2004 DODGE DAKOTA low oil pressure

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

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.
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12. Seat Belt Reminder Light
This light comes on for several seconds after the
ignition is turned ON as a reminder to ªbuckle
up.º This light will remain on as long as the seat
belt remains unbuckled. If this light flashes, it indi-
cates a fault in the airbag system. Have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
13. Low Washer Fluid Indicator
This light comes on when the washer fluid level falls
below approximately 1/4 full. The light will remain on
until fluid is added and ignition switch is cycled.
14. Brake System Warning Light
This light will light when the ignition key is turned to the
ON position and will remain on for a few seconds. If the
light stays on, it may be an indication that the parking
brake has not been released, or there is a low brake fluid
level. If the light remains on when the parking brake has
been disengaged, and the fluid level is at the full mark on
the master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction. In this case, the light will
remain on until the cause is corrected. If the parking
brake is applied, the light will flash when the gearposition is out of park for automatic transmissions, or the
engine RPM is greater than 0 for manual transmissions.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.Operating the vehicle in this condition is danger-
ous!
15. SERVICE 4WD Indicator
This light monitors the electric shift 4WD
system. This light will come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ON position and
will stay on for 2 seconds. If the light stays
on or comes on during driving, it means that the 4WD
system is not functioning properly and that service is
required.
16. Check Gages
This light illuminates when the Voltmeter, En-
gine Oil Pressure or Engine Coolant Tempera-
ture gages indicate a reading either too high or too
low. Examine the gages carefully, and follow the
instructions above for each indicated problem.
NOTE:
When the ignition switch is turned to OFF, the
Fuel Gage, Voltmeter, Oil Pressure and Engine Coolant
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 101
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U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
The trip odometer shows individual trip mileage. To
toggle between the odometer and the trip odometer,
press the Odometer/Trip Odometer Button.
27. Cruise Light
This indicator lights when the electronic speed control
system is turned on.
28. Coolant Temperature Light (Clusters Without A
Gauge)
This light warns of an overheated engine con-
dition. For a bulb check, this light will come on
momentarily when the ignition is turned On. If
the light turns on while driving, stop the vehicle and
shut off the engine as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature light is on,
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the light turns
off. If the if the light remains on, turn the engine off
immediately, and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7 of this manual. Follow
the warnings under the Cooling System Pressure
Cap paragraph.
104 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

29. Engine Oil Pressure Indicator Light (Clusters
Without A Gauge)
This light indicates that the engine oil pressure
has become too low. For a bulb check, this light
will come on momentarily when the ignition is turned
On. If the light turns on while driving, stop the vehicle
and shut off the engine as soon as possible. Immediate
service should be obtained.
30. Voltage Light (Clusters Without A Gauge)
This light monitors the electrical system volt-
age. The light should turn on momentarily as
the engine is started. If the light stays on or turns on
while driving, it indicates a problem with the charging
system. Immediate service should be obtained.ELECTRONIC DIGITAL CLOCK
The clock and radio each use the display panel built into
the radio. A digital readout shows the time in hours and
minutes whenever the ignition switch is in the ªONº or
ªACCº position.
When the ignition switch is in the ªOFFº position, or
when the radio frequency is being displayed, time keep-
ing is accurately maintained.
Clock Setting Procedure
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ªONº or ªACCº
position. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar
object, press either the ªHº (Hour) or ªMº (Minute)
buttons on the radio. The display will show the time.
2. Press the ªHº button to set hours or the ªMº button to
set minutes. The time setting will increase each time you
press a button.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 105
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WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could injure someone in the vehicle.
Always stow the jack parts and the extra tire and
wheel in the places provided.
8. Install wheel center cap and remove wheel blocks. Do
not install chrome or aluminum wheel center caps on the
spare wheel. This may result in cap damage.
9. Lower the jack to its fully closed position. Stow the
replaced tire, jack, and tools as previously described.
10. Adjust the tire pressure when possible.
NOTE:Do not oil wheel studs. For chrome wheels, do
not substitute with chrome plated wheel nuts.
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
²Always park on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible before raising
the vehicle.
²Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to
be raised.
²Apply the parking brake firmly before jacking.
²Never start the engine with the vehicle on a jack.
²Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on
a jack.
²Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
²Only use the jack in the positions indicated.
²If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
214 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could dam-
age your engine.
Frequency Of Oil Change
Road conditions and your style of driving affect the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following to determine if any apply to you:
²Day or night temperatures are below 32ÉF (0ÉC).
²Stop and go driving.
²Extensive engine idling.
²Driving in dusty conditions
²Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
²More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 32ÉC (90ÉF)
²Trailer towing
²Taxi, Police or delivery service (commercial service)
²Off-road or desert operation
²If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule ªBº of the
9Maintenance Schedules9section of this manual.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown on schedule9A9of the9Mainte-
nance Schedules9section of this manual.
4x4 Models, If Used Primarily For Off-Road
Operation
Every 50 hours of use.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 227
7

Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent 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 as required.
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing CO, fol-
low the preceding safety tips.
Cooling System
Inspection
Coolant protection checks should be made at every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
coolant. Check face of radiator for any accumulation of
bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean the radiator core by gently
spraying water from a garden hose at the back of the core.
Check the reserve tank tubing for condition and tightness
of connection at reserve tank and radiator. Inspect the
entire system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the coolant pressure cap for proper
vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of coolant
from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing prop-
erly, the coolant will begin to drain from the reserve tank.
Do not remove the pressure cap when the cooling system
is hot.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 237
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