2011 DODGE DAKOTA oil dipstick

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.7L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter7 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
2 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick 8 — Engine Oil Fill
3 — Engine Oil Dipstick 9 — Coolant Pressure Cap
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
5 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses) 11 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
6 — Battery
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 355

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 4.7L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter7 — Engine Oil Fill
2 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick 8 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
3 — Engine Oil Dipstick 9 — Coolant Pressure Cap
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
5 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses) 11 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
6 — Battery
356 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended maintenance
intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in these
components as the chemicals can damage your
engine, transmission, power steering or air condi-
tioning. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed
because of component malfunction, use only the
specified fluid for the flushing procedure.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. The
best time to check the engine oil level is about five
minutes after a fully warmed-up engine is shut off.Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the
dipstick. Adding one quart/liter of oil when the reading
is at the bottom of the SAFE zone will result in a reading
at the top of the safe zone on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for further informa-
tion.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 361

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”
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 379

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

Maintenance Free Battery.................. 364
Maintenance Procedures ................... 360
Maintenance Schedule .................... 406
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 187,358
Manual Transmission Lubricant Selection ................... 403
Manual, Service ......................... 427
Map/Reading Lights ..................... 147
Methanol ............................. 302
Mirrors ................................ 85
Automatic Dimming ................... 86
Electric Powered ...................... 87
Outside ............................ 87
Rearview ........................... 85
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ............... 296
Mopar Parts ......................... 359,426
MTBE/ETBE ........................... 302
Multi-Function Control Lever ............... 136New Vehicle Break-In Period
................ 75
Occupant Restraints ................... 35,55,59
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) .............54,55,58
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 301
Off-Pavement Driving (Off-Road) ............ 268
Off-Road Driving (Off-Pavement) ............ 268
Oil Change Indicator ..................... 184
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ................. 184
Oil, Engine ......................... 361,402
Capacity ........................... 401
Change Interval ..................... 361
Dipstick ........................... 361
Disposal ........................... 363
Filter .......................... 363,402
Filter Disposal ....................... 363
Identification Logo ................... 362
Materials Added to ................... 363
Recommendation .................. 362,401
10
INDEX 441