2010 DODGE DAKOTA heater

Extreme Cold Weather (below –20°F or –29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be dan-
gerous if done improperly. Refer to “Jump Start-
ing” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further
information.
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” procedure, it may be flooded. Push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it
there while cranking the engine. This should clear any
excess fuel, in case the engine is flooded.
250 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15 sec-
ond periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal held
to the floor, the “Normal Starting” procedure should be
repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed is automatically controlled and will de-
crease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is located at the right front
of the engine compartment for all engine applications.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 251

Starting
The characteristics of E85 fuel make it unsuitable for use
when ambient temperatures fall below 0°F (-18°C). In the
range of 0°F (-18°C) to 32°F (0°C), you may experience an
increase in the time it takes for your engine to start, and
a deterioration in driveability (sags and/or hesitations)
until the engine is fully warmed up.
NOTE:Use of the engine block heater (if equipped) is
beneficial for E85 startability when the ambient tempera-
ture is less than 32°F (0°C).
Cruising Range
Because E85 fuel contains less energy per gallon/liter
than gasoline, you will experience an increase in fuel
consumption. You can expect your miles per gallon
(mpg)/miles per liter and your driving range to decrease
by about 30%, compared to gasoline operation.
Replacement Parts
Many components in your Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) are
designed to be compatible with ethanol. Always be sure
that your vehicle is serviced with correct ethanol com-
patible parts.
CAUTION!
Replacing fuel system components with non-ethanol
compatible components can damage your vehicle.
Maintenance
If you operate the vehicle using E85 fuel, follow the
maintenance schedule section of this manual.
CAUTION!
Do not use ethanol mixture greater than 85% in your
vehicle. It will cause difficulty in cold starting and
may affect driveability.
306 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-
ever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is on. You can be injured by
moving fan blades.
•Remove any metal jewelry such as watch bands or
bracelets that might make an inadvertent electrical
contact. You could be seriously injured.
•Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your
skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is
flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or
sparks away from the battery.
1. Set the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission
into PARK and turn the ignition to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal accessories. 3. If using a another vehicle to jump-start the battery,
park the vehicle within the jumper cables reach, set the
parking brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
Jump-Starting Procedure
WARNING!
Failure to follow this procedure could result in per-
sonal injury or property damage due to battery ex-
plosion.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 345

Daytime Running Lights................... 132
Dealer Service .......................... 358
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 162
Defroster, Windshield ................... 76,239
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 135
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 355
Differential, Limited-Slip .................. 264
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................. 175
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ................. 376
Oil (Engine) .......................... 359
Power Steering ........................ 268
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............... 372
Door Locks ............................. 29
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 148
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water .............................. 265 E-85 Fuel
............................. 303
Electric Remote Mirrors .................... 85
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 154
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 138
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ............... 347
Jacking ............................. 337
Jump Starting ......................... 343
Tow Hooks .......................... 348
Towing ............................. 349
Emission Control System Maintenance ......356,404
Engine Air Cleaner .......................... 362
Block Heater ......................... 251
Break-In Recommendations ................ 74
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................... 400
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 75,302
Flooded, Starting ...................... 250
Fuel Requirements ..................... 399
10
INDEX 435

Hands-Free Phone (uconnect™).............. 86
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ........................ 265
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 332
Headlights ............................ 391
High Beam .......................... 134
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ........ 134
Lights On Reminder .................... 132
Passing ............................. 134
Switch .............................. 131
Heated Seats ........................... 126
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 251
High Beam Indicator ..................... 175
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 134
Hitches Trailer Towing ........................ 316
Holder, Cup ........................... 156
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 148 Hood Release
.......................... 127
Ignition Key ................................ 12
Illuminated Entry ........................ 20
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ................... 16
Infant Restraint .......................... 61
Inside Rearview Mirror .................... 83
Instrument Cluster ....................... 174
Instrument Panel and Controls .............. 172
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ............. 384
Interior Appearance Care .................. 383
Interior Lights .......................... 129
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) ........... 135
Introduction ............................. 4
Jack Operation ....................... 333,337
Jacking Instructions ...................... 338
Jump Starting .......................... 343
438 INDEX

Reclining............................ 121
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) .............19,176
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ..........370,400
Selection of Oil ......................... 360
Sentry Key (Immobilizer) ................... 16
Sentry Key Programming ................... 17
Sentry Key Replacement ................... 17
Service and Maintenance .................. 358
Service Assistance ....................... 423
Service Contract ......................... 425
Service Manuals ........................ 428
Setting the Clock ..........187,189,204,206,209,218
Shifting Automatic Transmission ................. 253
Transfer Case ......................... 258
Transfer Case, Shifting into Transfer Case
Neutral (N) .......................... 326
Transfer Case, Shifting out of Transfer Case
Neutral (N) .......................... 328 Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage
.............. 42
Shoulder Belts ........................... 37
Signals, Turn ................... 77,133,174,392
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ................. 290
Snow Plow ............................ 324
Snow Tires ............................ 292
Sound Box ............................ 229
Spare Tire ............................. 335
Speed Control (Cruise Control) .............. 138
Speedometer ........................... 176
Starting ............................... 249
Engine Block Heater .................... 251
Engine Fails to Start .................... 250
Remote .............................. 26
Steering Column Controls ...................... 133
Power ........................... 267,268
Wheel Lock ........................... 15
Wheel, Tilt ........................... 137
444 INDEX