2005 DODGE DAKOTA ECO mode

•Do not modify the front seat center console or center
position seat in any way.
•Do not use prior or future model year seat covers not
designated for the specific model being repaired. Al-
ways use the correct seat cover specified for the
vehicle.
•Do not replace the seat cover with an aftermarket seat
cover. Do not add a secondary seat cover other than
those approved by DaimlerChrysler/Mopar.
•At no time should any supplemental restraint system
(SRS) component or SRS related component or fas-
tener be modified or replaced with any part except
those which are approved by DaimlerChrysler/
Mopar.
WARNING!
Unapproved modifications or service procedures to
the front passenger seat assembly, its related compo-
nents, or seat cover may inadvertently change the
airbag deployment in case of a frontal crash. This
could result in death or serious injury to the front
seat passenger if the vehicle is involved in an acci-
dent. A modified vehicle may not comply with
required Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(FMVSS).
If A Deployment Occurs
The airbag system is designed to deploy the airbags
when the impact sensors detect a moderate-to-severe
frontal collision, to help restrain the driver and front
passenger, and then immediately deflate.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
seat failure and injury to the child. In a collision, the
seat could come loose and allow the child to crash
into the inside of the vehicle or other passengers, or
even be thrown from the vehicle. Use only the
anchor positions directly behind the child restraint
to secure a child restraint top tether strap. See your
dealer for help if necessary.
Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision. Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in
pet harnesses or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle. Drive moderately during the first 300
miles (500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds
up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable. While
cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the limits
of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Avoid wide open throttle acceleration in low gear.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality, energy-conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
shown in Section 7.
NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS
MUST NEVER BE USED.
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING 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

•Performance, such as, audio clarity, echo. and loud-
ness to a large degree, rely on the phone and network,
and not the UConnect™ system.
•Echo at far end can sometime be reduced by lowering
the in-vehicle audio volume.
Bluetooth Communication Link
Cellular phones have been found to occasionally loose
connection to the UConnect™ system. When this hap-
pens, the connection can generally be re-established by
switching the phone off/on. Your cell phone is recom-
mended to remain in Bluetoothonmode.
Reset
In rare instances, it may be necessary to reset the UCon-
nect™ system. The reset feature is exercised by pressing
and holding the ’UConnect™ ’ and ’Voice Recognition’
buttons simultaneously for 15 seconds. Normally, you do
not need to exercise this feature.
Power-Up
After switching ignition key from off to either On or ACC
position, or after a reset, you must wait at least five (5)
seconds prior to using the system.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 103
3

Step Button
Use this button to choose or cycle through the four trip
conditions.
Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset. This
display mode becomes less sensitive to instantaneous
changes in fuel consumption as the number of total
vehicle miles since the last reset increases. It is suggested
that this mode be reset periodically for general operation
or when driving conditions change significantly (for
example, at the end of a trip or when a trailer is
connected or disconnected).
Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be travelled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. The estimated distance is
determined by a weighted average of the instantaneous
and average fuel economy, according to the current fuel
tank level.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 129
3

Using HomeLink
To operate, simply press and release the programmed
HomeLink button. Activation will now occur for the
trained device (i.e. garage door opener, gate operator,
security system, entry door lock, home/office lighting,
etc.). For convenience, the hand-held transmitter of the
device may also be used at any time. In the event that
there are still programming difficulties or questions,
contact HomeLink at:www.homelink.com or 1-800-355-
3515.
Erasing HomeLink Buttons
To erase programming from the three buttons (individual
buttons cannot be erased but can bereprogrammed-
note below), follow the step noted:
•Press and hold the two outer HomeLink buttons until
the indicator light begins to flash-after 20 seconds.
Release both buttons. Do not hold for longer that 30seconds. HomeLink is now in the train (or learning)
mode and can be programmed at any time beginning
withProgramming- step 2.
Reprogramming a Single HomeLink Button
To program a device to HomeLink using a HomeLink
button previously trained, follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired HomeLink button.Do
NOTrelease the button.
2. The indicator light will begin to flash after 20 seconds.
Without releasing the HomeLink button, proceed with
Programmingstep 2
For questions or comments, contact HomeLink at:
www.homelink.com or 1-800-355-3515.
138 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

2. Unclip and remove the cables from the box while
maintaining a 45° angle.
3. Lift the tailgate off of the pivot on the passenger side
by pulling upward and rearward at the same time.
4. Slide the tailgate to the passenger side while making
sure clearance from the box and taillight is maintained.To reinstall the tailgate, do the following:
1. Slide the tailgate onto the driver’s side pivot.
2. Hold the tailgate at a 45° angle and insert it into the
passenger side pivot.
3. Clip the cables to the box.
SLIDE-IN CAMPERS
Camper Applications
Certain truck models are not recommended for slide-in
campers. To determine if your vehicle is excluded, please
refer to the Consumer Information Truck-Camper Load-
ing document located in your Owner’s Manual packet or
available from your dealer. For safety reasons, follow all
instructions on this important document.
144 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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.
17. Trip Odometer
The trip odometer shows individual trip mileage. To
toggle between the odometer and the trip odometer,
press the Odometer/Trip Odometer Button. To reset the
Trip Odometer, press and hold the button while in trip
mode, until the Trip Odometer resets.
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged,
GASCAP will be displayed in the instrument cluster.Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the odom-
eter reset button to turn the GASCAP message off. If the
problem continues, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started.
18. Transmission Temperature Indicator
This light indicates that there is excessive transmission
fluid temperature that might occur with severe usage
such as trailer towing. If this light comes on, stop the
vehicle and run the engine at idle or faster, with the
transmission in NEUTRAL until the light goes off.
19. Does not Apply
This indicator is not available.
20. Door Ajar
The Door Ajar light will illuminate when the ignition is
ON and any one of the passenger doors are opened.
NOTE:A chime will sound if the vehicle is rolling and
a door has been opened.
156 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS