2011 DODGE DAKOTA tow

24-HOUR TOWING ASSISTANCE
• 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 ofarrival. If you 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, whencold and 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 vehicle
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-inflated. 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.
• IF THE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING INDICATING A LOW TIRE PRESSURE,
ADJUST THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE LOW TIRE TO THE AIR PRESSURE
SHOWN ON THE VEHICLE PLACARD OR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE
LABEL LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. NOTE: AFTER INFLATION, THE
VEHICLE MAY NEED TO BE DRIVEN FOR 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE
FLASHING LIGHT WILL TURN OFF.
• Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute 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 each time
the vehicle is restarted as long as the malfunction exists.
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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 a collision. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
- Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
• Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing 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.
• If the MIL flashes when the engine is running, serious conditions may exist that could lead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic converter
damage. We recommend you do not operate the vehicle. Have the vehicle
serviced immediately.
- Charging System Light
• This light shows the status of the electrical charging system. If the chargingsystem 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 the vehicle 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, werecommend you 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 the ignition when the vehicle has completely stopped and the shift lever
is placed in the PARK position; the light should turn off.
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• If the light remains lit with the engine running, your vehicle will usually bedrivable; however, see an authorized service center immediately. If the light is
flashing when the engine is running, immediate service is required and you
may experience reduced performance, an elevated/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, havethe vehicle serviced by an authorized service center immediately.
- SVC (Service) 4WD Indicator Light
• If the light stays on or comes on during driving, it means that the 4WD systemis not functioning properly and that service is required. We recommend you do
not operate the vehicle. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Transmission Temperature Warning Light
• This light indicates that there is excessive transmission fluid temperature thatmight occur with severe usage such as trailer towing. If this light turns on, stop
the vehicle and run the engine at idle, with the transmission in NEUTRAL, 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 untila “clicking” sound is heard.
• Press the odometer reset button to turn the message off.
• If the message continues to appear for more than three days after tightening the gas cap, see your authorized service center.
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 can reduce the potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, shift transmission into NEUTRAL, but do not
increase engine idle speed.
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JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
Jack Location
Extended Cab• The scissor jack and tire changingtools are stowed in a compartment
under the rear passenger seat.
Crew Cab
®
• The scissor jack and tire changing tools are accessed 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 counterclockwise 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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• Raise the vehicle by turning the jack screw clockwise. Raise the vehicle onlyuntil the tire just clears the surface and enough clearance is obtained to install
the spare 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 tighten 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 down 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 with a torque wrench by your
authorized dealer or at a service station.
• 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.
WARNING!
• Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
• Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You could be crushed. Never get any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get under a raised
vehicle, take it to a service center where it can be raised on a lift.
• The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle
should be jacked on a firm, level surface only. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
• If it is necessary to retrieve the spare tire from under the vehicle on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic, pull far enough off the road to
avoid the danger of being hit.
• Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid being hit when operating the
jack or changing the wheel.
• Carefully follow these tire changing procedures to help prevent personal injury or damage to your vehicle: Always park on a firm, level surface as
far from the edge of the roadway as possible before raising the vehicle.
(Continued)
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WARNING!(Continued)
• Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make the vehicle lessstable and could cause it to slip off the jack and hurt someone near it.
Raise the vehicle only enough to remove the tire.
• A loose tire or jack, thrown forward in a collision or hard stop, could endanger the occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack parts and
the spare tire in the places provided.
JUMP-STARTING
• If your vehicle has a discharged battery it can be jump-started using a set of
jumper cables and a battery in another vehicle or by using a portable battery
booster pack.
• Jump-starting can be dangerous if done improperly so please follow the procedures in this section carefully.
NOTE: When using a portable battery booster pack follow the manufacturer’s
operating instructions and precautions.
Preparations for Jump-Start
• The battery in your vehicle is located in the front of the engine compartment, behind the left headlight assembly.
• Set the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission into PARK and turn the ignition to LOCK.
• Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electrical accessories.
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WARNING!
• When temperatures are below the freezing point, electrolyte in adischarged battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting because
the battery could rupture or explode and cause personal injury. Battery
temperature must be brought above freezing point before attempting a
jump-start.
• Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the ignition switch is on. You can be injured by moving
fan blades.
• Remove any metal jewelry, such as watch bands or bracelets, that might make an inadvertent electrical contact. You could be severely injured.
• Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. Keep open
flames or sparks away from the battery.
• Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this could establish a ground connection and personal injury could result.
• Failure to follow this procedure could result in personal injury or property damage due to battery explosion.
• Do not connect the cable to the negative post (-)of the discharged
battery. The resulting electrical spark could cause the battery to explode
and could result in personal injury.
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.
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.
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 may become disengaged, causing serious injury.
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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 dollyNOT Permitted without
a towing dolly
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