tow DODGE DAKOTA 2009 3.G Owners Manual

NOTE:Changes or modifications not expressly ap-
proved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
If your RKE Transmitter fails to operate from a normal
distance, check for these two conditions.
1. Weak batteries in the RKE transmitter. The expected
life of batteries is five years.
2. Closeness to a radio transmitter such as a radio station
tower, airport transmitter, military base, and some mobile
or CB radios.
Programming Additional Transmitters
This vehicle is shipped from the assembly plant with two
RKE transmitters programmed for this vehicle only. A
total of eight RKE transmitters can be programmed for
your vehicle. Additional RKE transmitters can be pro-
grammed to your vehicle through the use of currently
programmed RKE transmitters.NOTE:When entering program mode using that cur-
rently programmed RKE transmitter, all other pro-
grammed RKE transmitters will be erased and you will
have to reprogram them for your vehicle.
Use the following procedure to program additional RKE
transmitters if the vehicle is not equipped with a Sentry
Keyt:
1. Enter your vehicle and close all the doors.
2. Fasten your seat belt. (Fastening the seat belt will
cancel any chiming that may confuse you during this
programming procedure).
3. Place the key into the ignition.
4. Turn the ignition to the ON position.(Do not start the
engine.)
5. Press and hold the UNLOCK button on the RKE
transmitter.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 25
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WARNING!
²A lap belt worn too high can increase the risk of
internal injury in a collision. The belt forces won't
be at the strong hip and pelvic bones, but across
your abdomen. Always wear the lap belt as low as
possible and keep it snug.
²A twisted belt can't do its job as well. In a collision
it could even cut into you. Be sure the belt is
straight. If you can't straighten a belt in your
vehicle, take it to your authorized dealer and have
it fixed.
5. Position the shoulder belt on your chest so that it is
comfortable and not resting on your neck. The retractor
will withdraw any slack in the belt.6. To release the belt, push the red button on the buckle.
The belt will automatically retract to its stowed position.
If necessary, slide the latch plate down the webbing to
allow the belt to retract fully.
WARNING!
A frayed or torn belt could rip apart in a collision and
leave you with no protection. Inspect the belt system
periodically, checking for cuts, frays, or loose parts.
Damaged parts must be replaced immediately. Do
not disassemble or modify the system. Seat belt
assemblies must be replaced after a collision if they
have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.).
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41
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²Cruise control status
²Traction/stability control status
²Tire pressure monitoring system status (if equipped).
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time - babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States, and all Canadian provinces, require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it. Children
12 years and younger should ride properly buckled up in
a rear seat, if available. According to crash statistics,
children are safer when properly restrained in the rear
seats rather than in the front.
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult seat belt. Always check the child seatowner's manual to ensure you have the right seat for
your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your child.
Infants and Small Children
²
Safety experts recommend that children ride
rearward-facing in the vehicle until they are at least
one year old and weigh at least 20 lbs (9 kg). Two types
of child restraints can be used rearward facing: infant
carriers and9convertible9child seats.
²The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children who weigh up
to about 20 lbs (9 kg).9Convertible9child seats can be
used either rearward-facing or forward-facing in the
vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a higher
weight limit in the rearward-facing direction than
infant carriers do, so they can be used rearward-facing
by children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) but are
less than one year old. Both types of child restraints are
held in the vehicle by the seat belt or the LATCH child
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

were provided with the child restraint system. The rear
seat lower anchorages are round bars, located at the rear
of the seat cushion where it meets the seatback, and are
just visible when you lean into the vehicle to install the
child restraint. You will easily feel them if you run your
finger along the intersection of the seatback and seat
cushion surfaces. In addition, there are tether strap
anchorages at each LATCH seating position (Refer to
ªChild Restraint Tether Anchorº in this section.) Many,
but not all, restraint systems will be equipped with
separate straps on each side, with each having a hook or
connector for attachment to the lower anchorage and a
means of adjusting the tension in the strap. Forward-
facing toddler restraints, and some rear-facing infant
restraints, will also be equipped with a tether strap, a
hook for attachment to the tether strap anchorage, and a
means of adjusting the tension of the strap. You will first
loosen the adjusters on the lower straps and on the tether
strap so that you can more easily attach the hooks orconnectors to the vehicle anchorages. Next, attach the
lower hooks or connectors over the top of the anchorage
bars, pushing aside the seat cover material. Then, attach
the tether strap to the anchorage located on the back of
the seat, being careful to route the tether strap to provide
the most direct path between the anchor and the child
restraint. If your vehicle is equipped with adjustable rear
head restraints, raise the head restraint and, route the
tether strap under the head restraint and between the two
posts. Finally, tighten all three straps as you push the
child restraint rearward and downward into the seat,
removing slack in the straps according to the child
restraint manufacturer's instructions.
NOTE:When using the LATCH attaching system to
install a child restraint, please ensure that all seat belts
not being used for occupant restraints are stowed and out
of reach of children. It is recommended that before
installing the child restraint, buckle the seat belt so the
seat belt is tucked behind the child restraint and out of
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

