2008 DODGE DAKOTA Owners Manual

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Recreational Towing 2WD Models
Recreational towing of 2WD models is not allowable.
Towing the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral can
cause severe transmission damage. Removal of the drive-
shaft for towing is not recommended, since this would
allow fluid to drain from the transmission.
Recreational Towing 4WD Models
CAUTION!
Internal damage to the transfer case will occur if a
front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational
towing.
CAUTION!
The transfer case must be shifted into Neutral (N) for
recreational towing. The Neutral (N) selection button
is located on the lower left hand corner of the 4WD
Control Switch. Shifts into and out of transfer case
Neutral (N) can take place with the selector switch in
any mode position.
Automatic Transmissions must be placed in P (Park)
position for recreational towing.
Manual Transmissions must be placed in gear (for
example, 4th gear) for recreational towing. Failure to
follow these procedures can cause severe transmis-
sion and/or transfer case damage.
Recreational Towing Procedure
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
STARTING AND OPERATING 305
5

CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in Neutral (N) before recre-
ational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.
1. Bring vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shut engine OFF.
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position but do not
start the engine.
4. Depress brake pedal.
5. Shift automatic transmission to Neutral (N) or depress
clutch on manual transmission.
6. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object,
depress the recessed transfer case Neutral (N) button for
4 seconds.7. After shift is completed and the Neutral (N) light
comes on release Neutral (N) button.
8. Start engine.
9. Shift automatic transmission into Reverse (R).
10. Release brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that
there is no vehicle movement.
306 STARTING AND OPERATING

11. Repeat steps 9 and 10 with the transmission in Drive
(D).
12. Shut engine OFF and place ignition key to the
unlocked OFF position.
13. Shift automatic transmission into Park (P). Shift
Manual transmissions into 4th gear.
14. Attach vehicle to tow vehicle with tow bar.
15. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
NOTE:Items 1 through 5 are requirements that must be
met prior to depressing the Neutral (N) selection button,
and must continue to be met until the 4 seconds elapse
and the shift has been completed. If any of these require-
ments (with the exception of 3 - Key ON) are not met
prior to depressing the Neutral (N) button or are no
longer met during the 4 second timer, then the Neutral(N) indicator light will flash continuously until all re-
quirements are met or until the Neutral (N) button is
released.
NOTE:The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take
place and for the position indicator lights to be operable.
If the key in not ON, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
NOTE:Flashing neutral (N) position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not been met.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the trans-
mission is shifted into Park (P) with the transfer case
in Neutral (N) and the engine RUNNING. With the
transfer case in Neutral (N), ensure that the engine is
OFF prior to shifting the transmission into Park (P).
STARTING AND OPERATING 307
5

Returning to Normal Operation
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
2. The vehicle must be at a complete stop.
3. Place the ignition if the Off position (if it has been
moved or the engine has been started).
4. Place ignition key in the ON position (engine Off).
5. Depress brake pedal.
6. Shift automatic transmission to Neutral (N) or depress
clutch on manual transmission.
7. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object,
depress the recessed transfer case Neutral (N) button for
1 second.8. After the Neutral (N) indicator light turns off release
the Neutral (N) button.
9. After the Neutral (N) button has been released the
transfer case will shift to the position identified by the
selector switch.
10. Start the engine. Shift the automatic transmission into
Drive (D), or place the manual transmission in 1st gear
and momentarily release the clutch, to verify that the
transfer case has engaged.
11. Set parking brake. Shift automatic transmission to
Park (P) or shift manual transmission to Neutral.
NOTE:Items 1 through 5 are requirements that must be
met prior to depressing the Neutral (N) selection button,
and must continue to be met until 1 second elapses and
the shift has been completed. If any of these requirements
(with the exception of 3 - key ON) are not met prior to
depressing the Neutral (N) button or are no longer met
308 STARTING AND OPERATING

during the 1 second time, then all of the mode position
indicator lights will flash continuously until all require-
ments are met or until the Neutral (N) button is released.
NOTE:The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take
place and for the position indicator lights to be operable.
If the key is not ON, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
NOTE:Flashing neutral (N) position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not been met.WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
Neutral (N) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case Neutral (N) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
despite the transmission position. The parking brake
should always be applied when the driver is not in
the vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 309
5

CAUTION!
²Do not use a bumper mounted clamp-on tow bar
on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be
damaged.
²Do not disconnect the rear driveshaft because
fluid will leak from the transfer case and damage
internal parts.
EQUIPMENT IDENTIFICATION PLATE
The equipment Identification Plate is located on the hood
inner surface.
The following information about your vehicle is dis-
played on this plate: Model, Wheelbase, Vehicle Identifi-
cation Number, Truck Order Number, and code numbers
with descriptions of all production and special equip-
ment on the truck as shipped from the factory.
NOTE:Always refer to the equipment identification
plate when ordering parts.
310 STARTING AND OPERATING

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mHazard Warning Flasher..................312
mAdding Fuel..........................312
mChanging A Flat Tire....................313
NJack Location........................313
NRemoving The Spare Tire................315
NTire Changing Procedure................318mJump Starting.........................323
mFreeing A Stuck Vehicle..................325
mEmergency Tow Hooks Ð If Equipped........326
mTowing A Disabled Vehicle................327
NFour-Wheel Drive Vehicles...............327
NTwo-Wheel Drive Vehicles...............327
6

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.
312 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES