2009 DODGE DAKOTA manual transmission

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mA Word About Your Keys................. 12
NIgnition Key Removal.................. 12
NLocking Doors With The Key............. 15
mSteering Wheel Lock Ð If Equipped......... 15
NIf You Wish To Manually Lock The Steering
Wheel.............................. 15
NTo Release The Steering Wheel Lock........ 15
NAutomatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
System............................. 15mSentry KeytImmobilizer System Ð If
Equipped............................. 16
NReplacement Keys..................... 17
NCustomer Key Programming............. 17
mVehicle Security Alarm System Ð If Equipped . . 19
NTo Set The Alarm...................... 19
NTo Disarm The System.................. 19
mIlluminated Entry....................... 20
NVehicles Equipped With Power Door Locks . . . 20
2

CAUTION!
An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove the key from the ignition and lock all the
doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Manual Transmission Ð If Equipped
When the steering wheel is in the LOCK position, the
steering and ignition systems are locked to provide
antitheft protection for your vehicle. It may be difficult to
turn the key from the LOCK position when starting your
vehicle. Move the steering wheel left and right while
turning the key until it turns easily. To remove the key,
depress and hold the release button located between the
ignition switch and the instrument panel. Turn the igni-
tion key to LOCK and remove the key.
Ignition Release Button
1 Ð ACC 4 Ð ON/RUN
2 Ð LOCK 5 Ð START
3 Ð OFF 14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Locking Doors With The Key
You can insert the key into the door lock cylinder with
either side up. To lock the driver's door, turn the key
rearward. To unlock the driver's door, turn the key
forward. For external door lock lubrication, refer to
ªBody Lubricationº in Section 7.
STEERING WHEEL LOCK Ð IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passive steering
wheel lock. This lock prevents steering the vehicle with-
out the ignition key. If the steering wheel is moved no
more than 1/2 turn in either direction, and the key is not
in the ignition switch, the steering wheel will lock.
If You Wish To Manually Lock The Steering
Wheel:
With the engine running, turn the steering wheel upside
down, turn off the engine and remove the key. Turn the
steering wheel slightly in either direction until the lock
engages.
To Release The Steering Wheel Lock:
Insert the key in the ignition switch and start the engine.
If the key is difficult to turn, move the wheel slightly to
the right or left to disengage the lock.
NOTE:If you turned the wheel to the right to engage
the lock, you must turn the wheel slightly to the right to
disengage it. If you turned the wheel to the left to engage
the lock, turn the wheel slightly to the left to disengage it.
Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the ACC, or ON position, and
the brake pedal is pressed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
2

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.................... 239
NManual Transmission.................. 239
NAutomatic Transmission................ 239
NNormal Starting..................... 240
NExtreme Cold Weather (Below ±20ÉF Or
±29ÉC)............................ 240
NIf Engine Fails To Start................. 240
NAfter Starting....................... 241
mEngine Block Heater Ð If Equipped......... 241mManual Transmission................... 242
NShifting........................... 243
NDownshifting....................... 244
NReverse Shifting..................... 245
mAutomatic Transmission................. 245
NBrake/Transmission Interlock System...... 246
NAutomatic Transmission................ 246
mFour-Wheel Drive Operation.............. 251
5

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat buildup may
cause serious injury or death.
Manual Transmission
Apply the parking brake, place the shift lever in NEU-
TRAL and depress clutch pedal to the floor before
starting the vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a
clutch interlocking ignition system. It will not start unless
the clutch is pressed to the floor.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the shift lever in NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
depressed to shift out of PARK.
Tip Start Feature
Turn the ignition switch to START position and release it
as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor will
continue to run, but will automatically disengage itself
when the engine is running. If the engine fails to start, the
starter will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. If this
occurs, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting
procedure.
STARTING AND OPERATING 239
5

WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.
CAUTION!
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch
pedal, or attempt to hold the vehicle on a hill with the
clutch pedal partially engaged, as this will cause
abnormal wear on the clutch.
NOTE:During cold weather, you may experience in-
creased effort in shifting until the transmission fluid
warms up. This is normal.
242 STARTING AND OPERATING

Shifting
Fully depress the clutch pedal before shifting gears. As
you release the clutch pedal, lightly depress the accelera-
tor pedal.
You should always use 1st gear when starting from a
standing position.
Recommended Vehicle Shift Speeds
To utilize your manual transmission efficiently for both
fuel economy and performance, it should be upshifted as
listed in recommended shift speed chart. Shift at the
vehicle speeds listed for acceleration. When heavily
loaded or pulling a trailer these recommended up-shift
speeds may not apply.
Manual Transmission Shift Speeds in MPH (KM/H)
En-
gineAxleAccel-
eration
Rate1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5 5to6
3.7L3.21
&
3.55ACCEL
&
CRUISE15
(24)
10
(16)24
(39)
19
(31)34
(55)
27
(44)47
(76)
37
(60)56
(90)
41
(66)
Shift Pattern
STARTING AND OPERATING 243
5

will remain ON. At this time, reduce speed and stop
spinning the wheels to complete the shift. There may be
a delay up to 10 seconds for the shift to complete after the
wheels have stopped spinning.
4WD LOCK-to-4WD LOW or 4WD LOW-to-4WD
LOCK
NOTE:When shifting into or out of 4WD LOW, some
gear noise may be heard. This noise is normal and is not
detrimental to the vehicle or occupants.
Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2 to
3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), or completely stopped. USE
EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES:
Preferred Procedure
1. With engine RUNNING, slow vehicle to 2 to 3 mph (3
to 5 km/h).2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (depress clutch
on manual transmissions).
3. While still rolling, rotate the transfer case control
switch to the desired position.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not
flashing), shift transmission back into gear (release clutch
on manual transmissions).
Alternate Procedure
1. Bring the vehicle to complete stop.
2. With the key ON and the engine either OFF or
RUNNING, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (de-
press clutch on manual transmissions).
3. Rotate the transfer case control switch to the desired
position.
256 STARTING AND OPERATING