2009 DODGE DAKOTA light

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 authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If this
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized 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 five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil levelwhile the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy 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 401
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We appreciate that you have made a major investment
when you purchased the vehicle. An authorized dealer
has also made a major investment in facilities, tools, and
training to assure that you are absolutely delighted with
the ownership experience. You'll be pleased with their
sincere efforts to resolve any warranty issues or related
concerns.WARNING!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain
vehicle components contain, or emit, chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects, or other reproductive harm. In addi-
tion, certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain
products of component wear contain, or emit, chemi-
cals known to the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
426 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Adding Fuel........................... 306
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 359
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 360
Air Conditioning........................ 229
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips..........229,232
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............360,361
Air Conditioning System................229,360
Air Filter.............................. 359
Air Pressure, Tires....................281,289
Airbag.............................46,178
Airbag Light..........................55,72
Alarm, Panic............................ 24
Alarm (Security Alarm).................19,170
Alarm System (Security Alarm)............... 19
Alignment and Balance................... 288
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 222
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)..............367,396
Disposal............................ 369Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............269,270
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 170
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)........ 19
Anti-Theft System.....................19,170
Appearance Care........................ 376
Assistance Towing........................ 96
Auto Unlock, Doors....................... 31
Automatic Door Locks..................... 30
Automatic Transaxle....................12,245
Interlock System........................ 15
Automatic Transmission.............239,246,372
Adding Fluid......................... 373
Fluid Level Check...................... 372
Fluid Type........................... 398
Gear Ranges.......................... 246
Special Additives...................... 374
Torque Converter...................... 250
Axle Fluid............................. 398
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid)............... 375
428 INDEX

Battery............................... 359
Charging............................ 343
Emergency Starting..................... 343
Gas Caution.......................... 343
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)....... 26
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 124
Belts, Seat.............................. 37
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 362
Box, Sound............................ 220
B-Pillar Location........................ 276
Brake Fluid............................ 398
Brake System........................269,371
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................269,270
Fluid Check.......................... 371
Master Cylinder....................... 371
Parking............................. 267
Warning Light.....................170,174
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 246
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 70Bulb Replacement....................... 387
Bulbs, Light............................ 387
Calibration, Compass..................... 140
Camper............................... 157
Capacities, Fluid........................ 396
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine).......................... 357
Power Steering........................ 266
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 368
Car Washes............................ 377
Carbon Monoxide Warning..............158,302
Cargo Light............................ 126
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 308
Cellular Phone........................82,228
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 391
Certification Label....................... 308
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 332
Charging.............................. 343
INDEX 429
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Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 273
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)................................ 354
Child Restraint........................58,59
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............61,66
Child Seat.............................. 63
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 378
Climate Control......................... 228
Clock.....................179,182,196,199,209
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 227
Compact Spare Tire...................... 284
Compass.............................. 140
Compass Calibration..................... 140
Compass Variance....................... 141
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 136
Console, Floor.......................... 154
Console, Overhead....................... 135
Contract, Service........................ 425Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 368
Cooling System......................... 366
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 367
Coolant Capacity...................... 396
Coolant Level......................366,369
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 369
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 366
Inspection........................... 369
Points to Remember.................... 370
Pressure Cap......................... 368
Radiator Cap......................... 368
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......367,396,397
Temperature Gauge..................... 168
Crates
Rear Convenience Storage................ 151
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 132
Cupholders............................ 150
Customer Assistance..................... 423
430 INDEX

Data Recorder, Event...................... 56
Daytime Running Lights................... 126
Dealer Service.......................... 356
Defroster, Rear Window................... 156
Defroster, Windshield...................72,230
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 130
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 353
Differential, Limited-Slip.................. 262
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 169
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission................. 372
Oil (Engine).......................... 356
Power Steering........................ 266
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 369
Door Locks............................. 29
Door Opener, Garage..................... 142
Drive Shaft Universal Joints................ 361Driving
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water........................ 264
E-85 Fuel............................. 302
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 81
Electrical Power Outlets................... 149
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 132
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 346
Jacking............................. 337
Tow Hooks.......................... 346
Towing............................. 347
Emission Control System Maintenance......354,400
Engine
Air Cleaner.......................... 359
Block Heater......................... 241
Break-In Recommendations................ 70
Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 397
INDEX 431
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Exhaust Gas Caution..................71,302
Flooded, Starting...................... 240
Fuel Requirements..................... 396
Jump Starting......................... 343
Oil ...........................356,396,397
Oil Filler Cap......................... 357
Oil Selection.......................... 396
Oil Synthetic......................... 358
Starting............................. 239
Temperature Gauge..................... 168
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 20
Event Data Recorder...................... 56
Exhaust Gas Caution................71,302,364
Exhaust System.......................71,363
Extender, Seat Belt........................ 45
Exterior Lighting........................ 125
Fabric Care............................ 379Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 359
Engine Oil........................358,397
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 358
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 332
Turn Signal.....................127,168,389
Flat Tire Stowage........................ 343
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Cruising Range........................ 305
Engine Oil........................... 305
Fuel Requirements..................302,304
Replacement Parts..................... 305
Starting............................. 305
Flooded Engine Starting................... 240
Floor Console.......................... 154
Fluid, Brake........................... 398
Fluid Capacities......................... 396
432 INDEX

Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 372
Brake............................... 371
Engine Oil........................... 356
Power Steering........................ 266
Transfer Case......................... 375
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 397
Fog Lights..........................126,395
Four Wheel Drive....................... 251
Operation........................... 251
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 332
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 346
Front Axle (Differential)................... 376
Fuel................................. 297
Adding............................. 306
Gauge.............................. 168
Octane Rating......................297,397
Requirements......................297,396
Tank Capacity........................ 396Fuel, Flexible.............See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fueling............................... 306
Fuses................................ 381
Garage Door Opener (HomeLinkt) ........... 142
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)...............306,353
Gas Gauge (Fuel Gauge)................... 168
Gasoline (Fuel)......................... 297
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 298
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 168
Fuel................................ 168
Odometer.........................171,173
Speedometer......................... 170
Tachometer.......................... 171
Gear Ranges........................243,246
General Information................... 110,297
Glass Cleaning.......................... 380
Grocery Bag Retainer..................... 153
INDEX 433
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