2007 DODGE DAKOTA Owners Manual

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

3.7L/4.7L Engine Compartment.............292

Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II........293
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............293

Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................294

Replacement Parts......................295

Dealer Service.........................296

Maintenance Procedures..................296
▫Engine Oil..........................297▫Engine Oil Filter......................300
▫Drive Belts — Check Condition And Tension . . 301
▫Spark Plugs.........................301
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................302
▫Engine Fuel Filter.....................302
▫Catalytic Converter....................302
▫Maintenance Free Battery................304
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............305
▫Power Steering — Fluid Check............306
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▫Front Suspension Ball Joints..............306
▫Drive Shaft Constant Velocity Joints........307
▫Body Lubrication.....................307
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................307
▫Windshield Washers...................308
▫Exhaust System......................309
▫Cooling System.......................310
▫Emission Related Components............315
▫Brake System........................316
▫Clutch Hydraulic System................318
▫Manual Transmission..................318
▫Automatic Transmission................318
▫Transfer Case........................321▫Axles ..............................321
▫Selection Of Lubricating Grease...........322
▫Appearance Care And Protection
From Corrosion......................323

Fuses (Power Distribution Center)...........327

Vehicle Storage........................332

Replacement Light Bulbs.................332

Bulb Replacement......................333
▫Headlamps..........................333
▫Front Park And Turn Signal Lamp..........337
▫Rear Side Marker, Taillamps/Stoplamp, And
Turn Signal Bulbs — Replacement.........338
▫Center High-Mounted Stoplamp And
Cargo Lamp.........................341
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▫License Lamps.......................343
▫Fog Lamps..........................345

Fluids And Capacities...................345
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts........346
▫Engine.............................346
▫Chassis............................347
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 291
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3.7L/4.7L ENGINE COMPARTMENT
292 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light.” It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the “Malfunction Indica-
tor Light” on could cause further damage to the
emission control system. It could also affect fuel
economy and driveability. The vehicle must be
serviced before any emissions tests can be per-
formed.
•If the “Malfunction Indicator Light” is flashing
while the engine is running, severe catalytic con-
verter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
After fuel is added, the vehicle diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel filler cap is loose, improperly
installed, or damaged. A loose fuel filler cap message will
be displayed in the instrument cluster. Tighten the gas
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 293
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cap until aclickingsound is heard. This is an indication
that the gas cap is properly tightened. Press the odometer
reset button to turn the message off. If the problem
persists, the message will appear the next time the
vehicle is started. This might indicate a damaged cap. If
the problem is detected twice in a row, the system will
turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). Resolving
the problem will turn the MIL light off.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states which have an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance) requirement, this check verifies the
following: the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)is functioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the OBD (On Board Diagnostic) system is ready
for testing.
Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, if you recently had a dead battery, or a battery
replacement. If the OBD system is determined not ready
for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key actuated test
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD system is ready, you must do
the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine. If you crank or start the engine, you
will have to start this test over.
294 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

3. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see your MIL symbol come on as part of a normal
bulb check.
4. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL light will blink for approximately 5 sec-
onds and then remain on until the first engine crank or
the key is turned off. This means that your vehicle’s
OBD system isnot readyand you shouldnotproceed
to the I/M station.
b. The MIL light will remain fully illuminated until the
first engine crank or the key is turned off. This means
that your vehicle’s OBD system isreadyand you can
proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD system isnot readyyou should see your
dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was recently
serviced or had a battery failure or replacement, you mayneed to do nothing more than drive your vehicle as you
normally would in order for your OBD system to update.
A recheck with the above test routine may then indicate
that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL symbol is illuminated
during normal vehicle operation, you should have your
vehicle serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M
station can fail your vehicle because the MIL symbol is on
with the engine running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine Moparparts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to in-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-Moparparts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 295
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DEALER SERVICE
Your dealer has the qualified service personnel, special
tools and equipment to perform all service operations in
an expert manner. Service manuals are available which
include detailed service information for your vehicle.
Refer to these manuals before attempting any procedure
yourself.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the proper equipment.
If you have any doubt about your ability to perform
a service job, take your vehicle to a competent
mechanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
296 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE