engine DODGE DAKOTA 2004 3.G Owner's Guide

CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling can cause excessive
exhaust temperatures which can damage your ve-
hicle. Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the
engine running.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Engine Block Heater Ð If Equipped
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is located at the right front
of the engine compartment for all engine applications.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
SHIFTING
Automatic Transmission
The gear shift lever is mounted on the right side of the
steering column. To engage a gear for driving, move the
shift lever from P-Park or N-Neutral to the desired gear
range (R-Reverse, D-Drive, 2±Second, or 1±First). To
move the shift lever, pull it toward you, then release it
when the desired gear range is reached. The Transmis-
sion Range Indicator (labeled ªGear Selectorº) in the
instrument cluster shows the selected gear range. The
Indicator is illuminated for night driving.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of Park and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
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switch is in the ON position. Always depress thebrake
pedal first,before moving the gear selector out of PARK.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from Park or
Neutral position into another gear range.
ªPº Park
This position supplements parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never use Park while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the
parking brake when leaving vehicle in this range. Always
apply the parking brake first, then place the selector in
the Park position.
WARNING!
Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if
it is not completely in P (Park). Check by trying to
move the gearshift lever back and forth without first
pulling the lever toward you, after you have set it in
P. Make sure it is in Park before leaving the vehicle.
WARNING!
Never use Park position on an automatic transmis-
sion as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of ªPº or
ªNº if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
ªRº Reverse
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
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5

ªNº Neutral
Shift to Neutral when vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with engine running. Engine may be started in
this range. Set the parking brake if you must leave the
vehicle.
ªDº Drive
Use this position for most city and highway driving.
ª2º Second
Use this position for driving slowly in heavy city traffic
or on mountain roads where more precise speed control
is desirable. Use it also when climbing long grades, and
for engine braking when descending moderately steep
grades. To prevent excessive engine speed do not exceed
45 mph (72 km/h) in this range.
ª1º First
Use this position for driving up very steep hills and for
engine braking at low speeds 25 mph (40 km/h ) or less
when going down hill. To prevent excessive engine speed
do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) in this range.
Overdrive
The transmission contains a fourth and fifth (if equipped)
speed (Overdrive) and will automatically shift from
Drive to Overdrive if the following conditions are
present:
²The transmission selector is in Drive.
²Engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature.
²Vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48
km/h).
²The ªO/D OFFº button has not been activated.
²Transmission has reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
Overdrive can be locked out by pressing the O/D Off
button located at the end of the transmission gear shift
lever. A light in the instrument cluster shows that the
feature has been deactivated. Pressing the button a
second time restores the Overdrive function.
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The ªO/D OFFº feature must be selected, if desired, each
time the engine is started.
NOTE:If the vehicle is started in extremely cold
temperatures, the transmission may not shift into Over-
drive and will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. Normal operation
will resume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable level. Refer also to the Note under
torque converter clutch, later in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desir-
able gear for operation at this temperature. If the
transmission temperature becomes hot enough the
O/D OFF and/or TRANS TEMP light(s) may illumi-
nate and the transmission may downshift out of
Overdrive until the transmission cools down. After
cooldown, the transmission will resume normal op-
eration.
When To Lock Out Overdrive
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, or whenever frequent transmission shifting
occurs, press the ªO/D OFFº button. This will improve
performance and reduce the potential for transmission
overheating or failure due to excessive shifting.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy is included
in all automatic transmissions. A clutch within the torque
converter engages automatically at a calibrated speed at
light throttle. It engages at higher speeds under heavier
acceleration. This may result in a slightly different feeling
or response during normal operation in high gear. When
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5

