2004 DODGE DAKOTA light

also known as the9Party9mode because it allows the
doors to stay open for extended periods of time without
discharging the vehicle's battery.
The brightness of the instrument panel lighting can be
regulated by rotating the dimmer control up (brighter) or
down (dimmer). When the headlights are ON you can
supplement the brightness of the odometer, trip odom-
eter, radio and overhead console by rotating the control
up until you hear a click. This feature is termed the
ªParadeº mode and is useful when headlights are re-
quired during the day.
Club Cab/Quad Cab models may have an optional
switched dome lamp that may be operated by pressing
the lens.
Battery Saver
To protect the life of your vehicle's battery, Load Shed-
ding is provided for both the interior and exterior lights.
If the ignition is off and any door is left ajar for 15
minutes or the dimmer control is rotated upwards for 15
minutes, the interior lights will automatically turn off.If the headlamps remain on while the ignition is cycled
off, the exterior lights will automatically turn off after 5
minutes. If the headlamps are turned on and left on for 15
minutes while the ignition is off, the exterior lights will
automatically turn off.
NOTE:Battery Saver mode is cancelled if the ignition is
ON.
Headlamp Delay
To aid in your exit, your vehicle is equipped with a
headlamp delay that will leave the headlamps on for 60
seconds. This delay is initiated when the ignition is
turned OFF while the headlamp switch is on, and then
the headlamp switch is cycled off. The headlamps will
remain on for 60 seconds. Headlamp delay can be
cancelled by either turning the headlamp switch ON then
OFF or by turning the ignition ON.
Headlights, Parking Lights, Panel Lights
When the headlight switch is rotated to the first
position, the parking lights, taillights, side marker
lights, license plate light and instrument panel
lights are all turned on. The headlights will turn ON
when the switch is rotated to the second position.
68 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Your vehicle is equipped with plastic headlight lenses
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 abrasive materials to clean the lenses.
Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only)
The headlights on your vehicle will illuminate when the
engine is started. This provides a constant9Lights ON9
condition until the ignition is turned OFF. The lights
illuminate at less than 50% of normal intensity. If the
parking brake is applied the Daytime Running Lights
will turn off.
Lights-on Reminder
If the headlights, parking lights, courtesy lights or cargo
lights are left on, after the ignition is turned off, a chime
will sound when the driver's door is opened.
Fog Lights Ð If Equipped
The foglights are turned ON by placing the headlight
rotary control in the parking light or headlight position
and pulling out the headlight rotary control. The fog
lights will operate only when the parking lights are ON
or when the vehicle headlights are ON low beam. An
indicator light located left of the switch will illuminate
when the fog lights are on. The fog lights will turn off
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 69
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when the switch is pressed in, when the headlight switch
is rotated to the OFF position or the high beam is
selected.
CARGO Light Ð If Equipped
The cargo lights are turned on by rotating the dimmer
control to the optional fully upward position. The interior
lights will also turn on when the cargo lights are on. The
cargo lights will also turn on for 30 seconds when a key
fob Unlock is pressed, as part of the illuminated entry
feature.
MULTIFUNCTION CONTROL LEVER
The multifunction control lever is located on the left side
of the steering column.
Turn Signals
Move the lever up or down to signal a right-hand or
left-hand turn.
The arrow on either side of the instrument cluster flashes
to indicate the direction of the turn, and proper operation
of the front and rear turn signal lights. If either indicator
flashes at a faster rate, check for a defective outside lightbulb. If an indicator fails to light when the lever is
moved, it would suggest that the fuse or indicator bulb is
defective.
You can signal a lane change by moving the lever
partially up or down.
Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
partially pulling the multifunction lever toward the steer-
ing wheel. This will cause the high beam headlights to
turn on until the lever is released.
70 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

High Beam / Low Beam Select Switch
Pull the multifunction control lever fully toward the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from HIGH or
LOW beam.
Windshield Wipers
The wipers and washers are operated by a switch
in the multifunction control lever. Turn the end of
the handle to select the desired wiper speed.
NOTE:In cold weather, always turn off the wiper
switch and allow the wipers to return to the park position
before turning off the engine. If the wiper switch is left on
and the wipers freeze to the windshield, damage to the
wiper motor may occur when the vehicle is restarted.
Intermittent Wiper System
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 71
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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

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

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

Outside Temperature
Because engine temperature can increase the displayed
temperature, temperature readings are slowly updated
when vehicle speed is below 20 mph (30 km/h).
GARAGE DOOR OPENER
The HomeLinktUniversal Transceiver replaces up to
three remote controls (hand held transmitters) that oper-
ate devices such as garage door openers, motorized
gates, or home lighting. It triggers these devices at the
push of a button. The Universal Transceiver operates off
your vehicle's battery and charging system; no batteries
are needed.
For additional information on HomeLinkt, call 1±800±
355±3515, or on the internet at www.homelink.com.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 81
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