DODGE DAKOTA 2004 3.G Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures....................144
NManual Transmission..................144
NAutomatic Transmission................144
NNormal Starting......................144
NEngine Block Heater Ð If Equipped........146
mShifting.............................146
NAutomatic Transmission................146
NManual Transmission..................150
mFour-Wheel Drive Operation..............151
NNV 233 Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................151
NShifting Procedure - NV233 Transfer Case....155NNV244 Transfer Case Operating
Information / Precautions...............157
NShifting Procedure - NV244 Transfer Case....160
mLimited-Slip Differential Ð If Equipped.....162
mParking Brake.........................163
mBrake System.........................164
NRear Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System........164
NFour-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System Ð If
Equipped...........................165
mPower Steering........................166
mRocking The Vehicle....................167
mTire Safety Information..................167
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NTire Markings........................167
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........171
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........172
mTiresÐGeneral Information...............175
NTire Pressure.........................175
NTire Inflation Pressures.................176
NRadial-Ply Tires......................178
NCompact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped.........178
NTire Spinning........................179
NTread Wear Indicators..................180
NReplacement Tires.....................180
NAlignment And Balance.................181
mSupplemental Tire Pressure Information.....182
mTire Chains...........................182
mSnow Tires...........................183
mTire Rotation Recommendations...........183
mFuel Requirements.....................184
NReformulated Gasoline.................184
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............185
NMMT In Gasoline.....................185
NSulfur In Gasoline.....................185
NMaterials Added To Fuel................186
mAdding Fuel..........................186
NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............186
NFuel Tank Filler Tube...................187
NFuel System Cautions..................188
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............189
mCatalytic Converter.....................189
mVehicle Loading.......................191
NCertification Label.....................191
NCurb Weight.........................192
NLoading............................192
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mLoading Wide Building Materials..........194
mTrailer Towing........................195
NDefinitions..........................195
NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............197
NTrailer TowingÐHitches................198
NTrailer Towing Information
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings).........199
NTrailer Towing Requirements.............199
NTrailer Tow Wiring....................200NCooling System TipsÐTrailer Towing.......201mSnowplow...........................201
NDodge Dakota Models..................201
mRecreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.)
Of 4X4 Vehicles
.......................202
NRecreational Towing Procedure............202
NReturning To Normal Operation...........204
mTraction.............................206
mEquipment Identification Plate............206
STARTING AND OPERATING 143
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STARTING PROCEDURES
The starter should not be operated for more than 15
second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
Manual Transmission
Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever
in NEUTRAL and depress clutch pedal to the floor before
starting the vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a
clutch interlocking ignition system. It will not start unless
the clutch is depressed.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the shift lever in NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This
type of start can be dangerous if done improperly.
See section 6 of this manual for the proper jump
starting procedures and follow them carefully.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the START position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within
10 seconds, turn the key to the OFF position, wait 5
seconds, then repeat the starting procedure.
144 STARTING AND OPERATING

If Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
Normal Starting procedure, it may be flooded. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there
while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the Normal Starting procedure should
be repeated.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
After Starting
The idle speed is automatically controlled on fuel injected
engines and will decrease as the engine warms up.
STARTING AND OPERATING 145
5

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
146 STARTING AND OPERATING

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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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.
148 STARTING AND OPERATING

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
STARTING AND OPERATING 149
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.
150 STARTING AND OPERATING