2008 DODGE DAKOTA wheel

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

If the vehicle is to be towed more than 15 miles (25 km )
or faster than 30 mph, it must be towed on a flatbed, or
with the rear wheels raised and the front wheels on the
ground, or with the front end raised and the rear wheels
on a towing dolly.NOTE:Towing the vehicle, with the rear wheels on the
ground, at more than 30 mph (50 km/h) or for more than
15 miles (25 km ) can cause severe transmission damage.
328 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Front Suspension Ball Joints
The ball joints and seals should be inspected whenever
the vehicle is serviced for other reasons. Damaged seals
should be replaced to prevent leakage or contamination
of the grease.
Drive Shaft Constant Velocity Joints
All four wheel drive models are equipped with four
constant velocity joints. Periodic lubrication of these
joints is not required. However, the joint boot should be
inspected for external leakage or damage periodically. If
external leakage or damage is evident, the joint boot and
grease should be replaced immediately. Continued op-
eration could result in failure of the joint due to water
and dirt contamination of the grease. This would require
complete replacement of the joint assembly. Refer to the
Service Manual for the detailed replacement procedure.
Body Lubrication
Locks and all body pivot points, including such items as
seat tracks, doors and hood hinges, should be lubricated
periodically to assure quiet, easy operation and to protect
against rust and wear. Prior to the application of any
lubricant, the parts concerned should be wiped clean to
remove dust and grit; after lubricating excess oil and
grease should be removed. Particular attention should
also be given to hood latching components to insure
proper function. When performing other underhood ser-
vices, the hood latch, release mechanism and safety catch
should be cleaned and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated twice a
year, preferably in the fall and spring. Apply a small
amount of a high quality lubricant such as MopartLock
Cylinder Lubricant directly into the lock cylinder.
348 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

²If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider
mud or stone shields behind each wheel.
²Use Moparttouch up paint on scratches as soon as
possible. Your dealer has touch up paint to match the
color of your vehicle.
Wheel and Wheel Trim Care
All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and
chrome plated wheels should be cleaned regularly with a
mild soap and water to prevent corrosion. To remove
heavy soil, use Mopar Wheel Cleaner or select a nonabra-
sive, non-acidic cleaner. Do not use scouring pads, steel
wool, a bristle brush or metal polishes. Only Mopar
cleaners are recommended. Do not use oven cleaner.
Avoid automatic car washes that use acidic solutions or
harsh brushes that may damage the wheels' protective
finish.
YES EssentialstFabric Cleaning Procedure ± If
Equipped
YES Essentialstseats may be cleaned in the following
manner:
²Remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting
with a clean, dry towel.
²Blot any remaining stain with a clean, damp towel.
²For tough stains, apply Mopar Total Clean or a mild
soap solution to a clean, damp cloth and remove stain.
Use a fresh, damp towel to remove soap residue.
²For grease stains, apply Mopar Multi-purpose cleaner
to a clean, damp cloth and remove stain. Use a fresh,
damp towel to remove soap residue.
²Do not use any solvents or protectants on Yes Essen-
tials products.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 365
7

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
9

CD (Compact Disc) Player................. 197
Cellular Phone..................79,197,199,209
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 379
Center Seat Storage Compartment............ 141
Certification Label....................... 288
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 313
Charging.............................. 323
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 254
Child Restraint......................55,56,57
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............59,64
Child Seat.............................. 61
Circuit Breakers......................... 367
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 365
Climate Control......................... 209
Clock........................167,172,184,199
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 207
Compact Spare Tire...................... 265
Compass.............................. 130Compass Calibration..................... 130
Compass Variance....................... 131
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 126
Console, Floor.......................... 140
Console, Overhead....................... 125
Contract, Service........................ 400
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 353
Cooling System......................... 351
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 353
Coolant Capacity...................... 384
Coolant Level......................351,354
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 354
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 352
Inspection........................... 354
Points to Remember.................... 355
Pressure Cap......................... 353
Radiator Cap......................... 353
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......352,384,385
Temperature Gauge..................... 158
410 INDEX

Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Cruising Range........................ 287
Engine Oil........................... 286
Fuel Requirements..................284,285
Maintenance.......................... 287
Replacement Parts..................... 287
Starting............................. 286
Flooded Engine Starting................... 222
Floor Console.......................... 140
Fluid, Brake........................... 386
Fluid Capacities......................... 384
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 359
Brake............................... 357
Engine Oil........................... 338
Power Steering........................ 347
Transfer Case......................... 362
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 385
Fog Lights.......................... 116,383Four Wheel Drive....................... 233
Operation........................... 233
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 312
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 325
Front Axle (Differential)................... 363
Fuel................................. 278
Adding............................. 282
Filter............................... 343
Gauge.............................. 158
Octane Rating......................278,385
Requirements......................278,384
Tank Capacity........................ 384
Fuel, Flexible.............See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fueling............................... 282
Fuses................................ 367
Garage Door Opener (HomeLinkt) ........... 132
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)...............283,335
Gas Gauge (Fuel Gauge)................... 158
INDEX 413
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