2004 DODGE DAKOTA warning light

NOTE:The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take
place and for the position indicator lights to be operable.
If the key is not ON, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
NOTE:Flashing neutral (N) position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not been met.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
Neutral (N) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case Neutral (N) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
despite the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
CAUTION!
²Do not use a bumper mounted clamp-on tow bar
on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be
damaged.
²Do not disconnect the rear driveshaft because
fluid will leak from the transfer case and damage
internal parts.
STARTING AND OPERATING 205
5

Before raising the wheel off the ground, make sure that
the jack will not damage surrounding truck parts and
adjust the jack position as required.
5. By rotating the wheel wrench clockwise, raise the
vehicle until the wheel just clears the surface.WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle unstable and cause an accident. It could
slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the
vehicle only enough to remove the tire.
6. Remove the wheel nuts and pull the wheel off. Install
the spare wheel and wheel nuts with the cone shaped end
of the nuts toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the nuts. To
avoid risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not fully
tighten the nuts until the vehicle has been lowered.
7. Using the wheel wrench, finish tightening the nuts in
a crisscross pattern.Correct nut tightness is 85-115 ft. lbs.
(115-155 N´m) torque. If in doubt about the correct
tightness, have them checked with a torque wrench by
your dealer or at a service station.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 213
6

Brake System
Power Disc Brakes (Front)
Disc brakes do not require adjustment; however, several
hard stops during the break-in period are recommended
to seat the linings and wear off any foreign material.
Self-Adjusting Rear Brakes
To maintain the correct adjustment, you need only drive
your vehicle in reverse and apply the brakes. If further
adjustment is needed, drive forward about 20 feet (6
meters) before you repeat the reverse application. To
avoid poor braking, brake pull, or damage to brake
drums, the brake linings should be inspected as specified
in the Maintenance Schedule.
Brake Master Cylinders
The fluid level in the master cylinders should be checked
whenever the vehicle is serviced, or immediately if the
brake system warning light is on. If necessary, add fluid
to bring level to the full mark on the side of the reservoir
of the brake master cylinder. Be sure to clean the top of
the master cylinder area before removing the cap. With
disc brakes, fluid level can be expected to fall as the brakepads wear. Brake fluid level should be checked when
pads are replaced. If the brake fluid level is abnormally
low, check system for leaks.
Refer to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts for correct fluid type.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 243
7

NOTE:If you are leaving your vehicle dormant for
longer than 21 days, you may want to take steps to
protect your battery. You may do this by disconnecting
the battery or by disconnecting the ignition-off draw
(I.O.D.) fuse in cavity #12. The I.O.D. cavity includes a
snap-in retainer that allows the fuse to be disconnected,
without removing it from the fuse block. Pressing the
I.O.D. fuse back into the cavity reconnects it.
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you are storing your vehicle for more than 21 days, we
recommend that you take the following steps to mini-
mize the drain on your vehicle's battery:
²Disconnect the Ignition-Off Draw fuse (I.O.D.) fuse
located in cavity #12 of the fuse block. The I.O.D.
cavity includes a snap-in retainer that allows the fuse
to be disconnected, without removing it from the fuse
block.
²The transfer case should be placed in the 4HI mode
and kept in this position to minimize the battery drain.
²As an alternative to the above steps you may discon-
nect the negative cable from the battery.
REPLACEMENT LIGHT BULBS
LIGHT BULBS Ð Inside Bulb No.
A/C Control............................. 74
Ash Tray.............................. 161
Brake System Warning Indicator.............. 194
Dome Light............................ 579
EGR Reminder.......................... 194
Glove Box.............................. 194
Heater Control.......................... 158
High Beam Indicator...................... 194
Instrument Cluster........................ 194
Low Fuel Indicator....................... 194
Low Washer Fluid Indicator................. 194
Oil Indicator............................ 194
Overhead Console........................ 578
Seat Belt Indicator........................ 194
Switched Dome.......................... 578
Temperature Indicator..................... 194
Turn Signals............................ 194
Underhood Light......................... 561
4x4 Shift Indicator........................ 161
254 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 239
Adding Fuel........................186,208
Air Conditioner Maintenance.............. 233
Air Conditioning....................... 134
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips........135,137
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 234
Air Conditioning System................. 134
Air Pressure, Tires...................176,182
Airbag...........................31,34,102
Airbag Light........................... 38
Airbag On/Off Switch.................... 34
Alarm.............................21,102
Alarm, Panic........................... 19
Alignment and Balance.................. 181
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............ 5
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............238,258
Anti-Lock Brake System...............164,165
Anti-Lock Warning Light................. 102
Anti-Theft System....................21,102
Appearance Care....................... 249
Automatic Dimming Mirror................ 59
Automatic Transmission............144,146,245
Adding Fluid........................ 246Fluid and Filter Changes................ 247
Fluid Level Check..................... 245
Fluid Type.......................247,260
Gear Ranges......................... 147
Overdrive........................... 148
Shifting............................ 146
Special Additives..................... 247
Torque Converter..................... 149
Axle Fluid............................ 260
Axle Lubrication....................... 248
Backfire, Engine........................ 190
Ball Joints............................ 235
Battery............................... 232
Charging........................... 215
Emergency Starting.................... 215
Gas Caution......................... 215
Keyless Transmitter Replacement.......... 21
Saving Feature........................ 68
Belts, Drive........................... 230
Belts, Seat............................. 25
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 235
B-Pillar Location....................... 172
288 INDEX

