2011 DODGE DAKOTA Owners Manual

•Insects, tree sap and tar
•Salt in the air near seacoast localities
•Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants
Washing
•
Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your ve-
hicle in the shade using MOPARCar Wash or equiva-
lent, or a mild car wash soap, and rinse the panels
completely with clear water.
•If insects, tar or other similar deposits have accumu-
lated on your vehicle, use MOPAR Super Kleen Bug
and Tar Remover or equivalent to remove.
•Use a high quality cleaner wax, such as MOPAR
Cleaner Wax or equivalent to remove road film, stains,
and to protect your paint finish. Take care never to
scratch the paint.
•Avoid using abrasive compounds and power buffing
that may diminish the gloss or thin out the paint
finish.
CAUTION!
•Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning materials
such as steel wool or scouring powder, which will
scratch metal and painted surfaces.
•Use of power washers exceeding 1,200 psi
(8 274 kPa) can result in damage or removal of
paint and decals.
Special Care
•
If you drive on salted or dusty roads, or if you drive
near the ocean, hose off the undercarriage at least once
a month.
•It is important that the drain holes in the lower edges
of the doors, rocker panels be kept clear and open.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 383

•If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint,
touch them up immediately. The cost of such repairs is
considered the responsibility of the owner.
•If your vehicle is damaged due to a collision or similar
cause, which destroys the paint and protective coating,
have your vehicle repaired as soon as possible. The
cost of such repairs is considered the responsibility of
the owner.
•If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers,
de-icer salt, etc., be sure that such materials are well
packaged and sealed.
•If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider
mud or stone shields behind each wheel.
•Use MOPARTouch Up Paint or equivalent on
scratches as soon as possible. Your authorized dealer
has touch up-paint to match the color of your vehicle.
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care
All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and
chrome-plated wheels, should be cleaned regularly with
a mild soap and water to prevent corrosion. To remove
heavy soil, use MOPAR Wheel Cleaner or equivalent, or
select a nonabrasive, non-acidic cleaner. Do not use
scouring pads, steel wool, a bristle brush or metal pol-
ishes. Only MOPAR cleaners or equivalent are recom-
mended. Do not use oven cleaner. Avoid automatic car
washes that use acidic solutions or harsh brushes that
may damage the wheels’ protective finish.
Stain Repel Fabric Cleaning Procedure –
If Equipped
Stain Repel seats may be cleaned in the following man-
ner:
•Remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting
with a clean, dry towel.
•Blot any remaining stain with a clean, damp towel.
384 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•For tough stains, apply MOPARTotal Clean or
equivalent or a mild soap solution to a clean, damp
cloth and remove the stain. Use a fresh, damp towel to
remove soap residue.
•For grease stains, apply MOPAR Multi-Purpose
Cleaner or equivalent to a clean, damp cloth and
remove the stain. Use a fresh, damp towel to remove
soap residue.
•Do not use any harsh solvents or any other form of
protectants on Stain Repel products.
Interior Care
Use MOPAR Total Clean or equivalent to clean fabric
upholstery and carpeting.
Interior trim should be cleaned starting with a damp
cloth, a damp cloth with MOPAR Total Clean or equiva-
lent, then MOPAR Spot & Stain Remover or equivalent, if absolutely necessary. Do not use harsh cleaners or
Armor All. Use MOPAR
Total Clean or equivalent to
clean vinyl upholstery.
Use MOPAR Vinyl Cleaner or equivalent to clean vinyl
upholstery and trim.
Leather Seat Care And Cleaning
MOPAR Total Clean or equivalent is specifically recom-
mended for leather upholstery.
Your leather upholstery can be best preserved by regular
cleaning with a damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt
can act as an abrasive and damage the leather upholstery
and should be removed promptly with a damp cloth.
Stubborn soils can be removed easily with a soft cloth
and MOPAR Total Clean or equivalent. Care should be
taken to avoid soaking your leather upholstery with any
liquid. Please do not use polishes, oils, cleaning fluids,
solvents, detergents, or ammonia-based cleaners to clean
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 385