reach. If the buckled seat belt interferes with the child
restraint installation, instead of tucking the seat belt
behind the child restraint, route the seat belt through the
child restraint belt path and then buckle it. This should
stow the seat belt out of the reach of an inquisitive child.
Remind all children in the vehicle that the seat belts are
not toys and should not be played with, and never leave
your child unattended in the vehicle.
WARNING!
Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of an infant or
child restraint. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer's directions exactly
when installing an infant or child restraint.
Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat
Belt
The passenger seat belts are equipped with either cinch-
ing latch plates or automatic locking retractors, which are
designed to keep the lap portion tight around the child
restraint, so that it should not be necessary to use a
locking clip. If the seat belt has a cinching latch plate,
pulling up on the shoulder portion of the lap/shoulder
belt will tighten the belt. The cinching latch plate will
keep the belt tight; however, any seat belt system will
loosen with time, so check the belt occasionally and pull
it tight if necessary. If the seat belt has an automatic
locking retractor, it will have a distinctive label. Pull the
belt from the retractor until there is enough to allow you
to pass through the child restraint and slide the latch
plate into the buckle. Then, pull the belt until it is fully
extended from the retractor. Allow the belt to return to
the retractor, pulling on the excess webbing to tighten the
lap portion about the child restraint. For automatic
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65
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MIRRORS
Inside Day/Night Mirror
A two-point pivot system allows for horizontal and
vertical adjustment of the mirror. The mirror should be
adjusted to center on the view through the rear window.
Headlight glare can be reduced by moving the small
control under the mirror to the night position (toward the
rear of the vehicle). The mirror should be adjusted while
set in the day position (toward the windshield).
Outside Mirrors
To receive maximum benefit, adjust the outside mirror(s)
to center on the adjacent lane of traffic with a slight
overlap of the view obtained on the inside mirror.
Outside Mirrors Folding Feature Ð If Equipped
Folding outside mirrors are hinged, and may be moved
either forward or rearward, to resist damage.
80 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Power Mirrors
The power mirror controls are located on the driver's
door trim panel.To adjust a mirror, turn the control wand toward the left
or right mirror positions indicated. Tilt the control wand
in the direction you want the mirror to move. When you
are finished adjusting the mirror, turn the control to the
center position to prevent accidentally moving a mirror.
Power Mirror Switch
Mirror Directions
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 81
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²or call 1±877±855±8400
UConnecttallows you to transfer calls between the
system and your cellular phone as you enter or exit your
vehicle and enables you to mute the system's microphone
for private conversation.
The UConnecttsystem is driven through your
BluetoothtªHands-Free profileº cellular phone.
UConnecttfeatures Bluetoothttechnology - the global
standard that enables different electronic devices to con-
nect to each other without wires or a docking station, so
UConnecttworks no matter where you stow your cellu-
lar phone (be it your purse, pocket, or briefcase), as long
as your phone is turned on and has been paired to the
vehicle's UConnecttsystem. The UConnecttsystem
allows up to seven cellular phones to be linked to the
system. Only one linked (or paired) cellular phone can be
used with the system at a time. The system is available in
English, Spanish, or French languages.Phone Button
The rearview mirror contains the microphone
for the system (depending on the type of
mirror and radio equipped), and either the
radio or the mirror has the two control buttons
(PHONE Button and VOICE RECOGNITION button)
that will enable you to access the system.
Voice Recognition Button
Actual button location may vary with radio.
The individual buttons are described in the
ªOperationº section.
The UConnecttsystem can be used with any Hands-Free
Profile certified Bluetoothtcellular phone. See the
UConnecttwebsite for supported phones. If your cellu-
lar phone supports a different profile (e.g., Headset
Profile) you may not be able to use any UConnectt
features. Refer to your cellular service provider or the
phone manufacturer for details.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 83
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the paired cellular phone to call the emergency num-
ber. This feature is supported in the U.S., Canada, and
Mexico.
NOTE:
²The emergency number dialed is based on the country
where the vehicle is purchased (911 for the U.S. and
Canada and 060 for Mexico). The number dialed may
not be applicable with the available cellular service
and area.
²If supported, this number may be programmable on
some systems. To do this, press `Phone' button and say
`Setup', followed by `Emergency'.
²The UConnecttsystem does slightly lower your
chances of successfully making a phone call as to that
for the cell phone directly.
WARNING!
Your phone must be turned on and paired to the
UConnecttsystem to allow use of this vehicle feature
in emergency situations, when the cell phone has
network coverage and stays paired to the UConnectt
system.
Towing Assistance
If you need towing assistance:
²Press the PHONE button to begin.
²After the9Ready9prompt and the following beep, say
9Towing Assistance.9
96 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:
²The Towing Assistance number dialed is based on the
country where the vehicle is purchased (1-800-528-
2069 for the U.S., 1-877-213-4525 for Canada, 55-14-
3454 for Mexico City and 1-800-712-3040 for outside
Mexico City in Mexico).
²If supported, this number may be programmable on
some systems. To do this, press `Phone' button and say
`Setup', followed by `Towing Assistance'.
Paging
To learn how to page, refer to9Working with Automated
Systems.9Paging works properly except for pagers of
certain companies, which time out a little too soon to
work properly with the UConnecttsystem.
Voice Mail Calling
To learn how to access your voice mail, refer to9Working
with Automated Systems.9
Working with Automated Systems
This method is used in instances where one generally has
to press numbers on the cellular phone keypad while
navigating through an automated telephone system.
You can use your UConnecttsystem to access a voice
mail system or an automated service, such as a paging
service or automated customer service line. Some ser-
vices require immediate response selection. In some
instances, that may be too quick for use of the UConnectt
system.
When calling a number with your UConnecttsystem
that normally requires you to enter in a touch-tone
sequence on your cellular phone keypad, you can press
the ªVoice Recognitionº button and say the sequence you
wish to enter, followed by the word9Send.9For example,
if required to enter your PIN followed with a pound, (3 7
4 6 #), you can press the ªVoice Recognitionº button and
say,93746#Send.9Saying a number, or sequence of
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 97
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