In 1995, Dodge released a new mid-sized vehicle: the Stratus. In 2001, Dodge completely redesigned the Stratus and gave it a more aggressive and sporty look. The 2004 Stratus had two engines available: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 2.7-liter V-6. All trim levels of the 2004 Stratus, except the SXT coupe, came standard with a four-speed automatic transmission. Dodge recommended replacing the transmission fluid and filter every 60,000 miles, as a part of the vehicle's scheduled maintenance.
Raise the front of the Stratus off the ground, using a floor jack, and set jack stands under the vehicle's subframe. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
Slide under the Stratus and find the transmission pan on the lower part of the transmission. Set a drain pan under the transmission pan. Loosen, but don't remove, all of the bolts securing the pan on the transmission. Lightly tap one corner of the transmission pan with a rubber mallet until it drops from the transmission, and oil starts draining from the transmission.
Hold the pan upward and remove the transmission pan bolts. Pull the pan downward and dump the remaining fluid in the transmission pan into the drain pan. Remove the transmission pan gasket from the transmission pan, or the pan-mating surface on the transmission.
Remove the two bolts holding the transmission filter to the base of the transmission. Pull the filter down from the transmission. Set the transmission filter in the drain pan.
Line the filter neck up with the filter hole on the base of the transmission, and push the filter onto the base of the transmission. Hand-tighten the two filter-retaining bolts, then tighten them with a ratchet and socket -- do not over-tighten the filter-retaining bolts.
Pull the circular magnet from the pan and clean it off with a clean, lint-free cloth. Wipe the remaining fluid and dirt out of the transmission pan, using clean, lint-free cloths, until the inside of the pan is clean. Reinstall the transmission pan magnet onto the transmission pan.
Scrape the mating surface on the transmission pan and transmission with a plastic gasket scraper. Wipe off the mating surfaces with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Apply a thin coat of RTV silicone onto the gasket-mating surface on the transmission pan, and set the gasket on the transmission pan -- line up the bolt holes on the gasket with those on the transmission pan.
Set the transmission pan onto the base of the transmission and hand-tighten the transmission pan bolts. Tighten the transmission pan bolts, in a crisscrossing pattern, to 14 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.
Raise the Stratus from the jack stands, using a floor jack, and pull the jack stands from under the Dodge. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
Remove the transmission dipstick from the Stratus's engine compartment and insert a long-neck funnel into the dipstick tube. Pour 4 qts. of ATF Plus Four transmission fluid into the transmission via the long-neck funnel. Remove the funnel and insert the dipstick into the transmission.
Start the vehicle's engine and allow it to idle for at least one minute. Hold the brake pedal and shift the Stratus through each gear; stop in each gear to allow the fluid to circulate through the transmission. Place the Stratus back into "Park."
Remove the dipstick and wipe it off with a clean, lint-free cloth. Reinsert the dipstick into the dipstick tube and remove it again. Verify the transmission fluid level is at within 1/8-inch of the "Add" line on the transmission dipstick; add ATF Plus Four transmission fluid, as needed.
Wipe off the dipstick with a clean, lint-free cloth and reinsert it in the dipstick tube. Allow the Stratus to idle until the vehicle reaches operating temperature -- about halfway up the temperature gauge.
Remove the dipstick from the dipstick tube and wipe it off with a clean, lint-free cloth. Reinsert the dipstick into the dipstick tube and remove it again. Verify that the transmission fluid level is within the "Hot" range on the end of the dipstick. Insert a funnel and add ATF Plus Four transmission fluid, as needed.
Insert a small funnel into an empty ATF Plus Four bottle and pour the old fluid from the drain pan into the bottle until the bottle is full. Tighten the cap onto the transmission fluid bottle. Repeat this step until you transfer all of the old fluid into the empty bottles. Take the old fluid and filter to a used automotive fluid-recycling center. Many auto parts stores take old fluid free of charge.
