DODGE DAKOTA 2007 3.G Manual PDF

WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
seat failure and injury to the child. In a collision, the
seat could come loose and allow the child to crash
into the inside of the vehicle or other passengers, or
even be thrown from the vehicle. Use only the
anchor positions directly behind the child restraint
to secure a child restraint top tether strap. See your
dealer for help if necessary.
Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision. Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in
pet harnesses or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle. Drive moderately during the first 300
miles (500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds
up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable. While
cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the limits
of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Avoid wide open throttle acceleration in low gear.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality, energy-conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
shown in Section 7.
NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS
MUST NEVER BE USED.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 71
2

A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles of operation. This is a normal part of the
break-in and is not an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust System
WARNING!
Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an ex-
tremely toxic gas that by itself is colorless and
odorless. To avoid inhaling these gases, the follow-
ing precautions should be observed:
•Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
•It may be necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for more than a short period. If so,
adjust your climate control system to force outside air
into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed and the
controls in any position except OFF or RECIRC.
•The best protection against carbon monoxide entry
into the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine
exhaust system.
Be aware of changes in the sound of the exhaust system;
exhaust fumes detected inside the vehicle; or damage to
the underside or rear of the vehicle. Have a competent
mechanic inspect the complete exhaust system and adja-
cent body areas for broken, damaged, deteriorated or
mispositioned parts. Open seams or loose connections
could permit exhaust fumes to seep into the passenger
compartment. In addition, inspect the exhaust system
each time the vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil
change. Replace or adjust as required.
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Heater Defroster Ducts
Inspect the heater defroster ducts for proper operation.
Check for proper air flow through all defroster ducts. If
there are any question regarding the operation of your
heater defroster ducts, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.) or if the front airbags have deployed. If there is any
question regarding belt or retractor condition, replace the
belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see you
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer. If there is a problem with the airbag light the
seatbelt light will flash.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for tread wear or uneven wear patterns.
Check for stones, nails, glass or other objects lodged in
the tread.
Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall cracks. Check wheel
nuts for tightness and tires for proper pressure.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 73
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Lights
Check the operation of all exterior lights. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if fuel fumes are
detected the cause should be located and corrected.
74 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

Mirrors ...............................79
▫Inside Day/Night Mirror.................79
▫Automatic Dimming Mirror — If Equipped....79
▫Outside Mirrors.......................80
▫Exterior Mirrors Folding Feature —
If Equipped..........................80
▫Electric Remote-Control Mirrors............81
▫Heated Mirrors — If Equipped.............82

Seats.................................82▫Manual Seat Adjustment.................82
▫Front Seats Manual Seat Recliners...........83
▫Manual Lumbar Support Adjustment —
If Equipped..........................84
▫Adjustable Head Restraints — Front Seating
Positions............................85
▫6 - Way Power Seat Adjuster —
Driver’s Side Only.....................85
▫Club Cab/Quad Cab Rear Seat.............87
▫Heated Seats — If Equipped..............87
3

To Open And Close The Hood..............88

Lights................................90
▫Interior Lights........................90
▫Battery Saver.........................91
▫Headlamp Delay.......................92
▫Headlights, Parking Lights, Panel Lights......92
▫Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only)......93
▫Lights-On Reminder....................93
▫Fog Lights — If Equipped................93
▫Cargo Light — If Equipped...............94
▫Multifunction Control Lever...............94

Windshield Wipers And Washers.............96
▫Windshield Wipers.....................96▫Windshield Washers....................97

Tilt Steering Column.....................98

Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped.......99
▫ToActivate ...........................99
▫To Set At A Desired Speed...............100
▫To Deactivate........................100
▫To Resume Speed.....................100
▫To Vary The Speed Setting...............100
▫To Accelerate For Passing...............102

Overhead Console......................103
▫Courtesy/Reading Lights................103

Compass/Temperature Mini-Trip Computer....104
▫US/M Button........................104
76 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

▫Reset Button.........................104
▫Global Reset.........................105
▫Step Button.........................105
▫Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)........106
▫Distance To Empty (DTE)...............106
▫Trip Odometer (ODO)..................106
▫Elapsed Time (ET).....................106
▫C/T Button.........................107
▫Compass/Temperature Display...........107
▫Automatic Compass Calibration...........107
▫Manual Compass Calibration.............108
▫To Put Into a Calibration Mode...........108
▫Outside Temperature...................109
Garage Door Opener — If Equipped.........110
▫Programming HomeLink................112
▫Canadian Programming/Gate Programming . . 114
▫Using HomeLink.....................114
▫Erasing HomeLink Buttons..............115
▫Reprogramming a Single HomeLink Button . . . 115
▫Security............................115

Power Sunroof — If Equipped.............116
▫Express Open Feature..................118
▫Sunroof Maintenance...................119

Electrical Power Outlets..................119
▫Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off (Battery Fed
Configuration).......................120
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 77
3

Floor Console — If Equipped..............121
▫Floor Console Features.................121

Center Storage Compartment — If Equipped . . . 122

Cup Holders..........................123

Rear Window Features...................124
▫Rear Window Defroster – If Equipped.......124
▫Sliding Rear Window – If Equipped........125

Tailgate..............................125▫Tailgate Removal.....................125
▫Two Position Tailgate / Upper Load Platform . 126

Slide-In Campers.......................128
▫Camper Applications...................128
▫General Information...................128
▫Carbon Monoxide Warning Vehicles Equipped
With A Cap Or Slide-In Campers..........129
78 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

MIRRORS
Inside Day/Night Mirror
The mirror should be adjusted to center on the view
through the rear window. A two-point pivot system
allows for horizontal and vertical adjustment of the
mirror.Annoying headlight glare can be reduced by moving the
small control under the mirror to the night position
(toward rear of truck). The mirror should be adjusted
while set in the day position (toward windshield).
Automatic Dimming Mirror — If Equipped
This mirror will automatically adjust for annoying head-
light glare from vehicles behind you. You can turn the
feature on or off by pressing the button at the base of the
mirror. A light in the button will indicate when the
dimming feature is activated.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 79
3

CAUTION!
To avoid damage to the mirror during cleaning,
never spray any cleaning solution directly onto the
mirror. Apply the solution onto a clean cloth and
wipe the mirror clean.
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.
Exterior Mirrors Folding Feature — If Equipped
Folding exterior mirrors are hinged and may be moved
either forward or rearward to resist damage.
Automatic Dimming Mirror
80 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE