2006 DODGE DAKOTA Owners Manual

and blower speed to maintain comfort. High blower
speeds will reduce fogging. Interior fogging on the
windshield can be quickly removed by selecting the
defrost mode.
Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminates (cigarette
smoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows.
Contaminates on the inside of windows can increase the
rate of window fogging.
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 193
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Operation Tips Chart
194 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.
A push-button type switch is located on the right
side of the control below the A/C (Snowflake)
button. Pressing the switch will turn on the Rear Window
Defroster and heated mirrors, if equipped. A light above
the Rear Window Defroster symbol will illuminate to
indicate the Rear Window Defroster is On. Pushing the
button again will turn the Rear Window Defroster Off
prior to the time-out. The Rear Window Defroster will
turn off automatically after 15 minutes after the first
push, 10 minutes after the second push and 5 minutes
after the third push and all subsequent pushes of the
button (all within the same ignition cycle). To prevent
excessive battery drain, use the rear defroster only when
the engine is running.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 195
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures .....................201
▫ Manual Transmission ..................201
▫ Automatic Transmission ................201
▫ Normal Starting ......................202
▫ Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........203

Automatic Transmission ..................204
▫ Automatic Transmission ................204

Four-Wheel Drive Operation ...............211 ▫
NV233/243 GII Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions ................211
▫ Shifting Procedure - NV233/243 Transfer
Case ..............................214
▫ NV244 Transfer Case Operating Information /
Precautions ..........................216
▫ Shifting Procedure - NV244 Transfer Case ....220

Limited-Slip Rear Axle Differential— If
Equipped ............................223

Parking Brake .........................224
5

Brake System ..........................225
▫ Rear Wheel Anti-Lock Brake
System — (If Equipped) ................225
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake
System — If Equipped ..................226

Power Steering ........................228

Rocking The Vehicle .....................229

Tire Safety Information ...................230
▫ Tire Markings ........................230
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ..........233
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........234

Tires—General Information ................238
▫ Tire Pressure .........................238
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................239 ▫
Radial-Ply Tires ......................241
▫ Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped .........242
▫ Limited Use Spare — If Equipped .........243
▫ Tire Spinning ........................243
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................244
▫ Life Of Tire .........................245
▫ Replacement Tires .....................245
▫ Alignment And Balance .................246

Supplemental Tire Pressure Information – If
Equipped ............................247

Tire Chains ...........................247

Snow Tires ...........................249

Tire Rotation Recommendations ............249
198 STARTING AND OPERATING

Fuel Requirements ......................250
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................251
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............251
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................252
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................252
▫ Adding Fuel .........................253
▫ Fuel System Cautions ..................255
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ..............256

Catalytic Converter .....................256

Vehicle Loading ........................258
▫ Certification Label .....................258
▫ Curb Weight .........................259
▫ Loading ............................259

Trailer Towing .........................261
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............261
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............264
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) .........265
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............265
▫ Towing Requirements ..................266
▫ Towing Tips .........................270
▫ Trailer Towing Mirrors — If Equipped ......272

Snowplow ............................272
▫ Dodge Dakota Models ..................272

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 273
▫ Recreational Towing 2WD Models .........273
STARTING AND OPERATING 199
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▫Recreational Towing 4WD Models .........274

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

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