2010 DODGE DAKOTA coolant temperature

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
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 1 mile
(1.6 km).
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.
174 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Mode or Recirculation Mode Bi-level position. When a
comfortable condition has been reached, choose a mode
position and adjust the temperature control knob and
blower speed as necessary to maintain comfort. For high
humidity conditions it may be necessary to remain in the
Recirculation mode to maintain comfort.
Window Fogging
Windows will fog on the inside when the humidity inside
the vehicle is high. This often occurs in mild or cool
temperatures when it’s rainy or humid. In most cases
turning on the Air-conditioning (pressing the SNOW-
FLAKE button) will clear the fog. Adjust the temperature
control, air direction and blower speed to maintain
comfort.
As the temperature gets colder it may be necessary to
direct air onto the windshield by using MIX Mode
position on the control. Adjust the temperature control
and blower speed to maintain comfort. High blowerspeeds will reduce fogging. Interior fogging on the
windshield can be quickly removed by selecting the
defrost mode.
Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminates (cigarette
smoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows.
Contaminates on the inside of windows can increase the
rate of window fogging.
Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality antifreeze coolant during summer, to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50%
concentration of engine coolant to distilled water is
recommended. Refer to “Cooling System” under “Main-
tenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle”.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 241

gear (Overdrive). The transmission will automatically
shift from Drive to Overdrive, if the following conditions
are present:
•the shift lever is in DRIVE;
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
•vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph
(48 km/h);
•the TOW/HAUL switch has not been activated;
•transmission has reached normal operating
temperature.
NOTE:
•If the vehicle is started in extremely cold temperatures,
the transmission may not shift into Overdrive and will automatically select the most desirable gear for opera-
tion at this temperature. Normal operation will re-
sume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable level. Refer to “Torque Converter
Clutch” in this section.
•If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desir-
able gear for operation at this temperature. If the
transmission temperature becomes hot enough, the
“Transmission Temperature Warning Light” may illu-
minate and the transmission may downshift out of
Overdrive until the transmission cools down. After
cool down, the transmission will resume normal
operation.
The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to
DRIVE if the accelerator pedal is fully pressed at vehicle
speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 255

Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant or
steam from your radiator. If you see or hear steam
coming from under the hood, do not open the hood
until the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to open
a cooling system pressure cap when the radiator is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Check the front of the A/C condenser and
radiator for any accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty,
clean by gently spraying water from a garden hose
vertically down the face of the condenser and radiator.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection at the
bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.
If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant (anti-
freeze) will begin to drain from the coolant recovery
bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE
CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System – Drain, Flush and Refill
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains a
considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with a
reliable cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough
rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly
dispose of the old engine coolant (antifreeze) solution.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 369

Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolant
(antifreeze). When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•The manufacturer recommends using MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) or
equivalent.
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
(antifreeze) and distilled water. Use higher concentra-
tions (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below -34° F
(-37° C) are anticipated.
•Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
(antifreeze) solution. The use of lower quality water
will reduce the amount of corrosion protection in the
engine cooling system.Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:
Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent engine coolant (antifreeze)
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent the loss of
engine coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that the engine
coolant (antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the
coolant recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 371

Changing A Flat Tire..................... 333
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 275
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light). . 356
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 74
Checks, Safety ........................... 74
Child Restraint ........................ 61,62
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............64,70
Child Seat .............................. 67
Cleaning Wheels ............................. 382
Climate Control ......................... 237
Clock .................. 187,189,204,206,209,218
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 236
Compass .............................. 146
Compass Calibration ..................... 146
Compass Variance ....................... 147
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 142
Console, Floor .......................... 159
Console, Overhead ....................... 141 Contract, Service
........................ 425
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 371
Cooling System ......................... 369
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 370
Coolant Capacity ...................... 399
Coolant Level ...................... 369,372
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 372
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 369
Inspection ........................... 372
Points to Remember .................... 373
Pressure Cap ......................... 371
Radiator Cap ......................... 371
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......370,399,400
Temperature Gauge .................... 174
Crates Rear Convenience Storage ................ 157
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 138
Cupholders ............................ 156
Customer Assistance ..................... 423
434 INDEX

Engine Oil........................... 359
Power Steering ........................ 268
Transfer Case ......................... 379
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 400
Fog Lights .......................... 132,399
Four Wheel Drive ....................... 258
Operation ........................... 258
Four-Way Hazard Flasher .................. 332
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 347
Front Axle (Differential) ................... 380
Fuel ................................. 298
Adding ............................. 307
Gauge .............................. 174
Octane Rating ...................... 298,400
Requirements ...................... 298,399
Tank Capacity ........................ 399
Fuel, Flexible ............. See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fueling ............................... 307
Fuses ................................ 385 Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 148
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)
............307,308,355
Gas Gauge (Fuel Gauge) ................... 174
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 298
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 299
Gauges Coolant Temperature ................... 174
Fuel ............................... 174
Odometer ......................... 177,179
Speedometer ......................... 176
Tachometer .......................... 177
Gear Ranges ........................... 253
General Information ................... 1 15,298
Glass Cleaning .......................... 384
Grocery Bag Retainer ..................... 159
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............310,312
Gross Cargo Weight ...................... 309
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ................ 312
GVWR ............................... 309
10
INDEX 437

Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System Controls. . 235
Storage, Behind the Seat ................... 157
Storage Bin ............................ 157
Storage, Vehicle ......................... 390
Stuck, Freeing .......................... 347
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 361
System, Remote Starting .................... 26
Tachometer ............................ 177
Tailgate ............................... 165
Taillights .............................. 392
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......... 174
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............... 64
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 137
Tip Start .............................. 249
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 279
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 277
Tire Markings .......................... 273
Tire Safety Information .................... 273 Tires ............................
77,283,429
Aging (Life of Tires) .................... 288
Air Pressure .......................... 283
Chains .............................. 290
Changing ............................ 333
General Information .................... 283
High Speed .......................... 285
Inflation Pressures ..................... 284
Jacking ............................. 337
Life of Tires .......................... 288
Load Capacity ..................... 279,280
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ........... 293
Pressure Warning Light .................. 184
Quality Grading ....................... 429
Radial .............................. 286
Replacement ......................... 288
Rotation ............................ 292
Safety ........................... 273,283
Sizes ............................... 275
10
INDEX 445