2010 DODGE DAKOTA warning

WARNING! (Continued)
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis structure or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to
the frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch.
Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and
allow enough slack for turning corners.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. When parking, apply the parking brake on
the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic
transmission in PARK. For four-wheel drive ve-
hicles, make sure the transfer case is not in NEU-
TRAL. Always, block or\bchock\bthe trailer wheels.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer so that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized (This requirement may limit the ability to
always achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue
weight as a percentage of total trailer weight.)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 319

Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
•Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your brake
system and cause it to fail. You might not have
brakes when you need them and could have an
accident.
•Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing you should allow for addi-
tional space between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front of you. Failure to do so could result in an
accident.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 321

WARNING!
Do not add a snow plow, winches, or any other
aftermarket equipment to the front of your vehicle.
This could adversely affect the functioning of the
airbag system and you could be injured.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Two-Wheel Drive Models
Recreational towing of two-wheel drive models is not
allowable. Towing the vehicle with the transmission in
NEUTRAL can cause severe transmission damage. Re-
moval of the driveshaft for towing is not recommended,
since this would allow fluid to drain from the
transmission.
Four-Wheel Drive Models
CAUTION!
•Internal damage to the transfer case will occur if a
front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational
towing.
•The transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL
for recreational towing. The NEUTRAL button is
located on the lower left hand corner of the trans-
fer case switch. Shifts into and out of transfer case
NEUTRAL can take place with the transfer case
switch in any mode position.
•Automatic transmissions must be placed in PARK
position for recreational towing.
•Failure to follow these procedures can cause se-
vere transmission and/or transfer case damage.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 325

Recreational Towing Procedure
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,
even if the transmission is in PARK. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL before recre-
ational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shut the engine OFF.
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position but do not
start the engine.
4. Press the brake pedal.
5. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
326 STARTING AND OPERATING

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher ................ 332
 Jacking And Tire Changing ............... 333
▫ Jack Location ....................... 333
▫ Removing The Spare Tire ............... 335
▫ Tire Changing Procedure ............... 337
▫ Preparations ........................ 338
▫ Instructions ........................ 338
▫ To Stow The Flat Or Spare .............. 343
Jump-Starting Procedures ................ 343
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ............. 344
▫ Jump-Starting Procedure ............... 345
 Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................. 347
 Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped ...... 348
 Towing A Disabled Vehicle ............... 349
▫ Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles .............. 349
▫ Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles .............. 350
6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the top
of the steering column, just behind the steering wheel.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flasher.
This is an emergency warning system and should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
Hazard Warning flasher will continue to operate with the
ignition key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE: With extended use, the Hazard Warning flasher
may wear down your battery.
Hazard Warning Flasher Switch
332 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
The jack is designed as a tool for changing tires only.
The jack should not be used to lift the vehicle for
service purposes, unless suitable supports are placed
under the vehicle as a safety measure. The vehicle
should be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid
icy or slippery areas.
Removing The Spare Tire
Remove the spare tire before attempting to jack the truck.
Attach the wheel wrench to the jack extension tube. Insert
the tube through the access hole in the rear bumper and
into the winch mechanism tube. Rotate the wheel wrench
handle counterclockwise until the spare tire is on the
ground with enough cable slack to allow you to pull it
out from under the vehicle. When the spare is clear, tilt
the retainer at the end of the cable and pull it through the
center of the wheel.Steps for Removing the Spare Tire
•Remove the jack from the stowage compartment using
the supplied finger-assist tool.
•Remove the finger-assist tool from jack and set aside
until jack is stowed.
•Assemble the jack tools.
•Locate the tire carrier access hole on the rear bumper.
•Place assembled jack tool extension rod into the access
hole in the direction of the arrow on the bumper trim.
•Rotate the tool counterclockwise to release and lower
the spare tire to the ground so that it can be pulled
from under the vehicle.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 335

It is recommended that you stow the flat or spare to
avoid tangling the loose cable.
NOTE:The winch mechanism is designed for use with
the jack extension tube only. Use of an air wrench or other
power tools is not recommended and can damage the
winch.Tire Changing Procedure
WARNING!
Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never get any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift.
Do not raise this vehicle using a bumper jack. The scissor
jack is designed as a tool for changing tires on this vehicle
only. It is not recommended that the jack be used for
service purposes or to lift more than one wheel at a time.
Spare Tire Stowage Location
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 337