2009 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD

CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can, or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
23. Airbag Warning Light
The airbag warning light will illuminate and
remain lit for six to eight seconds when the
ignition is first turned ON. If the light does not
illuminate when the ignition is first turned ON,or the light stays on or comes on while driving, have the
airbag system checked by an authorized dealer.
24. 4WD Indicator
The 4WD indicator illuminates when the transfer case is
in 4WD position.
25. SVC (Service) 4WD Indicator
The SVC 4WD illuminates when the ignition key is
turned to the ON position and will stay on for two
seconds. If the light stays on or illuminates during
driving, it means that the 4WD system is not functioning
properly and that service is required.
26. Cruise Indicator
The cruise indicator illuminates when the electronic
speed control system is turned on.
178 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

27. Cargo Light
The Cargo Light indicator will illuminate when the Cargo
Light is activated by pressing the CARGO LIGHT button,
located on the headlight switch.
28. TOW/HAUL
The TOW/HAUL button is located at the end of the gear
shift lever. This light will illuminate when the TOW/
HAUL button has been selected.
29. 4WD LOW Indicator
The 4WD Low indicator illuminates when the transfer
case is in 4WD LOW position.
30. Odometer/Trip Odometer Button
Press the ODOMETER/TRIP ODOMETER button to
toggle between the odometer and the trip odometer
display. Holding the button in, resets the trip odometer
reading.ELECTRONIC DIGITAL CLOCK
The clock and radio each use the display panel built into
the radio. A digital readout shows the frequency and/or
time in hours and minutes (depending on your radio
model), whenever the ignition switch is in the ON or
ACC position.
When the ignition switch is in the OFF position, or when
the radio frequency is being displayed, timekeeping is
accurately maintained.
On the AM/FM/CD (6-disc) radio, the time button
alternates the location of the time and frequency on the
display. On the AM/FM/CD (single-disc) radio, only one
of the two, time or frequency, is displayed.
Clock Setting Procedure
1. Press and hold the TIME button until the hours blink.
2. Adjust the hours by turning the TUNE/AUDIO con-
trol knob.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 179
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mFlexible Fuel (4.7L Engine Only) Ð If Equipped. . 302
NE-85 General Information............... 302
NEthanol Fuel (E-85)................... 304
NFuel Requirements.................... 304
NSelection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles...... 305
NStarting........................... 305
NCruising Range...................... 305
NReplacement Parts.................... 305
mAdding Fuel......................... 306
NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)............... 306
mVehicle Loading....................... 308
NCertification Label.................... 308
NCurb Weight........................ 309NLoading........................... 309
mTrailer Towing........................ 310
NCommon Towing Definitions............ 311
NTrailer Hitch Classification.............. 315
NTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)...................... 316
NTrailer And Tongue Weight.............. 316
NTowing Requirements................. 317
NTowing Tips........................ 322
mSnowplow........................... 323
mRecreational Towing (Behind Motorhome,
Etc.)................................ 324
N2WD Models........................ 324
N4WD Models........................ 324
238 STARTING AND OPERATING

cause damage to the transmission. The torque converter
will refill within five seconds of shifting from PARK into
any other gear position.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
NV233/243 GII Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions
The NV233/243 is an electric-shift transfer case and is
operated by the 4WD Control Switch (Transfer Case
Switch), which is located on the instrument panel.
The NV233/243 transfer case provides four mode posi-
tions: 2 (rear) wheel drive high range, 4 wheel drive high
range, 4 wheel drive low range, and NEUTRAL.
The NV233/243 transfer case is designed to be driven in
the 2-wheel drive position (2WD) for normal street and
highway conditions (dry hard-surfaced roads).
When additional traction is required, the transfer case
4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions can be used to lockthe front and rear driveshafts together and force the front
and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is
accomplished by rotating the 4WD Control Switch to the
desired position - Refer to ªShifting Procedureº in this
section. The 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions are
designed for loose or slippery road surfaces only. Driving
in the 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions on dry
hard-surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear and
damage to the driveline components.
The transfer case NEUTRAL position is selected by
depressing the recessed button located on the lower
left-hand corner of the 4WD Control Switch.
NOTE:The transfer case NEUTRAL position is to be
used for recreational towing only. Refer to ªRecreational
Towingº in Section 5 for specific procedures on shifting
into and out of NEUTRAL.
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Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
Transfer case position indicator lights are located on the
instrument cluster. If there is no indicator light on or
flashing, the transfer case position is in two-wheel drive
(2WD). If the indicator light is on, the desired position
(4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW) has been obtained.
If One or More Shift Requirements are not Met:
1. An indicator light will flash.
2. The transfer casewill notshift.
NOTE:Before retrying a selection, make certain that all
the necessary requirements for selecting a new transfer
case position have been met. To retry the selection, turn
the control knob back to the current position, wait five
seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift require-
ments, refer to the9Shifting Procedure9in this section.
The ªSVC 4WDº warning light monitors the electric shift
4WD system. If this light remains on after engine start-upor illuminates during driving, it means that the 4WD
system is not functioning properly and that service is
required.
WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if the(SVC 4WD(light is illumi-
nated. Not engaging the parking brake may allow the
vehicle to roll, which may cause personal injury.
NOTE:Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The NV233/243 trans-
fer case is not equipped with a synchronizer and there-
fore the front and rear driveshaft speeds must be equal
for the shift to take place. Shifting while only the front or
rear wheels are spinning can cause damage to the trans-
fer case.
252 STARTING AND OPERATING

When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the 2WD or
4WD LOCK positions at a given road speed. Take care
not to overspeed the engine and do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h).
Proper operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel.
Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the
transfer case.
Because 4 wheel drive provides improved traction, there
is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds.
Do not go faster than road conditions permit.WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
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For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, refer to the following infor-
mation:
2WD
The 2±Wheel Drive (Rear-Wheel Drive) High Range is
used for normal street and highway driving, on dry,
hard-surfaced roads.
4WD LOCK
The 4-Wheel Drive Lock (4WD LOCK) Range locks the
front and rear driveshafts together, forcing the front and
rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This range
provides additional traction for loose or slippery road
surfaces only.4WD LOW
The 4-Wheel Drive Low (4WD LOW) Range provides
low speed 4-wheel drive. It locks the front and rear
driveshafts together, forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. This range provides additional
traction and maximum pulling power for loose or slip-
pery road surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h).
N
The NEUTRAL Range disengages both the front and rear
driveshafts from the powertrain. NEUTRAL is used for
flat towing behind another vehicle. Refer to ªRecreational
Towingº in Section 5.
254 STARTING AND OPERATING

Shifting Procedure - NV233/243 Transfer Case
NOTE:If any of the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case
will not shift, the indicator light for the previous position
will remain ON, and the newly-selected position indica-
tor light will continue to flash until all the requirements
for the selected position have been met. To retry a shift:return the control knob back to the original position,
make certain all shift requirements have been met, wait
five seconds, and try the shift again.
2WD-to-4WD LOCK or 4WD LOCK-to-2WD
Rotate the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position.
Shifts between 2WD and 4WD LOCK can be done with
the vehicle stopped, or in motion. With the vehicle in
motion, the transfer case will engage / disengage faster if
you momentarily release the accelerator pedal after turn-
ing the control switch. If the vehicle is stopped, the
ignition key must be in the ON position with the engine
either RUNNING or OFF. This shift cannot be completed
if the key is in the ACC position.
NOTE:On vehicles equipped with Anti-Lock Brake
Systems, the 4x4 system will not allow shifts between
2WD/ 4WD LOCK if the rear wheels are spinning (no
traction). In this situation the selected position indicator
light will flash and the original position indicator light
STARTING AND OPERATING 255
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