2007 DODGE DAKOTA steering wheel

WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than that
specified for your vehicle. Some combinations of
unapproved tires and wheels may change suspen-
sion dimensions and performance characteristics,
resulting in changes to steering, handling, and brak-
ing of your vehicle. This can cause unpredictable
handling and stress to steering and suspension com-
ponents. You could lose control and have an accident
resulting in serious injury or death. Use only the tire
and wheel sizes with load ratings approved for your
vehicle.
•Never use a tire with a smaller load index or capacity,
other than what was originally equipped on your
vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load index could
result in tire overloading and failure. You could lose
control and have an accident.
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
Alignment And Balance
Poor suspension alignment may result in:
•Fast tire wear.
•Uneven tire wear, such as feathering and one-sided
wear.
•Vehicle pull to right or left.
Tires may also cause the vehicle to pull to the left or right.
Alignment will not correct this condition. See your dealer
for proper diagnosis.
234 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
•Do not use tire chains on vehicles equipped with
tires other than P245/70R16. There may not be
adequate clearance for the chains and you are
risking structural or body damage to your vehicle.
•Do not use tire chains on the front wheels of your
vehicle. There may not be adequate clearance for
the chains and you are risking structural or body
damage to your vehicle.
SNOW TIRES
Snow tires should be of the same size and type construc-
tion as the front tires. Consult the manufacturer of the
snow tire to determine any maximum vehicle speed
requirement associated with the tire. These tires should
always be operated at the vehicle maximum capacity
inflation pressures under any load condition.While studded tires improve performance on ice, skid
and traction capability on wet or dry surfaces may be
poorer than that of non-studded tires. Some states pro-
hibit studded tires; therefore, local laws should be
checked before using these tire types.
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles operate at
different loads and perform different steering, driving,
and braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at
unequal rates and tend to develop irregular wear pat-
terns. These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of
tires. The benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile
with aggressive tread designs such as those on all season
type tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help to main-
tain mud, snow and wet traction levels, and contribute to
a smooth, quiet ride.
STARTING AND OPERATING 237
5

WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
P for Park. With a manual transmission, shift the
transmission into reverse. And with four-wheel-drive
vehicles, make sure the transfer case is not in neutral.
Always, block orchockthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
STARTING AND OPERATING 259
5

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The flasher switch is on the top of the steering column,
just behind the steering wheel. Press the flasher switch
and all front and rear directional signals will flash
intermittently.
Press the switch a second time to turn off the emergency
flashers.This is an emergency warning system and should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed and the vehicle locked.
ADDING FUEL
If using a portable fuel container, it should have a flexible
nozzle long enough to reach past the restriction in the
fuel filler tube.
272 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Maintenance.......................... 247
Replacement Parts..................... 247
Starting............................. 246
Flooded Engine Starting................... 188
Floor Console.......................... 121
Fluid, Brake........................... 347
Fluid Capacities......................... 345
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 318
Brake............................... 316
Engine Oil........................... 297
Power Steering........................ 306
Transfer Case......................... 321
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 346
Fog Lights........................... 93,345
Four Wheel Drive....................... 199
Operation........................... 199
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 272
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 217FrontAxle(Differential) ................... 322
Fuel................................. 238
Adding............................. 243
Filter ............................... 302
Gauge.............................. 136
Octane Rating......................238,346
Requirements......................238,345
Tank Capacity........................ 345
Fuel, Flexible.............See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fueling ............................... 243
Fuses................................ 327
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 110
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)...............244,293
Gas Gauge (Fuel Gauge)................... 136
Gasoline (Fuel)......................... 238
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 239
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 136
INDEX 383
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High Beam/Low Beam Select.............. 96
Instrument Cluster..................... 136
Intensity Control....................... 91
Interior........................... 90,103
License............................. 343
Lights On Reminder..................... 93
Low Fuel.........................136,137
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)........ 142
Passing.............................. 95
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 137
Service.............................. 332
Turn Signal........................ 94,338
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 136
Limited-Slip Differential................... 210
Loading Vehicle......................... 247
Tires ............................... 222
Locks................................. 27
Auto Unlock.......................... 30
Automatic Door........................ 29Child Protection........................ 31
Door................................ 27
Keys................................ 12
Power Door........................... 28
Steering Wheel......................... 15
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH) . 61
Lubricating Oil......................... 322
Lubrication, Body....................... 307
LugNuts ............................. 281
Lumbar Support......................... 84
Maintenance Free Battery.................. 304
Maintenance Procedures................... 296
Maintenance Schedule.................... 350
Schedule “A”......................... 364
Schedule “B”......................... 353
Maintenance, Sunroof..................... 119
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 142,294
Manual, Service......................... 374
386 INDEX

Speed Control (Cruise Control)............... 99
Speedometer........................... 138
Starting............................... 187
Emergency (Jump Starting)............... 283
Engine Block Heater.................... 189
Engine Fails to Start.................... 188
Remote.............................. 26
Steering
Column Controls....................... 94
Power...........................216,306
Wheel Lock........................... 15
Wheel, Tilt............................ 98
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System Controls . 172
Storage Compartment, Center Seat........... 122
Storage, Vehicle......................... 332
Stuck, Freeing.......................... 217
Sun Roof.............................. 116
Sunroof Maintenance..................... 119
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information........ 235Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 300
System, Remote Starting.................... 26
Tachometer............................ 139
Tailgate............................... 125
Taillights.............................. 338
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......... 136
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 61
Theft System Arming...................... 18
Theft System Disarming.................... 18
Tilt Steering Column...................... 98
Tire and Loading Information Placard......222,235
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 221
Tire Markings.......................... 218
Tire Safety Information.................... 218
Tires ............................ 73,226,375
Aging(LifeofTires) .................... 233
Air Pressure.......................... 226
Alignment........................... 234
INDEX 391
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