2008 DODGE DAKOTA Owners Manual

WARNING!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain
vehicle components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition,
certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
WARRANTY INFORMATION (U.S. Vehicles Only)
See the Warranty Information Booklet for the terms and
provisions of DaimlerChrysler's warranties applicable to
this vehicle.
MOPARTPARTS
Mopartfluids, lubricants, parts, and accessories are
available from your dealer. They will help you keep your
vehicle operating at its best.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 401
9

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
In the 50 United States and Washington D.C.: If you
believe that your vehicle has a defect, which could cause
a crash or cause injury or death, you should immediately
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administra-
tion (NHTSA) in addition to notifying the manufacturer.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer, and the
manufacturer.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll free at 1±888±327±4236 (TTY: 1±800±424± 9153),
or go to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to: Administra-
tor, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC
20590. You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov.
In Canada:
If you believe that your vehicle has a safety defect, you
should contact the Customer Service Department imme-
diately. Canadian customers who wish to report a safety
defect to the Canadian government should write to
Transport Canada, Motor Vehicle Defect Investigations
and Recalls, 2780 Sheffield Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1B
3V9.
402 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

PUBLICATION ORDER FORMS
To order the following manuals, you may use either the
website or the phone numbers listed below. Visa, Mas-
tercard, American Express, and Discover orders are ac-
cepted. If you prefer mailing your payment, please call
for an order form.
NOTE:A street address is required when ordering
manuals. (No P.O. Boxes).
²Service Manuals.
These comprehensive service manuals provide the
information that students and professional technicians
need in diagnosing/troubleshooting, problem solving,
maintaining, servicing, and repairing DaimlerChrysler
Corporation vehicles. A complete working knowledge
of the vehicle, system, and/or components is written
in straightforward language with illustrations, dia-
grams, and charts.
²Diagnostic Procedure Manuals.
Filled with diagrams, charts and detailed illustrations,
these practical manuals make it easy for students and
technicians to find and fix problems on computer-
controlled vehicle systems and features. They show
exactly how to find and correct problems the first time,
using step-by-step troubleshooting and driveability
procedures, proven diagnostic tests and a complete list
of all tools and equipment.
²Owner's Manuals.
These manuals have been prepared with the assistance
of service and engineering specialists to acquaint you
with specific Chrysler group vehicles. Included are
starting, operating, emergency and maintenance pro-
cedures as well as specifications, capabilities and
safety tips.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 403
9

Call Toll Free at:
²1±800±890±4038 (U.S.)
²1±800±387±1143 (Canada)
Or
Visit us on the World Wide Web at:
²www.techauthority.daimlerchrysler.com
²www.daimlerchrysler.ca/manuals
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire's
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
404 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause thematerial of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 405
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INDEX
10

Adding Fuel........................282,312
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 343
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 346
Air Conditioning........................ 209
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips..........209,213
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............346,347
Air Conditioning System................209,346
Air Filter.............................. 343
Air Pressure, Tires....................262,270
Airbag.............................45,166
Airbag Light..........................53,70
Alarm, Panic............................ 24
Alarm (Security Alarm).................19,160
Alignment and Balance................... 269
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 202
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...........352,353,384
Disposal............................ 354
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............249,250Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 160
Anti-Theft System.....................19,160
Appearance Care........................ 363
Arming Theft System (Security Alarm)......... 19
Audio Systems (Radio).................... 197
Auto Unlock, Doors....................... 31
Automatic Door Locks..................... 30
Automatic Transaxle....................12,224
Interlock System........................ 19
Automatic Transmission.............221,225,359
Adding Fluid......................... 360
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 361
Fluid Level Check...................... 359
Fluid Type........................... 386
Gear Ranges.......................... 225
Special Additives...................... 361
Torque Converter...................... 229
Axle Fluid............................. 386
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid)............... 362
408 INDEX