2009 DODGE DAKOTA Owners Manual

WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal MotorVehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE
The manufacturer and its authorized dealers are vitally
interested in your satisfaction. We want you to be happy
with our products and services.
Warranty service must be done by an authorized dealer.
We strongly recommend that you take the vehicle to an
authorized dealer. They know you and the vehicle best,
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 423
9

and are most concerned that you get prompt and high
quality service. The manufacturer's authorized dealers
have the facilities, factory-trained technicians, special
tools, and the latest information to ensure the vehicle is
fixed correctly and in a timely manner.
This is why you should always talk to an authorized
dealer's service manager first. Most matters can be re-
solved with this process.
²If for some reason you are still not satisfied, talk to the
general manager or owner of the authorized dealer-
ship. They want to know if you need assistance.
²If an authorized dealership is unable to resolve the
concern, you may contact the manufacturer's customer
center.Any communication to the manufacturer's customer cen-
ter should include the following information:
²Owner's name and address
²Owner's telephone number (home and office)
²Authorized dealership name
²Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
²Vehicle delivery date and mileage
Chrysler LLC Customer Center
P.O. Box 21±8004
Auburn Hills, MI 48321±8004
Phone: (800) 992-1997
Chrysler Canada Inc. Customer Center
P.O. Box 1621
Windsor, Ontario N9A 4H6
Phone: (800) 465±2001
424 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

In Mexico contact:
Av. Prolongacion Paseo de la Reforma, 1240
Sante Fe C.P. 05109
Mexico, D. F.
In Mexico City: 5081-4568
Outside Mexico City: 1-800-505-1300
Customer Assistance For The Hearing Or Speech
Impaired (TDD/TTY)
To assist customers who have hearing difficulties, the
manufacturer has installed special TDD (Telecommuni-
cation Devices for the Deaf) equipment at its customer
center. Any hearing or speech impaired customer, who
has access to a TDD or a conventional teletypewriter
(TTY) in the United States, can communicate with the
manufacturer by dialing 1±800±380±CHRY.
Service Contract
You may have purchased a service contract for a vehicle
to help protect you from the high cost of unexpectedrepairs after the manufacturer's New Vehicle Limited
Warranty expires. The manufacturer stands behind only
the manufacturer's service contracts. If you purchased a
manufacturer's service contract, you will receive Plan
Provisions and an Owner Identification Card in the mail
within three weeks of the vehicle delivery date. If you
have any questions about the service contract, call the
manufacturer's Service Contract National Customer Hot-
line at 1-800-521-9922.
The manufacturer will not stand behind any service
contract that is not the manufacturer's service contract. It
is not responsible for any service contract other than the
manufacturer's service contract. If you purchased a ser-
vice contract that is not a manufacturer's service contract,
and you require service after the manufacturer's New
Vehicle Limited Warranty expires, please refer to the
contract documents, and contact the person listed in
those documents.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 425
9

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

INDEX
10

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
10

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