2009 DODGE DAKOTA lock

WARNING! (Continued)
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
²When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
²Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
PARK. With a manual transmission, shift the transmis-
sion into REVERSE. For four-wheel drive vehicles,
make sure the transfer case is not in NEUTRAL.
Always, block or9chock9the trailer wheels.
²GCWR must not be exceeded.
²Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer so that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
318 STARTING AND OPERATING

9. Shift automatic transmission into REVERSE.
10. Release brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that
there is no vehicle movement.
11. Repeat steps 9 and 10 with the transmission in
DRIVE.
12. Shut engine OFF and place ignition key to the
unlocked OFF position.
13. Shift automatic transmission into PARK. Shift
manual transmissions into 4th gear.
14. Attach vehicle to tow vehicle with tow bar.
15. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
NOTE:
²Steps 1 through 5 are requirements that must be met
prior to depressing the NEUTRAL selection button,
and must continue to be met until the 4 seconds elapse
and the shift has been completed. If any of theserequirements (with the exception of 3 - Key ON) are
not met prior to depressing the NEUTRAL button or
are no longer met during the 4 second timer, then the
NEUTRAL indicator light will flash continuously until
all requirements are met or until the NEUTRAL button
is released.
²The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take place
and for the position indicator lights to be operable. If
the key in not ON, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
²Flashing NEUTRAL position indicator light indicates
that shift requirements have not been met.
326 STARTING AND OPERATING

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The Hazard Warning Flasher switch is located on the top
of the steering column, just behind the steering wheel.
Press the 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
Hazard Warning Flasher will continue to operate with
the ignition key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE:With extended use, the Hazard Warning Flasher
may wear down your battery.
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
Jack Location
In this vehicle, the scissor jack and tire changing tools for
Extended Cab models are stowed in a compartment
under the rear passenger seat. CrewtCab model scissor
jack and tire changing tools are accessed by lifting up the
rear passenger seat.
Hazard Warning Flasher Switch
332 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
The jack is designed as a tool for changing tires only.
The jack should not be used to lift the vehicle for
service purposes, unless suitable supports are placed
under the vehicle as a safety measure. The vehicle
should be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid
icy or slippery areas.
Removing The Spare Tire
Remove the spare tire before attempting to jack the truck.
Attach the wheel wrench to the jack extension tube. Insert
the tube through the access hole in the rear bumper and
into the winch mechanism tube. Rotate the wheel wrench
handle counterclockwise until the spare tire is on the
ground with enough cable slack to allow you to pull it
out from under the vehicle. When the spare is clear, tilt
the retainer at the end of the cable and pull it through the
center of the wheel.
Jack Stowage Location (CrewtCab)
334 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Steps for Removing the Spare Tire
²Remove the jack from the stowage compartment using
the supplied finger-assist tool.
²Remove the finger-assist tool from jack and set aside
until jack is stowed.
²Assemble the jack tools.
²Locate the tire carrier access hole on the rear bumper.
²Place assembled jack tool extension rod into the access
hole in the direction of the arrow on the bumper trim.
²Rotate the tool counterclockwise to release and lower
the spare tire to the ground so that it can be pulled
from under the vehicle.
²Rotate clockwise to stow the spare tire.
Inserting Lug Wrench and Extension
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 335
6

6. Block both the front and rear of the
wheel diagonally opposite the jacking
position. For example, if the right front
wheel is being changed, block the left
rear wheel.
NOTE:Passengers should not remain in the vehicle
when the vehicle is being jacked.
Instructions
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
²Always park on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible before raising
the vehicle.
²Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to
be raised.
²Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic
transmission in PARK; a manual transmission in
REVERSE.
²Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
²Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
²Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
²Only use the jack in the positions indicated and
for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
(Continued)
338 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING! (Continued)
²If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
²To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
²Turn on the Hazard warning flasher.
1. Lower and remove the spare wheel, jack, and tools
from stowage.2. Using the wheel wrench, loosen, but do not remove,
the wheel nuts by turning them counterclockwise one
turn while the wheel is still on the ground.
3. When changing a front wheel, place the jack under the
frame rail behind the wheel. Locate the jack as far
forward as possible on the straight part of the frame prior
to inboard transition, as shown. Operate the jack using
the jack drive tube and the wheel wrench - the tube
extension, may be used but is not required.
Jack Warning Label
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 339
6

NOTE: Before raising the wheel off the ground, make
sure that the jack will not damage surrounding truck
parts and adjust the jack position as required.
5. By rotating the wheel wrench clockwise, raise the
vehicle until the wheel just clears the surface.
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.
6. 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.
7. Using the wheel wrench, finish tightening the nuts in
a crisscross pattern. Correct nut tightness is 120 to 160 ft
lbs (163 to 217 N´m). If in doubt about the correct
tightness, have them checked with a torque wrench by
your authorized dealer or at a service station.
Right Rear Jacking Location
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 341
6