2009 DODGE DAKOTA engine

Gear
Selec-
tion6to5 5to4 4to3 3to2 2to1
Maxi-
mum
Speed85 mph
(135
km/h)75 mph
(120
km/h)55 mph
(88
km/h)35 mph
(56
km/h)20 mph
(32
km/h)
Reverse Shifting
To shift into REVERSE, bring the vehicle to a complete
stop. Depress the clutch and pause briefly to allow the
gear train to stop rotating. Beginning from the NEUTRAL
position, move the shift lever in one quick smooth
motion straight across and into the REVERSE area (the
driver will feel a firm ªclickº as the shifter passes the
ªknock-overº). Complete the shift by pulling the shift
lever into REVERSE.
The ªknock-overº prevents the driver from accidentally
entering the REVERSE shift area and warns the driverthat they are about to shift the transmission into RE-
VERSE. Due to this feature, a slow shift to REVERSE can
be perceived as a high shift effort.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
²Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
²Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
²Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
(Continued)
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5

CAUTION! (Continued)
²Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
WARNING!
It 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.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the shift lever out
of PARK and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignitionswitch is in the ON position. Always depress thebrake
pedal first,before moving the shift lever out of PARK.
Automatic Transmission
The electronic PRNDL on the instrument cluster indicates
the transmission gear selected. The shift lever is mounted
on the right side of the steering column. To drive, move
the shift lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the desired
drive position. Pull the shift lever toward you when
shifting into REVERSE, SECOND, FIRST or PARK, or
when shifting out of PARK.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL position into another gear range.
PARK
PARK supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply
246 STARTING AND OPERATING

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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5

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.
248 STARTING AND OPERATING

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

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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5

Shifting Procedure - NV233/243 Transfer Case
NOTE:If any of the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case
will not shift, the indicator light for the previous position
will remain ON, and the newly-selected position indica-
tor light will continue to flash until all the requirements
for the selected position have been met. To retry a shift:return the control knob back to the original position,
make certain all shift requirements have been met, wait
five seconds, and try the shift again.
2WD-to-4WD LOCK or 4WD LOCK-to-2WD
Rotate the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position.
Shifts between 2WD and 4WD LOCK can be done with
the vehicle stopped, or in motion. With the vehicle in
motion, the transfer case will engage / disengage faster if
you momentarily release the accelerator pedal after turn-
ing the control switch. If the vehicle is stopped, the
ignition key must be in the ON position with the engine
either RUNNING or OFF. This shift cannot be completed
if the key is in the ACC position.
NOTE:On vehicles equipped with Anti-Lock Brake
Systems, the 4x4 system will not allow shifts between
2WD/ 4WD LOCK if the rear wheels are spinning (no
traction). In this situation the selected position indicator
light will flash and the original position indicator light
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