2008 DODGE DAKOTA oil pressure

WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7 of this manual. Follow
the warnings under the Cooling System Pressure Cap
paragraph.
8. Speedometer
Shows the vehicles speed.
9. Voltage Light
This light monitors the electrical system voltage.
The light should turn on momentarily as the
engine is started. If the light stays on or turns on while
driving, it indicates a problem with the charging system.
Immediate service should be obtained.10. Security Light
This light will flash rapidly for approximately 15 seconds
when the vehicle theft alarm is arming. The light will
flash at a slower speed continuously after the alarm is set.
The security light will also come on for about three
seconds when the ignition is first turned on.
11. ABS Warning Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
which is described elsewhere in this manual.
This light will come on when the ignition key is
turned to the ON position and may stay on for
approximately 3 seconds. If this light remains on or
comes on during driving, it indicates that the Anti-Lock
portion of the brake system is not functioning and that
service is required. See your authorized dealer immedi-
ately.
160 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

12. Engine Oil Pressure Indicator Light
This light indicates that the engine oil pressure has
become too low. For a bulb check, this light will
come on momentarily when the ignition is turned On. If
the light turns on while driving, stop the vehicle and shut
off the engine as soon as possible. Immediate service
should be obtained.
13. Tachometer
This gauge measures engine revolutions-per-minute
(rpm x 1000).
14. Gear Selector
The electronic gear selector display is self-contained
within the instrument cluster. It displays the position of
the automatic transmission shift lever, and the relation of
each position to all other positions. For a good signal the
display will place a box around the selected transmission
range (PRND21). If the PRNDL displays only the char-
acters PRND21 (no boxes), have the system checked by
an authorized dealer.15. Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. U.S. federal regulations require that upon
transfer of vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the
purchaser the correct mileage that the vehicle has been
driven. Therefore, if the odometer reading is changed
during repair or replacement, be sure to keep a record of
the reading before and after the service so that the correct
mileage can be determined.
The two trip odometers show individual trip mileage. To
switch from odometer to trip odometers, press and
release the Trip Odometer button.
To reset a trip odometer, display the desired trip odom-
eter to be reset then push and hold the button until the
display resets (approximately 2 seconds).
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 161
4

WARNING!
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after six years,
regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to follow
this warning can result in sudden tire failure. You
could lose control and have an accident resulting in
serious injury or death.
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease, and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly forwear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-
lent to the originals in size, quality and performance
when replacement is needed (refer to the paragraph on
ªTread Wear Indicatorsº). Refer to the ªTire and Loading
Informationº placard for the size designation of your tire.
The service description and load identification will be
found on the original equipment tire. Failure to use
equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the
safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend
that you contact your original equipment or an autho-
rized tire dealer with any questions you may have on tire
specifications or capability.
268 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle unstable and cause an accident. It could
slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the
vehicle only enough to remove the tire.
5. Remove the wheel nuts and pull the wheel off. Install
the spare wheel and wheel nuts with the cone shaped end
of the nuts toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the nuts. To
avoid risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not fully
tighten the nuts until the vehicle has been lowered.
6. Using the wheel wrench, finish tightening the nuts in
a crisscross pattern. Correct nut tightness is 130-160 ft.
lbs. (177-217 N´m). If in doubt about the correct tightness,
have them checked with a torque wrench by your dealer
or at a service station.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could injure someone in the vehicle. Al-
ways stow the jack, tools and the extra tire and wheel
in the places provided.
7. Lower the jack to its fully closed position. Stow the
replaced tire, jack, and tools as previously described.
8. Adjust the tire pressure when possible.
NOTE:Do not oil wheel studs. For chrome wheels, do
not substitute with chrome plated wheel nuts.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 321
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These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle's engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. The
best time to check the engine oil level is about 5 minutes
after a fully warmed up engine is shut off or before
starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the bottom of the SAFE zone will result in a reading at the
top of the safe zone on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
338 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
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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
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Lug Nuts............................. 321
Lumbar Support........................ 107
Maintenance Free Battery.................. 345
Maintenance Procedures................... 337
Maintenance Schedule.................... 388
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 164,335
Manual, Service......................... 403
Manual Transmission...............221,230,359
Fluid Level Check...................... 359
Lubricant Selection..................359,386
Map/Reading Lights..................... 126
Mirrors................................ 77
Electric Powered....................... 77
Outside.............................. 77
Rearview............................. 77
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 273
Mopar Parts.........................337,401MP3 Player............................ 197
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 117
Navigation Radio........................ 197
Navigation System....................... 197
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 68
Occupant Restraints....................... 35
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel).............. 278
Oil Change Indicator..................... 162
Oil Change Indicator, Reset................. 162
Oil, Engine.........................338,385
Capacity............................ 384
Change Interval....................... 339
Dipstick............................. 338
Disposal............................ 341
Filter............................341,385
Filter Disposal........................ 341
Identification Logo..................... 340
INDEX 417
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