2009 DODGE DAKOTA turn signal

position, in the ACC position, or not in the ignition,
the airbags are not on and will not inflate.
During a moderate-to-severe rear impact, the ORC may
only deploy the seat belt pretensioners.
²Also, the ORC turns on the AIRBAG warn-
ing light in the instrument cluster for six to
eight seconds for a self-check when the
ignition is first turned on. After the self-
check, the AIRBAG warning light will turn off. If the
ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it
turns on the AIRBAG warning light either momen-
tarily or continuously. A single chime will sound if the
light comes on again after initial start up.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG warning light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won't have the airbags to
protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have the airbag system checked right
away.
NOTE:Children 12 years and younger should always
ride buckled up in a rear seat, in an appropriate child
restraint.
²TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Unitsare
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel. When the ORC detects a
collision requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator
units. A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the front airbags. Different airbag inflation rates
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
2

Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for tread wear or uneven wear patterns.
Check for stones, nails, glass or other objects lodged in
the tread.
Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall cracks. Check wheel
nuts for tightness and tires for proper pressure.
Lights
Check the operation of all exterior lights. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if fuel fumes are
detected the cause should be located and corrected.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 73
2

30 seconds when the RKE transmitter UNLOCK button is
pressed, as part of the illuminated entry feature.
Multifunction Lever
The multifunction lever is located on the left side of the
steering column.
Turn Signals
To operate the turn signals, move the multifunction lever
up to signal a right-hand turn or down to signal a
left-hand turn.
You can signal a lane change by moving the lever
partially up or down.
Cargo Light Switch
Signaling Turns
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 127
3

The arrow on either side of the instrument cluster flashes
to indicate the direction of the turn, and proper operation
of the front and rear turn signal lights. If an indicator fails
to light when the multifunction lever is moved, it would
suggest that the switch or indicator lamp is defective.
If a defective bulb or wiring circuit is detected for the
turn signal system, the arrow indicators will flash at a
faster rate.
NOTE:If a turn signal has been left on for at least a mile
duration, a continuous chime will sound.
Turn Signal Auto-Mode
Tap the multifunction lever once and the turn signal (left
or right) will flash three times, and automatically turn off.
Flash-To-Pass
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
partially pulling the multifunction lever toward the steer-
ing wheel. This will turn on the high beam headlights
until the multifunction lever is released.
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch
Pull the multifunction lever fully toward the steering
wheel to switch the headlights from high or low beam.
128 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Windshield Washers
To use the washer, push in on the washer knob on the end
of the multifunction lever and hold while spray is
desired. If the washer knob is depressed while in the
delay range, the wiper will operate for several seconds
after the washer knob is released. It will then resume the
intermittent interval previously selected. If the washer
knob is pushed, for a period greater than one second
while in the off position, the wiper will wipe approxi-
mately three wipes after the wash knob is released.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.
TILT STEERING COLUMN
This feature will allow you to raise or lower the steering
wheel into a desired position. To tilt the column, pull
rearward on the lever below the turn signal control and
move the wheel up or down as desired. Push the lever
forward to lock the column firmly in place.
Tilt Steering Column Lever
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 131
3

WARNING!
Vehicle exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a danger-
ous gas. Do not run your vehicle in the garage while
training the transceiver. Exhaust gas can cause seri-
ous injury or death.
Programming HomeLinkT
Before You Begin
The Compass Mini-Trip Computer (CMTC) illuminates
the HomeLinktsymbol (a house with an arrow inside it)
along with 1, 2 or 3 indicators under it, when a
HomeLinktbutton is pressed.
Pay attention to the indicator(s), as they will flash at
different rates, or remain solid during training.
If you have not trained any of the HomeLinktbuttons,
erase all channels before you begin training.To do this, press and hold the two outside buttons for
20 seconds. Release the buttons when the indicators start
to flash.
It is recommended that anew batterybe placed in the
hand-held transmitter of the device being programmed
to HomeLinkt, for more efficient training and accurate
transmission of the radio-frequency signal.
Your vehicle should be parked outside of the garage
while training.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position.
2. Place the hand-held transmitter 1 to 3 inches (3 to
8 cm) from the HomeLinktbuttons, while keeping the
HomeLinktdisplay in view.
For optimal training, point the battery end of the hand-
held transmitter away from the HomeLinkt.
144 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank
when ignition switch is in the ON position.
2. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily. The
gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher temperature
when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades, or
when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to exceed
the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the en-
gine running as you would not be able to react to the
temperature gauge if the engine overheats.3. Turn Signal Indicators
When a turn signal is activated, a right-pointing or
left-pointing arrow lights up and flashes to indicate the
direction of the turn. These indicators also indicate
proper operation of the front and rear turn signal lights.
If either indicator flashes at a faster rate than normal,
check for a defective bulb. If either indicator fails to light
up when the lever is moved, check for a defective fuse or
turn signal LED. A single chime is activated when the
left/right turn signal is left on, with the vehicle speed
greater than 15 mph (24 km/h) for more than one mile.
4. Low Fuel Warning Light
The low fuel warning light will illuminate when the
fuel gauge reads 1/8 of a tank or less. There is a
pointer on the side of this symbol that indicates the
side that your fuel filler door is located.
168 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

fault condition no longer exists. A system fault can occur
by any of the following scenarios: 1) Jamming due to
electronic devices or driving next to facilities emitting the
same radio frequencies as the TPM sensors; 2) Installing
some form of aftermarket window tinting that affects
radio wave signals; 3) Lots of snow or ice around the
wheels or wheel housings; 4) Using tire chains on the
vehicle; 5) Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPM
sensors.
NOTE: Your vehicle is equipped with a non-matching
full size spare wheel and tire assembly.
1. This spare tire does not have a tire pressure monitor-
ing sensor. Therefore, the TPMS will not monitor the tire
pressure in the spare tire.
2. If you install the full size spare tire in place of a road
tire that has a pressure below the low-pressure warninglimit, upon the next ignition key cycle a chime will sound
and the TPM Telltale Lamp will still turn ON due to the
low tire.
3. However, after driving the vehicle for up to 10 min-
utes above 15 mph (25 km/h), the TPM Telltale Lamp
will flash on and off for 75 seconds and then remain on
solid.
4. For each subsequent ignition key cycle, a chime will
sound and the TPM Telltale Light will flash on and off for
75 seconds and then remain on solid.
5. Once you repair or replace the original road tire, and
reinstall it on the vehicle in place of the full size spare tire,
the TPMS will update automatically and the TPM Telltale
Lamp will turn OFF, as long as no tire pressure is below
the low-pressure warning limit in any of the four active
road tires. The vehicle may need to be driven for up to
10 minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) in order for the
TPMS to receive this information.
296 STARTING AND OPERATING