2010 DODGE DAKOTA ECU

Two–Position Tailgate/Upper
Load Platform
• Your tailgate can be opened to thefull-open or the partial-open position.
The partial-open position is for
loading objects longer than the length
of the bed (sheets of plywood, etc.)
by creating an upper load platform:
Installing Lumber
• Place lumber across the box in theindentations provided above the
wheel housings and in the bulkhead
dividers, to form the floor. There are
indents in the sheet metal (or bed
liner if equipped) on the inner side of
the box in front (Crew Cab
®only) and
behind both wheel housings.
• Secure the tailgate in the partially-open position.
• Open the tailgate slightly.
• Snap the tailgate support cable between the cable guide and the
tailgate bumper. Do this on both
sides of the tailgate.
• To return the tailgate to the full-open position:
• Lift up on the tailgate.
• Remove both cables from between the cable guides and the tailgate
bumpers, and lower the tailgate.
CAUTION!
• Care should always be exercisedwhen operating a vehicle with
cargo. Vehicle speeds may need to
be reduced. Severe turns or rough
roads may cause shifting or
bouncing of the cargo that may
result in vehicle damage.
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
• Ensure the load is securely tieddown and is properly identified
according to local laws if it extends
beyond the tail lights.
• Loading should not exceed 400 lbs (181 kg) of material suspended
above the wheelhouse and
partially open tailgate or vehicle
damage may result.
TRAILER TOWING WEIGHTS
(MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT
RATINGS)
NOTE: For trailer towing information
(maximum trailer weight ratings) refer to
the following website addresses:
• http:// www.dodge.com/towing
• http:// www.dodge.ca (Canada)
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. Removal of the
driveshaft for towing is not
recommended, since this would allow
fluid to drain from the transmission.
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UTILITY

Jack Location
Extended Cab
• The scissor jack and tire changing tools arestowed in a compartment under the rear
passenger seat.
Crew Cab®
• The scissor jack and tire changing tools areaccessed by lifting up the rear passenger
seat.
• The jack is secured in place by turning the jack screw until the jack is secured into
place.
• A finger-operated helper tool is provided to assist removal and stowage of the jack. This
tool must be removed to operate the jack for
changing the spare tire.
Spare Tire Stowage
• To remove the spare tire, remove the jack-handle components from the storage
compartment and assemble them.
• Attach the wheel wrench to the jack extension tube and insert the tube through the access hole in the rear bumper and into the winch mechanism tube.
• Rotate the wheel wrench handle countercloc kwise 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.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

• Turn the jack screw clockwise to firmly engage the jack saddle with the lift area.
• Raise the vehicle by turning the jack screw clockwise. Raise the vehicle only until the tire just clears the surface and enough clearance is obtained to install the spare tire.
WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make the vehicle less stable and cause
an accident. It could slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only
enough to remove the tire.
• Remove the lug nuts and wheel.
• Position the spare wheel/tire on the vehicle and install the lug nuts with the cone-shaped end toward the wheel. Lightly tight en the lug nuts clockwise. To avoid
the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not tighten the nuts fully until the vehicle
has been lowered.
• Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw counterclockwise, and remove the jack and wheel blocks.
• Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push do wn on the wrench while tightening for
increased leverage. Alternate nuts until each one has been tightened twice. The
correct wheel nut tightness is 120 to 160 ft lbs (163 to 217 N·m). If in doubt about the
correct tightness, have them checked w ith a torque wrench by your authorized dealer
or at a service station.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack, thrown forward in an accident or hard stop, could endanger the
occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in the places
provided.
• Secure the jack and tools in their proper locations.
• For convenience in checking the spare tire inflation, stow with the valve stem toward the rear of the vehicle. Continue winching up the tire until you hear the winch click
three times.
NOTE: To Stow the Flat or Spare: The wheel retainer does not fit through the center of
the aluminum wheel. The tire must be stored in a safe manner in the bed of the truck.
47
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES