2004 DODGE DAKOTA key

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

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The flasher switch is on the top of the steering column,
just behind the steering wheel. Press the flasher switch
and all front and rear directional signals will flash
intermittently.
Press the switch a second time to turn off the emergency
flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed and the vehicle locked.
ADDING FUEL
On some models, the fuel tank filler tube, on vehicles
equipped with a catalytic converter, has a restricting door
about 2 inches (50 mm) inside the opening. If using a
portable fuel container, it should have a flexible nozzle
long enough to force open the restricting door.
WARNING!
A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is in a vehicle or on a truck
bed. You could be burned. Always place gas contain-
ers on the ground while filling.
208 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
off the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle
on a flatbed or with one end of the vehicle raised and the
opposite end on a towing dolly.
Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Provided that the transmission is operable, tow with the
transmission in Neutral and the ignition key in the OFF
position along with the front wheels raised and the rear
wheels on the ground. The speed must not exceed 30
mph (50 km/h) and the distance must not exceed 15
miles (25 km).If the vehicle is to be towed more than 15 miles (25 km),
it must be towed on a flatbed, or with the rear wheels
raised and the front wheels on the ground, or with the
front end raised and the rear wheels on a towing dolly.
218 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle's emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states which have an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance) requirement, this check verifies the
following: the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)
is functioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the OBD (On Board Diagnostic) system is ready
for testing.
Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, if you recently had a dead battery, or a battery
replacement. If the OBD system should be determined
not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key actuated test
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle's OBD system is ready, you must do
the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
4. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see your MIL symbol come on as part of a normal
bulb check.
5. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL light will blink for approximately 5
seconds and then remain on until the first engine
crank or the key is turned off. This means that your
vehicle's OBD system isnot readyand you should
notproceed to the I/M station.
b. The MIL light will remain fully illuminated until
the first engine crank or the key is turned off. This
means that your vehicle's OBD system isreadyand
you can proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD system isnot ready,you should see your
dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was recently
224 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

Headlights............................ 255
Dimmer Switch....................... 100
High Beam........................... 71
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch....... 71
Lights On Reminder.................... 69
Replacing........................... 255
Switch.............................. 68
Heater............................... 133
Heater, Engine Block.................... 146
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch......... 71
Hitches
Trailer Towing....................... 198
Holder, Cup........................... 89
Homelink Transmitter.................... 81
Hood Release.......................... 66
Hoses............................... 241
Ignition............................... 11
Cables............................. 230
Key ............................... 9,11
Lock................................ 11
Illuminated Entry....................... 12
Infant Restraint.......................38,39Inflation Pressure Tires................... 182
Inside Rearview Mirror................... 58
Instrument Cluster.....................97,99
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 96
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............ 252
Interior Appearance Care................. 251
Interior Lights.......................... 67
Intermittent Wipers...................... 71
Introduction............................ 4
Jack Location.......................... 209
Jack Operation......................... 211
Jump Starting......................... 215
Key, Replacement....................... 10
Key, Sentry............................. 9
Key-In Reminder......................... 9
Keyless Entry System..................... 17
Keys.................................. 9
Knee Bolster........................... 31
Lane Change and Turn Signals............70,99
Lap Belts.............................. 30
INDEX 293
10

Lap/Shoulder Belts...................... 25
LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren).... 42
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 184
Lights..............................54,67
Airbag...........................38,102
Anti-Lock Warning.................... 102
Back-Up............................ 256
Brake Warning....................... 101
Bulb Replacement..................... 254
Cargo ............................... 70
Center Mounted Stop.................. 257
Check Gauges........................ 101
Courtesy/Reading..................... 76
Cruise............................. 104
Daytime Running...................... 69
Fog .............................69,257
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 208
Headlights........................... 68
High Beam........................... 71
Instrument Cluster...................97,99
Intensity Control...................... 68
Interior...........................67,76License............................. 257
Lights On Reminder.................... 69
Low Fuel........................... 102
Low Washer Fluid.................... 101
Malfunction Indicator.................. 103
Park............................... 256
Passing............................. 70
Seat Belt Reminder.................... 101
Service..........................254,255
Transmission Warning.................. 102
Turn Signal........................70,256
Upshift Indicator...................99,151
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description).... 99
Washer Fluid........................ 101
Limited-Slip Differential.................. 162
Load Limits........................... 191
Loading Vehicle.....................191,194
Tires ............................... 172
Locks................................ 13
Child Protection....................... 16
Door............................... 13
Ignition............................. 11
Keys................................ 9
294 INDEX

Shifting out of Transfer Case Neutral (N) . . . 204
Reformulated Gasoline................... 184
Refrigerant............................ 234
Release, Hood.......................... 66
Remote Keyless Entry.................... 17
Remote Sound System Controls............ 130
Replacement Tires...................... 180
Reporting Safety Defects................. 284
Restraints, Child......................38,45
Restraints, Occupant..................... 24
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck.............. 167
Rotation, Tires......................183,264
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle............... 54
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle.............. 54
Safety Defects, Reporting................. 284
Safety Information, Tire.................. 167
Safety Tips............................. 53
Schedule, Maintenance................... 263
Seat Belt Maintenance................... 252
Seat Belts............................24,25
And Pregnant Women.................. 30
Child Restraint......................38,52Extender............................ 31
Front Seat............................ 25
Inspection........................... 54
Reminder........................... 101
Seats................................. 61
Adjustment.......................... 61
Bench............................... 63
Easy Entry........................... 64
Lumbar Support....................... 63
Reclining............................ 62
Security Alarm.......................21,102
Selection of Coolant..................... 259
Selection of Oil........................ 228
Self-Adjusting Brakes.................... 243
Sentry Key............................. 9
Service and Maintenance..............262,263
Service Assistance...................... 280
Service Contract........................ 282
Service Manuals........................ 284
Setting the Clock....................... 105
Shift Speeds, Manual Transmission.......... 151
Shifting.............................. 146
Manual Transmission.................. 150
INDEX 297
10