2010 DODGE DAKOTA four wheel drive

23. Airbag Warning LightThe airbag warning light will illuminate and
remain lit for six to eight seconds when the
ignition is first turned ON. If the light does not
illuminate when the ignition is first turned ON,
or the light stays on or comes on while driving, have the
airbag system checked by an authorized dealer. Refer to
“Occupant Restraints” in “Things To Know Before Start-
ing Your Vehicle” for further information.
24. 4WD Indicator This light indicates the vehicle is in four-wheel
drive and 4LOCK. 4WD allows all four wheels
to receive torque from the engine simulta-
neously.
25. SVC (Service) 4WD Indicator
The SVC 4WD illuminates when the ignition key is
turned to the ON position and will stay on for two seconds. If the light stays on or illuminates during
driving, it means that the 4WD system is not functioning
properly and that service is required.
26. Cruise Indicator
The cruise indicator illuminates when the electronic
speed control system is turned on.
27. Cargo Lamp
The Cargo Lamp indicator will illuminate
when the Cargo Lamp is activated by pressing
the CARGO button, located on the headlight
switch.
28. TOW/HAUL
The TOW/HAUL button is located at the end of the gear
shift lever. This light will illuminate when the TOW/
HAUL button has been selected.
186 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

29. 4WD LOW Indicator
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the four-wheel drive LOW mode. The front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked to-
gether forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate
at the same speed. Low range provides a greater gear
reduction ratio to provide increased torque at the wheels.
30. Odometer/Trip Odometer Button
Press the ODOMETER/TRIP ODOMETER button to
toggle between the odometer and the trip odometer
display. Holding the button in, resets the trip odometer
reading.
ELECTRONIC DIGITAL CLOCK
The clock and radio each use the display panel built into
the radio. A digital readout shows the frequency and/or
time in hours and minutes (depending on your radio
model), whenever the ignition switch is in the ON or
ACC position. When the ignition switch is in the OFF position, or when
the radio frequency is being displayed, timekeeping is
accurately maintained.
On the AM/FM/CD (6-disc) radio, the time button
alternates the location of the time and frequency on the
display. On the AM/FM/CD (single-disc) radio, only one
of the two, time or frequency, is displayed.
Clock Setting Procedure
1. Press and hold the TIME button until the hours blink.
2. Adjust the hours by turning the TUNE/AUDIO con-
trol knob.
3. After the hours are adjusted, push the TUNE/AUDIO
control knob to set the minutes.
4. Adjust the minutes by turning the TUNE/AUDIO
control knob.
5. To exit, press any button/knob, or wait approximately
five seconds.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 187

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 249
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 249
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 249
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or –29°C) ................ 250
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 250
▫ After Starting ....................... 251
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 251
 Automatic Transmission ................. 252 ▫
Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 252
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock System ...... 253
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 253
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 253
 Four-Wheel Drive Operation — If Equipped . . 258
▫ NV233/243 GII Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions ............... 258
▫ Shifting Procedure – NV233/243 Transfer
Case ............................. 262
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▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 308
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 309
▫ Certification Label ................... 309
▫ Curb Weight ........................ 310
▫ Loading ........................... 310
 Trailer Towing ........................ 311
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 312
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 316
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 317▫
Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 317
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 318
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 323
 Snowplow .......................... 324
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 325
▫ Two-Wheel Drive Models .............. 325
▫ Four-Wheel Drive Models .............. 325
248 STARTING AND OPERATING

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
NV233/243 GII Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions
The NV233/243 is an electric-shift transfer case and is
operated by the transfer case switch, which is located on
the instrument panel.The NV233/243 transfer case provides four mode posi-
tions:
•Two-wheel drive high range (2WD)
•Four-wheel drive lock range (4WD LOCK)
•Four-wheel drive low range (4WD LOW)
•Neutral (N)
The NV233/243 transfer case is designed to be driven in
the two-wheel drive position (2WD) for normal street
and highway conditions on dry hard-surfaced roads.
When additional traction is required, the transfer case
4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions can be used to lock
the front and rear driveshafts together and force the front
and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is
accomplished by turning the transfer case switch to the
desired position - Refer to “Shifting Procedure” for
further information. The 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW
Transfer Case Switch
258 STARTING AND OPERATING

positions are designed for loose or slippery road surfaces
only. Driving in the 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW posi-
tions on dry hard-surfaced roads may cause increased
tire wear and damage to the driveline components.
NOTE:The transfer case NEUTRAL position is selected
by pressing the recessed button located on the lower
left-hand corner of the transfer case switch. The transfer
case NEUTRAL position is to be used for recreational
towing only. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting
and Operating” for further information.
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
The Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights (4WD and
4LOW) are located on the instrument cluster. If there is
no indicator light on or flashing, the transfer case is in
two-wheel drive (2WD). If the indicator light is on, the
desired position (4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW) has been
obtained. If one or more shift requirements are not met:
1. An indicator light will flash.
2. The transfer case
will notshift.
NOTE: Before retrying a selection, make certain that all
the necessary requirements for selecting a new transfer
case position have been met. To retry the selection, turn
the transfer case switch back to the current position, wait
five seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift require-
ments, refer to the Shifting Procedurefor further
information.
The “SVC 4WD Warning Light” monitors the electronic
shift four-wheel drive system. If this light remains on
after engine start-up or illuminates during driving, it
means that the four-wheel drive system is not function-
ing properly and that service is required.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 259

WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if the “SVC 4WD Warning Light” is
illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may
allow the vehicle to roll, which may cause personal
injury.
NOTE: Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The NV233/243 trans-
fer case is not equipped with a synchronizer and there-
fore the front and rear driveshaft speeds must be equal
for the shift to take place. Shifting while only the front or
rear wheels are spinning can cause damage to the trans-
fer case. When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the 2WD or
4WD LOCK positions at a given road speed. Take care
not to overspeed the engine and do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h).
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles depends
on tires of equal size, type and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the
transfer case.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping
speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit.
260 STARTING AND OPERATING

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
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, refer to the following infor-
mation:
2WD
Rear-Wheel Drive High — This range is used for normal
street and highway driving on dry, hard-surfaced roads. 4WD LOCK
Four-Wheel Drive Lock — This range locks the front and
rear driveshafts together forcing the front and rear wheels
to rotate at the same speed. This range provides addi-
tional traction for loose or slippery road surfaces only.
4WD LOW
Four-Wheel Drive Low — This range provides low speed
four-wheel drive. It locks the front and rear driveshafts
together, forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the
same speed. This range provides additional traction and
maximum pulling power for loose or slippery road
surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
N
Neutral — This range disengages both the front and rear
driveshafts from the powertrain, and is used for flat
towing behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 261