2007 DODGE DAKOTA manual transmission

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
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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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unlocked, you have 60 seconds to enter the vehicle, insert
the key in the Ignition and move it to the RUN position,
otherwise the engine will cancel remote start and auto-
matically turn off.
Remote start will also cancel if any of the following occur:
•If the engine stalls or RPM exceeds 2500
•Any engine warning lamps come on
•The hood is opened
•The hazard switch is pressed
•The transmission is moved out of park
•The brake pedal is pressed.
The vehicle can be started remotely up to a maximum of
two times. The vehicle is also allowed a maximum of one
failed start, where the remote start sequence was initiated
but cancelled before the engine begins to crank. Aftereither of these conditions, or if the Vehicle Theft Alarm is
alarming, or if the PANIC button was pressed, the vehicle
must be reset by inserting a valid key into the ignition
and moving it to the RUN position, then back to LOCK.
The parking lamps will remain illuminated to indicate
that the vehicle has remote started and the engine is
running. The lamps will turn off when the ignition is
turned to RUN or the remote start is cancelled.
DOOR LOCKS
Manual Door Locks
All the doors can be “manually” locked from the inside
by pushing down the door lock plunger, located on the
door trim panel. Both front doors may be opened from
the inside with the door lock plunger in the down or
locked position.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 27
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11. Security Light
This light will flash rapidly for approximately 15 seconds
when the vehicle theft alarm is arming. The light will
flash at a slower speed continuously after the alarm is set.
The security light will also come on for about three
seconds when the ignition is first turned on.
12. ABS Warning Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
which is described elsewhere in this manual.
This light will come on when the ignition key is
turned to the ON position and may stay on for
approximately 3 seconds. If this light remains on or
comes on during driving, it indicates that the Anti-Lock
portion of the brake system is not functioning and that
service is required. See your authorized dealer immedi-
ately.13. Engine Oil Pressure Indicator Light
This light indicates that the engine oil pressure has
become too low. For a bulb check, this light will
come on momentarily when the ignition is turned On. If
the light turns on while driving, stop the vehicle and shut
off the engine as soon as possible. Immediate service
should be obtained.
14. Tachometer
This gauge measures engine revolutions-per-minute
(rpm x 1000).
15. Gear Selector
The electronic gear selector display is self-contained
within the instrument cluster. It displays the position of
the automatic transmission shift lever, and the relation of
each position to all other positions. For a good signal the
display will place a box around the selected transmission
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 139
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Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality antifreeze coolant during summer to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50%
concentration of engine coolant to distilled water is
recommended. See “Cooling System” in the Maintaining
Your Vehicle section of your Owner’s Manual.
When using the air conditioner in extremely heavy traffic
in hot weather especially when towing a trailer, addi-
tional engine cooling may be required. If this situation isencountered, operate the transmission in a lower gear.
When stopped in heavy traffic, it may be necessary to
shift into NEUTRAL and depress the accelerator slightly
for fast idle operation.
Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other obstruc-
tions. This will help prevent snow going into the ducts.
180 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures.....................187
▫Manual Transmission..................187
▫Automatic Transmission................187
▫Normal Starting......................188
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................188
▫After Starting........................189

Engine Block Heater — If Equipped.........189

Automatic Transmission..................190
▫Brake/Transmission Interlock System.......191▫Automatic Transmission................191

Manual Transmission....................196
▫Recommended Shift Speeds..............197
▫Downshifting........................198

Four-Wheel Drive Operation...............199
▫NV233/243 GII Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................199
▫Shifting Procedure - NV233/243
Transfer Case........................202
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STARTING PROCEDURES
The starter should not be operated for more than 15
second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by inad-
vertently moving the gear selection lever or by
pressing the accelerator pedal. This may cause exces-
sive heat in the exhaust system, resulting in over-
heating and vehicle fire which may cause serious or
fatal injuries.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Manual Transmission
Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever
in NEUTRAL and depress clutch pedal to the floor before
starting the vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a
clutch interlocking ignition system. It will not start unless
the clutch is depressed.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the shift lever in NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
STARTING AND OPERATING 187
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