2006 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD

CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and driveability.
If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic converter
damage and power loss will soon occur. Immediate
service is required.
24. Airbag IndicatorThe indicator lights and remains lit for 6 to 8
seconds when the ignition is first turned ON. If
the light does not come on when the ignition is
first turned on, or the light stays on or comes
on while driving, have the airbag system checked by an
authorized dealer.
25. 4LO Indicator
Indicates when transfer case is in 4LO position. 26. SVC (Service) 4WD Indicator
The SVC 4WD lights will come on when the ignition key
is turned to the ON position and will stay on for 2
seconds. If the light stays on or comes on during driving,
it means that the 4WD system is not functioning properly
and that service is required.
27. Cruise Light (Speed Control)
This indicator lights when the electronic speed control
system is turned on.
28. Cargo Lamp
The Cargo Lamp light will illuminate when the Cargo
Lamp is activated from the headlight control switch,
located below the headlight switch.
29. 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.
158 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

▫Recreational Towing 4WD Models .........274

Traction .............................278

Equipment Identification Plate .............279
200 STARTING AND OPERATING

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
NV233/243 GII Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions
The NV233/243 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 NV233/243 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 NV233/243 transfer case is designed to be driven in
the 2 wheel drive position (2WD) for normal street and
highway 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
position - see Shifting Procedure section for specific
shifting instructions. The 4HI and 4LO positions are
designed for loose or slippery road surfaces only. Driving
in the 4HI and 4LO positions on dry hard-surfaced roads
may cause increased tire wear and damage to the driv-
eline components.
The transfer case Neutral (N) position is selected by
depressing the recessed button located on the lower left
hand corner of the 4WD Control Switch.
STARTING AND OPERATING 211
5

NOTE:The transfer case Neutral (N) position is to be
used for recreational towing only. See Recreational Tow-
ing section for specific procedures on shifting into and
out of Neutral (N).
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
Transfer case position indicator lights are located on the
instrument cluster. If there is no indicator light on or
flashing, the transfer case position is two-wheel drive
(2WD). If the indicator light is on, the desired position
(4HI or 4LO) has been obtained.
If One or More Shift Requirements are not Met:
1. An indicator light will flash.
2. The transfer case will notshift.
NOTE: Before retrying a selection, make certain that all
the necessary requirements for selecting a new transfer
case position have been met. To retry the selection, turn
the control knob back to the current position, wait five (5) seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift require-
ments, refer to the
Shifting Procedure for your transfer
case, located in this section of the owner’s manual.
The “SVC 4WD” warning light monitors the electric shift
4WD system. If this light remains on after engine start up
or illuminates during driving, it means that the 4WD
system is not functioning properly and that service is
required.
WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if the SVC 4WDlight is illumi-
nated. Not engaging the parking brake may allow
the vehicle to roll, which may cause personal injury.
212 STARTING AND OPERATING

return the control knob back to the original position,
make certain all shift requirements have been met, wait
five (5) seconds and try the shift again.
2WD to 4HI or 4HI to 2WD
Rotate the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position.
Shifts between 2WD and 4HI can be done with the
vehicle stopped or in motion. With the vehicle in motion,
the transfer case will engage / disengage faster if you
momentarily release the accelerator pedal after turning
the control switch. If the vehicle is stopped, the ignition
key must be in the ON position with the engine either
RUNNING or OFF. This shift cannot be completed if the
key is in the accessory position.
NOTE: On vehicles equipped with Anti-Lock Brake
Systems, the 4x4 system will not allow shifts between
2WD/ 4HI if the rear wheels are spinning (no traction). In
this situation the selected position indicator light will
flash and the original position indicator light will remain ON. At this time, reduce speed and stop spinning the
wheels to complete the shift. There may be a delay up to
10 seconds for the shift to complete after the wheels have
stopped spinning.4HI to 4LO or 4LO to 4HI
NOTE:
When shifting into or out of 4LO, some gear
noise may be heard. This noise is normal and is not
detrimental to the vehicle or occupants.
Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2-3
mph (3-5 km/h) or completely stopped. USE EITHER OF
THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES:
Preferred Procedure
1. With engine RUNNING, slow vehicle to 2-3 mph (3-5
km/h).
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (depress clutch
on manual transmissions).
STARTING AND OPERATING 215
5

3. While still rolling, rotate the transfer case control
switch to the desired position.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not
flashing), shift transmission back into gear (release clutch
on manual transmissions).
Alternate Procedure
1. Bring the vehicle to complete stop.
2. With the key ON and the engine either OFF or
RUNNING, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (de-
press clutch on manual transmissions).
3. Rotate the transfer case control switch to the desired
position.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not
flashing), shift transmission back into gear (release clutch
on manual transmissions). 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.
216 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
When additional traction is required, the 4HI and 4LO
positions can be used to lock the front and rear drive-
shafts together through the transfer case inter-axle differ-
ential and force the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished by rotating the 4WD
Control Switch to these positions. The 4HI and 4LO
positions are intended for loose or slippery road surfaces
only. Driving in the 4HI and 4LO positions on dry hard
surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear and dam-
age to the driveline components.
The transfer case Neutral (N) position is selected by
depressing the recessed button located on the lower left
hand corner of the 4WD Control Switch.
NOTE:
The transfer case Neutral (N) position is to be
used for recreational towing only. (See Recreational Tow-
ing section for specific procedures on shifting into and
out of Neutral (N).
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
Transfer case position indicator lights are located on the
instrument cluster. If there are no indicator lights on or
STARTING AND OPERATING 217
5

flashing the transfer case position is all-wheel drive
(AWD). If an indicator light is on, the desired position
(4HI or 4LO) has been met.
If One or More Shift Requirements are not Met
1. An indicator light will flash until conditions are met.
2. The transfer case will notshift.
NOTE: Before retrying a selection, make certain that all
the necessary requirements for selecting a new transfer
case position have been met. To retry the selection, turn
the control knob back to the current position, wait five (5)
seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift require-
ments, refer to the Shifting Procedure for your transfer
case, located in this section of the owner’s manual.
The SERVICE 4WD warning light monitors the electric
shift 4WD system. If this light remains on after engine start up or illuminates during driving, it means that the
4WD system is not functioning properly and that service
is required.
WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if the
SVC 4WDlight is illumi-
nated. Not engaging the parking brake may allow
the vehicle to roll, which may cause personal injury.
NOTE: Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The NV244 transfer
case is not equipped with a synchronizer and therefore
the front and rear driveshaft speeds must be equal for the
shift to take place. Shifting while only the front or rear
wheels are spinning can cause damage to the transfer
case.
218 STARTING AND OPERATING