2006 DODGE DAKOTA steering

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
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▫Manual Lumbar Support Adjustment — If
Equipped ...........................107
▫ Adjustable Head Restraints — Front Seating
Positions ...........................107
▫ 6 - Way Power Seat Adjuster — Driver’s Side
Only ..............................108
▫ Club Cab/Quad Cab Rear Seat ............110
▫ Heated Seats — If Equipped .............110

To Open And Close The Hood .............111

Lights ...............................113
▫ Interior Lights .......................113
▫ Battery Saver ........................114
▫ Headlamp Delay ......................115
▫ Headlights, Parking Lights, Panel Lights .....115 ▫
Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only) .....116
▫ Lights-On Reminder ...................116
▫ Fog Lights — If Equipped ...............116
▫ Cargo Light — If Equipped ..............117

Multifunction Control Lever ...............117
▫ Turn Signals .........................117
▫ Passing Light ........................118
▫ High Beam / Low Beam Select Switch ......118
▫ Windshield Wipers ....................119
▫ Windshield Washers ...................120

Tilt Steering Column ....................120

Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped ......121
▫ To Activate ..........................121
76 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Headset Profile), you may not be able to use any UCon-
nect™ features. Refer to your cellular service provider or
the phone manufacturer for details.
The UConnect™ system is fully integrated with the
vehicle’s audio system. The volume of the UConnect™
system can either be adjusted from the radio volume
control knob, or from the steering wheel radio control
(right switch), if so equipped.
The radio display will be used for visual prompts from
the UConnect™ system such as CELLor caller ID on
certain radios.
Operations
Voice commands can be used to operate the UConnect™
system and to navigate through the UConnect™ menu
structure. Voice commands are required after most
UConnect™ system prompts. You will be prompted for a
specific command and then guided through the available
options.
•Prior to giving a voice command, one must wait for
the voice on beep, which follows the Readyprompt
or another prompt.
•For certain operations, compound commands can be
used. For example, instead of saying Setupand then
 Phone Pairing, the following compound command
can be said: Setup Phone Pairing. 
•For each feature explanation in this section, only the
combined form of the voice command is given. You
can also break the commands into parts and say each
part of the command, when you are asked for it. For
example, you can either use the combined form voice
command Phonebook New Entry, or you can break
the combined form command into two voice com-
mands: Phonebook and New Entry. Please remem-
ber, the UConnect™ system works best when you talk
in a normal conversational tone, as if speaking to some
one sitting eight feet away from you.
84 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CARGO Light — If Equipped
The cargo lights are turned on by pressing on the
CARGO button. The interior lights will also turn on
when the cargo lights are on. The cargo lights will also
turn on for 30 seconds when a key fob Unlock is pressed,
as part of the illuminated entry feature.
MULTIFUNCTION CONTROL LEVER
The multifunction control lever is located on the left side
of the steering column.
Turn Signals
Move the lever up or down to signal a right-hand or
left-hand turn.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 117
3

The arrow on either side of the instrument cluster flashes
to indicate the direction of the turn, and proper operation
of the front and rear turn signal lights. If an indicator fails
to light when the lever is moved, it would suggest that
the switch or indicator lamp is defective.
If a defective bulb or wiring circuit is detected for the
turn signal system, the arrow indicators will flash at a
faster rate.
You can signal a lane change by moving the lever
partially up or down.
NOTE: If a turn signal has been left on for at least a mile
duration, a continuous chime will sound.
Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
partially pulling the multifunction lever toward the steer-
ing wheel. This will cause the high beam headlights to
turn on until the lever is released.
High Beam / Low Beam Select Switch
Pull the multifunction control lever fully toward the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from HIGH or
LOW beam.
118 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:If the front wiper is operating when the ignition
is turned off, the wiper will automatically return to the
 Park position. When the vehicle is restarted, the wipers
will resume operation.
Windshield Washers
To use the washer, push in on the washer knob on the end
of the multifunction control lever and hold while spray is
desired. If the washer knob is depressed while in the
delay range, the wiper will operate for several seconds
after the washer knob is released. It will then resume the
intermittent interval previously selected. If the washer
knob is pushed, for a period greater than 1 second, while
in the OFF position, the wiper will wipe approximately
three wipes, after the wash knob is released.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.
TILT STEERING COLUMN
To tilt the column, push down on the lever below the turn
signal control and move the wheel up or down, as
desired.
120 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, this device takes over accelerator opera-
tion at speeds greater than (refer to the table below for
the speed for your specific engine). The controls are
mounted on the steering wheel.
To Activate
Push the ON/OFF button to the ON position. In the
instrument cluster, the word “CRUISE” illuminates when
the system is on.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 121
3

Reception Quality
Satellite reception may be interrupted due to one of the
following reasons.
•The vehicle is parked in an underground parking
structure or under a physical obstacle.
•Dense tree coverage may interrupt reception in the
form of short audio mutes.
•Driving under wide bridges or along tall buildings can
cause intermittent reception.
•Placing objects over or too close to the antenna can
cause signal blockage.
REMOTE SOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS — IF
EQUIPPED
The remote sound system controls are located on the rear
surface of the steering wheel. Reach behind the wheel to
access the switches.
186 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS