2008 DODGE DAKOTA wheel

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Heater Defroster Ducts
Inspect the heater defroster ducts for proper operation.
Check for proper air flow through all defroster ducts. If
there are any question regarding the operation of your
heater defroster ducts, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.) or if the front airbags have deployed. If there is any
question regarding belt or retractor condition, replace the
belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see you
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer. If there is a problem with the airbag light the
seatbelt light will flash.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for tread wear or uneven wear patterns.
Check for stones, nails, glass or other objects lodged in
the tread.
Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall cracks. Check wheel
nuts for tightness and tires for proper pressure.
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

phone supports a different profile (e.g., Headset Profile)
you may not be able to use any UConnecttfeatures. Refer
to your cellular service provider or the phone manufac-
turer for details.
The UConnecttsystem is fully integrated with the vehi-
cle's audio system. The volume of the UConnecttsystem
can be adjusted either from the radio volume control
knob or from the steering wheel radio control (right
switch), if so equipped.
The radio display will be used for visual prompts from
the UConnecttsystem such as9CELL9or caller ID on
certain radios.
Operation
Voice commands can be used to operate the UConnectt
system and to navigate through the UConnecttmenu struc-
ture. Voice commands are required after most UConnectt
system prompts. You will be prompted for a specific com-
mand and then guided through the available options.
²Prior to giving a voice command, one must wait for
the beep, which follows the9Ready9prompt or another
prompt.
²For certain operations, compound commands can be
used. For example, instead of saying9Setup9and then
9Phone Pairing,9the following compound command
can be said:9Setup Phone Pairing.9
²For each feature explanation in this section, only the
combined form of the voice command is given. You
can also break the commands into parts and say each
part of the command, when you are asked for it. For
example, you can use the combined form voice com-
mand9Phonebook New Entry,9or you can break the
combined form command into two voice commands:
9Phonebook9and9New Entry.9Please remember, the
UConnecttsystem works best when you talk in a
normal conversational tone, as if speaking to some one
sitting eight feet away from you.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 81
3

Interior Lights
Courtesy and dome lights are turned on when the front
doors are opened, when the dimmer control (rotating
wheel on the right side of the switch) is rotated to the
second upward detent position, or if equipped, when the
UNLOCK button is pressed on the key fob.When a door
is open and the interior lights are on, rotating the dimmercontrol all the way down to the OFF detent will cause all
the interior lights to go out. This is also known as the
9Party9mode because it allows the doors to stay open for
extended periods of time without discharging the vehi-
cle's battery.
The brightness of the instrument panel lighting can be
regulated by rotating the dimmer control up (brighter) or
down (dimmer). When the headlights are ON you can
supplement the brightness of the odometer, trip odom-
eter, radio and overhead console by rotating the control
up until you hear a click. This feature is termed the
ªParadeº mode and is useful when headlights are re-
quired during the day. If the dimmer control is not in this
position, the audio display may be difficult to read if the
headlights are on during the daytime.
Club Cab/Quad Cab models may have an optional
switched dome lamp that may be operated by pressing
the lens.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 113
3

Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
partially pulling the multifunction lever toward the steer-
ing wheel. This will cause the high beam headlights to
turn on until the lever is released.
High Beam / Low Beam Select Switch
Pull the multifunction control lever fully toward the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from HIGH or
LOW beam.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
The multifunction control lever is located on the left side
of the steering column.
118 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:If the front wiper is operating when the ignition
is turned off, the wiper will automatically return to the
9Park9position. When the vehicle is restarted, the wipers
will resume operation.
Windshield Washers
To use the washer, push in on the washer knob on the end
of the multifunction control lever and hold while spray is
desired. If the washer knob is depressed while in the
delay range, the wiper will operate for several seconds
after the washer knob is released. It will then resume the
intermittent interval previously selected. If the washer
knob is pushed, for a period greater than 1 second, while
in the OFF position, the wiper will wipe approximately
three wipes, after the wash knob is released.To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.TILT STEERING COLUMN
To tilt the column, pull rearward on the lever below the
turn signal control and move the wheel up or down, as
desired. Push the lever forward to lock the column firmly
in place.
120 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL Ð IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, this device takes over accelerator opera-
tion at speeds greater than (refer to the table below for
the speed for your specific engine). The controls are
mounted on the steering wheel.
Tilt Steering Column Lever
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 121
3

3. Lift the tailgate off of the pivot on the passenger side
by pulling upward and rearward at the same time.
4. Slide the tailgate to the passenger side while making
sure clearance from the box and taillight is maintained.
To reinstall the tailgate, do the following:
1. Slide the tailgate onto the driver's side pivot.2. Hold the tailgate at a 45É angle and insert it into the
passenger side pivot.
3. Clip the cables to the box.
Two Position Tailgate / Upper Load Platform
Your tailgate can be opened to the full open or the partial
open position. The partial open position is for loading
objects longer than the length of the bed (sheets of
plywood, etc.) by creating an upper load platform:
1. Install lumber
²Place lumber across the box in the indentations
provided above the wheel housings and in the
bulkhead dividers to form the floor. There are
indents in the sheet metal (or bed liner if equipped)
on the inner side of the box in front (Club Cab only)
and behind both wheel housings.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 147
3

CAUTION!
²Care should always be exercised when operating a
vehicle with cargo. Vehicle speeds may need to be
reduced. Severe turns or rough roads may cause
shifting or bouncing of the cargo that may result in
vehicle damage.
²Insure the load is securely tied down and is
properly identified according to local laws if it
extends beyond the taillamps.
²LOADING should not exceed 400 lbs (181 kg) of
material suspended above the wheelhouse and
partially open tailgate or vehicle damage may
result.
REAR CARGO AREA UTILITY RAILS
CAUTION!
The maximum load per cleat should not exceed 320
lbs (145 kg) and the angle of the load on each cleat
should not exceed 60 degrees above horizontal, or
damage to the cleat or cleat rail may occur.
There are four adjustable cleats that can be used to assist
in securing cargo. Each cleat must be located and tight-
ened down in one of the detentes, located on either rail,
in order to keep cargo properly secure.
To move the cleat to any position on the rail, turn the nut
counterclockwise approximately three turns. Then pull
out on the cleat and slide it to the detent nearest the
desired location. Make sure the cleat is seated in the
detent and tighten the nut.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 149
3