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
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
50
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
• If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it can often be moved bya rocking motion. Turn your steering wheel right and left to clear the area
around the front wheels. Then move the shift lever back and forth between
REVERSE and DRIVE. Using minimal accelerator pedal pressure to maintain
the rocking motion, without spinning the wheels, is most effective.
• Allow the engine to idle with the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at least one minute after every five rocking-motion cycles. This will minimize overheating and
reduce the risk of transmission failure during prolonged efforts to free a stuck
vehicle.
CAUTION!
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving between REVERSE andDRIVE, do not spin the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not
spin the wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no transmission
shifting occurring).
WARNING!
• Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated by excessivewheel speeds may cause tire damage or failure. A tire could explode and
injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster than 30 mph
(48 km/h) when you are stuck. Do not let anyone near a spinning wheel,
no matter what the speed.
• 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 and chains may break, causing serious injury.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
51
OPENING THE HOOD
• Pull the hood release lever locatedbelow the steering wheel at the base
of the instrument panel.
• Reach into the opening beneath the center of the hood and move the
safety latch lever while lifting the
hood at the same time.
WARNING!
Be sure the hood is fully latched before driving your vehicle. If the hood is
not fully latched, it could open when the vehicle is in motion and block your
vision. Failure to follow this warning could result in serious injury or death.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
53
CAUTION!
• When installing the integrated power module cover, it is important toensure the cover is properly positioned and fully latched. Failure to do so
may allow water to get into the integrated power module and possibly
result in a electrical system failure.
• When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to use only a fuse having the correct amperage rating. The use of a fuse with a rating other than
indicated may result in a dangerous electrical system overload. If a
properly rated fuse continues to blow, it indicates a problem in the circuit
that must be corrected.
TIRE PRESSURES
• Check the inflation pressure of each tire, including the spare tire, at least
monthly and inflate to the recommended pressure for your vehicle.
• The tire pressures recommended for your vehicle are found on the “Tire and Loading Information” label located on the driver’s side door opening.
NOTE: Refer to the Owner's Manual on the DVD for more information regarding
tire warnings and instructions.
WARNING!
• Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and increase your stopping distance. Use tires of
the recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never overload them.
• Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can cause collisions. Under-inflation is the leading cause of tire failure and may result in severe
cracking, component separation, or “blow out”. Over-inflation reduces a
tire’s ability to cushion shock. Objects on the road and chuck holes can
cause damage that results in tire failure. Unequal tire pressures can
cause steering problems. You could lose control of your vehicle.
Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can
fail suddenly, resulting in loss of vehicle control.
WHEEL AND WHEEL TRIM CARE
• All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and chrome plated wheels,
should be cleaned regularly with a mild soap and water to prevent corrosion.
• To remove heavy soil and/or excessive brake dust, use MOPAR
®Wheel
Cleaner or equivalent or select a non-abrasive, non-acidic cleaner.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
64
CAUTION!
Do not use scouring pads, steel wool, a bristle brush, or metal polishes. Do
not use oven cleaner. These products may damage the wheel's protective
finish. Avoid automatic car washes that use acidic solutions or harsh
brushes that may damage the wheel's protective finish. Only MOPAR
®
Wheel Cleaner or equivalent is recommended.
EXTERIOR BULBS
LIGHT BULBS – ExteriorBulb Number
Tail, Stop, Turn Lamp 3057
Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp
(CHMSL) 921
Fog Lamp - If Equipped 9145
Front Park/Turn Signal 3157NA
Front Side Marker 3157NA
Headlamp H13
License Lamp 168
Cargo Lamp 921
Backup Lamp 3157
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
65
AUTHENTIC ACCESSORIES BY MOPAR®
• The following highlights just some of the many Authentic Ram TruckAccessories by Mopar featuring a fit, finish, and functionality specifically for
your Dakota.
• In choosing Authentic Accessories you gain far more than expressive style, premium protection, or extreme entertainment, you also benefit from
enhancing your vehicle with accessories that have been thoroughly tested and
factory-approved.
• For the full line of Authentic Ram Truck Accessories by Mopar, visit your local Ram Truck dealership or online at mopar.com.
CHROME:
• Exhaust Tip • Tubular Side Steps • Fuel Filler Door
• 18” Chrome Cast Aluminum Wheel • Front Air Deflector • Grille
EXTERIOR:
• Under-the-rail Bedliner • Tuner-style Tail lamps • Fender Flares
• Fiberglass Tonneau Cover • Bed Extender • Bed Mat
• Snapless Tonneau Cover • Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover
• Molded Splash Guards • Hitch Receiver
INTERIOR:
• Premium Carpet Floor Mats • Door Sill Guards • Slush Mats
ELECTRONICS:
• Portable Navigation Systems • Uconnect™ Web (WiFi)
• iPod
®Adapter • SIRIUS Satellite Radio
CARRIERS:
• Bed-mount Bike Carrier • Bed-mount Cargo Basket with Cargo Net• Diamond Plate Toolbox
• Bed-mount Ski and Snowboard Carrier • Sport Utility Bars
(accommodates all
carriers)
iPod
®is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc.
MOPAR ACCESSORIES
68
Air Conditioning............21
Airbag ..................10
Alarm, Panic ...............8
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . 39,40
Arming Theft System (Security
Alarm) ...................9
Audio Settings ...........23,24
Automatic Headlights .........19
Automatic Transmission FluidType ..............56
AxleFluid ................56
Battery Charging System Light .......39
Belts, Seat ................9
BrakeFluid ...............56
Brake System WarningLight ............38
Brake/Transmission Interlock ....36
Bulb Replacement ...........65
Cargo Compartment .........33
CargoLight ...............19
Change Oil Indicator .........40
Charging System Light ........39
Check Engine Light (Malfunction
IndicatorLight) .............39
ChildRestraint .............11
Child Restraint Tether Anchors . . . 11
Climate Control ............21
Clock Setting ..............24
Cooling System Coolant Capacity ..........56
Crates Rear Convenience Storage ....33
Cruise Control (Speed Control) . . . 20
CruiseLight ..............20
Customer Assistance .........66
Defects, Reporting ..........67
Defroster, Rear Window .......21
Defroster, Windshield .........21
Dimmer Control ............19
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ......19
Disarming, Theft System ........9
Driver Cockpit ..............4 Electronic Speed Control (Cruise
Control)
.................20
Electronic Throttle Control Warning
Light ...................39
Engine Compartment ............54
Malfunction Indicator (Check
Engine) ................39
OilSelection .............56
Overheating .............40
Event Data Recorder .........52
ExteriorLights .............65
Fluid Capacities ............56
Fluids ..................56
FogLights ...............19
Four Wheel Drive Operation .....32
FreeingAStuckVehicle .......51
Front Heated Seats ..........16
Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ........40
Specifications ............56
Fuses ..................61
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink
®).29
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) .......40
Headlights Automatic ..............19
Dimmer Switch ...........19
High Beam ..............18
Heated Seats ..............16
High Beam/Low Beam Select
(Dimmer) Switch ............18
HomeLink
®(Garage Door Opener)
Transmitter ...............29
Hood Release .............53
Instrument Cluster ...........6
Indicators ...............7
Instrument Cluster Warning
Lights .................6,37
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) . 18
Introduction ...............2
Jack Location .............42
Jump Starting .............47
INDEX
69
KeyFob..................8
Key Fob Programmable Features . . 28
Lane Change Assist..........18
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren) ................11
Lights Engine Temperature Warning . . . 38
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator ....40
Transmission Warning .......40
Turn Signal ..............18
Warning (Instrument Cluster
Description) ..............6
Maintenance Record .........60
Maintenance Schedule ........58
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check
Engine) .................39
Media Center Radio ........22,23
MOPAR
®Accessories ........68
Non-Touch-Screen Radio ......22
Oil Change Indicator .........40
Oil Change Indicator, Reset .....40
Oil Pressure Light ...........39
Oil, Engine Capacity ...............56
Outlet Power .................31
Overheating, Engine .........40
Panic Alarm ...............8
Phone (Pairing) .............25
Phone (Uconnect) ...........25
Power Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical
Outlet) ................31
Seats .................14
Steering ...............56
Preparation for Jacking ........43
Programmable Electronic Features . 28
Radio Non-Touch-Screen .........22
Radio Operation ............22
Rain Sensitive Wiper System ....18Recreational Towing
.........34
Remote Starting System ........8
Replacement Bulbs ..........65
Reporting Safety Defects ......67
Restraints,Child ............11
SeatBelts ................9
Seats ..................14 Adjustment ..............15
Heated ................16
Power .................14
SeekButton ..............23
Setting the Clock ...........24
Shift Lock Manual Override .....36
Signals, Turn ..............18
SpareTire ................42
SparkPlugs ..............56
Speed Control (Cruise Control) . . . 20
Starting Remote ................8
Steering TiltColumn..............17
Steering Wheel Audio Controls . . . 25
Store Radio Presets ..........24
Supplemental Restraint System -
Airbag ..................10
Tailgate .................33
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) .....9
Theft System Arming ..........9
Theft System Disarming ........9
TiltSteeringColumn .........17
Tires Air Pressure .............64
Changing ...............43
Flat Changing ............43
Jacking ................43
Pressure Warning Light ......37
Tow Hooks, Emergency .......49
Towing..................34 24-Hour Towing Assistance ....37
DisabledVehicle ..........50
Recreational .............34
Towing Vehicle Behind a
Motorhome ...............34
Trailer Towing Trailer and Tongue Weight .....34
TrailerWeight .............34
INDEX
70