
WARNING!
•Never allow any lit smoking materials near the
vehicles while removing the cap or filling the
tank.
•Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is
running.
•A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is in a vehicle or on a truck
bed. You could be burned. Always place gas
containers on the ground while filling.
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
Jack Location
In the Dakota, the scissor jack and tire changing tools for
Club Cab models are stowed in a compartment under the
rear passenger seat. Quad Cab model scissor jack and tire
changing tools are accessed by lifting up the rear passen-
ger seat.
The jack is secured in place by turning the jack screw
until the jack is secured into place.
A finger operated helper tool is provided to assist re-
moval and stowage of the jack. This tool must be
removed to operate the jack for changing the spare tire.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 273
6

It is recommended that you stow the flat or spare to
avoid tangling the loose cable.NOTE:The winch mechanism is designed for use with
the jack extension tube only. Use of an air wrench or other
power tools is not recommended and can damage the
winch.
Turning Lug Wrench and ExtensionSpare Tire Stowage Location
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 277
6

WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help
prevent personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
•Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the
edge of the roadway as possible before raising the
vehicle.
•Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be
raised.
•Apply the parking brake firmly before jacking.
•Never start the engine with the vehicle on a jack.
•Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
•Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
•Only use the jack in the positions indicated.
•If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
•To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated are securely
stowed, spares must be stowed with the value stem
facing the ground.
To Stow The Flat Or Spare
Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is down. Slide the
wheel retainer through the center of the wheel and
position it properly across the wheel opening.
For convenience in checking the spare tire inflation, stow
with the valve stem toward the rear of the vehicle.
Rotate the winch mechanism until the wheel is drawn
into place against the underside of the vehicle. Continue
to rotate until you feel the winch mechanism slip or click
3 times. It cannot be overtightened. Push against the tire
several times to be sure it is firmly in place.
To Stow the Flat or Spare: Wheel retainer does not fit
through the center of the aluminum wheel. The tire must
be stored in a safe manner in the bed of the truck.
282 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. Thegrade C corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
376 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Catalytic Converter...................... 302
CD (Compact Disc) Player...............146,154
Cellular Phone.......................... 175
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 341
Center Seat Storage Compartment............ 122
Certification Label....................... 247
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 273
Charging.............................. 283
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 219
Child Restraint........................ 58,59
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 61,66
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts........... 40
Child Seat.............................. 63
Circuit Breakers......................... 327
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 325
Climate Control......................... 175
Clock ...........................143,148,156
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 173Compact Spare Tire...................... 230
Compass.............................. 107
Compass Calibration..................... 107
Compass Variance....................... 108
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 104
Console, Floor.......................... 121
Console, Overhead....................... 103
Contract, Service........................ 372
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 312
Cooling System......................... 310
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 312
Coolant Capacity...................... 345
Coolant Level......................310,313
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 313
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 311
Inspection........................... 313
Points to Remember.................... 314
Pressure Cap......................... 312
Radiator Cap......................... 312
380 INDEX

Emission Related Components.............. 315
Engine
Air Cleaner.......................... 302
Block Heater......................... 189
Break-In Recommendations................ 71
Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 346
Exhaust Gas Caution.................. 72,242
Flooded, Starting...................... 188
Fuel Requirements..................... 345
Jump Starting......................... 283
Oil ...........................297,345,346
Oil Filler Cap......................... 299
Oil Selection.......................... 345
Oil Synthetic......................... 300
Starting............................. 187
Temperature Gauge..................... 136
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 19
Equipment Identification Plate.............. 270
Event Data Recorder...................... 56Exhaust Gas Caution................ 72,242,309
Exhaust System....................... 72,309
Extender, Seat Belt........................ 43
ExteriorLighting ......................... 92
Fabric Care............................ 325
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 302
Engine Fuel.......................... 302
Engine Oil........................300,346
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 300
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 272
Turn Signal...................... 94,136,338
Flat Tire Stowage........................ 282
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Cruising Range........................ 247
Engine Oil........................... 246
Fuel Requirements..................... 245
382 INDEX

Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 235
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 79
Instrument Cluster....................... 136
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 134
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 326
Interior Appearance Care.................. 325
Interior Lights........................... 90
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)............ 97
Introduction............................. 4
Jack Operation.......................273,278
Jacking Instructions...................... 279
Key, Replacement........................ 16
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer)................... 15
Keyless Entry System...................... 20
Keys................................. 12
Knee Bolster............................ 44Lane Change and Turn Signals......... 94,136,338
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 35
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) . 61
LifeofTires ............................ 233
Lights ............................... 74,90
Airbag............................ 54,142
Anti-Lock Warning..................... 139
Back-Up............................. 338
Brake Warning........................ 141
Bulb Replacement...................332,333
Cargo ............................... 94
Center Mounted Stop................... 341
Courtesy/Reading..................... 103
Cruise .............................. 143
Daytime Running....................... 93
Fog ........................... 93,137,345
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 272
Headlights............................ 92
High Beam........................... 96
INDEX 385
10

Chains.............................. 235
Changing............................ 273
Compact Spare........................ 230
General Information.................... 226
High Speed.......................... 229
Inflation Pressures..................... 227
Jacking............................. 278
LifeofTires .......................... 233
Load Capacity.....................222,223
Quality Grading....................... 375
Radial.............................. 229
Replacement......................... 233
Rotation............................. 237
Safety...........................218,226
Sizes ............................... 219
Snow Tires........................... 237
Spare Tire........................... 275
Spinning ............................ 231
Tread Wear Indicators................... 232Wheel Mounting....................... 278
Wheel Nut Torque..................... 281
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 257
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 195
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 285
Towing ............................... 251
Disabled Vehicle....................... 286
Guide .............................. 257
Recreational.......................... 265
Weight .............................. 257
Traction ............................... 211
TrailerTowing .......................... 251
Cooling System Tips.................... 264
Hitches............................. 256
Minimum Requirements................. 258
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 257
Wiring .............................. 261
TrailerTowingGuide ..................... 257
TrailerWeight .......................... 257
392 INDEX