the vehicle speed drops below a calibrated speed, or
during acceleration, the clutch automatically and
smoothly disengages. The feature is operational in Over-
drive and in Drive.
NOTE:The torque converter clutch will not engage
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm
[usually after 1-3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving]. Because
the engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission
is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal.
Pressing the O/D OFF button, when the transmission is
sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that the transmission
is able to shift into and out of overdrive.
NOTE:If the vehicle has not been driven in several
days, the first few seconds of operation after shifting the
transmission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to
the fluid partially draining from the torque converter into
the transmission. This condition is normal and will not
cause damage to the transmission. The torque converter
will refill within five seconds of shifting from Park into
any other gear position.
Manual Transmission
NOTE:
The parking brake should be engaged before
leaving the vehicle, especially on an incline.
Use each gear in numerical order - do
not skip a gear. Be sure the transmission
is in FIRST gearÐ not THIRD, when
starting from a standing position; other-
wise damage to the clutch can result
from starting in THIRD.
For most city driving you will find it easier to use only
the lower gears. For steady highway driving with light
accelerations, 5th gear is recommended. To shift into 5th
gear, move the shift lever to the right beyond the spring
pressure point and push it forward. When shifting from
5th to 4th gear, pull the lever down toward you in one
motion. Do not pull the lever sharply left as you may
shift accidentally into 2nd gear and damage the trans-
mission or engine.
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To shift into Reverse, come to a complete stop. Depress
the clutch and pause briefly to allow the gear train to spin
down. Move the shift lever from the Neutral position
straight across and back into Reverse.
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal.
Do not attempt to hold the vehicle on a hill with the
clutch pedal partially engaged, as this will cause abnor-
mal wear on the clutch.
Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transmission for fuel economy it
should be upshifted as listed below. Shift at the vehicle
speeds listed for acceleration and cruise conditions (rela-
tively steady speeds).
Recommended Manual Transmission Shift Speeds in
MPH (KM/H)
Engine Model 1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5
3.7L/
4.7LAll 15 (24) 25 (40) 40 (64) 45 (72)
Higher upshift speeds may be used to obtain a desired
acceleration rate.
Downshifting
Moving from a high gear down to the lower gears in
descending numerical order is recommended to preserve
brakes when driving down steep hills. In addition,
downshifting at the right time provides better accelera-
tion when you want to resume speed. For acceleration
initiated at speeds less than 20 mph (30 km/h), second
gear is recommended.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
NV 233 Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions
The NV233 is an electric shift transfer case and is
operated by the 4WD Control Switch (Transfer Case
Switch), which is located on the instrument panel.
The NV233 transfer case provides 4 mode positions: 2
(rear) wheel drive high range, 4 wheel drive high range,
4 wheel drive low range, and neutral.
The NV233 transfer case is designed to be driven in the 2
wheel drive position (2WD) for normal street and high-
way conditions (dry hard surfaced roads).
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seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift require-
ments, refer to the9Shifting Procedure9for your transfer
case, located in this section of the owner's manual.
The ªSERVICE 4WDº warning light monitors the electric
shift 4WD system. If this light remains on after engine
start up or illuminates during driving, it means that the
4WD system is not functioning properly and that service
is required.
WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if the(Service 4WD(light is
illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may
allow the vehicle to roll which may cause personal
injury.
NOTE:Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The NV233 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.
When operating your vehicle in 4LO, the engine speed is
approximately three times that of the 2WD or 4HI
positions at a given road speed. Take care not to over-
speed the engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Proper operation of 4 wheel drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel.
Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the
transfer case.
Because 4 wheel drive provides improved traction, there
is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds.
Do not go faster than road conditions permit.
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Shifting Procedure - NV233 Transfer Case
NOTE:
If any of the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case
will not shift.The indicator light for the previous position
will remain ON and the newly selected position indicator
light will continue to flash until all the requirements for
the selected position have been met. To retry a shift:
return the control knob back to the original position,
make certain all shift requirements have been met, wait
five (5) seconds and try the shift again.
2WD to 4HI or 4HI to 2WD
Rotate the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position.
Shifts between 2WD and 4HI can be done with the
vehicle stopped or in motion. With the vehicle in motion,
the transfer case will engage / disengage faster if you
momentarily release the accelerator pedal after turning
the control switch. If the vehicle is stopped, the ignition
key must be in the ON position with the engine either
RUNNING or OFF. This shift cannot be completed if the
key is in the accessory position.
NOTE:On vehicles equipped with Anti-Lock Brake
Systems, the 4x4 system will not allow shifts between
2WD/ 4HI if the rear wheels are spinning (no traction). In
this situation the selected position indicator light will
flash and the original position indicator light will remain
ON. At this time, reduce speed and stop spinning the
wheels to complete the shift. There may be a delay up to
10 seconds for the shift to complete after the wheels have
stopped spinning.
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4HI to 4LO or 4LO to 4HI
NOTE:
When shifting into or out of 4LO some gear
noise may be heard. This noise is normal and is not
detrimental to the vehicle or occupants.
Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2-3
mph (3-5 km/h) or completely stopped. USE EITHER OF
THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES:
Preferred Procedure
1. With engine RUNNING, slow vehicle to 2-3 mph (3-5
km/h).
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (depress clutch
on manual transmissions).
3. While still rolling, rotate the transfer case control
switch to the desired position.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not
flashing), shift transmission back into gear (release clutch
on manual transmissions).Alternate Procedure
1. Bring the vehicle to complete stop.
2. With the key ON and the engine either OFF or
RUNNING, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (de-
press clutch on manual transmissions).
3. Rotate the transfer case control switch to the desired
position.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not
flashing), shift transmission back into gear (release clutch
on manual transmissions).
NOTE:If steps 1 or 2 of either the Preferred or Alternate
Procedure are not satisfied prior to attempting the shift or
if they no longer are being met while the shift attempt is
in process then the desired position indicator light will
flash continuously while the original position indicator
light is ON, until all requirements have been met.
NOTE:The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take
place and for the position indicator lights to be operable.
If the key is not ON then the shift will not take place and
no position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
156 STARTING AND OPERATING

case selection. When you select a different transfer case
position, the indicator lights will do the following:
If All Shift Requirements are Met
1. The current position indicator light will turn OFF.
2. The selected position indicator light will flash until the
transfer case completes the shift.
3. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the
selected position will stop flashing and remain ON.
If One or More Shift Requirements are not Met
1. The indicator light for the current position will remain
ON.
2. The newly selected position indicator light will flash.
3. The transfer casewill notshift.
NOTE:Before retrying a selection, make certain that all
the necessary requirements for selecting a new transfer
case position have been met. To retry the selection, turn
the control knob back to the current position, wait five (5)seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift require-
ments, refer to the9Shifting Procedure9for your transfer
case, located in this section of the owner's manual.
The SERVICE 4WD warning light monitors the electric
shift 4WD system. If this light remains on after engine
start up or illuminates during driving, it means that the
4WD system is not functioning properly and that service
is required.
WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if the(Service 4WD(light is
illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may
allow the vehicle to roll which may cause personal
injury.
NOTE:Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The NV244 transfer
case is not equipped with a synchronizer and therefore
the front and rear driveshaft speeds must be equal for the
158 STARTING AND OPERATING