2008 DODGE DAKOTA key

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

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

CAUTION!
Tow hooks are for emergency use only, to rescue a
vehicle stranded off road. Do not use tow hooks for
tow truck hookup or highway towing. You could
damage your vehicle.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use of safety chains is recom-
mended.Attach towing device to main structural mem-
bers of the vehicle Ð not to bumpers or associated
brackets. State and local laws applying to vehicles
under tow must be observed.
Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of the vehicle raised
and the opposite end on a towing dolly.
Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Provided that the transmission is operable, tow with the
transmission in Neutral and the ignition key in the OFF
position along with the front wheels raised and the rear
wheels on the ground. The speed must not exceed 30
mph (50 km/h) and the distance must not exceed 15
miles (25 km).
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 327
6

Your vehicle has a simple ignition key actuated test
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle's OBD system is ready, you must do
the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine. If you crank or start the engine, you
will have to start this test over.
3. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see your MIL symbol come on as part of a normal
bulb check.
4. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL light will blink for approximately 5 sec-
onds and then remain on until the first engine crank or
the key is turned off. This means that your vehicle's
OBD system isnot readyand you shouldnotproceed
to the I/M station.b. The MIL light will remain fully illuminated until the
first engine crank or the key is turned off. This means
that your vehicle's OBD system isreadyand you can
proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD system isnot readyyou should see your
dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was recently
serviced or had a battery failure or replacement, you may
need to do nothing more than drive your vehicle as you
normally would in order for your OBD system to update.
A recheck with the above test routine may then indicate
that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle's OBD system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL symbol is illuminated
during normal vehicle operation, you should have your
vehicle serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M
station can fail your vehicle because the MIL symbol is on
with the engine running.
336 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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

Hoses................................ 356
Ignition............................... 12
Key ................................. 12
Ignition Key Removal..................... 12
Illuminated Entry........................ 20
Immobilizer (Sentry Key)................... 14
Infant Restraint........................55,56
Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 270
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 77
Instrument Cluster....................... 158
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 156
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 367
Interior Appearance Care.................. 366
Interior Lights.......................... 113
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)........... 119
Introduction............................. 4
Jack Operation.......................313,318Jacking Instructions...................... 319
Key, Programming........................ 16
Key, Replacement........................ 16
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer)................... 14
Keyless Entry System...................... 21
Keys................................. 12
Knee Bolster............................ 45
Lane Change and Turn Signals......... 117,158,377
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 36
LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren)....... 59
Life of Tires............................ 267
Lights..............................71,112
Airbag............................53,166
Anti-Lock Warning..................... 160
Back-Up............................. 377
Brake Warning........................ 164
INDEX 415
10

Bulb Replacement...................373,374
Cargo .............................. 116
Center Mounted Stop................... 379
Courtesy/Reading..................... 126
Cruise.............................. 167
Daytime Running...................... 115
Fog .......................... 116,163,383
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 312
Headlights........................... 114
High Beam........................... 118
High Beam/Low Beam Select.............. 118
Instrument Cluster..................... 158
Intensity Control....................... 113
Interior........................... 113,126
License............................. 382
Lights On Reminder.................... 116
Low Fuel.........................158,159
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)........ 164
Passing............................. 118Seat Belt Reminder..................... 159
Service.............................. 373
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)........... 165
Turn Signal..................... 117,374,377
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 158
Limited-Slip Differential................... 244
Loading Vehicle......................... 288
Tires ............................... 257
Locks................................. 28
Auto Unlock.......................... 31
Automatic Door........................ 30
Child Protection........................ 32
Door................................ 28
Keys................................ 12
Power Door........................... 29
Steering Wheel......................... 18
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).............................. 59
Lubrication, Body....................... 348
416 INDEX

Preparation for Jacking.................... 318
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 42
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 25
Quad Cab............................. 110
Radial Ply Tires......................... 264
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......351,353
Radio Broadcast Signals................... 168
Radio, Navigation....................... 197
Radio Operation......................198,209
Radio, Satellite....................197,199,201
Radio (Sound Systems).................... 197
Rear Axle (Differential).................... 362
Rear Cargo Area Utility Rails............... 149
Rear Convenience Storage Crates............. 142
Rear Window.......................... 146Rear Window Defroster................... 145
Rear Window Features.................... 145
Rearview Mirrors........................ 77
Reclining Front Seats..................... 106
Recorder, Event Data...................... 53
Recreational Towing...................... 305
Shifting into Transfer Case Neutral (N)....... 305
Shifting out of Transfer Case Neutral (N)..... 308
Reformulated Gasoline.................... 279
Refrigerant............................ 347
Release, Hood.......................... 111
Reminder, Seat Belt....................... 43
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)................. 21
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls........ 205
Remote Starting System.................... 27
Replacement Keys........................ 16
Replacement Parts....................... 337
Replacement Tires....................... 268
Reporting Safety Defects................... 402
INDEX 419
10