2011 DODGE DAKOTA User Guide

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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
39

• 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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
40

NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down an impending overheat
condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C system adds heat to the engine cooling system and turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the Temperature Control to maximum heat, the Mode Control to floor and the Fan Control to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the engine cooling
system.
• 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.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage your vehicle. If the
temperature gauge reads HOT (H), pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the
vehicle with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops back into
the normal range. If the pointer remains on HOT (H), and you hear
continuous chimes, turn the engine off immediately and call for service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine coolant (antifreeze) or
steam from your radiator. If you see or hear steam coming from under the
hood, do not open the hood until the radiator has had time to cool. Never
try to open a cooling system pressure cap when the radiator or coolant
bottle is hot.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
41

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