Central Locking Ð If Equipped
Vehicles with security will have a feature called9Central
Locking.9When the key is placed in the door cylinder
and turned to the9Unlock9position, the security will be
disarmed, the illuminated entry will be turned on and
that door will be mechanically unlocked. If the key is
once again turned to the unlock position within 5 seconds
of the first unlock, the remaining doors will unlock. If the
key is turned to the9Lock9position while all doors are
closed, illuminated entry will be canceled, security will
begin arming, and all doors will lock.
Automatic Door Locks
If this feature is enabled, your door locks will lock
automatically when the vehicle's speed exceeds 15 mph
(24 km/h).
This feature is enabled when your vehicle is shipped
from the assembly plant and can be disabled by using the
following procedure:
1. Enter your vehicle and close all doors.2. Fasten your seat belt (Fastening the seat belt will
cancel any chiming that may confuse you during this
programming procedure).
3. Place the key into the ignition.
4. Within 10 seconds cycle the key from the OFF position
to the ON position four times; ending in the OFF position
(Do not start the engine).
5. Within 30 seconds, press the driver's door lock switch
in the LOCK direction.
6. A single chime will be heard to indicate the feature has
been disabled.
7. To reactivate this feature, repeat the above steps.
8. If a chime is not heard, program mode was canceled
before the feature could be disabled. If necessary, repeat
the above procedure.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
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REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY Ð IF EQUIPPED
This system allows you to lock or unlock the doors from
distances up to about 23 feet (7 meters) using a hand held
radio transmitter. The transmitter need not be pointed at
the vehicle to activate the system.
To unlock the doors (four door vehicles):
Press and release the UNLOCK button on the key fob
once to unlock only the driver's door or twice to unlock
all the doors. When the UNLOCK button is pressed, theilluminated entry will initiate, the parking lights will
flash on twice and if installed, the cargo lamp will turn on
for 30 seconds.
The system can be programmed to unlock all the doors
upon the first UNLOCK button press by using the
following procedure:
1. Enter your vehicle and close all doors.
2. Fasten your seat belt. (Fastening the seat belt will
cancel any chiming that may confuse you during this
programming procedure).
3. Place the key into the ignition.
4. Within 10 seconds cycle the key from the OFF position
to the ON position four times; ending in the ON position
(Do not start the engine).
5. Within 30 seconds, press the driver's door lock switch
in the UNLOCK direction.
6. A single chime will be heard to indicate the feature has
been disabled.
7. To reactivate this feature, repeat the above steps.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17
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8. If a chime is not heard, program mode was canceled
before the feature could be disabled. If necessary, repeat
the above procedure.
NOTE:All two-door vehicles will be shipped from the
assembly plant with this feature disabled. If this feature is
enabled on a two door vehicle, a single UNLOCK button
press will initiate the illuminated entry only - none of the
doors will unlock. If the UNLOCK button is pressed a
second time within 4 seconds of the first, all doors will
unlock.
To lock the doors:
Press and release the LOCK button on the transmitter to
lock all doors. If the ignition is OFF, when the doors are
locked, the parking lights will flash on once and the horn
will chirp once.
The horn chirp feature will be shipped from the assembly
plants activated. If desired this feature can be disabled by
using the following procedure:
1. Enter your vehicle and close all doors.2. Fasten your seat belt (Fastening the seat belt will
cancel any chiming that may confuse you during this
programming procedure).
3. Place the key into the ignition.
4. Turn the ignition to the ON position (Do not start the
engine).
5. Press and hold the LOCK button on the key fob.
6. After holding the LOCK button for four seconds, also
press the PANIC button within 6 seconds.
7. When a single chime is heard, release both buttons.
8. Turn the ignition OFF to test the horn chirp feature.
9. To reactivate this feature, repeat the above steps.
10. If a chime is not heard, program mode was canceled
before the feature could be disabled. If necessary, repeat
the above procedure.
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Using the Panic Alarm
To activate the Panic mode while the ignition is OFF press
and release the PANIC button on the transmitter once.
When the Panic mode is activated, the interior lights will
illuminate, the headlamps and parking lights will flash,
and the horn will sound.
To cancel the Panic mode press and release the PANIC
button on the transmitter a second time. Panic mode will
automatically cancel after 3 minutes or if the vehicle is
started and exceeds 15 mph (24 km/h). During the Panic
Mode, the door locks and remote keyless entry systems
will function normally. Panic mode will not disarm the
security system on vehicles so equipped.
Programming Additional Transmitters
Vehicles with the keyless entry option will be shipped
from the assembly plants with two key fob transmitters
programmed only for that vehicle. A total of four fobs can
be programmed for your vehicle. Additional fobs can be
programmed to your vehicle through the use of a cur-
rently programmed fob.
