DODGE DAKOTA 2004 3.G Owners Manual

General Information
The Manufacturer's Warranty does not apply to body
modifications and special equipment, such as a camper
unit, heaters, stoves, refrigerators, etc., supplied by
manufacturers other than the manufacturer. For warranty
coverage and service on these items, contact the appli-
cable manufacturer.
To mount a camper unit with an overhang, the tailgate
can be removed. Unlatch tailgate and remove support
cables from the retainer pins. Raise right side of tailgate
until the lower right side pivot clears the hanger bracket.
Then slide the tailgate to the right to remove.
Carbon Monoxide Warning Vehicles Equipped
With A Cap or Slide-In Campers
To avoid inhaling carbon monoxide, which is deadly, the
exhaust system on vehicles equipped with ªCap or
Slide-In Campersº should extend beyond the overhang-
ing camper compartment and be free of leaks.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 91
3

INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS
CONTENTS
mInstruments And Controls.................96
mFour Gauge Instrument Cluster.............97
mSix Gauge Instrument Cluster..............98
mInstrument Cluster Description.............99
mElectronic Digital Clock.................105
NClock Setting Procedure.................105
mSales Code RAZÐAM/ FM Stereo Radio With
Cassette Tape Player, CD Player And CD
Changer Controls Ð If Equipped
..........106
NOperating Instructions Ð Radio...........106
NPower Switch, Volume Control............106
NSeek Button (Radio Mode)...............106NTuning.............................106
NPTY (Program Type) Button..............106
NBalance............................108
NFade..............................108
NTone Control........................108
NAM/FM Selection.....................108
NScan Button.........................108
NTo Set The Radio Push-Button Memory......108
NTo Change From Clock To Radio Mode......109
NOperating Instructions Ð Tape Player.......109
NSeek Button.........................109
4

NFast Forward (FF).....................109
NRewind (RW)........................109
NTape Eject...........................110
NScan Button.........................110
NChanging Tape Direction................110
NMetal Tape Selection...................110
NPinch Roller Release...................110
NNoise Reduction......................110
NOperating Instructions Ð CD Player........110
NInserting The Compact Disc..............111
NSeek Button.........................111
NEJT CD (Eject) Button..................111
NFF/Tune/RW........................112
NProgram Button 4 (Random Play)..........112
NMode..............................112
NTape CD Button......................112NTime Button.........................112
NScan Button.........................112
NCD Changer Control Capability Ð If
Equipped...........................113
mSales Code RBKÐAM/ FM Stereo Radio
With CD Player And CD Changer Controls
...114
NRadio Operation......................114
NCD Player Operation...................116
NCD Changer Control Capability Ð If
Equipped...........................117
NRadio Display Messages................119
mSales Code RBBÐAM/FM Stereo Radio With
Cassette Tape Player And CD Changer
Capability
...........................119
NOperating Instructions..................119
NPower Button........................120
NElectronic Volume Control...............120
94 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

NSeek..............................120
NTune ..............................120
NTo Set The Push-Button Memory..........120
NBalance............................121
NFade..............................121
NBass And Treble Tone Control............121
NAM/FM Selection.....................121
NMode Button........................121
NCassette Player Features................121
NCD Changer Control Capability Ð If
Equipped...........................122
NRadio Display Messages................124
mSales Code RBQÐAM/FM Stereo Radio
With 6 - Disc CD Changer
...............124
NRadio Operation......................124
NCD Player Operation...................126
mRemote Sound System Controls Ð If
Equipped
............................130
NRadio Operation......................130
NTape Player.........................131
NCD Player..........................131
mCassette Tape And Player Maintenance......131
mCompact Disc Maintenance...............132
mRadio Operation And Cellular Phones.......132
mClimate Controls......................133
NHeater Only.........................133
NAir Conditioning.....................134
NOperating Tips.......................137
NOperation Tips Chart...................139
mRear Window Defroster ± Quad-Cab Only....140
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 95
4

INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
96 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

FOUR GAUGE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 97
4

SIX GAUGE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
98 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
The temperature gage indicates engine coolant
temperature. Any reading within the normal
range indicates that the cooling system is oper-
ating satisfactorily. The gage needle in V6 and V8
engines will likely indicate a high temperature when
driving in hot weather, up mountain grades, in heavy
traffic, or when towing a trailer. If the needle rises to
260É (hot mark), stop the vehicle, shift into N (Neutral)
and elevate engine speed for 2-3 minutes. If the
temperature reading does not return to normal, seek
authorized service immediately.
CAUTION!
Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the
engine running as you would not be able to react to
the temperature indicator if the engine overheats.
The gage pointer will remain near its last reading when
the engine is turned off. It will return to a true reading
when the engine is restarted.
2. Voltage Gage ± If Equipped
When the engine is running, the gage will
indicate the electrical system voltage. During
normal electrical load, the pointer will remain near the
center of the scale. If the pointer moves to either the
high or low sections, and remains there during normal
driving, the electrical system should be serviced.
3. Tachometer
This gage measures engine revolutions per minute (rpm
x 1000).
4. Shift Indicator Light
A small triangle lights to signal the most economical shift
point for vehicles equipped with a manual transmission.
See the Manual Transmission Operating description in
section 5 of this manual for details.
5. Turn Signal Indicators
When a turn signal is activated, a right-pointing or
left-pointing arrow lights up and flashes to indicate the
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 99
4

direction of the turn. These indicators also indicate
proper operation of the front and rear turn signal lights.
If either indicator flashes at a faster rate than normal,
check for a defective bulb. If either indicator fails to light
up when the lever is moved, check for a defective fuse or
turn signal bulb. A continuous low chime is activated
when the left/right turn signal is left on with the engine
RPM vehicle speed greater than 15 mph (24 km/h) for
more than 1 mi. (1.6 km)
6. High Beam Indicator
This light indicates that headlights are on high
beam.
7. Speedometer
This gage shows vehicle speed in miles per hour and
kilometers per hour.
8. Oil Pressure Gage ± If Equipped
This gage indicates engine oil pressure. Any
reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine oil system is operating satisfactorily. A
continuous high or low reading under normal operat-
ing conditions may indicate a lubrication system mal-
function. Immediate service should be obtained. Theoil gage does not indicate the amount of oil in the
engine. See section 7 for the oil level checking proce-
dure.
9. Fuel Gage
This gage shows the level of fuel in tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
10. Gear Selector
The electronic gear selector display is self-contained
within the instrument cluster. It displays the position of
the automatic transmission shift lever, and the relation of
each position to all other positions. For a good signal the
display will place a box around the selected transmission
range (PRND21). If the PRNDL displays only the char-
acters PRND21 (no boxes) or PRND21 with all boxes on,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
11. O/D (Overdrive) OFF Indicator (Automatic
Transmissions Only
This light will illuminate when the overdrive off button
has been selected.
100 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS