2006 DODGE DAKOTA ESP

NOTE:Changes or modifications not expressly ap-
proved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
IGNITION AND STEERING LOCK
Insert the key fully, and then turn the switch to one of the
five illustrated positions. The key can be inserted or
withdrawn only in the LOCK position.
Manual Transmissions
When the steering wheel is in the LOCK position, the
steering and ignition systems are locked to provide
antitheft protection for your vehicle. It may be difficult to
turn the key from the LOCK position when starting your
vehicle. Move the steering wheel left and right while
turning the key until it turns easily. To remove the key,
depress and hold the release button located between the
ignition switch and the instrument panel. Turn the igni-
tion key to LOCK and remove the key.
Automatic Transmissions
In the LOCK position, the steering and ignition systems
are locked to provide antitheft protection for your ve-
hicle. It may be difficult to turn the key from the LOCK
position when starting your vehicle. Move the steering
wheel left and right while turning the key until it turns
Ignition Switch Positions
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
2

NOTE:Pressing the LOCK button on the key fob, while
you are in the vehicle, will activate the Security Alarm.
Opening a door with the Security Alarm activated will
cause the alarm to sound. Press the UNLOCK button to
deactivate the Security Alarm.
5. If the desired programming was not achieved or to
reactivate this feature, repeat the above steps.
Using the Panic Alarm
To activate the Panic mode while the ignition is OFF press
and release the PANIC button on the transmitter once.
When the Panic mode is activated, the interior lights will
illuminate, the headlamps and parking lights will flash,
and the horn will sound.
To cancel the Panic mode press and release the PANIC
button on the transmitter a second time. Panic mode will
automatically cancel after 3 minutes or if the vehicle is
started or exceeds 15 mph (24 km/h). During the Panic Mode, the door locks and remote keyless entry systems
will function normally. Panic mode will not disarm the
security system on vehicles so equipped.
General Information
This device complies with part 15 of FCC rules and with
RS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the
following conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference that may be
received including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
NOTE:
Changes or modifications not expressly ap-
proved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
If your Remote Lock Control fails to operate from a
normal distance, check for these two conditions.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 23
2

or a weight less than the predetermined threshold, the
ORC will not illuminate the PAD indicator light even
though the airbag is turned OFF.
•Your vehicle has four Weight Sensorslocated within
the seat structure or between the seat tracks and
cushion frame. The weight sensors measure applied
weight and transfers that information to the OCM.
•The Side Impact SRS Window Bags are designed to
activate only in certain side collisions. When the ORC
(with side impact option) detects a collision requiring
the window bags to inflate, it signals the inflators on
the crash side of the vehicle. A quantity of nontoxic gas
is generated to inflate the window bag. The inflating
window bag pushes the outside edge of the headliner
out of the way and covers the window. The airbag
forcefully inflates in about one quarter of the time it
takes to blink your eye. Make sure you are seated and
belted properly and do not position items in the area where the window bag inflates. This especially applies
to children. The window bag is only about 3-1/2
inches (9 cm) thick when it is inflated.
•The
Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of
the driver and the front passenger, and position every-
one for the best interaction with the front airbag.
•The front passenger seat assembly contains critical
components that affect the front passenger airbag
deployment. Correctly functioning front passenger
seat components are critical for the Occupant Classifi-
cation System (OCS) to properly classify the front
passenger and calculate the proper airbag deploy-
ment. Do not make any modifications to the front
passenger seat components, assembly, or to the seat
cover. The following requirements must be strictly
adhered to:
•Do not modify the front passenger seat assembly or
components in any way.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system could cause it to fail
when you need it. You could be injured if the airbag system is not
there to protect you. Do not modify the components or wiring,
including adding any kind of badges or stickers to the steering
wheel hub trim cover or the upper right side of the instrument
panel. Do not modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure, or
add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your advanced airbag system.
The airbag may inflate accidentally or may not function properly if
modifications are made. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for
any advanced airbag system service. If your seat including your trim
cover and cushion needs to be serviced in any way (including removal
or loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle to
your authorized dealer. Only manufacturer approved seat accessories
may be used. If it is necessary to modify an advanced airbag system
for persons with disabilities, contact your authorized dealer.
•Do not place or hang any items such as add-on video players on the
right front passenger seat back. The additional weight may cause
the Occupant Classification System to be unable to correctly classify
the right front occupant. This could allow the passenger frontal
airbag to inflate when it is not desired.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a collision. Do not
mount or locate any aftermarket equipment on or behind the knee
bolsters.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the airbag system yourself.
Be sure to tell anyone who works on your vehicle that it has an
airbag system.
Enhanced Accident Response System
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, vehicles equipped with
power door locks will unlock automatically. In addition,
approximately 5 seconds after the vehicle has stopped
moving, the interior lights will light until the ignition
switch is turned off.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to
inflate for your protection in an impact. While
the airbag system is designed to be mainte-
nance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system promptly:
•The airbag light does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
•The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

Dial by Saying a Number
•
Press the ’Phone’ button to begin.
•After the Readyprompt and the following beep, say
 Dial.
•System will prompt you to say the number you want
call.
•For example, you can say 234-567-8901.The phone
number that you enter must be of valid length and
combination. The UConnect™ limits the user from
dialing invalid combination of numbers. For example,
234-567-890 is nine digits long, which is not a valid
phone number - the closest valid phone number has
ten digits.
•The UConnect™ system will confirm the phone num-
ber and then dial. The number will appear in the
display of certain radios.
Call by Saying a Name
•
Press the “Phone” button to begin.
•After the Readyprompt and the following beep, say
 Call.
•System will prompt you to say the name of the person
you want call.
•After the Readyprompt and the following beep, say
the name of the person you want to call. For example,
you can say John Doe,where John Doe is a previ-
ously stored name entry in the UConnect™ phone-
book. Refer to Add Names to Your UConnect™
Phonebook, to learn how to store a name in the
phonebook.
•The UConnect™ system will confirm the name and
then dial the corresponding phone number, which
may appear in the display of certain radios.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 87
3

•After theReadyprompt and the following beep, say
the name of the language you wish to switch to
(English, Espanol, or Francais, if so equipped).
•Continue to follow the system prompts to complete
language selection.
After selecting one of the languages, all prompts and
voice commands will be in that language.
NOTE: After every UConnect™ language change op-
eration, only the language specific 32 name phonebook is
usable. The paired phone name is not language specific
and usable across all languages.
Emergency Assistance
If you are in an emergency and the mobile phone is
reachable:
•Pick up the phone and manually dial the emergency
number for your area. If the phone is not reachable and the UConnect™ system
is operational, you may reach the emergency number as
follows:
•Press the ’Phone’ button to begin.
•After the
Readyprompt and the following beep, say
 Emergency and the UConnect™ system will instruct
the paired cellular phone to call the emergency num-
ber. This feature is only supported in the USA.
NOTE: The emergency number dialed is based on the
Country where the vehicle is purchased (911 for USA and
Canada and 060 for Mexico). The number dialed may not
be applicable with the available cellular service and area.
The UConnect™ system does slightly lower your chances
of successfully making a phone call as to that for the cell
phone directly.
Your phone must be turned on and paired to the
UConnect™ system to allow use of this vehicle feature in
94 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

emergency situations when the cell phone has network
coverage and stays paired to the UConnect™ system.
Towing Assistance
If you need towing assistance,
•Press the ’Phone’ button to begin.
•After the Readyprompt and the following beep, say
 Towing Assistance. 
NOTE: The Towing Assistance number dialed is based
on the Country where the vehicle is purchased (1-800-
528-2069 for USA, 1-877-213-4525 for Canada, 55-14-3454
for Mexico city and 1-800-712-3040 for outside Mexico
city in Mexico).
Please refer to the 24-Hour “Towing Assistance” cover-
age details in the Warranty information booklet and on
the 24–Hour Towing Assistance Card.
Paging
To learn how to page, refer to Working with Automated
Systems. Paging works properly except for pagers of
certain companies which time-out a little too soon to
work properly with the UConnect™ system.
Voice Mail Calling
To learn how to access your voice mail, refer to Working
with Automated Systems. 
Working with Automated Systems
This method is designed to be used in instances where
one generally has to press numbers on the cellular phone
keypad while navigating through an automated tele-
phone system.
You can use your UConnect™ system to access a voice-
mail system or an automated service, such as, paging
service or automated customer service. Some services
require immediate response selection, in some instances,
that may be too quick for use of UConnect™ system.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 95
3

heat level. Flashing indicator lights on the switch indicate
that the Heated Seat system needs servicing.
WARNING!
Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin
because of advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes,
spinal cord injury, medication, alcohol use, exhaus-
tion or other physical condition must exercise care
when using the seat heater. It may cause burns even
at low temperatures, especially if used for long
periods of time.
Do not place anything on the seat that insulates
against heat, such as a blanket or cushion. This may
cause the seat heater to overheat.
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released. First pull
the hood release lever located under the left side of the
instrument panel.
Hood Release Lever Location
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 111
3