2008 DODGE DAKOTA service

INTRODUCTION
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your new vehicle. It is
supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet and
various customer oriented documents. You are urged to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your dealer
knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained techni-
cians and genuine Mopartparts, and is interested in
your satisfaction.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the table of contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
The detailed index, at the rear of this manual, contains a
complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this owner's manual:
4 INTRODUCTION

in the ignition cylinder. If this occurs, rotate the key to the
right slightly, then remove the key as described. If a
malfunction occurs, the system will trap the key in the
ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety feature is
inoperable. The engine can be started and stopped but
the key cannot be removed until you obtain service.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don't leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove key from the ignition and lock all doors
when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Manual TransmissionÐIf Equipped
When the steering wheel is in the LOCK position, the
steering and ignition systems are locked to provide
antitheft protection for your vehicle. It may be difficult to
turn the key from the LOCK position when starting your
vehicle. Move the steering wheel left and right while
turning the key until it turns easily. To remove the key,
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
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Replacement Keys
NOTE:Only keys that are programmed to the vehicle
electronics can be used to start and operate the vehicle.
Once a Sentry Key is programmed to a vehicle, it cannot
be programmed to any other vehicle.
CAUTION!
Always remove Sentry Keys from the vehicle and
lock all doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
At the time of purchase, the original owner is provided
with a four-digit PIN number. Keep the PIN in a secure
location. This number is required for dealer replacement
of keys. Duplication of keys may be performed at anauthorized dealer or by using the Customer Key Pro-
gramming procedure. This procedure consists of pro-
gramming a blank key to the vehicle electronics. A blank
key is one, which has never been programmed.
NOTE: When having the Sentry Key Immobilizer
System serviced, bring all vehicle keys with you to the
dealer.Customer Key Programming
If you have two valid sentry keys, you can program new
sentry keys to the system by performing the following
procedure:
1. Cut the additional Sentry Key Transponder blank(s) to
match the ignition switch lock cylinder key code.
2. Insert the first valid key into the ignition switch. Turn
the ignition switch to the ªONº position for at least 3
16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

seconds, but no longer than 15-seconds. Then, turn the
ignition switch to the ªLOCKº position and remove the
first key.
3. Insert the second valid key into the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ªONº position within 15
seconds. After ten seconds, a chime will sound. In
addition, the Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator Light will
begin to flash. Turn the ignition switch to the ªLOCKº
position and remove the second key.
4. Insert a blank Sentry Key into the ignition switch. Turn
the ignition switch to the ªONº position within 60
seconds. After 10 seconds, a single chime will sound. In
addition, the Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator Light will
stop flashing. To indicate that programming is complete,
the indicator light will turn on again for 3 seconds and
then turn off.The new Sentry Key is programmed.The Keyless Entry
Transmitter will also be programmed during this pro-
cedure.
Repeat this procedure to program up to 8 keys. If you do
not have a programmed sentry key, contact your dealer
for details.
NOTE:If a programmed key is lost, see your dealer to
have all remaining keys erased from the systems
memory. This will prevent the lost key from starting your
vehicle. The remaining keys must then be repro-
grammed. All vehicle keys must be taken to the dealer at
the time of service to be reprogrammed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17
2

NOTE:Perchlorate Material ± special handling may ap-
ply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Enhanced Accident Response System
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, vehicles equipped with
power door locks will unlock automatically. In addition,
approximately 5 seconds after the vehicle has stopped
moving, the interior lights will light until the ignition
switch is turned off.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to
inflate for your protection in an impact. While
the airbag system is designed to be mainte-
nance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system promptly:
²The airbag light does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
²The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
²The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
NOTE:If the speedometer, tachometer or any engine
related gauges are not working, the airbag control mod-
ule may also be disabled. The airbags may not be ready
to inflate for your protection. Promptly check the fuse
block for blown fuses. Refer to the label located on the
inside of the fuse block cover for the proper airbag fuses.
See your dealer if the fuse is good.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of an accident, your vehicle is designed to
record up to 5-seconds of specific vehicle data parameters
(see the following list) in an event data recorder prior to
the moment of airbag deployment, and up to a quarter
second of high-speed deceleration data during and/or
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

2. Used in defense of litigation involving a
DaimlerChrysler Corporation product
3. Requested by police under a legal warrant
4. Otherwise required by law
Data Parameters that May Be Recorded:
²Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning lamp status
for electronically-controlled safety systems, including
the airbag system
²9Time9of airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
²Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
²Impact acceleration and angle
²Seatbelt status
²Brake status (service and parking brakes)
²Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
²Engine control status (including engine speed)
²Transmission gear selection
²Cruise control status
²Traction/stability control status
²Tire pressure monitoring system status (if equipped)
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time - babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it. Children 12
years and under should ride properly buckled up in a
rear seat, if available. According to crash statistics, chil-
dren are safer when properly restrained in the rear seats
rather than in the front.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55
2

phone supports a different profile (e.g., Headset Profile)
you may not be able to use any UConnecttfeatures. Refer
to your cellular service provider or the phone manufac-
turer for details.
The UConnecttsystem is fully integrated with the vehi-
cle's audio system. The volume of the UConnecttsystem
can be adjusted either from the radio volume control
knob or from the steering wheel radio control (right
switch), if so equipped.
The radio display will be used for visual prompts from
the UConnecttsystem such as9CELL9or caller ID on
certain radios.
Operation
Voice commands can be used to operate the UConnectt
system and to navigate through the UConnecttmenu struc-
ture. Voice commands are required after most UConnectt
system prompts. You will be prompted for a specific com-
mand and then guided through the available options.
²Prior to giving a voice command, one must wait for
the beep, which follows the9Ready9prompt or another
prompt.
²For certain operations, compound commands can be
used. For example, instead of saying9Setup9and then
9Phone Pairing,9the following compound command
can be said:9Setup Phone Pairing.9
²For each feature explanation in this section, only the
combined form of the voice command is given. You
can also break the commands into parts and say each
part of the command, when you are asked for it. For
example, you can use the combined form voice com-
mand9Phonebook New Entry,9or you can break the
combined form command into two voice commands:
9Phonebook9and9New Entry.9Please remember, the
UConnecttsystem works best when you talk in a
normal conversational tone, as if speaking to some one
sitting eight feet away from you.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 81
3

²The UConnecttsystem will then prompt you as to the
number designation you wish to call.
²The selected number will be dialed.
Phone Call Features
The following features can be accessed through the
UConnecttsystem if the feature(s) are available on your
cellular service plan. For example, if your cellular service
plan provides three-way calling, this feature can be
accessed through the UConnecttsystem. Check with
your cellular service provider for the features that you
have.
Answer or Reject an Incoming Call - No Call
Currently in Progress
When you receive a call on your cellular phone, the
UConnecttsystem will interrupt the vehicle audio sys-
tem, if on, and will ask if you would like to answer the
call. Press 'Phone' button to accept the call. To reject thecall, press and hold the 'Phone' button until you hear a
single beep indicating that the incoming call was rejected.
Answer or Reject an Incoming Call - Call
Currently in Progress
If a call is currently in progress and you have another
incoming call, you will hear the same network tones for
call waiting that you normally hear when using your cell
phone. Press the 'Phone' button to place the current call
on hold and answer the incoming call.
NOTE:The UConnecttsystem compatible phones in
market today do not support rejecting an incoming call
when another call is in progress. Therefore, the user can
only either answer an incoming call or ignore it.
Making a Second Call while Current Call in
Progress
To make a second call while you are currently in a call,
press the 'Voice Recognition' button and say9Dial9or
9Call9followed by the phone number or phone book
88 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE