DODGE DAKOTA 2008 3.G Owners Manual

until armrest lid is closed manually by pressing the lid
back into place. Two pen holders are provided on the
inside of the armrest lid. A tissue holder is also provided
on the inside of the armrest lid, which holds a pocket size
soft pack of tissue.
CENTER STORAGE COMPARTMENT Ð IF
EQUIPPED
The center portion of the seat folds down to provide an
armrest with unique storage compartments under the lid.
Push the button on the armrest to raise the lid. Compart-
ments include a holder which will accommodate five
compact disks with finger notches for easier access, a
pencil tray, a coin holder, and a large open area for
miscellaneous items.
CUP HOLDERS
If your vehicle has bucket seats with a center console,
there are three cup holders located on the console. Refer
to the section on floor console.
A two-cavity cup holder is available on all Crew Cab
with rear seats mounted on the floor.
Front Cup Holders ± Crew Cab with Automatic
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 141
3

REAR STORAGE ± IF EQUIPPED
Rear Convenience Storage Crates
WARNING!
Do not sit or stand on this crate. It may collapse
causing serious injury.
The rear convenience storage crates are located under the
rear seat lower cushion and consist of two removable,
collapsible storage crates.
Rear Cup Holders ± Crew Cab with Automatic
142 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Do not lift up on the ªEnd Flapsº to open the crate,
damage to the ªEnd Flapsº may occur.
NOTE:The maximum loading capacity for the 40%
crate is 30 lbs. and 50 lbs. for the 60% crate.
To open the storage crate, lift upwards on the crate
handles, and engage the crate end flaps.
To remove the crate, press on the release lever and lift up
on the crate.
Open Crate
1 - Crate Handles
2 - Crate End Flaps
3 - Release LeverUNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 143
3

To install the crate into the base, insert the crate into the
inboard slot and push down on the outboard side of the
crate and snap into place.
To collapse the crate, push the crate end flaps inward to
disengage. Push the sides inward and snap into the base.
Plastic Grocery Bag Retainers
Retainer hooks which will hold plastic grocery bag
handles are built into the back panel of the cab.
Insert Crate
Grocery Bag Retainers
144 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Rear Window Defroster ± If Equipped
CAUTION!
Use care when washing the inside of the rear window
to prevent damage to heating elements. Use a soft
cloth and a mild washing solution, wiping parallel to
the heating elements. Also, keep all objects a safe
distance from the window to prevent damaging the
heating elements.A push-button type switch is located on the right
side of the control below the A/C (Snowflake)
button. Pressing the switch will turn on the Rear Window
Defroster. A light above the Rear Window Defroster
symbol will illuminate to indicate the Rear Window
Defroster is On. Pushing the button again will turn the
Rear Window Defroster Off prior to the time-out. The
Rear Window Defroster will turn off automatically after
15 minutes after the first push, 10 minutes after the
second push all within the same ignition cycle. To
prevent excessive battery drain, use the rear defroster
only when the engine is running.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 145
3

Sliding Rear Window ± If Equipped
A locking device in the center of the window helps to
prevent entry from the rear of the vehicle. Squeeze the
lock to release the window.
TAILGATE
Tailgate Removal
To simplify mounting a camper unit with an overhang,
the tailgate can be removed quickly. Follow these steps:
1. Open the tailgate to a 45É angle.
2. Unclip and remove the cables from the box while
maintaining a 45É angle.
Sliding Rear Window Latch
146 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

3. Lift the tailgate off of the pivot on the passenger side
by pulling upward and rearward at the same time.
4. Slide the tailgate to the passenger side while making
sure clearance from the box and taillight is maintained.
To reinstall the tailgate, do the following:
1. Slide the tailgate onto the driver's side pivot.2. Hold the tailgate at a 45É angle and insert it into the
passenger side pivot.
3. Clip the cables to the box.
Two Position Tailgate / Upper Load Platform
Your tailgate can be opened to the full 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:
1. Install lumber
²Place 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 (Club Cab only)
and behind both wheel housings.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 147
3

2. Secure the tailgate in the partially open position:
²Open the tailgate slightly.
²Snap 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:
²Lift up on the tailgate.
²Remove both cables from between the cable guides
and the tailgate bumpers and lower the tailgate.
148 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
²Care should always be exercised 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.
²Insure the load is securely tied down and is
properly identified according to local laws if it
extends beyond the taillamps.
²LOADING should not exceed 400 lbs (181 kg) of
material suspended above the wheelhouse and
partially open tailgate or vehicle damage may
result.
REAR CARGO AREA UTILITY RAILS
CAUTION!
The maximum load per cleat should not exceed 320
lbs (145 kg) and the angle of the load on each cleat
should not exceed 60 degrees above horizontal, or
damage to the cleat or cleat rail may occur.
There are four adjustable cleats that can be used to assist
in securing cargo. Each cleat must be located and tight-
ened down in one of the detentes, located on either rail,
in order to keep cargo properly secure.
To move the cleat to any position on the rail, turn the nut
counterclockwise approximately three turns. Then pull
out on the cleat and slide it to the detent nearest the
desired location. Make sure the cleat is seated in the
detent and tighten the nut.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 149
3

To remove the cleats from the utility rail, remove the end
cap by pushing up on the locking tab, located on the
bottom of the end cap. Slide the cleat off the end of the
rail.
Utility Rail
1 - Utility Rail Cleat
2 - Cleat Retainer Nut
3 - Utility Rail Detent
Utility Rail End Cap
150 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE