2011 DODGE DAKOTA differential

Limited-Slip Rear Axle Differential — If
Equipped ............................ 264
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 264
▫ Acceleration ........................ 264
▫ Traction ........................... 265
 Driving Through Water ................. 265
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 266
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 266
 Off-Road Driving Tips .................. 268
▫ After Driving Off-Road ................ 268
 Power Steering ....................... 269
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 270
 Parking Brake ........................ 271 
Brake System ........................ 273
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . 273
 Tire Safety Information ................. 275
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 275
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 278
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 279
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 280
 Tires — General Information ............. 284
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 284
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 285
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 286
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... 287
246 STARTING AND OPERATING

LIMITED-SLIP REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL — IF
EQUIPPED
The limited-slip differential provides additional traction
on snow, ice, mud, sand and gravel. It improves traction
when there is a difference between the characteristics of
the surface under the right and left rear wheels. During
normal driving and cornering, the limited-slip unit is
similar to a conventional differential. But on a slippery
surface, the differential delivers more of the driving effort
to the wheel having the better traction.
WARNING!
On vehicles equipped with a limited-slip differen-
tial, never run the engine with one rear wheel off the
ground. The vehicle may drive through the rear
wheel remaining on the ground and cause you to lose
control of the vehicle.Care should be taken to avoid sudden accelerations when
both rear wheels are on a slippery surface. This could
cause both rear wheels to spin, and allow the vehicle to
slide sideways on the crowned surface of a road or in a
turn.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull
erratically to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs
when there is a difference in the surface traction under
the rear (driving) wheels.
264 STARTING AND OPERATING

Transfer Case
Inspect the transfer case for fluid leaks. If a fluid leak is
evident the transfer case fluid level may be low. Have the
transfer case serviced immediately.
CAUTION!
Damage may result from operation of the vehicle
with low transfer case fluid.
Drain And Refill
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Lubricant Selection
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
Front/Rear Axle Fluid
For normal service, periodic fluid level checks are not
required. When the vehicle is serviced for other reasons
the exterior surfaces of the axle assembly should be
inspected. If gear oil leakage is suspected inspect the
fluid level. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
Front Axle Fluid Level Check
Front axle fluid level should be 3/4 in (20 mm) below the
bottom of the fill plug.
Rear Axle Fluid Level Check
Rear axle limited-slip differentials require the use of
MOPARLimited-Slip Additive or equivalent. Refer to
“Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining
Your Vehicle” for further information. This should be
added to the gear lubricant whenever a fluid change is
made, when equipped with limited-slip differential. Rear7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 381

axle fluid level should be 1/8 in (3 mm) below bottom of
filler plug for 8-1/4 in, and 9-1/4 in axles.
Drain And Refill
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
NOTE:The presence of water in the gear lubricant will
result in corrosion and possible failure of differential
components. Operation of the vehicle in water, as may be
encountered in some off-highway types of service, will
require draining and refilling the axle to avoid damage.
Selection Of Lubricant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
Appearance Care And Protection From Corrosion
Protection Of Body And Paint From Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads passable in snow and ice, and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse affect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of
paint and protective coatings from your vehicle.
The most common causes are:
•Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation
•Stone and gravel impact
382 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cupholders............................ 162
Customer Assistance ..................... 423
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 62
Daytime Running Lights ................... 135
Dealer Service .......................... 360
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 169
Defroster, Windshield ................... 78,240
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 140
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 357
Differential, Limited-Slip .................. 264
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................. 180
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ................ 379
Oil (Engine) ........................ 361
Power Steering ...................... 270
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 374
Door Locks ............................. 28 Door Locks, Automatic
.................... 29
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 153
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 265
E-85 Fuel ............................. 306
Electric Remote Mirrors .................... 87
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 160
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 143
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ............. 349
Jump Starting ....................... 345
Tow Hooks ......................... 351
Towing ............................ 352
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 358
Engine Air Cleaner ......................... 363
Block Heater ........................ 251
10
INDEX 435

Floor Console.......................... 165
Fluid Capacities ......................... 401
Fluid Leaks ............................. 80
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ................ 379
Brake ............................. 376
Engine Oil ......................... 361
Power Steering ...................... 270
Transfer Case ....................... 381
Fluid, Brake ........................... 403
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 402
Fog Lights .......................... 135,401
Four Wheel Drive ....................... 258
Operation .......................... 258
Four-Way Hazard Flasher .................. 334
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 349
Front Axle (Differential) ................... 381
Fuel ................................. 301
Adding ........................... 310 Ethanol
........................... 302
Gauge ............................ 179
Methanol .......................... 302
Octane Rating .................... 301,402
Requirements .................... 301,401
Tank Capacity ....................... 401
Fuel, Flexible ........................... 306
Fueling ............................... 310
Fuses ................................ 387
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) ........... 153
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............310,311,357
Gas Gauge (Fuel Gauge) ................... 179
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 301
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 302
Gauges Coolant Temperature .................. 179
Fuel .............................. 179
Odometer ....................... 182,183
10
INDEX 437

Daytime Running.................... 135
Exterior ............................ 80
Fog ......................... 135,185,401
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 334
Headlights ......................... 134
High Beam ......................... 138
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............ 138
Instrument Cluster ................... 179
Intensity Control ..................... 136
Interior ......................... 135,147
License ............................ 399
Lights On Reminder .................. 135
Low Fuel .......................... 179
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ...... 187
Passing ............................ 137
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 180
Service ............................ 392
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ......... 189
Turn Signal ................. 80,137,392,394Voltage
............................ 181
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 179
Limited-Slip Differential ................... 264
Loading Vehicle ......................... 312
Tires .............................. 280
Locks ................................. 28
Auto Unlock ......................... 31
Automatic Door ...................... 29
Child Protection ...................... 32
Door .............................. 28
Keys .............................. 12
Power Door ......................... 28
Steering Wheel ....................... 15
Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren (LATCH) ....................... 67
Lubrication, Body ....................... 367
Lug Nuts ............................. 344
Lumbar Support ........................ 128
440 INDEX

Radial Ply Tires......................... 287
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .......371,374
Radio Operation ........................ 238
Rear Axle (Differential) .................... 381
Rear Cargo Area Utility Rails ............... 167
Rear Convenience Storage Crates ............. 163
Rear Window .......................... 170
Rear Window Defroster ................... 169
Rear Window Features .................... 169
Rearview Mirrors ........................ 85
Reclining Front Seats ..................... 128
Recorder, Event Data ...................... 62
Recreational Towing ...................... 328
Shifting into Transfer Case Neutral (N) ..... 329
Shifting out of Transfer Case Neutral (N) .... 331
Reformulated Gasoline .................... 302
Refrigerant ............................ 367
Release, Hood .......................... 132
Reminder, Seat Belt ....................... 49 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
................. 20
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ........ 236
Remote Starting System .................... 25
Replacement Keys ........................ 17
Replacement Parts ....................... 359
Replacement Tires ....................... 292
Reporting Safety Defects ................... 426
Resetting Oil Change Indicator .............. 184
Restraints, Child ....................... 63,69
Restraints, Occupant ...................... 35
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck ................ 349
Rotation, Tires .......................... 295
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ................. 78
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle ............... 80
Safety Defects, Reporting .................. 426
Safety Information, Tire ................... 275
Safety Tips ............................. 76
Safety, Exhaust Gas ....................... 77
10
INDEX 443