2004 Dodge Stratus Owner Manual Coupe - Page 263

EMERGENCIES 263 IF THE VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN If the vehicle breaks down on the road, move to the shoulder and activate the hazard warning flashers. If there is no shoulder, or the shoulder is not safe, drive in the right lane, slowly, with the hazard flashers activated, until you reach a safe place to stop. Keep the flashers activated. If the engine quits If the engine stops, power will be lost to the steering and brakes, making steering and braking difficult. 1. The brake booster becomes inoperative and the brake pedal will be harder to push than usual. 2. Since power steering system is not operative, the steering wheel will be stiff when turning. Turn the wheel with more effort than usual. OPERATION UNDER ADVERSE DRIVING CONDITIONS If your vehicle becomes stuck in sand, mud or snow If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the wheels. Move the gearshift lever or selector lever rhythmically between the 1st and REVERSE position (with manual transaxle), ''L'' (Low) and ''R'' (REVERSE) position (with automatic transaxle), Autostick and ''R'' (REVERSE position (with automatic transaxle autostick), while applying slight pressure to the accelerator pedal. Avoid racing the engine or spinning the wheels. Prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle may result in overheating and transaxle failure. Allow the engine to idle for a few minutes to let the transaxle cool between rocking attempts. If the vehicle remains stuck after several rocking attempts, seek other assistance. 8