2008 DODGE DAKOTA steering

Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle driv-
etrain components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
²Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles (805
km) of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage
your vehicle.
²During the first 500 miles (805 km) of trailer
towing, limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Perform the maintenance listed in Section 8 of this
manual. When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR,
or GCWR, ratings.
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.
²When 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.
298 STARTING AND OPERATING

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

NPower Steering Ð Fluid Check............347
NFront Suspension Ball Joints..............348
NDrive Shaft Constant Velocity Joints........348
NBody Lubrication.....................348
NWindshield Wiper Blades................349
NWindshield Washers...................349
NExhaust System......................350
NCooling System.......................351
NEmission Related Components............356
NBrake System........................357
NClutch Hydraulic System................359
NManual Transmission..................359
NAutomatic Transmission................359NTransfer Case........................362
NAxles..............................362
NAppearance Care And Protection
From Corrosion......................363
mFuses (Power Distribution Center)...........367
mVehicle Storage........................373
mReplacement Light Bulbs.................373
mBulb Replacement......................374
NHeadlight (Halogen)/Front Park And
Turn Lights.........................374
NRear Side Marker, Taillamps/Stoplamp,
And Turn Signal Bulbs Ð Replacement......377
NCenter High-Mounted Stoplamp And
Cargo Lamp.........................379
330 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluorocar-
bon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by dealers or other service facilities
using recovery and recycling equipment.
Power Steering Ð Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through a certified
DaimlerChrysler Dealership.9
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to insure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturers recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts
for correct fluid type.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 347
7

Chassis
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.
Automatic Transmission MopartATF+4, Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Transfer Case MopartATF+4, Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Manual Transmission (Getrag 238) MopartATF+4, Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Clutch Linkage Multipurpose Grease, NLGI Grade 2 E.P. or equivalent.
Front Axle SAE 75W-90 Multipurpose Type, GL-5 Gear Lubricant (MS-9763).
Rear Axle SAE 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Lubricant (MS-8985). Limited-slip rear axles
require Mopartlimited-slip additive (MS-10111). Four ounces (118 ml)
should be added to the gear lubricant whenever a fluid change is made.
Brake Master Cylinder MopartDOT 3 and SAE J1703 should be used. If DOT 3 brake fluid is not
available, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only recommended brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir MopartATF+4, Automatic Transmission Fluid.
386 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

²Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
²Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first.
Your dealer will reset the oil change indicator message
after completing the scheduled oil change. If this sched-
uled oil change is performed by someone other than your
dealer the message can be reset by referring to the steps
described under ªOil Change Requiredº in ªUse Factory
Settingsº of the EVIC section in this manual or under
ªOdometer/Trip Odometerº in the ªInstrument Cluster
Descriptions section of this manual.
At Each Stop for Fuel
²Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level whilethe vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
²Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 389
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Ball Joints............................. 348
Battery............................... 345
Charging............................ 323
Emergency Starting..................... 323
Gas Caution.......................... 323
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)....... 26
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 114
Belts, Drive............................ 342
Belts, Seat.............................. 36
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 348
Box, Sound............................ 208
B-Pillar Location........................ 257
Brake Fluid............................ 386
Brake System........................249,357
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................249,250
Disc Brakes.......................... 357
Fluid Check.......................... 357
Hoses.............................. 358
Master Cylinder....................... 357Parking............................. 247
Warning Light.....................160,164
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 225
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 68
Bulb Replacement....................... 374
Bulbs, Light............................ 373
Calibration, Compass..................... 130
Camper............................... 151
Capacities, Fluid........................ 384
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine).......................... 340
Power Steering........................ 347
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 353
Car Washes............................ 364
Carbon Monoxide Warning..............151,281
Cargo Light............................ 116
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 288
Catalytic Converter...................... 343
INDEX 409
10

Crates
Rear Convenience Storage................ 142
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 121
Cup Holder............................ 141
Customer Assistance..................... 398
Data Recorder, Event...................... 53
Daytime Running Lights................... 115
Dealer Service.......................... 337
Defroster, Rear Window................... 145
Defroster, Windshield...................70,211
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 119
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 334
Differential, Limited-Slip.................. 244
Digital Video Disc (DVD) Player............. 197
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 159
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission................. 359
Oil (Engine).......................... 338Power Steering........................ 347
Disarming, Theft System................... 19
Disc Brakes............................ 357
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 354
Door Locks............................. 28
Door Opener, Garage..................... 132
Drive Belts............................ 342
Drive Shaft Universal Joints................ 348
Driving
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water........................ 245
E-85 Fuel............................. 284
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 77
Electrical Power Outlets................... 138
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 121
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 325
INDEX 411
10