2011 DODGE DAKOTA maintenance

INTRODUCTION/WELCOME
Welcome From Chrysler Group LLC . . . 2
CONTROLS AT A GLANCE
Driver Cockpit...............4
Instrument Cluster ............6
GETTING STARTED
KeyFOB ..................8
Remote Start................8
Theft Alarm ................9
Seat Belt ..................9
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) —
Airbags .................. 10
Child Restraints ............. 11
Front Seats ................ 14
Heated Seats .............. 16
Tilt Steering Column .......... 17
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
Turn Signals/Wiper/Washer/High
Beams Lever............... 18
Headlight Switch ............ 19
Speed Control .............. 20
Climate Controls ............. 21
Wind Buffeting .............. 21
ELECTRONICS
Non-Touch-Screen Radios ....... 22
Steering Wheel Audio Controls .... 25
Uconnect™ Phone ........... 25
Uconnect™ Voice Command ...... 27
Programmable Features ........ 28
Universal Garage Door Opener
(HomeLink
®)............... 29
Power Outlets .............. 31
OFF-ROAD CAPABILITIES
Four-Wheel Drive Operation ...... 32
UTILITY
Rear Crate 'N Go®Storage....... 33 Rear Cargo Area Utility Rails
...... 33
Tailgate .................. 33
Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings) ......... 34
Recreational Towing (Behind
Motorhome, Etc.) ............ 34
Brake/Transmission Interlock
System .................. 36
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
24-Hour Towing Assistance ...... 37
Instrument Cluster Warning Lights . . 37
If Your Engine Overheats ........ 40
Jacking And Tire Changing ....... 42
Jump-Starting .............. 47
Emergency Tow Hooks ......... 49
Towing A Disabled Vehicle ....... 50
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ......... 51
Event Data Recorder (EDR) ....... 52
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Opening The Hood........... 53
Engine Compartment .......... 54
Fluids And Capacities .......... 56
Maintenance Chart ........... 58
Fuses ................... 61
Tire Pressures .............. 64
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care ...... 64
Exterior Bulbs .............. 65
CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
Chrysler Group LLC Customer Center . 66
Chrysler Canada Inc. Customer Center 66
Assistance For The Hearing Impaired . 66
Publications Ordering .......... 66
Reporting Safety Defects In
The 50 United States And
Washington, D.C. ............ 67
MOPAR ACCESSORIES
Authentic Accessories By MOPAR®.. 68
INDEX.................. 69
TABLE OF CONTENTS

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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
37

MAINTENANCE CHART
Miles:
8,000 16,000 24,000 32,000 40,000 48,000 56,000 64,000 72,000 80,000 88,000 96,000 104,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78
Or Kilometers:
13,000 26,000 39,000 52,000 65,000 78,000 91,000 104,000 117,000 130,000 143,000 156,000 169,000
Change the engine oil and filter. XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rotate the tires, rotate at the first sign of irregular
wear, even if it occurs before scheduled
maintenance. XXXXXXXXXXXXX
If using your vehicle for any of the following: dusty
or off-road conditions. Inspect the engine air
cleaner filter; replace if necessary. XXX
Inspect the brake linings; replace if necessary. X X X X X X
Inspect the CV joints. XXXX
Inspect the exhaust system. Perform the first
inspection at 16,000 miles (26,000 km) or
12 months. XXXXX
Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and
boot seals for cracks or leaks and all parts for
damage, wear, improper looseness or end play;
replace if necessary. XXXXXX
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. XXX
Inspect the transfer case fluid. XX
Inspect the front and rear axle fluid if using your
vehicle for any of the following: police, taxi,
off-road or frequent trailer towing. XXXX
Change the automatic transmission fluid & filter(s)
if using your vehicle for any of the following:
police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing. X
Replace Ignition Cables (3.7L Engine). X
Replace the spark plugs (3.7L engines). XXX
Replace Ignition Cables (4.7L Engine). X
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
58

Miles:
8,000 16,000 24,000 32,000 40,000 48,000 56,000 64,000 72,000 80,000 88,000 96,000 104,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78
Or Kilometers:
13,000 26,000 39,000 52,000 65,000 78,000 91,000 104,000 117,000 130,000 143,000 156,000 169,000
Replace upper bank spark plugs (4.7L engine). XX
Change the transfer case fluid if using your vehicle
for any of the following: police, taxi, fleet, off-road,
or frequent trailer towing. X
Flush and replace the engine coolant at 60 months
or 104,000 miles (169,000 km) whichever comes
first. X
Flush and replace the engine coolant at
104,000 miles (169,000 km) or 60 months
whichever comes first. X
Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary. X• Refer to the Owner's Manual on the DVD for the complete maintenance schedule.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
59

Maintenance Record
Odometer Date Signature, Authorized Service Center
8,000 Miles
(13,000 km)
or 6 Months
16,000 Miles
(26,000 km)
or 12 Months
24,000 Miles
(39,000 km)
or 18 Months
32,000 Miles
(52,000 km)
or 24 Months
40,000 Miles
(65,000 km)
or 30 Months
48,000 Miles
(78,000 km)
or 36 Months
56,000 Miles
(91,000 km)
or 42 Months
64,000 Miles
(104,000 km)
or 48 Months
72,000 Miles
(117,000 km)
or 54 Months
80,000 Miles
(130,000 km)
or 60 Months
88,000 Miles
(143,000 km)
or 66 Months
96,000 Miles
(156,000 km)
or 72 Months
104,000 Miles
(169,000 km)
or 78 Months
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
60

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

11ND33-926-AA
Dakota
Sixth Edition
User Guide
This guide has been prepared to help you get quickly acquainted
with your new RAM and to provide a convenient reference source
for common questions. However, it is not a substitute for your
Owner’s Manual.
For complete operational instructions, maintenance procedures and
important safety messages, please consult your Owner’s Manual,
Navigation/Media Center Manuals, Multimedia User Manual and other
Warning Labels in your vehicle.
Not all features shown in this guide may apply to your vehicle. For
additional information on accessories to help personalize your
vehicle, visit www.mopar.com or your local RAM dealer.
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