2004 DODGE DAKOTA warning

WARNING!
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR or the maximum front and rear GAWR. If
you do, parts on your vehicle can break, or it can
change the way your vehicle handles. This could
cause you to lose control. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
A loaded vehicle is shown in the following example. Note
that neither GVWR nor GAWR capabilities are exceeded.
Overloading can cause potential safety hazards and
shorten service life.
NOTE:The weights shown in this chart are not
necessarily the weights for your vehicle. Also, the
amount of load added to both the front and rear axles
can be computed after the vehicle has been weighed
both in its(curb weight(condition, and in its(loaded
and ready for operation(condition.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) 6500 LBS.
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LOADING WIDE BUILDING MATERIALS
Four foot wide building materials can be conveniently
carried in the Dakota pickup box. For occasional use up
to 600 lbs (272 kg) of unrestrained material [9 pcs. 3/49
(19 mm) plywood] can be supported on2X6lumber
placed crossbody in indentations provided in the pickup
box inner walls. See illustration.WARNING!
²Care should always be exercised when operating a
vehicle with unrestrained cargo. Vehicle speeds
may need to be reduced. Severe turns or rough
roads may cause shifting or bouncing of the cargo
that may result in vehicle damage. If wide build-
ing materials are to be frequently carried, the
installation of a support is recommended. This
will restrain the cargo and transfer the load to the
pickup box floor.
²If you wish to carry more than 600 lbs (272 kg) of
material suspended above the wheelhouse, sup-
ports must be installed to transfer the weight of
the load to the pickup box floor or vehicle damage
may result. The use of proper supports will permit
loading up to the rated payload.
²Unrestrained cargo may be thrown forward in an
accident causing serious or fatal injury.
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See your dealer or a reputable installer of aftermarket
equipment for further information on the installation of
these supports.
WARNING!
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.
Be sure every one in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly
TRAILER TOWING
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.
Definitions
The following trailer towing related terminology defini-
tions will assist in understanding the subsequent sec-
tions:
GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT RATING (GCWR)
is the total permissible weight of your vehicle and trailer
when weighed in combination. (Note that GCWR ratings
include a 68 kg (150 lb.) allowance for the presence of a
driver.) Tongue Weight (of a trailer) is the weight placed
on a vehicle's trailer hitch by the trailer.
GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT (GTW)is the weight of the
trailer plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and
equipment (permanent or temporary) loaded in or on the
trailer in its9loaded and ready for operation9condition.
TRAILER SWAY CONTROLis a telescoping link that
can be installed between the hitch receiver and the trailer
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tongue that typically provides adjustable friction associ-
ated with the telescoping motion to dampen any un-
wanted trailer swaying motions while traveling.
CAUTION!
²During the first 500 miles (805 km) your new
vehicle is driven, do not tow a trailer. Doing so
may damage your vehicle.
²When first towing a trailer, limit your speed to 50
mph (80 km/h) during the first 500 miles (805 km)
of towing.
Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle:
²the tongue weight of the trailer
²the weight of any other type of cargo or equipment put
in or on your vehicle
NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or dealer-installed options,
must be considered as part of the total load on your
vehicle. Refer to the Certification label located at the
driver's door for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Perform maintenance services as prescribed in the Main-
tenance Schedules section. When your vehicle is used for
trailer towing, never exceed the gross axle weight rating
(GAWR) and GVWR.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
²Be sure the trailer is loaded heavier in front, with 60%
to 65% of the weight located ahead of the trailer's
axles(s) sufficiently to place result in tongue weights of
between 10% and 15% of the GTW loaded trailer
weight on the tow hitch of your vehicle. (For a95th
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of the trailer lights and assure their proper functioning, a
heavy duty turn signal flasher can be installed as a
separate equipment item by your dealer.
WARNING!
The direct connection of hydraulic brake lines from
vehicle brake system to trailer system is not accept-
able. The extra load may cause brake failure and you
may be injured.
Heavy trailer towing also may require breakaway electric
trailer brakes, anti-sway devices or equalizing hitches for
safe operation. Such devices are commonly required by
state law.
For all trailer tow or heavy-duty applications it is
strongly recommended that the factory fill rear axle
lubricant be replaced with an SAE 75W-140 synthetic
gear lubricant. MopartSynthetic Gear Lubricant is of
this type.
Trailer Tow Wiring
The Trailer Tow Package includes a wiring harness
located at the rear underbody of the vehicle.
NOTE:Connect trailer lighting and brakes using fac-
tory harnesses only. Do not cut or splice wiring to the
brake circuits.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following table for wire color and function.
Wire Color Function
Black Ground Wire
Blue Trailer Brake
Black/Orange Tail & Running Lamps
Red/Tan Battery
Dk. Green/Red Lt. Stop & Turn Signal
Brown/Red Rt. Stop & Turn Signal
Violet/Black Backup Lamps
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Cooling System TipsÐTrailer Towing
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
²City DrivingÐWhen stopped for short periods of
time, put transmission in neutral and increase engine
idle speed.
²Highway DrivingÐReduce your speed.
²Air ConditioningÐTurn off temporarily.
See Cooling System Operating information in the Main-
tenance section of this manual for more information.
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, turn the Overdrive OFF when driving in hilly areas
or shift the transmission to Drive position 2 on more
severe grades. Move the shift lever to the next lower
position to eliminate excessive transmission shifting. This
action will also reduce the possibility of transmission
overheating and provide better engine braking.
NOTE:If your vehicle has an automatic transmission
and you tow a trailer frequently follow Maintenance
Schedule ªBº.
SNOWPLOW
Dodge Dakota Models
NOTE:
Do not use Dodge Dakota Models for snow-
plow applications.
WARNING!
Snowplows, winches, and other aftermarket equip-
ment should not be added to the front end or your
vehicle. The airbag crash sensors may be affected by
the change in the front end structure. The airbags
could deploy unexpectedly or could fail to deploy
during a collision resulting in serious injury or
death.
CAUTION!
Using this vehicle for snowplow applications can
cause damage to the vehicle.
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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.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mHazard Warning Flasher.................208
mAdding Fuel..........................208
mChanging A Flat Tire...................209
NJack Location........................209
NJack Removal And Stowage..............210
NRemoving The Spare Tire................210NTire Changing Procedure................211
mJump Starting.........................215
mTowing A Disabled Vehicle...............217
NFour-Wheel Drive Vehicles...............218
NTwo-Wheel Drive Vehicles...............218
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