NOTE:When entering program mode using that fob,
all other programmed fobs will be erased and you will
have to reprogram them for your vehicle.
Use the Following procedure to program additional key
fobs:
1. Enter your vehicle and close all doors.
2. Fasten your seat belt (Fastening the seatbelt will cancel
any chiming that may confuse you during this program-
ming procedure).
3. Place the key into the ignition.
4. Turn the ignition to the ON position (Do not start the
engine).
5. Press and hold the UNLOCK button on the key fob.
6. After holding the UNLOCK button for four seconds,
also press the PANIC button within 6 seconds.
7. Release both buttons and a single chime will be heard.
The chime is an indication that you have successfully
entered program mode. All fobs that are to be pro-
grammed must be done so within 30 seconds of when the
chime was heard.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19
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Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to inflate for your
protection in an impact. While the airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free, if any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
promptly:
²The airbag light does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
²The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
²The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
NOTE:If the speedometer, tachometer or any engine
related gauges are not working, the airbag control mod-
ule may also be disabled. The airbags may not be ready
to inflate for your protection. Promptly check fuse num-
bers 18 and 19 in the fuse block. See your dealer if the
fuse is good.
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time Ð babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.
WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny
baby, can become a missile inside the vehicle. The
force required to hold even an infant on your lap can
become so great that you could not hold the child, no
matter how strong you are. The child and others
could be badly injured. Any child riding in your
vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child's
size.
38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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
direction of the turn. These indicators also indicate
proper operation of the front and rear turn signal lights.
If either indicator flashes at a faster rate than normal,
check for a defective bulb. If either indicator fails to light
up when the lever is moved, check for a defective fuse or
turn signal bulb. A continuous low chime is activated
when the left/right turn signal is left on with the engine
RPM vehicle speed greater than 15 mph (24 km/h) for
more than 1 mi. (1.6 km)
6. High Beam Indicator
This light indicates that headlights are on high
beam.
7. Speedometer
This gage shows vehicle speed in miles per hour and
kilometers per hour.
8. Oil Pressure Gage ± If Equipped
This gage indicates engine oil pressure. Any
reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine oil system is operating satisfactorily. A
continuous high or low reading under normal operat-
ing conditions may indicate a lubrication system mal-
function. Immediate service should be obtained. Theoil gage does not indicate the amount of oil in the
engine. See section 7 for the oil level checking proce-
dure.
9. Fuel Gage
This gage shows the level of fuel in tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
10. Gear Selector
The electronic gear selector display is self-contained
within the instrument cluster. It displays the position of
the automatic transmission shift lever, and the relation of
each position to all other positions. For a good signal the
display will place a box around the selected transmission
range (PRND21). If the PRNDL displays only the char-
acters PRND21 (no boxes) or PRND21 with all boxes on,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
11. O/D (Overdrive) OFF Indicator (Automatic
Transmissions Only
This light will illuminate when the overdrive off button
has been selected.
100 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS
2.GTW
3.Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized (This requirement may limit the ability to
always achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue
weight [15% to 25% for a(5th Wheel(style trailer]
as a percentage of total trailer weight.)
4.GAWR ratings
NOTE:
Towing a trailer equipped with more than the
standard lighting (turn, tail, stop and backup lights) may
cause an abnormally high electrical current draw through
the headlight switch, causing the switch to fail. To
prevent a recurring switch failure install a trailer tow
wiring harness overlay kit with relay to bypass headlight
switch (available from your dealer).
Trailer Towing Information (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)
(Trailer Towing Guide(
NOTE:
For trailer towing information (maximum
trailer weight ratings) refer to the following website
address:http:// www.dodge.com/towing.
In Canada, refer to the following website address:
http:// www.dodge.ca.
Trailer Towing Requirements
All Dodge Dakota trucks are intended to tow trailers up
to 2,000 lbs. without added equipment or alterations to
standard equipment. Your vehicle may be factory
equipped for safe towing of trailers weighing over 2,000
lbs. with the Trailer Tow Package. The electrical part of
this package includes an instruction sheet, a 7/4 pin
adaptor, a wiring pigtail for an aftermarket electric trailer
brake controller, and three relays that must be installed
into the power distribution center. These items are stored
in the glove box. Also included in the Trailer Tow
Package are two fuses and a relay that are located on the
driver's side of the engine compartment on a harness
near the Power Distribution Center. This relay and the
fuses power up the trailer towing option. See your Dodge
dealer for further information.
If you regularly pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop and turn signals on the trailer are recommended for
motoring safety. To handle the additional electrical load
STARTING AND OPERATING 199
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