2004 DODGE DAKOTA Owners Manual

previously selected. If the knob is pushed while in the
OFF position, the wiper will wipe approximately three
wipes, after the wash knob is released.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.
TILT STEERING COLUMN Ð IF EQUIPPED
To tilt the column, push down on the lever below the turn
signal control and move the wheel up or down, as
desired. Push the level back up to lock the column firmly
in place.
WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 73
3

ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL Ð IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, this device takes over accelerator opera-
tion at speeds greater than 35 mph (56 km/h). The
controls are mounted on the steering wheel.
To Activate
Push the ON/OFF button to the ON position. An indi-
cator light in the instrument cluster illuminates when the
system is on.
To Set At A Desired Speed
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed, press
and release the SET button. Release the accelerator and
the vehicle will operate at the selected speed.
To Deactivate
A soft tap on the brake pedal, normal braking, clutch
pressure while slowing the vehicle, or pressing the CAN-
CEL button will deactivate speed control without erasing
the memory. Pushing the ON/OFF button to the OFF
position or turning off the ignition erases the memory.
WARNING!
Leaving the Speed Control ON when not in use is
dangerous. You could accidentally set the system to
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.
74 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To Resume Speed
To resume a previously set speed, push and release the
RESUME button. Resume can be used at any speed above
50 km/h (30 mph).
To Vary The Speed Setting
When the speed control is on, speed can be increased by
pressing and holding the ACCEL button. When the
button is released, a new set speed will be established.
Tapping the ACCEL button once will result ina2mph
(3.2 km/h) speed increase. Each time the button is
tapped, speed increases so that tapping the button three
times will increase speed by 6 mph (9.6 km/h), etc.
Tapping the COAST button once will result ina1mph
(1.6 km/h) speed decrease. Each time the button is
tapped, speed will decrease. For example, tapping the
button 3 times will decrease the speed by 3 mph (4.8
km/h), etc.
To decrease speed while the speed control is on, press
and hold the COAST button. Release the button when the
desired speed is reached, and the new speed will be set.
To Accelerate For Passing
Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
NOTE:When driving uphill, at elevations above 2,000
feet (610 Meters), or when the vehicle is heavily loaded
(especially when towing) the vehicle may slow below the
SET speed. If the vehicle speed drops below 30 mph (48
km/h), the speed control will automatically disengage. If
this happens, you can push down on the accelerator
pedal to maintain the desired speed.
Vehicles equipped with a 5±speed manual transmission
should be operated in 4th gear under the above condi-
tions.
Vehicles equipped with a 4±speed automatic transmis-
sion may exhibit several 4-3 downshifts under the above
conditions. To reduce the frequency of the downshifts
and to improve vehicle performance, it is advisable to
lock out overdrive by pressing the O/D OFF button
located at the end of the gear shifter.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 75
3

WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can't maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don't use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
OVERHEAD CONSOLE
The overhead console has the following features:
²Courtesy Lights
²Garage Door Opener Ð If Equipped
²Mini-Trip Computer Ð If Equipped
Courtesy/Reading Lights
Near the front of the console are two courtesy/reading
lights.
Both lights illuminate as courtesy lights when a door is
opened, when the dimmer control is rotated to the
courtesy light position (fully upward position), or when
the UNLOCK button is pressed on the Remote Keyless
Entry transmitter, if so equipped. These lights are also
operated individually as reading lights by pressing the
recessed area of the corresponding lens.
NOTE:The courtesy/reading lights will remain on
until the switch is pressed a second time, so be sure they
have been turned off before leaving the vehicle.
76 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

COMPASS/TEMPERATURE MINI-TRIP COMPUTER
This feature allows you to choose between a compass/
temperature display and one of five trip conditions being
monitored.
US/M Button
Use this button to change the display from U.S. to metric
measurement units.
RESET Button
Use this button to reset the following displays to zero:
Average Fuel Economy
Trip Odometer
Elapsed time.
Global Reset
If the RESET button is pressed twice within 3 seconds
while in any of the 3 resetable displays, the Global Reset
will reset all 3 displays.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 77
3

Step Button
Use this button to choose or cycle through the four trip
conditions.
Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)
This display shows the average fuel economy since the
last reset.
Distance To Empty (DTE)
This display shows the estimated distance that can be
traveled with the fuel remaining in the tank. The distance
is calculated by multiplying the amount of fuel remain-
ing by the projected fuel economy. The distance predicted
will change every few seconds to a higher or lower
number as these factors change. The DTE will read zero
when the fuel gauge reads ªE.º
This display cannot be reset.
Trip Odometer (ODO)
This display shows the distance traveled since the last
reset.
Elapsed Time (ET)
This display shows the accumulated ignition ON time
since the last reset.
78 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

C/T Button
Use this button to select a readout of the outside tem-
perature and one of eight compass headings that indicate
the direction in which the vehicle is facing.
Compass/Temperature Display
This display provides the outside temperature and one of
eight compass readings to indicate the direction the
vehicle is facing.
WARNING!
Even if the display still reads a few degrees above
32ÉF ( 0ÉC), the road surface may be icy, particularly
in woods or on bridges. Drive carefully under such
conditions to prevent an accident and possible per-
sonal injury or property damage.
Automatic Compass Calibration
The self calibrating feature of the compass eliminates the
need to calibrate the compass for normal conditions.
During a short initial period, the compass may appear
erratic and the CAL symbol will appear on the display.
The CAL symbol may also appear after the vehicle is
subjected to a high level of magnetism. While completing
three 360É turns at about 5 mph (8 km/h) in an area free
from large metal or metallic objects, the CAL symbol will
turn off and the compass will function normally.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 79
3

Manual Compass Calibration
If the compass appears erratic and the CAL light does not
appear, you must calibrate the compass. Find an open
area away from large metal objects. With the ignition ON
and the compass/temperature displayed, press and hold
the RESET button until the CAL symbol appears (about
10 seconds). Drive slowly, about 5 mph (8 km/h), in 3
complete 360É circles. The CAL light will turn off and the
compass will be calibrated.
Variance is the difference between magnetic North and
geographic North. For proper compass function, the
correct variance zone must be set. Refer to the variance
map for the correct variance zone. To check the variance
zone, the ignition must be on and the compass/
temperature displayed. Press and hold the RESET button
for about 5 seconds until VAR appears in the display. The
number displayed is the variance zone used by the
compass. To change the zone, press the STEP button to
scroll through numbers 1 through 15. Press the RESET
button after selecting the proper zone to return to the
normal compass/temperature display.
80 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE