2011 DODGE DAKOTA 4WD

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
Warning Lights
- Low Fuel Warning Light
- Charging System Light**
- Oil Pressure Warning Light**
- Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light**
- Airbag Warning Light**
- Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Light
- Engine Temperature Warning Light
- Transmission Temperature Warning Light
- Seat Belt Reminder Light
BRAKE- Brake Warning Light**
- Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)**
- SVC (Service) 4WD Indicator Light
(See page 37 for more information.)
CONTROLS AT A GLANCE
6

Indicators
- Turn Signal Indicators
- High Beam Indicator
- Front Fog Light Indicator
- Vehicle Security Indicator*
- TOW/HAUL Indicator
- Cruise Indicator
- 4WD Indicator
- 4WD LOW Indicator
- Cargo Lamp Indicator
Odometer Messages
door - Door AjarLoW tirE - Low Tire Pressure
gASCAP - Fuel Cap Fault noFUSE* - Fuse Fault
LoW WASH- Low Washer Fluid CHAngE OIL* - Change Engine Oil
* If equipped
** Bulb Check with Key On
CONTROLS AT A GLANCE
7

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
• This is an electric-shift transfer caseand is operated by the 4WD Control
Switch (Transfer Case Switch), which
is located on the instrument panel.
• The transfer case provides four mode positions:
• Two-wheel drive high range (2WD)
• Four-wheel drive lock range (4WD
LOCK)
• Four-wheel drive low range (4WD LOW)
• NEUTRAL (N)
• This transfer case is designed to be driven in the two-wheel drive position (2WD) for normal street and highway conditions on dry, hard-surfaced roads.
• When additional traction is required, the transfer case 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions can be used to lock the front and rear driveshafts together and
force the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is
accomplished by rotating the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position. The
4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions are designed for loose or slippery road
surfaces only.
• Driving in the 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions on dry hard-surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear and damage to the driveline components.
NOTE: The transfer case NEUTRAL position is selected by pressing the recessed
button located on the lower left-hand corner of the 4WD Control Switch. The
transfer case NEUTRAL position is to be used for recreational towing only.
NOTE: Do not attempt to make a shift while only the front or rear wheels are
spinning. The NV233/243 transfer case is not equipped with a synchronizer and,
therefore, the front and rear driveshaft speeds must be equal for the shift to take
place. Shifting while only the front or rear wheels are spinning can cause damage
to the transfer case.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the vehicle unattended with the
transfer case in the NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL position disengages both the
front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to
move regardless of the transmission position. The parking brake should
always be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.
OFF-ROAD CAPABILITIES
32

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

• 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