2005 DODGE DAKOTA Owners Manual

A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles of operation. This is a normal part of the
break-in and is not an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust System
WARNING!
Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an ex-
tremely toxic gas that by itself is colorless and
odorless. To avoid inhaling these gases, the follow-
ing precautions should be observed:
•Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
•It may be necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for more than a short period. If so,
adjust your climate control system to force outside air
into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed and the
controls in any position except OFF or RECIRC.
•The best protection against carbon monoxide entry
into the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine
exhaust system.
Be aware of changes in the sound of the exhaust system;
exhaust fumes detected inside the vehicle; or damage to
the underside or rear of the vehicle. Have a competent
mechanic inspect the complete exhaust system and adja-
cent 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 or adjust as required.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 73
2

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.
74 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 75
2

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

Mirrors...............................81
▫Inside Day/Night Mirror.................81
▫Automatic Dimming Mirror — If Equipped....82
▫Outside Mirrors.......................82
▫Exterior Mirrors Folding Feature — If
Equipped............................82
▫Electric Remote-Control Mirrors............83
▫Heated Mirrors — If Equipped.............84

Hands–Free Communication (UConnect™) — If
Equipped.............................84▫Operation............................86
▫Phone Call Features....................92
▫UConnect™ System Features..............95
▫Advanced Phone Connectivity.............99
▫Things You Should Know About Your
UConnect™ System....................101

Seats................................107
▫Manual Seat Adjustment................107
▫Front Seats Manual Seat Recliners..........108
3

▫Manual Lumbar Support Adjustment — If
Equipped...........................109
▫Adjustable Head Restraints — Front Seating
Positions...........................109
▫6 - Way Power Seat Adjuster — Driver’s Side
Only..............................110
▫Club Cab/Quad Cab Rear Seat............112
▫Heated Seats — If Equipped.............112

To Open And Close The Hood.............112

Lights...............................114
▫Interior Lights.......................114
▫Battery Saver........................115
▫Headlamp Delay......................116
▫Headlights, Parking Lights, Panel Lights.....116▫Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only).....117
▫Lights-On Reminder...................117
▫Fog Lights — If Equipped...............117
▫Cargo Light — If Equipped..............118

Multifunction Control Lever...............118
▫Turn Signals.........................118
▫Passing Light........................119
▫High Beam / Low Beam Select Switch......119
▫Windshield Wipers....................120
▫Windshield Washers...................121

Tilt Steering Column....................122

Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped......123
▫To Activate..........................123
78 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

▫To Set At A Desired Speed...............123
▫To Deactivate........................123
▫To Resume Speed.....................124
▫To Vary The Speed Setting...............124
▫To Accelerate For Passing...............125

Overhead Console......................126
▫Courtesy/Reading Lights................127

Compass/Temperature Mini-Trip Computer....127
▫US/M Button........................127
▫Reset Button.........................128
▫Global Reset.........................128
▫Step Button.........................129
▫Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)........129▫Distance To Empty (DTE)...............129
▫Trip Odometer (ODO)..................130
▫Elapsed Time (ET).....................130
▫C/T Button.........................130
▫Compass/Temperature Display...........131
▫Automatic Compass Calibration...........131
▫Manual Compass Calibration.............131
▫To Put Into a Calibration Mode...........132
▫Outside Temperature...................133

Garage Door Opener — If Equipped.........133
▫Programming Homelink................134
▫Canadian Programming/Gate Programming . . 137
▫Using Homelink......................138
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 79
3

▫Erasing Homelink Buttons...............138
▫Reprogramming a Single Homelink Button . . . 138
▫Security............................139

Electrical Power Outlets..................139
▫Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off
(Battery Fed Configuration)..............140

Floor Console — If Equipped..............141
▫Floor Console Features.................141
Center Storage Compartment — If Equipped . . . 142

Cup Holders..........................143

Tailgate..............................143

Slide-In Campers.......................144
▫Camper Applications...................144
▫General Information...................145
▫Carbon Monoxide Warning Vehicles Equipped
With A Cap Or Slide-In Campers..........145
80 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE