2004 DODGE DAKOTA low beam

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

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

Your vehicle is equipped with plastic headlight lenses
that are lighter and less susceptible to stone breakage
than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.
To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other abrasive materials to clean the lenses.
Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only)
The headlights on your vehicle will illuminate when the
engine is started. This provides a constant9Lights ON9
condition until the ignition is turned OFF. The lights
illuminate at less than 50% of normal intensity. If the
parking brake is applied the Daytime Running Lights
will turn off.
Lights-on Reminder
If the headlights, parking lights, courtesy lights or cargo
lights are left on, after the ignition is turned off, a chime
will sound when the driver's door is opened.
Fog Lights Ð If Equipped
The foglights are turned ON by placing the headlight
rotary control in the parking light or headlight position
and pulling out the headlight rotary control. The fog
lights will operate only when the parking lights are ON
or when the vehicle headlights are ON low beam. An
indicator light located left of the switch will illuminate
when the fog lights are on. The fog lights will turn off
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 69
3

High Beam / Low Beam Select Switch
Pull the multifunction control lever fully toward the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from HIGH or
LOW beam.
Windshield Wipers
The wipers and washers are operated by a switch
in the multifunction control lever. Turn the end of
the handle to select the desired wiper speed.
NOTE:In cold weather, always turn off the wiper
switch and allow the wipers to return to the park position
before turning off the engine. If the wiper switch is left on
and the wipers freeze to the windshield, damage to the
wiper motor may occur when the vehicle is restarted.
Intermittent Wiper System
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 71
3

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

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

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