recline,
lean forward slightly before lifting the lever, then lean
back to the desired position and release the lever. Lean
forward and lift the lever to return the seatback to its
normal position.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Folding Rear Seat
To provide additional storage area, the center of each rear
seatback can be folded forward. Pull on the loops shown
in the picture to fold down either or both seatbacks.

WARNING!

• It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,

inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed.

• Do not allow people to ride in any area of your

vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat-
belts.

• Be sure that everyone in your vehicle is in a seat

and using a seatbelt properly.

Folding Rear Seat

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released. First pull
the hood release lever located under the driver’s side of
the instrument panel.

Then lift the safety catch located under the front edge of
the hood, near the center and raise the hood.

Hood Release Lever

Hood Safety Catch

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Dodge Neon SRT (2005 year). Manual - part 3