2005 DODGE DAKOTA instrument panel

Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality antifreeze coolant during summer to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50%
concentration of engine coolant to distilled water is
recommended. See coolant section of Owner’s manual.
When using the air conditioner in extremely heavy traffic
in hot weather especially when towing a trailer, addi-
tional engine cooling may be required. If this situation is
encountered, operate the transmission in a lower gear.
When stopped in heavy traffic, it may be necessary to
shift into NEUTRAL and depress the accelerator slightly
for fast idle operation.
Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other obstruc-
tions.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 189
4

Operation Tips Chart
190 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER – IF EQUIPPED
CAUTION!
Use care when washing the inside of the rear win-
dow to prevent damage to heating elements. Use a
soft cloth and a mild washing solution, wiping
parallel to the heating elements. Also, keep all
objects a safe distance from the window to prevent
damaging the heating elements.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 191
4

Downshifting
Moving from a high gear down to a lower gear is
recommended to preserve brakes when driving down
steep hills. In addition, downshifting at the right time
provides better acceleration when you desire to resume
speed. For acceleration at speeds less than 20 mph (30
km/h), 2nd gear is recommended.
CAUTION!
When descending a hill, be very careful to downshift
one gear at a time to prevent overspeeding the
engine which can cause valve damage.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
NV 233 Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions
The NV233 is an electric shift transfer case and is
operated by the 4WD Control Switch (Transfer Case
Switch), which is located on the instrument panel.
The NV233 transfer case provides 4 mode positions: 2
(rear) wheel drive high range, 4 wheel drive high range,
4 wheel drive low range, and neutral.
The NV233 transfer case is designed to be driven in the 2
wheel drive position (2WD) for normal street and high-
way conditions (dry hard surfaced roads).
When additional traction is required, the transfer case
4HI and 4LO positions can be used to lock the front and
rear driveshafts together and force the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished
by rotating the 4WD Control Switch to the desired
206 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:If steps 1 or 2 of either the Preferred or Alternate
Procedure are not satisfied prior to attempting the shift or
if they no longer are being met while the shift attempt is
in process then the indicator light will flash and the
current transfer case position will be maintained. To retry
the selection, turn the control knob back to the current
position wait five (5) seconds, and retry shift.
NOTE:The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take
place and for the position indicator lights to be operable.
If the key is not ON then the shift will not take place and
no position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
NV244 Transfer Case Operating Information /
Precautions
The NV244 is an electric shift transfer case and is
operated by the 4WD Control Switch, which is located on
the instrument panel.The NV244 transfer case provides 4 mode positions -
Normal all wheel drive high range, 4 wheel drive high
range, 4 wheel drive low range, and neutral.
This transfer case is equipped with an inter-axle differ-
ential that allows driving the vehicle in the normal all
wheel drive position (AWD) at all times on any given
road surface, including dry hard surfaced roads. The
AWD mode allows the front and rear wheels to rotate at
different speeds. This eliminates driveline binding and
component wear normally associated with driving the
vehicle in the 4HI position on dry hard surfaced roads.
This feature provides the safety, security, and conve-
nience of operating in all wheel drive at all times
regardless of road conditions.
212 STARTING AND OPERATING

Care should be taken to avoid sudden accelerations when
both rear wheels are on a slippery surface. This could
cause both rear wheels to spin, and allow the vehicle to
slide sideways on the crowned surface of a road or in a
turn.
PARKING BRAKE
The foot operated parking brake is positioned below the
lower left corner of the instrument panel. To release the
parking brake, pull the parking brake release handle.
Be sure the parking brake is firmly set when parked and
the gear-shift lever is in PARK position. When parking on
a hill you should apply the Parking Brake before placing
the gear shift lever in PARK; otherwise the load on the
transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to
move the selector out of PARK.
STARTING AND OPERATING 219
5

If you regularly pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop and turn signals on the trailer are recommended for
motoring safety.
When the additional trailer lighting is connected to the
vehicle, the flasher does not provide an indication of
outside lamp/bulb failure. Therefore, an occasional vi-
sual check around the vehicle is recommended. Once the
trailer is removed the above indication will return to the
vehicle.
WARNING!
The direct connection of hydraulic brake lines from
vehicle brake system to trailer system is not accept-
able. The extra load may cause brake failure and you
may be injured.
All Dakota models require an electrically actuated elec-
tric brake controller. A blue colored connector for electric
brake hookup is located under the instrument panel
above the brake pedal.
Heavy trailer towing also may require breakaway electric
trailer brakes, anti-sway devices or equalizing hitches for
safe operation. Such devices are commonly required by
state law.
Trailer Tow Wiring
The Trailer Tow Package includes a 4 and 7 pin wiring
harness located at the rear underbody of the vehicle.
NOTE:Connect trailer lighting and brakes using factory
harnesses only. Do not cut or splice wiring to the brake
circuits.
STARTING AND OPERATING 261
5

Gross Axle Weight Rating.................. 253
Gross Cargo Weight...................... 252
GVWR............................253,255
Hands-Free Phone........................ 84
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 272
Headlights............................ 330
High Beam........................... 119
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 119
Lights On Reminder.................... 117
Passing............................. 119
Replacing............................ 330
Switch.............................. 116
Heated Mirrors.......................... 84
Heated Seats........................... 112
Heater, Engine Block..................... 198
High Beam Indicator..................... 153
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 119Hitches
Trailer Towing........................ 259
Holder, Cup........................... 143
Homelink Transmitter.................... 133
Hood Release.......................... 112
Hoses................................ 316
Ignition............................... 13
Key ...............................10,13
Lock................................ 13
Illuminated Entry........................ 15
Infant Restraint.......................... 59
Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 241
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 81
Instrument Cluster....................... 152
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 150
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 328
Interior Appearance Care.................. 327
Interior Lights.......................... 114
382 INDEX