2006 DODGE DAKOTA open hood

▫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

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

Then push the safety latch lever down while lifting the
grille with your right hand. It is located at the top center
of the grille just left of center.
Lift the hood and gas filled props will hold it open. To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Use a firm downward push at the center front
edge of the hood to ensure that both latches engage.
Never drive your vehicle unless the hood is fully closed,
with both latches engaged.
WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
Be sure all hood latches are fully latched before
driving.
Secondary Latch Location (Push Down)
112 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Side window demisters direct air flow specifically to the
window glass to help prevent interior fogging of the
glass. They are located in the extreme outside upper
edges of the instrument panel. The demisters also pro-
vide extra air ducts for circulation. They are in operation
whenever the Floor, Mix or Defrost modes are in use.
NOTE: When you turn off the engine you may hear a
hissing sound from under the hood for a short period of
time. This is a normal condition that occurs if the air
conditioning system has been on. It is not an indication of
a problem with the air conditioning system.
Operating Tips
Fast Cooldown
For a fast cooldown, turn the blower fan rotary knob to
the extreme right position, turn the mode control to the
panel fresh position, press the snowflake button to turn
on the air conditioning, and drive with the windows
open for the first few minutes. Once the hot air has been expelled, close the windows and turn the mode selector
to the Recirculation Panel Mode or Recirculation Mode
Bi-level position. When a comfortable condition has been
reached, choose a mode position and adjust the tempera-
ture control knob and blower speed as necessary to
maintain comfort. For high humidity conditions it may
be necessary to remain in the Recirculation mode to
maintain comfort.
Window Fogging
Windows will fog on the inside when the humidity inside
the vehicle is high. This often occurs in mild or cool
temperatures when it’s rainy or humid. In most cases
turning on the Air-conditioning (pressing the snowflake
button) will clear the fog. Adjust the temperature control,
air direction and blower speed to maintain comfort.
As the temperature gets colder it may be necessary to
direct air onto the windshield by using MIX Mode
position on the control. Adjust the temperature control
192 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

Check the coolant bottle tubing for condition and tight-
ness of connection at coolant bottle and radiator. Inspect
the entire system for leaks.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant or
steam from your radiator. If you see or hear steam
coming from under the hood don’t open the hood
until the radiator has had time to cool. If you open
the hood and see steam or hot coolant escaping from
the radiator, don’t touch anything. Get away quickly.
Never try to open a pressure cap when the radiator is
hot.
Cooling System Maintenance
At the intervals shown in the Maintenance Schedules
section of this manual, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled. See your authorized dealer for
proper cooling system maintenance.
Cooling System — Drain, Flush And Refill
If the solution is dirty and contains a considerable
amount of sediment, it should be cleaned and flushed.
See your authorized dealer for proper draining, flushing
and refilling of your vehicle’s cooling system.
Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for your
community. Do not store ethylene glycol based engine
coolant in open containers or allow it to remain in
puddles on the ground. Prevent ingestion by animals and
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 321
7

WARNING!
The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on the
coolant pressure cap are a safety precaution. Heat
causes pressure to build up in the cooling system. To
prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the pres-
sure cap when the system is hot or under pressure.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle system provides a quick visual method
for determining that the coolant level is adequate. With
the engine idling, and warmed to normal operating
temperature, the level of the coolant on the overflow
bottle should be between the fluid level marks. Check
the coolant level whenever the hood is raised.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the pressure cap except checking
coolant freeze point or replacement with new antifreeze coolant. Your service attendant should be advised of this.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do
not overfill.
Points To Remember
A. Do not overfill the coolant bottle.
B. Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant bottle. If antifreeze needs to be added, contents of
coolant bottle also must be protected against freezing.
C. If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant bottle does not drop when the engine
cools, the cooling system should be pressure tested for
leaks.
D. Maintain a minimum coolant concentration of 50%
ethylene glycol and distilled water.
324 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the 3 screws attaching the headlamp housing
to the inner panel.
3. Grasp the headlamp and pull firmly to disengage the
headlamp housing from the fender panel.
4. While firmly holding the headlamp housing in your
hands unlock and disconnect Headlamp bulb connector.
5. Twist 1/4 turn and remove headlamp bulb and socket
from housing and replace.
Removing Headlamp Assembly
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 343
7

6. Reverse procedure to install new Headlamp bulb into
the headlamp assembly.
NOTE: These are Halogen bulbs. Take care not to touch
the bulb with your fingers. Body oils from your fingers
could cause excessive heat buildup which reduces bulb
life.
Front Park and Turn Signal Lamp.
•
Open the hood.
•Remove the (3 ) screws attaching the headlamp hous-
ing to the inner panel.
•Grasp the headlamp and pull firmly to disengage the
headlamp housing from the fender panel.
NOTE: It is not necessary to disconnect the connector to
replace this bulb. If the bulb socket needs replacement
disconnect the connector.
Disconnecting Headlamp Bulb Connector
346 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE