2004 DODGE DAKOTA steering wheel

Automatic Transmissions
In the LOCK position, the steering and ignition systems
are locked to provide antitheft protection for your ve-
hicle. It may be difficult to turn the key from the LOCK
position when starting your vehicle. Move the steering
wheel left and right while turning the key until it turns
easily. The key can be inserted or withdrawn only in the
LOCK position. Push in on the key in the ignition lock
cylinder to rotate to the LOCK position.
NOTE:On vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission, the key cannot be turned to LOCK until the
selector is in the PARK position. Do not attempt to pull
the shift lever out of PARK after the key is in the LOCK
position.
ILLUMINATED ENTRY
Vehicles Equipped With Power Door Locks
All interior lights will illuminate in the vehicle when the
doors are unlocked using the key fob, when any door is
opened or, if equipped with security, when the door key
cylinder is turned to the unlock position. Vehicles
equipped with a cargo lamp will turn the cargo lamp on
for 30 seconds when the doors are unlocked using the key
fob.
The interior lights will remain on for 30 seconds after the
last door is closed, or until all doors are closed and either
the ignition is turned to the ON position or a key fob
LOCK button is pressed.
Automatic Transmissions
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Seat Belt Extender
If a seat belt is too short, even when fully extended, your
dealer can provide you with a seat belt extender. This
extender should be used only if the existing belt is not
long enough. When it is not required, remove the ex-
tender and store it.
WARNING!
Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use the
seat belt extender when the lap belt is not long
enough when it is worn low and snug, and in the
recommended seating positions. Remove and store
the extender when not needed.
Driver And Right Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint SystemÐAirbag
This vehicle has front airbags for both the driver and
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver's front airbag is mounted in the
center of the steering wheel. The passenger's front airbagis mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove
compartment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on
the airbag covers.
These airbags are certified to the new Federal regulations
that allow less forceful deployments.
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²The driver and front passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the airbag room to
inflate.
WARNING!
²Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won't deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you
have airbags.
²Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during airbag deployment could cause
serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit
back, comfortably extending your arms to reach
the steering wheel or instrument panel.
Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
²Airbag Control Module
²AIRBAG Readiness Light
²Driver Airbag
²Passenger Airbag
²Steering Wheel and Column
²Instrument Panel
²Airbag Control Module bullet (with integrated crash
sensor)
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Knee Impact Bolsters
²Passenger Side Frontal Airbag ON/OFF Switch
How The Airbag System Works
²
The airbag control module determines if a frontal
collision is severe enough to require the airbags to
inflate.
²The airbag control module will not detect side, roll
over, or rear collisions.
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²The airbag control module also monitors the readiness
of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or RUN positions.
These include all of the items listed above except the
knee bolsters, the instrument panel, and the steering
wheel and column If the key is in the9off9position, in
the ACC position, or not in the ignition, the airbags are
not on and will not inflate
²The airbag control module also turns on the AIRBAG
light in the instrument panel for 6 to 8 seconds when
the ignition is first turned on, then turns the light off.
If it detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it
turns on the light either momentarily or continuously.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won't have the airbags to protect
you in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.
²When the airbag control module detects a collision
requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator units. A
large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate
the airbags. The airbag covers separate and fold out of
the way as the airbags inflate to their full size. The
airbags fully inflate in milliseconds. This is only about
half of the time it takes you to blink your eyes. The
airbags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain
the driver and front passenger. The driver's front
airbag gas is vented through the airbag material
towards the instrument panel. The passenger's front
airbag gas is vented through vent holes in the sides of
the airbag. In this way the airbags do not interfere with
your control of the vehicle.
²The knee impact bolsters help protect the knees and
position you for the best interaction with the front
airbag.
Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch ± If Equipped
The passenger front airbag is to be turned off only if the
passenger:
²is an infant (less than 1 year old) who must ride in the
front seat because there is no rear seat, because the rear
34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Deployed airbags can't protect you in another colli-
sion. Have the airbags replaced by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
Enhanced Accident Response System
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, vehicles equipped with
power door locks will unlock automatically. In addition,
approximately 10 seconds after the vehicle has stopped
moving, the interior lights will light until the ignition
switch is turned off.
Maintaining Your Airbag Systems
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolster.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
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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

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
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previously selected. If the knob is pushed while in the
OFF position, the wiper will wipe approximately three
wipes, after the wash knob is released.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.
TILT STEERING COLUMN Ð IF EQUIPPED
To tilt the column, push down on the lever below the turn
signal control and move the wheel up or down, as
desired. Push the level back up to lock the column firmly
in place.
WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
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