2011 DODGE DAKOTA towing

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

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

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

CAUTION!(Continued)
• Manual transmissions must beplaced in gear (for example,
fourth gear) for recreational
towing. Failure to follow these
procedures can cause severe
transmission and/or transfer
case damage.
• It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that the
transfer case is fully in
NEUTRAL before recreational
towing to prevent damage to
internal parts.
BRAKE/TRANSMISSION
INTERLOCK SYSTEM
• This system prevents you from
moving the shift lever out of PARK
and into any gear unless the brake
pedal is pressed.
• This system is active only when the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN
position.
UTILITY
36

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

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