2011 DODGE DAKOTA brake

•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum)
and distilled/deionized water for proper corrosion
protection of your engine, which contains aluminum
components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, also keep the front of
the condenser clean.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs mayresult in unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze)
performance, poor gas mileage, and increased
emissions.
Brake System
Fluid Level Check – Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
whenever the vehicle is serviced, or immediately if the
“Brake Warning Light” is on. If necessary, add fluid to
bring level to the full mark on the side of the reservoir of
the brake master cylinder. Be sure to clean the top of the
master cylinder area before removing the cap. With disc
brakes, the fluid level can be expected to fall as the brake
pads wear. Brake fluid level should be checked when
pads are replaced. If the brake fluid level is abnormally
low, check the system for leaks.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
376 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information. Using the wrong type of brake fluid
can severely damage your brake system and/or
impair its performance. The proper type of brake
fluid for your vehicle is also identified on the
original factory installed hydraulic master cylin-
der reservoir.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that
has been in a tightly closed container. Keep the
master cylinder reservoir cap secured at all times.
Brake fluid in a open container absorbs moisture
from the air resulting in a lower boiling point.
This may cause it to boil unexpectedly during hard
or prolonged braking, resulting in sudden brake
failure. This could result in a collision.
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.(Continued)
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 377

WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contami-
nate the brake fluid. Brake seal components could
be damaged, causing partial or complete brake
failure. This could result in a collision.
Automatic Transmission
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transmission to assure optimum transmission perfor-
mance. Use only the manufacturer ’s recommended trans-
mission fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion. It is important that the transmission fluid be main-
tained at the prescribed level using the recommended
fluid. No chemical flushes should be used in any trans-
mission; only the approved lubricant may be used.
Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transmission. The only exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid
leaks. In addition, avoid using transmission sealers as
they may adversely affect seals.
NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with a dipstick, use
the following procedure. If your vehicle has a capped
dipstick, it is sealed and should not be tampered with.
Your authorized dealer has the proper tools to ensure that
the fluid level is set properly.
378 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level while the transmission is at normal
operating temperature 180° F (82° C). This occurs after at
least 15 miles (24 km) of driving. At normal operating
temperature the fluid cannot be held comfortably be-
tween the fingertips.
To check the automatic transmission fluid level properly,
the following procedure must be used:
1. Operate the engine at idle speed and normal operating
temperature.
2. The vehicle must be on level ground.
3. Fully apply the parking brake and press the brake
pedal.
4. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi-
tion, ending with the shift lever in PARK.5. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until
seated.
6. Remove the dipstick again and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level should be between the “HOT”
(upper) reference holes on the dipstick at normal operat-
ing temperature. Verify that solid coating of oil is seen on
both sides of the dipstick. If the fluid is low, add as
required into the dipstick tube.
Do not overfill.After
adding any quantity of oil through the oil fill tube, wait
a minimum of two minutes for the oil to fully drain into
the transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
NOTE: If it is necessary to check the transmission below
the operating temperature, the fluid level should be
between the two “COLD” (lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at approximately 70° F (21° C) (room
temperature). If the fluid level is correctly established at
room temperature, it should be between the “HOT”
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 379

(upper) reference holes when the transmission reaches
180° F (82° C). Remember it is best to check the level at
the normal operating temperature.
CAUTION!
Be aware that if the fluid temperature is below 50° F
(10° C) it may not register on the dipstick. Do not add
fluid until the temperature is elevated enough to
produce an accurate reading.
7. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake.
To prevent dirt and water from entering the transmission
after checking or replenishing fluid, make certain that the
dipstick cap is properly reseated. It is normal for the
dipstick cap to spring back slightly from its fully-seated
position, as long as its seal remains engaged in the
dipstick tube.
CAUTION!
•Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission
as the chemicals can damage your transmission
components. Such damage is not covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
•Using a transmission fluid other than the manu-
facturer’s recommended fluid may cause deterio-
ration in transmission shift quality and/or torque
converter shudder. Using a transmission fluid,
other than the manufacturer’s recommended fluid,
will result in more frequent fluid and filter
changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information.
380 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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
50 40 Amp Green Antilock Brakes
Module (Pump)
51 40 Amp Green Park Lamps
52 Spare
53 40 Amp Green Rear Defogger
54 Spare
55 Spare
56 10 Amp
Red Heated Seats
57 20 Amp
Yellow Airbag System # 2
58 20 Amp
Yellow Heated Seats
59 10 Amp Climate ControlCavityCartridge
Fuse Mini-
Fuse Description
Red System Module
60 10 Amp RedAntilock Brakes
Module
61 20 Amp
Yellow Body Control Module
3 (Reverse Lamps)
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you are leaving your vehicle dormant for more than
21 days you may want to take steps to protect your
battery. You may:
•Remove fuse #J13 in the Totally Integrated Power
Module (TIPM) labeled Main Ignition Off Draw (IOD).
•Or, disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 391