2011 DODGE DAKOTA wheel

Two–Position Tailgate/Upper Load
Platform
• Your tailgate can be opened to thefull-open or the partial-open
position. The partial-open position
is for loading objects longer than
the length of the bed (sheets of
plywood, etc.) by creating an upper
load platform.
Installing Lumber • Place lumber across the box in the indentations provided above the
wheel housings and in the
bulkhead dividers, to form the floor.
There are indents in the sheet
metal (or bed liner if equipped) on
the inner side of the box in front
(Crew Cab
®only) and behind both
wheel housings.
• Secure the tailgate in the partially-open position.
• Open the tailgate slightly.
• Snap the tailgate support cable between the cable guide and the
tailgate bumper. Do this on both
sides of the tailgate.
• To return the tailgate to the full-open position:
• Lift up on tailgate.
• Remove both cables from
between the cable guides and
the tailgate bumpers, and lower
the tailgate.
CAUTION!
• Care should always beexercised when operating a
vehicle with cargo. Vehicle
speeds may need to be
reduced. Severe turns or rough
roads may cause shifting or
bouncing of the cargo that may
result in vehicle damage.
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
• Ensure the load is securely tieddown and is properly identified
according to local laws if it
extends beyond the tail lights.
• Loading should not exceed 400 lbs (181 kg) of material
suspended above the
wheelhouse and partially open
tailgate or vehicle damage may
result.
TRAILER TOWING WEIGHTS
(MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT
RATINGS)
NOTE: For trailer towing information
(maximum trailer weight ratings) refer to
the following website addresses:
• http:// www.ramtrucks.com/towing
• http:// www.ramtruck.ca (Canada)
RECREATIONAL TOWING
(BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Two-Wheel Drive Models
• Recreational towing of two-wheel
drive models is not allowable.
Towing the vehicle with the
transmission in NEUTRAL can
cause severe transmission
damage. Removal of the driveshaft
for towing is not recommended,
since this would allow fluid to drain
from the transmission.
UTILITY
34

Four-Wheel Drive Models
Recreational Towing Procedure• Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
• Bring the vehicle to a complete
stop, shut the engine OFF and
turn the Key Fob to the ON/RUN
position (do not start the engine).
• Press the brake pedal and shift the automatic transmission into
NEUTRAL, or press the clutch
pedal to the floor on a manual
transmission.
• Using a ballpoint pen or similar object, press the transfer case
NEUTRAL button for four
seconds.
• After the shift is completed and the NEUTRAL light comes on,
release the NEUTRAL button.
• Start the engine and shift the automatic transmission into
REVERSE.
• Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that there is
no vehicle movement.
• Repeat the previous step with the transmission in DRIVE.
• Shut the engine OFF, and place the Key Fob in the unlocked OFF
position.
• Shift automatic transmissions into PARK. Shift manual
transmissions into fourth gear.
• Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle with a tow bar and
disconnect the negative battery
cable.
• Refer to your Owner's Manual on the DVD for further details. NOTE:
• The first two steps are requirements
that must be met prior to pressing
the NEUTRAL button, and must
continue to be met until the four
seconds elapse and the shift has
been completed. If any of these
requirements (with the exception of
Key Fob ON) are not met prior to
pressing the NEUTRAL button or are
no longer met during the four second
timer, then the NEUTRAL indicator
light will flash continuously until all
requirements are met or until the
NEUTRAL button is released.
• The Key Fob must be ON for a shift to take place and for the position
indicator lights to be operable. If the
Key Fob in not ON, the shift will not
take place and no position indicator
lights will be on or flashing.
• A flashing NEUTRAL position indicator light indicates that shift
requirements have not been met.
CAUTION!
• Internal damage to the transfercase will occur if a front or rear
wheel lift is used when
recreational towing.
• The transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL for
recreational towing. The
NEUTRAL button is located on
the lower left hand corner of the
4WD Control Switch. Shifts into
and out of transfer case
NEUTRAL can take place with
the selector switch in any mode
position.
• Automatic transmissions must be placed in PARK position for
recreational towing.
(Continued)
UTILITY
35

• When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able todetect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur
for a variety of reasons, including the installation of replacement or alternate
tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires
or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and
wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original equipment tires and wheels.
TPMS pressures and warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor damage
may result when using replacement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause sensor damage. Do not
use tire sealant from a can, or balance beads if your vehicle is equipped
with a TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
- Engine Temperature Warning Light
• This light warns of an overheated engine condition.
• If the light turns on and a warning chime sounds while driving, safely pull overand stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also, shift the
transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the vehicle. If the temperature reading
does not return to normal, turn the engine off immediately.
• We recommend that you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or others could be badly
burned by steam or boiling coolant. You may want to call an authorized
service center for service if your vehicle overheats.
BRAKE- Brake Warning Light
• The Brake Warning light illuminates when there is either a system malfunctionor the parking brake is applied. If the light is on and the parking brake is not
applied, it indicates a possible brake hydraulic malfunction, brake booster
problem or an Anti-Lock Brake System problem.
• We recommend you drive to the nearest service center and have the vehicle serviced immediately.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
38

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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
42

Preparations For Jacking
• Park on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
• Set the parking brake and shift the automatic transmission into PARK. OnFour-Wheel Drive vehicles, shift the transfer case to the 4L position.
• Turn the ignition to LOCK and turn on the Hazard Warning flasher. • Block both the front and rear of thewheel diagonally opposite of the
jacking position. For example, if
changing the right front tire, block
the left rear wheel.
NOTE: Passengers should not remain in
the vehicle when the vehicle is being
jacked.
Jacking And Tire Changing Instructions
• Remove the spare tire, jack and tools from their stored location.
• Loosen (but do not remove) the wheel lug nuts by turning them counterclockwise one turn while the wheel is still on the ground.
• Assemble the jack and jacking tools. Connect the jack handle driver to the extension, then to the lug wrench.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
43

• Place the jack:• For front wheels, place the jack under the frame rail behind the wheel.Locate the jack as far forward as possible on the straight part of the frame
prior to inboard transition.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
44

• For rear wheels, place the jack under the axle between the u-bolts attachingthe spring to the axle.
• Turn the jack screw clockwise to firmly engage the jack saddle with the lift area.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
45

• 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)
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
46