your leather upholstery. Application of a leather condi-
tioner is not required to maintain the original condition.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis
with any commercial household-type glass cleaner.
Never use an abrasive type cleaner. Use caution when
cleaning inside rear windows equipped with electric
defrosters, or windshields equipped with a windshield
wiper de-icer. Do not use scrapers or other sharp instru-
ments, which may scratch the elements.
When cleaning the rearview mirror, spray cleaner on the
towel or rag that you are using. Do not spray cleaner
directly on the mirror.
Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in this vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.
1. Clean with a wet soft rag. A mild soap solution may be
used, but do not use high alcohol content or abrasive
cleaners. If soap is used, wipe clean with a clean damp
rag.
2. Dry with a soft cloth.
Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye or clean the belts with chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners. This will weaken the fabric.
Sun damage will also weaken the fabric.
If the belts need cleaning, use a mild soap solution or
lukewarm water. Do not remove the belts from the car to
wash them. Dry with a soft cloth.
386 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Replace the belts if they appear frayed or worn, or if the
buckles do not work properly.
FUSES
Underhood Fuses (Power Distribution Center)
Your vehicle is equipped with an electrical power distri-
bution center located on the left side of the engine
compartment.
CAUTION!
When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to use
only a fuse having the correct amperage rating. The
use of a fuse with a rating other than indicated may
result in a dangerous electrical system overload. If a
properly rated fuse continues to blow, it suggests a
problem in the circuit that must be corrected.This center contains cartridge fuses, mini fuses and
relays. A description of each fuse and component may be
stamped on the inside cover, otherwise the cavity num-
ber of each fuse is stamped on the inside cover that
corresponds to the following chart. These fuses and
relays can be obtained from your authorized dealer.
Power Distribution Center
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 387

CavityCartridge
Fuse Mini-
Fuse Description
1 Spare
2 Spare
3 30 Amp Pink Electric Brake
4 50 Amp Red Power Seat
5 Spare
6 20 Amp
Yellow Ignition Off Draw,
Instrument Cluster,
Radio
7 10 Amp
Red Powertrain Control
Module/Fuel/
RAD/AC Coils
8 10 Amp
Red Instrument Cluster/
Mirror/4x4
9 SpareCavityCartridge
Fuse Mini-
Fuse Description
10 2 Amp
Gray Run/Start Ignition
Switch
11 10 Amp
Red AC Clutch
12 15 Amp
Blue Trailer Tow Lt Stop/
Turn
13 15 Amp
Blue Trailer Tow Rt Stop/
Turn
14 20 Amp
Yellow Ignition Off Draw #2
15 25 Amp
Natural Powertrain Control
Module
16 20 Amp
Yellow Horn
17 20 Amp
Yellow Antilock Brakes Feed
(Valves)
388 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CavityCartridge
Fuse Mini-
Fuse Description
18 20 Amp
Yellow Fuel Pump
19 15 Amp
Blue Rear Center Brake
Lamp
20 20 Amp
Yellow Instrument Cluster/
Door Locks/Brake
Transmission Shift
Interlock
21 25 Amp
Natural Audio Amp
22 20 Amp
Yellow Power Outlet
(Switchable)
23 20 Amp
Yellow Fog Lamps
24 20 Amp
Yellow Powertrain Control
Module B+Cavity
Cartridge
Fuse Mini-
Fuse Description
25 15 Amp
Blue Instrument Cluster
Illumination
26 20 Amp
Yellow Ignition Run/Start
Feed
27 10 Amp
Red Power Mirror
28 20 Amp
Yellow Power Outlet
29 20 Amp
Yellow Body Control Module
4 (Wipers)
30 Spare
31 30 Amp
Green Ignition Run/AC/
Windows
32 30 Amp Pink Body Control Module
1 (Ext. Lights # 1)
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 389

CavityCartridge
Fuse Mini-
Fuse Description
33 30 Amp Pink Automatic Shutdown
34 30 Amp Pink Body Control Module
2 (Ext. Light # 2)
35 40 Amp Green Climate Control Sys-
tem Blower Motor
36 Spare
37 Spare
38 20 Amp Blue Spare
39 30 Amp Pink Starter Solenoid
40 40 Amp Green Ignition Run Feeds
41 30 Amp Pink Wiper MotorCavity
Cartridge
Fuse Mini-
Fuse Description
42 25 Amp
Natural Body Control Module
5 (T-Case)
43 10 Amp
Red Lt Park Lamps
44 10 Amp
Red Rt Park Lamps
45 20 Amp
Yellow Trailer Tow Park
Lamps
46 10 Amp
Red Airbag System # 2
47 Spare
48 20 Amp Blue Sunroof/Sound Box
49 30 Amp Pink Trailer Tow B+
390 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE