2005 DODGE DAKOTA odometer

▫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
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control all the way down to the OFF detent will cause all
the interior lights to go out. This is also known as the
Partymode because it allows the doors to stay open for
extended periods of time without discharging the vehi-
cle’s battery.
The brightness of the instrument panel lighting can be
regulated by rotating the dimmer control up (brighter) or
down (dimmer). When the headlights are ON you can
supplement the brightness of the odometer, trip odom-
eter, radio and overhead console by rotating the control
up until you hear a click. This feature is termed the
“Parade” mode and is useful when headlights are re-
quired during the day.
Club Cab/Quad Cab models may have an optional
switched dome lamp that may be operated by pressing
the lens.Battery Saver
To protect the life of your vehicle’s battery, Load Shed-
ding is provided for both the interior and exterior lights.
If the ignition is off and any door is left ajar for 15
minutes or the dimmer control is rotated upwards for 15
minutes, the interior lights will automatically turn off.
If the headlamps remain on while the ignition is cycled
off, the exterior lights will automatically turn off after 8
minutes. If the headlamps are turned on and left on for 8
minutes while the ignition is off, the exterior lights will
automatically turn off.
NOTE:Battery Saver mode is cancelled if the ignition is
ON.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 115
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RESET Button
Use this button to reset the following displays to zero:
•Average Fuel Economy
•Trip Odometer
•Elapsed time.
Global Reset
If the RESET button and STEP button are pressed at the
same time and held for 3 seconds the Global Reset feature
will reset the distance to empty (using a default fuel
economy value), fuel economy, trip odometer, and
elapsed time displays.
128 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

When Distance To Empty = 0, the fuel gauge pointer will
initially be on the red “E” marker. At this point (fuel
gauge pointer on the the red “E” marker) there is reserve
fuel capacity, which corresponds to approximately 8% of
tank volume. This reserve capacity was put in place to
prevent the likelihood of customers running out of fuel
when operating at maximum load conditions in areas
where there aren’t many gas stations.
NOTE:The Distance To Empty will remain equal to
zero, until the vehicle runs out of fuel or is refueled.
Trip Odometer (ODO)
This display shows the distance traveled since the last
reset.
Elapsed Time (ET)
This display shows the accumulated ignition ON time
since the last reset.
C/T Button
Use this button to select a readout of the outside tem-
perature and one of eight compass headings that indicate
the direction in which the vehicle is facing.
130 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

12. ABS Warning Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
which is described elsewhere in this manual.
This light will come on when the ignition key is
turned to the ON position and may stay on for
approximately 3 seconds. If this light remains on or
comes on during driving, it indicates that the Anti-Lock
portion of the brake system is not functioning and that
service is required. See your authorized dealer immedi-
ately.
13. Engine Oil Pressure Indicator Light
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. (See page 298 for more information.)14. Tachometer
This gage measures engine revolutions-per-minute (rpm
x 1000).
15. 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) have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
16. Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 155
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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.
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

29. Cargo Lamp
The Cargo Lamp light will illuminate when the Cargo
Lamp is activated from the headlight control switch,
located below the headlight switch.
30. TOW/HAUL
The TOW/HAUL button is located at the end of the gear
shift lever. This light will illuminate when the TOW/
HAUL button has been selected.
31. 4LOCK Indicator
Indicates transfer case is in 4LOCK position.
32. Odometer/Trip Odometer Button
Press this button to toggle between the odometer and the
trip odometer display. Holding the button in resets the
trip odometer reading.RADIO RECEPTION INFORMATION
AM Reception
AM radio signals usually travel longer distances than FM
signals, especially at night. These longer distance AM
signals can cause AM stations to interfere with one
another. Noise from storms and power lines can also
interfere with AM reception. Reducing the treble can
reduce some of the noise.
FM Reception
FM Stereo signals produce better sound quality than AM
signals. However, FM signals will only travel approxi-
mately 10 to 40 miles (16 to 64 km). Tall structures or hills
can cause interference with FM signals causing the sound
to cut out.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 159
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CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
Alignment And Balance
Poor suspension alignment may result in:
•Fast tire wear.
•Uneven tire wear, such as feathering and one-sided
wear.
•Vehicle pull to right or left.
Tires may also cause the vehicle to pull to the left or right.
Alignment will not correct this condition. See your dealer
for proper diagnosis.Improper alignment will not cause vehicle vibration.
Vibration may be a result of tire and wheel out-of-
balance. Proper balancing will reduce vibration and
avoid tire cupping and spotty wear.
SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION
A light load vehicle condition is defined as two passen-
gers {150 lbs (68 kg) each} plus 200 lbs (91kg) of cargo.
Cold tire inflation pressures for a lightly loaded vehicle
will be found on a “Supplemental Tire Pressure Inflation”
label located on the face of the driver’s door or in the Tire
Information Pressures pamphlet in the glove box.
STARTING AND OPERATING 241
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