2010 DODGE DAKOTA tow

24-HOUR TOWING ASSISTANCE - U.S. ONLY
• Dial toll-free 1-800-521-2779 or 1-800-363-4869 for Canadian residents.
• Provide your name, vehicle identification number and license plate number.
• Provide your location, including telephone number, from which you are calling.
• Briefly describe the nature of the problem and answer a few simple questions.
• You will be given the name of the service provider and an estimated time of arrival. Ifyou feel you are in an “unsafe situation”, please let us know. With your consent, we
will contact local police or safety authorities.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING LIGHTS
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Light
• Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly, when coldand inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the v ehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label, you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
• As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly under-inflat ed. Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly
under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the
vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
• Please note that the TPMS is not a subs titute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
• Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the system detects a malfunction,
the telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as
the malfunction exists.
• When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS
malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle, to
ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue
to function properly.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original equipment tires and wheels. TPMS
pressures and warning have been established for the tire size equipped on your
vehicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor damage may result when using
replacement equipment that is not of the same size, type, and/or style. Aftermarket
wheels can cause sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can, or balance
beads if your vehicle is equipped with a TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
- Engine Temperature Warning Light
• This light warns of an overheated engine condition.
• If the light turns on and a warning chime sounds while driving, safely pull over andstop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, t urn it off. Also, shiftthe transmission into
NEUTRAL and idle the vehicle. If the temperat ure reading does not return to normal,
turn the engine off immediately.
• We recommend that you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangero us. You or others could be badly burned by
steam or boiling coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealership for service if
your vehicle overheats.
- Brake Warning Light
• The Brake Warning light illuminates when there is either a system malfunction or the
parking brake is applied. If the light is on and the parking brake is not applied, it
indicates a possible brake hydraulic malfunction, brake booster problem or an
Anti-Lock Brake System problem.
• We recommend you drive to the nearest service center and have the vehicle serviced immediately.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is dangerous. Part of the brake system
may have failed. It will take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an accident.
Have the vehicle checked immediately.
- Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
• Certain conditions, such as a loose or m issing gas cap,poor fuel quality, etc., may
illuminate the MIL after engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays
on through several typical driving cycles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive
normally and not require towing.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

• If the MIL flashes when the engine is running, serious conditions may exist that couldlead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic converter damage. We recommend
you do not operate the vehicle. Hav e the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Charging System Light
• This light shows the status of the electrical ch arging system. If the charging system
light remains on, it means that the vehicle is experiencing a problem with the charging
system.
• We recommend you do not continue driving if the charging system light is on. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Oil Pressure Warning Light
• This light indicates low engine oil pressure. If the light turns on while driving, stop thevehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A chime will sound for four
minutes when this light turns on.
• We recommend you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light
• This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).
• If the light is not on during starting, stays on, or turns on while driving, we recommendyou drive to the nearest service center and have the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
• This light informs you of a problem with the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system.
• If a problem is detected, the light will come on while the engine is running. Cycle theignition when the vehicle has completely stopped and the shift lever is placed in the
PARK position; the light should turn off.
• If the light remains lit with the engine running, your vehicle will usually be drivable; however, see an authorized dealer for service immediately. If the light is flashing
when the engine is running, immediate servi ce is required and you may experience
reduced performance, an el evated/rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle may
require towing.
- Airbag Warning Light
• If the light is not on during starting, stays on, or turns on while driving, we recommend you drive to the nearest service center and have the vehicle serviced immediately.
- SVC (Service) 4WD Indicator Light
• If the light stays on or comes on during driving, it means that the 4WD system is notfunctioning properly and that service is required. We recommend you do not operate
the vehicle. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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- Transmission Temperature Warning Light
• This light indicates that there is excessive transmission fluid temperat ure that might
occur with severe usage such as trailer towing. If this light turns on, stop the vehicle
and run the engine at idle, w ith the transmission inNEUTRAL, until the light turns off.
Once the light turns off, you may continue to drive normally.
Fuel Cap/Loose Gas Cap Message
• If a “gas cap” message (shown as gASCAP) appears, tighten the gas cap until a “clicking” sound is heard.
• Press the odometer reset button to turn the message off.
• If the message continues to appear for mor e than three days after tightening the gas
cap, see your authorized dealer.
Oil Change Indicator
Message
• If an “oil change” message (shown as CHAngE OIL) appears and a single chime
sounds, it is time for your next required oil change.
Resetting The Light After Servicing
• Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position (do not start engine).
• Fully depress the accelerator pedal three times within 10 seconds.
• Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
• In any of the following situations, you c an reduce the potential for overheating by
taking the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, shift tran smission intoNEUTRAL, but do not increase
engine idle speed.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down an impending overheat
condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C system adds heat to the engine cooling system and turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the Temperature Control to maximum heat, the Mode Control to floor and the Fan Control to high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement to the
radiator and aids in removing heat from the engine cooling system.
• If the temperature reading does not re turn to normal, turn the engine off immediately.
• We recommend that you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS
• If your vehicle is equipped with tow hooks, they are mounted in the front and the rear.
NOTE:For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use both of the front tow hooks to
minimize the risk of damage to the vehicle.
WARNING!
• Chains are not recommended for freeing a stuck vehicle. Chains may break, causing serious injury or death.
• Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow hooks. Tow straps and chains may break, causing serious injury.
CAUTION!
Tow hooks are for emergency use only, to rescue a vehicle stranded off-road. Do not
use tow hooks for tow truck hookup or highway towing. You could damage your
vehicle. Tow straps are recommended when towing the vehicle; chains may cause
vehicle damage.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLEModelFlat Towing (all four
wheels on the ground)Flatbed Towing (all four
wheels suspended OFF
the ground)Front Wheels Raised,
Rear Wheels on the
GroundRear Wheels Raised,
Front Wheels on the
Ground
Two-Wheel Drive NOT Permitted
Recommended Method Shift lever must be In
NEUTRAL, the speed
less then 30 mph
(48 km/h) and the
distance traveled less
than 15 mi (24 km).May be used
Four-Wheel Drive NOT Permitted
Recommended Method NOT Permitted without a
towing dolly NOT Permitted without a
towing dolly
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES