2010 DODGE DAKOTA warning

WARNING! (Continued)
•Guard against carbon monoxide with proper
maintenance. Have the exhaust system inspected
every time the vehicle is raised. Have any abnor-
mal conditions repaired promptly. Until repaired,
drive with all side windows fully open.
FLEXIBLE FUEL (4.7L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED
E85 General Information
The information in this section is for Flexible Fuel Ve-
hicles (FFV) only. These vehicles can be identified by the
unique fuel filler door label that statesEthanol (E85) or
Unleaded Gasoline Only. This section only covers those
subjects that are unique to these vehicles. Please refer to
the other sections of this manual for information on
features that are common between Flexible Fuel and
gasoline-only powered vehicles.E85 Fuel Cap
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 303

CAUTION!
Only vehicles with the E85 fuel filler door label can
operate on E85.
Ethanol Fuel (E85)
E85 is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel ethanol and
15% unleaded gasoline.
WARNING!
Ethanol vapors are extremely flammable and could
cause serious personal injury. Never have any smok-
ing materials lit in or near the vehicle when remov-
ing the fuel filler tube cap (gas cap) or filling the
tank. Do not use E85 as a cleaning agent and never
use it near an open flame.
Fuel Requirements
If your vehicle is E85 compatible, it will operate on
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87, or E85
fuel, or any mixture of these two fuels.
E85 Badge
304 STARTING AND OPERATING

ADDING FUEL
Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)
The gas cap is located behind the fuel filler door. When
fueling, the cap may be placed on the inside of the filler
door.If the gas cap is lost or damaged, be sure the replacement
cap is for use with this vehicle.CAUTION!
•Damage to the fuel system or emissions control
system could result from using an improper fuel
tank filler tube cap (gas cap). A poorly fitting cap
could let impurities into the fuel system.
•To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top
off” the fuel tank after filling.
WARNING!
•Never allow any lit smoking materials near the
vehicle while removing the cap or filling the tank.
(Continued)
Gas Cap Holder
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 307

WARNING! (Continued)
•Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is
running. This is in violation of most state and
federal regulations and will cause the “Malfunc-
tion Indicator Light (MIL)” to turn on.
•A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle or on
a truck bed. You could be burned. Always place
gas containers on the ground while filling.
NOTE:
•If fuel is poured from a portable container, the con-
tainer should have a flexible nozzle long enough to
extend into the fuel filler tube.
•When the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the fuel
tank is full.
•Tighten the gas cap until you hear a “clicking” sound.
This is an indication that the gas cap is properly
tightened. Make sure that the gas cap is tightened each
time the vehicle is refueled.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
After fuel has been added, the vehicle diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel filler cap is possibly loose,
improperly installed, or damaged. If the system detects a
malfunction, the “gASCAP” message will display in the
odometer display. Tighten the gas cap until a clicking
sound is heard. This is an indication that the gas cap is
properly tightened. Press the odometer reset button to
turn the message off. If the problem persists, the message
will appear the next time the vehicle is started. This
might indicate a damaged cap. If the problem is detected
twice in a row, the system will turn on the MIL. Resolving
the problem will turn the MIL off.
308 STARTING AND OPERATING

should then be determined separately to be sure that the
load is properly distributed over front and rear axle.
Weighing the vehicle may show that the GAWR of either
the front or rear axles has been exceeded but the total
load is within the specified GVWR. If so, weight must be
shifted from front to rear or rear to front as appropriate
until the specified weight limitations are met.
Store heavier items down low and be sure that the weight
is distributed equally. Stow all loose items securely before
driving.
Improper weight distribution can have an adverse effect
on the way your vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.WARNING!
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR
or the maximum front and rear GAWR. If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, or it can change the
way your vehicle handles. This could cause you to
lose control. Also, overloading can shorten the life of
your vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find safety tips and information
on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do
with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer carefully re-
view this information to tow your load as efficiently and
safely as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 311

Common Towing Definitions
The following trailer towing related definitions will assist
you in understanding the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, cargo and tongue
weight. The total load must be limited so that you do not
exceed the GVWR.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all
cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or tem-
porary) loaded in or on the trailer in itsloaded and
ready for operation condition. The recommended way to
measure GTW is to put your fully loaded trailer on a
vehicle scale. The entire weight of the trailer must be
supported by the scale.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The GCWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
and trailer when weighed in combination.
NOTE: The GCWR rating includes a 150 lbs (68 kg)
allowance for the presence of a driver.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear
axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles
evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or
rear GAWR.
WARNING!
It is important that you do not exceed the maximum
front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition
can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose
control of the vehicle and have an accident.
312 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•An improperly adjusted weight-distributing hitch
may reduce handling, stability, and braking per-
formance, and could result in an accident.
•Weight-Distributing Systems may not be compat-
ible with surge brake couplers. Consult with your
hitch and trailer manufacturer or a reputable rec-
reational vehicle dealer for additional
information.
EXAMPLE — Without Weight-Distributing Hitch(Incorrect)
314 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or dealer-installed options,
must be considered as part of the total load on your
vehicle. Refer to “Tire Safety Information/Tire and Load-
ing Information Placard” in “Starting and Operating” for
further information.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drivetrain
components the following guidelines are recommended:
CAUTION!
•Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(805 km) of vehicle operation. Doing so may dam-
age your vehicle.
•During the first 500 miles (805 km) of trailer
towing, limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h). Perform the maintenance listed in the Maintenance
Schedule. Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for the
proper maintenance intervals. When towing a trailer,
never exceed the GAWR or GCWR ratings.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
(Continued)
318 STARTING AND OPERATING