2009 DODGE DAKOTA Owners Manual

A two-cavity cupholder is available on all Crew Cabst,
with rear seats mounted on the floor.REAR STORAGE Ð IF EQUIPPED
Rear Convenience Storage Crates
The rear convenience storage crates are located under the
rear seat lower cushion and consist of two removable,
collapsible storage crates.
Front Cup Holders ± Crew CabtRear Cup Holders ± Crew Cabt
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 151
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WARNING!
Do not sit or stand on this crate. It may collapse
causing serious injury.
CAUTION!
Do not lift up on the ªEnd Flapsº to open the crate,
damage to the ªEnd Flapsº may occur.
NOTE:The maximum loading capacity for the small
crate is 30 lbs (13.6 kg) (and 50 lbs (22.6 kg) for the large
crate.
To open the storage crate, lift upwards on the crate
handles, and engage the crate end flaps.
To remove the crate, press on the release lever and lift up
on the crate.
Open Crate
1 Ð Crate Handles
2 Ð Crate End Flaps
3 Ð Release Lever 152 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To install the crate into the base, insert the crate into the
inboard slot and push down on the outboard side of the
crate, and snap into place.
To collapse the crate, push the crate end flaps inward to
disengage. Push the sides inward and snap into the base.
Plastic Grocery Bag Retainers
Retainer hooks, which will hold plastic grocery bag
handles, are built into the back panel of the cab.
Insert Crate
Grocery Bag Retainers
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 153
3

FLOOR CONSOLE Ð IF EQUIPPED
Floor Console Features
The Floor Console between the driver's and front pas-
senger's seat has the following features:
²Miscellaneous storage compartments.
²Three cupholders (two removable).
²iPod/Phone storage bin.
²12-Volt power outlet inside storage compartment.
²Side open armrest lid.
²Tissue holder and two pen holders.
²Coin slots (located under the instrument panel center
stack).
Storage Compartments
Some miscellaneous storage compartments and cuphold-
ers are both removable and dishwasher safe (upper rackof dishwasher only) for cleaning purposes. Various stor-
age compartments provide versatile and useful storage.
A coin holder is also provided inside the driver side
storage bin.
Power Outlet and Portable Phone Storage
The console is equipped with a power outlet and an
iPod/phone storage bin. The phone storage bin can be
used when easy access to the phone is needed. Also, the
power outlet inside the console compartment can be used
to charge the phone while it is being stored in the bin. The
power outlet may be used for any portable item with a
standard 12-Volt power plug.
Side Open Armrest Lid
Pressing the button on the left side of the console opens
the console armrest lid. The armrest lid will remain open
until the armrest lid is closed manually, by pressing the
lid back into place. Two pen holders are provided on the
154 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

inside of the armrest lid. A tissue holder is also provided
on the inside of the armrest lid, which holds a pocket-size
soft pack of tissue.
REAR CARGO AREA UTILITY RAILS
CAUTION!
The maximum load per cleat should not exceed
320 lbs (145 kg) and the angle of the load on each
cleat should not exceed 60 degrees above horizontal,
or damage to the cleat or cleat rail may occur.
There are four adjustable cleats that can be used to assist
in securing cargo. Each cleat must be located and tight-
ened down in one of the detentes, along either rail, in
order to keep cargo properly secure.
To move the cleat to any position on the rail, turn the nut
counterclockwise, approximately three turns. Then pullout on the cleat and slide it to the detent nearest the
desired location. Make sure the cleat is seated in the
detent and tighten the nut.
1 Ð Utility Rail Cleat
2 Ð Cleat Retainer Nut
3 Ð Utility Rail DetentUNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 155
3

To remove the cleats from the utility rail, remove the end
cap by pushing up on the locking tab, located on the
bottom of the end cap. Slide the cleat off the end of the
rail.REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Rear Window Defroster Ð If Equipped
CAUTION!
Use care when washing the inside of the rear window
to prevent damage to heating elements. Use a soft
cloth and a mild washing solution, wiping parallel to
the heating elements. Also, keep all objects a safe
distance from the window to prevent damaging the
heating elements.
A pushbutton type switch is located on the right
side of the Air Conditioning and Heater Control,
below the A/C (snowflake) button. Pressing the switch
will turn on the Rear Window Defroster. A light above the
Rear Window Defroster symbol will illuminate to indi-
cate the Rear Window Defroster is on. Pushing the button
a second time will turn the Rear Window Defroster off
Utility Rail End Cap
156 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

prior to the time-out. The Rear Window Defroster will
turn off automatically after 15 minutes from the first
activation, and 10 minutes after the second activation, all
within the same ignition cycle. To prevent excessive
battery drain, use the rear defroster only when the engine
is running.
Sliding Rear Window Ð If Equipped
A locking device in the center of the window helps to
prevent entry from the rear of the vehicle. Squeeze the
lock to release the window.
SLIDE-IN CAMPERS
Camper Applications
Certain truck models are not recommended for slide-in
campers. To determine if your vehicle is excluded, please
refer to the Consumer Information Truck-Camper Load-
ing document, located in your Owner's Manual packet or
Sliding Rear Window Latch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 157
3

available from your authorized dealer. For safety reasons,
follow all instructions on this important document.
General Information
The Manufacturer's Warranty does not apply to body
modifications and special equipment, such as a camper
unit, heaters, stoves, refrigerators, etc., supplied by
manufacturers other than Chrysler LLC. For warranty
coverage and service on these items, contact the appli-
cable manufacturer.
To mount a camper unit with an overhang, the tailgate
can be removed. Unlatch the tailgate and remove the
support cables from the retainer pins. Raise the right side
of the tailgate until the lower right side pivot clears the
hanger bracket. Then slide the tailgate to the right to
remove.
Carbon Monoxide Warning-Vehicles Equipped
With A Cap or Slide-In Campers
To avoid inhaling carbon monoxide, which is deadly, the
exhaust system on vehicles equipped with ªCap or
Slide-In Campersº should extend beyond the overhang-
ing camper compartment and be free of leaks.
TAILGATE
Tailgate Removal
To simplify mounting a camper unit with an overhang,
the tailgate can be removed quickly. Follow these steps:
1. Open the tailgate to a 45 degree angle.
2. Unclip and remove the cables from the box while
maintaining a 45 degree angle.
158 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE