2007 DODGE DAKOTA Owners Manual

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

A Word About Your Keys..................12
▫Ignition Key Removal...................12
▫Locking Doors With The Key..............14

Steering Wheel Lock — If Equipped..........15
▫If You Wish To Manually Lock The
Steering Wheel........................15
▫To Release The Steering Wheel Lock.........15
▫Automatic Transmission Ignition
Interlock System.......................15

Sentry Key — If Equipped.................15▫Replacement Keys......................16
▫Customer Key Programming..............17
▫General Information....................18

Security Alarm System — If Equipped.........18
▫ToSetTheAlarm ......................18
▫To Disarm The System...................18

Illuminated Entry........................19
▫Vehicles Equipped With Power Door Locks....19

Remote Keyless Entry.....................20
2

▫To Unlock The Doors...................20
▫To Lock The Doors.....................21
▫Using The Panic Alarm..................22
▫General Information....................23
▫Programming Additional Transmitters........23
▫Battery Replacement....................25

Remote Starting System — If Equipped........26

Door Locks............................27
▫Manual Door Locks.....................27
▫Power Door Locks.....................28
▫Child Protection Door Lock...............31

Windows.............................32
▫Power Windows.......................32▫Auto Down (Driver’s Side Only)...........33
▫Window Lockout Switch.................33
▫Wind Buffeting........................33

Occupant Restraints......................34
▫Lap/Shoulder Belts.....................35
▫Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage....39
▫Automatic Locking Mode – If Equipped......40
▫Center Lap Belts.......................40
▫Seat Belt Pretensioners...................41
▫Enhanced Driver Seat Belt Reminder System
(BeltAlert)...........................41
▫Seat Belts And Pregnant Women............43
▫Seat Belt Extender......................43
10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Driver And Right Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) – Airbags...........44
▫Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch –
If Equipped..........................54
▫Event Data Recorder (EDR)...............56
▫Child Restraint........................58

Engine Break-In Recommendations...........71
SafetyTips ............................72
▫Exhaust System.......................72
▫Safety Checks You Should Make Inside
TheVehicle ..........................73
▫Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle ..............................73
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11
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A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
The dealer that sold you your new vehicle has the key
code numbers for your vehicle locks. These numbers can
be used to order duplicate keys from your dealer. Ask
your dealer for these numbers and keep them in a safe
place.
Ignition Key Removal
Automatic Transmission
Place the shift lever in PARK. Turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK position, and remove the key.
Ignition Key
Ignition Switch Positions
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:If you try to remove the key before you place the
lever in PARK, the key may become trapped temporarily
in the ignition cylinder. If this occurs, rotate the key to the
right slightly, then remove the key as described. If a
malfunction occurs, the system will trap the key in the
ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety feature is
inoperable. The engine can be started and stopped but
the key cannot be removed until you obtain service.WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Don’t leave the keys in
the ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove key from the ignition and lock all doors
when leaving the vehicle unattended.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
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Manual Transmission—If Equipped
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.
Locking Doors With The Key
You can insert the key with either side up. To lock the
door, turn the key rearward, to unlock the door, turn the
key forward. See Section 7 of this manual for door lock
lubrication.
Ignition Switch Positions
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

STEERING WHEEL LOCK — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passive steering
wheel lock. This lock prevents steering the vehicle with-
out the ignition key. If the steering wheel is moved no
more than 1/2 turn in either direction and the key is not
in the ignition switch, the steering wheel will lock.
If You Wish To Manually Lock The Steering
Wheel:
With the engine running, turn the steering wheel upside
down, turn off the engine and remove the key. Turn the
steering wheel slightly in either direction until the lock
engages.
To Release The Steering Wheel Lock:
Insert the key in the ignition switch and start the engine.
If the key is difficult to turn, move the wheel slightly to
the right or left to disengage the lock.
NOTE:If you turned the wheel to the right to engage
the lock, you must turn the wheel slightly to the right todisengage it. If you turned the wheel to the left to engage
the lock, turn the wheel slightly to the left to disengage it.
Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the ACC, or ON positions, and
the brake pedal is depressed.
SENTRY KEY — IF EQUIPPED
The Sentry Key Immobilizer System prevents unautho-
rized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
The system uses ignition keys, which have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder), to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro-
grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operate
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
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the vehicle. The system will shut the engine off in two (2)
seconds if someone uses an invalid key to start the
engine.
NOTE:A key that has not been programmed is consid-
ered an invalid key even if it is cut to fit the ignition lock
cylinder for that vehicle.
During normal operation, after turning on the ignition
switch, the Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator Light will
turn on for three (3) seconds for a bulb check. If the light
remains on after the bulb check, it indicates that there is
a problem with the electronics. In addition, if the light
begins to flash after the bulb check, it indicates that
someone used an invalid key to start the engine. Either of
these conditions will result in the engine being shut off
after two (2) seconds.
If the Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator Light turns on
during normal vehicle operation (vehicle running forlonger than 10 seconds), it indicates that there is a fault in
the electronics. Should this occur, have the vehicle ser-
viced as soon as possible.
Replacement Keys
NOTE:Only keys that have been programmed to the
vehicle electronics can be used to start the vehicle. Once
a Sentry Key has been programmed to a vehicle, it cannot
be programmed to any other vehicle.
At the time of purchase, the original owner is provided
with a four digit PIN. This number is required for dealer
replacement of keys. Duplication of keys may be per-
formed at an authorized dealer or by using the Customer
Key Programming procedure. This procedure consists of
programming a blank key to the vehicle electronics. A
blank key is one which has never been programmed and
needs to be cut.
16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE