2009 DODGE DAKOTA Owners Manual

the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this range.
Always apply the parking brake first, then place the shift
lever into the PARK position.
WARNING!
²Never use PARK position on an automatic trans-
mission as a substitute for the parking brake.
Always apply the parking brake fully, when
parked, to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.
²It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK
or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake
pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward
or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle
and hit someone or something. Only shift into
gear when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.REVERSE
Use the REVERSE range only after the vehicle has come
to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL
Shift to NEUTRAL when vehicle is standing for pro-
longed periods with engine running. Engine may be
started in this range. Set the parking brake if you must
leave the vehicle.
DRIVE
Use DRIVE for most city and highway driving.
2 (Second)
For driving slowly in heavy city traffic or on mountain
roads where more precise speed control is desirable, use
2nd gear. Use it also when climbing long grades, and for
engine braking when descending moderately steep
grades. To prevent excessive engine speed, do not exceed
45 mph (72 km/h) in this range.
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1 (First)
For driving up very steep hills and for engine braking at
low speeds, 25 mph (40 km/h) or less, when going down
hill, use 1st gear. To prevent excessive engine speed do
not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) in this range.
Overdrive Operation
The Overdrive automatic transmission contains an
electronically-controlled 4th and 5th (if equipped) gear
(Overdrive). The transmission will automatically shift
from Drive to Overdrive, if the following conditions are
present:
²the transmission shift lever is in Drive;
²the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
²vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph
(48 km/h);
²the TOW/HAUL switch has not been activated;
²transmission has reached normal operating
temperature.
NOTE:If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission may not shift into Overdrive
and will automatically select the most desirable gear for
operation at this temperature. Normal operation will
resume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable level. Refer to ªTorque Converter
Clutchº in this section.
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If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. If the transmission
temperature becomes hot enough, the ªTrans Tempº light
may illuminate and the transmission may downshift out
of Overdrive until the transmission cools down. After
cooldown, the transmission will resume normal
operation.
The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to
DRIVE if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at
vehicle speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).When to Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the TOW/HAUL switch. This will improve
performance and reduce the potential for transmission
overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When
TOW/HAUL Switch
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5

operating in TOW/HAUL mode, 5th gear (if equipped) is
disabled and 2-3 and 3-4 shift patterns are modified.
Shifts into Overdrive (4th gear) are allowed during
steady cruise (for improved fuel economy), and auto-
matic closed-throttle downshifts to 3rd gear (for im-
proved braking) will occur during steady braking.
The TOW/HAUL light will illuminate in the instrument
cluster to indicate when the switch has been activated.
Pressing the switch a second time restores normal opera-
tion. If the TOW/HAUL mode is desired, the switch must
be pressed each time the engine is started.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy is included
in all automatic transmissions. A clutch, within the
torque converter, engages automatically at a calibrated
speed at light throttle. It engages at higher speeds under
heavier acceleration. This may result in a slightly differ-
ent feeling or response during normal operation in highgear. When the vehicle speed drops below a calibrated
speed, or during acceleration, the clutch automatically
and smoothly disengages. The feature is operational in
Overdrive and in Drive.
NOTE:The torque converter clutch will not engage
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm
(usually after 1-3 miles [1.6 - 4.8 km] of driving). Because
the engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission
is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal.
Pressing the TOW/HAUL switch, when the transmission
is sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that the transmis-
sion is able to shift into, and out of, Overdrive.
NOTE:If the vehicle has not been driven in several
days, the first few seconds of operation after shifting the
transmission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to
the fluid partially draining from the torque converter into
the transmission. This condition is normal and will not
250 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.
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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.
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