Brake Fluid........................... 260
Brake System.......................164,243
Anti-Lock........................164,165
Disc Brakes.......................... 243
Fluid Check......................... 243
Hoses.............................. 244
Master Cylinder...................... 243
Parking............................ 163
Self-Adjusting Rear.................... 243
Warning Light....................... 101
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 146
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 52
Bulb Replacement...................... 255
Bulbs, Light........................... 254
Camper............................... 90
Capacities, Fluid....................... 258
Capacity, Cargo Weight.................. 191
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 186
Power Steering....................... 234
Car Washes........................... 250
Carbon Monoxide Warning.............91,189Cargo ............................... 191
Cargo Area Features..................... 194
Cargo Light.........................70,102
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 131
Cassette Tape Player...............106,119,121
Catalytic Converter..................189,231
CD Changer..................... 113,117,122
CD Player................. 110,114,116,124,126
Cellular Phone......................... 132
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 257
Center Lap Belts........................ 30
Center Seat Storage Compartment........... 89
Certification Label...................... 191
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 209
Charging............................. 215
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 169
Child Restraint.....................38,39,52
Child Restraint Tether Anchors...........42,46
Child Safety Locks....................... 16
Child Seat............................. 45
Climate Control........................ 133
Clock................................ 105
Club Cab............................24,64
INDEX 289
10

Downshifting.......................... 151
Drive Belts............................ 230
Drive Shaft Universal Joints............... 235
Electrical Power Outlets................... 86
Electronic Power Distribution Center........ 252
Electronic Speed Control.................. 74
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 167
Jacking............................. 211
Jump Starting........................ 215
Overheating......................... 239
Towing............................. 217
Emission Control System Maintenance....... 262
Emission Related Components............. 241
Engine
Air Cleaner.......................... 231
Air Cleaner Filter..................... 230
Block Heater......................... 146
Break-In Recommendations............... 52
Compartment.....................221,222
Coolant..........................238,259
Cooling............................ 237Exhaust Gas Caution................53,189
Fails to Start......................... 145
Flooded, Starting..................... 145
Fuel Requirements.................... 258
Oil ..........................226,258,259
Oil Selection......................... 258
Oil Synthetic......................... 229
Overheating......................... 239
Starting............................ 144
Temperature Gauge.................... 99
Entry System, Illuminated................. 12
Equipment Identification Plate............. 206
Exhaust Gas Caution..................53,237
Exhaust System......................53,236
Exterior Lighting........................ 68
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 230
Engine Fuel......................... 231
Engine Oil.......................229,259
Engine Oil Disposal................... 229
Flashers
Hazard Warning...................... 208
INDEX 291
10

Turn Signal.......................... 99
Flat Tire Stowage....................... 215
Flooded Engine Starting.................. 145
Floor Console.......................... 88
Fluid, Brake........................... 260
Fluid Capacities........................ 258
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................ 245
Brake.............................. 243
Cooling System....................... 237
Power Steering....................... 234
Transfer Case........................ 248
Fog Lights..........................69,257
Four Wheel Drive...................... 151
Operation........................... 151
Four-Way Hazard Flasher................. 208
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 167
Front Axle............................ 248
Fuel................................. 184
Adding............................. 186
Filler Cap........................... 186
Filter.............................. 231
Gasoline............................ 184Gauge............................. 100
Materials Added...................... 186
Octane Rating........................ 259
Requirements.....................184,258
System Hoses........................ 241
Tank Capacity........................ 258
Fuses................................ 253
Garage Door Opener..................... 81
Gasoline............................. 184
Gasoline, Reformulated.................. 184
Gauges
Coolant Temperature................... 99
Fuel............................... 100
Oil Pressure......................... 100
Speedometer......................... 100
Tachometer.......................... 99
Voltmeter............................ 99
Gear Ranges........................100,147
Glass Cleaning......................... 251
GVWR............................... 191
Hazard Warning Flasher.................. 208
292 INDEX