2004 DODGE DAKOTA Owners Manual

Tether Straps at the Rear Passenger Seat (Club Cab
and Quad Cab Rear Seats)
1. Route the child restraint tether strap through the
anchor strap inner loop (loop with metal ring attached),
located directly behind the child restraint.
2. Route the tether strap across to the next nearest
installed anchor strap, and attach the tether strap hook to
the anchor strap metal ring.
3. Remove the slack in the tether strap so that both
anchor straps are pulled tight.
NOTE:Every Club Cab model has a cab-back panel
with a flip-down door (padded bolster). The symbol
below is located on this door.
Club/Quad Cab Rear Seat
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
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Multiple Child Restraint Installation Sequence
1. Thread the child restraint tether strap hook through
the inner loop, located directly behind the child restraint.
2. After following step 1 for either of the two outer seats,
route the tether strap hook to the metal ring on the inner
loop behind the center seat and attach the hook to the
metal ring.3. After following step 1 for the center child restraint,
route the tether strap hook to the metal ring on the inner
loop, located behind the passenger's seat. Attach the
tether strap hook to the metal ring
NOTE:Two Anchors must be used for either of the
three seating positions.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Multiple Child Restraint
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
2

WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
seat failure and injury to the child. In a collision, the
seat could come loose and allow the child to crash
into the inside of the vehicle or other passengers, or
even be thrown from the vehicle. Use only the
anchor positions directly behind the child restraint
to secure a child restraint top tether strap. See your
dealer for help if necessary.
Children Too Large for Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seat back should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.
²Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
²The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
²Check belt fit periodically. A child's squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. If this doesn't
help, move the child to the center rear seating position
and use the lap belt. Never allow a child to put the
shoulder belt under an arm or behind their back.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle. Drive moderately during the first 300
miles (500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds
up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable. While
cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the limits
of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Avoid wide open throttle acceleration in low gear.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality, energy-conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
shown in Section 7.
NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS
MUST NEVER BE USED.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles of operation. This is a normal part of the
break-in and is not an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust System
WARNING!
Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an ex-
tremely toxic gas that by itself is colorless and
odorless. To avoid inhaling these gases, the follow-
ing precautions should be observed:
²Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
²It may be necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for more than a short period. If so,
adjust your climate control system to force outside air
into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed and the
controls in any position except OFF or RECIRC.
²The best protection against carbon monoxide entry
into the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine
exhaust system.
Be aware of changes in the sound of the exhaust system;
exhaust fumes detected inside the vehicle; or damage to
the underside or rear of the vehicle. Have a competent
mechanic inspect the complete exhaust system and adja-
cent body areas for broken, damaged, deteriorated or
mispositioned parts. Open seams or loose connections
could permit exhaust fumes to seep into the passenger
compartment. In addition, inspect the exhaust system
each time the vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil
change. Replace or adjust as required.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
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Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You can feel the air
directed against the windshield.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle:
Tires
Examine tires for tread wear or uneven wear patterns.
Check for stones, nails, glass or other objects lodged in
the tread.
Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall cracks. Check wheel
nuts for tightness and tires for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights as
you turn them on. Check turn signal and high beam
indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check the area under vehicle after overnight parking for
fuel, water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected, the cause should be located and
corrected.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mMirrors..............................58
NInside Day/Night Mirror.................58
NAutomatic Dimming MirrorÐ If Equipped....59
NOutside Mirrors.......................59
NExterior Mirrors Folding Feature...........59
NElectric Remote-Control Mirrors............60
NHeated Mirrors Ð If Equipped.............61
mSeats................................61
NSeat Adjustment.......................61
NReclining Seats........................62
N6 - Way Power Seat Adjuster Ð Driver's Side
Only...............................63NLumbar Support Adjustment Ð Power Seats
Only...............................63
NSeatback Releases Ð Bench Seat............63
NSeatback ReleasesÐBucket And Split Bench....64
NClub Cab Easy Entry System..............64
NClub Cab/Quad Cab Rear Seat.............65
mTo Open And Close The Hood.............66
mLights...............................67
NInterior Lights........................67
NBattery Saver.........................68
NHeadlamp Delay.......................68
NHeadlights, Parking Lights, Panel Lights......68
3

NDaytime Running Lights (Canada Only)......69
NLights-On Reminder....................69
NFog Lights Ð If Equipped................69
NCargo Light Ð If Equipped...............70
mMultifunction Control Lever...............70
NTurn Signals..........................70
NPassing Light.........................70
NHigh Beam / Low Beam Select Switch.......71
NWindshield Wipers.....................71
NWindshield Washers....................72
mTilt Steering Column Ð If Equipped.........73
mElectronic Speed Control Ð If Equipped......74
NTo Activate...........................74
NTo Set At A Desired Speed................74
NTo Deactivate.........................74
NTo Resume Speed......................75NTo Vary The Speed Setting................75
NTo Accelerate For Passing................75
mOverhead Console......................76
NCourtesy/Reading Lights.................76
mCompass/Temperature Mini-Trip Computer...77
NUS/M Button.........................77
NReset Button..........................77
NGlobal Reset..........................77
NStep Button..........................78
NAverage Fuel Economy (AVG ECO).........78
NDistance To Empty (DTE)................78
NTrip Odometer (ODO)...................78
NElapsed Time (ET)......................78
NC/T Button..........................79
NCompass/Temperature Display............79
NAutomatic Compass Calibration............79
56 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE