service DODGE DAKOTA 2004 3.G Owner's Manual

sulfur to determine if the problem is fuel related prior to
returning your vehicle to an authorized dealer for ser-
vice.
CAUTION!
If the Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light is
flashing, immediate service is required; see onboard
diagnostics system section.
Materials Added To Fuel
All gasolines sold in the United States are required to
contain effective detergent additives. Use of additional
detergents or other additives is not needed under normal
conditions and would result in unnecessary cost. There-
fore, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
ADDING FUEL
Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)
The gas cap is behind the fuel filler door. If the gas cap is
lost or damaged, be sure the replacement cap is for use
with this vehicle.
CAUTION!
Damage to the fuel system or emission control
system could result from using an improper fuel
tank filler tube cap (gas cap). A poorly fitting cap
could let impurities into the fuel system.
186 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on the
ground while filling.
Fuel System Cautions
CAUTION!
Follow these guidelines to maintain your vehicle's
performance:
²The use of leaded gas is prohibited by Federal law.
Using leaded gasoline can impair engine performance,
damage the emission control system, and could result
in loss of warranty coverage.
²An out-of-tune engine, or certain fuel or ignition
malfunctions, can cause the catalytic converter to
overheat. If you notice a pungent burning odor orsome light smoke, your engine may be out of tune or
malfunctioning and may require immediate service.
Contact your dealer for service assistance.
²When pulling a heavy load or driving a fully loaded
vehicle when the humidity is low and the temperature
is high, use a premium unleaded fuel to help prevent
spark knock. If spark knock persists, lighten the load,
or engine piston damage may result.
²The use of fuel additives which are now being sold as
octane enhancers is not recommended. Most of these
products contain high concentrations of methanol.
Fuel system damage or vehicle performance problems
resulting from the use of such fuels or additives is not
the responsibility of the manufacturer and may not be
covered under the New Vehicle Warranty.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
188 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In
the event of engine malfunction, particularly involv-
ing engine misfire or other apparent loss of perfor-
mance, have your vehicle serviced promptly. Contin-
ued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.
As with any vehicle do not park or operate this vehicle in
areas where combustible materials such as grass or leaves
can contact a hot exhaust system.
A scorching odor may appear if you continue to run a
malfunctioning engine. The odor may indicate severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, the
vehicle should be stopped, the engine shut off and the
vehicle allowed to cool. Service, including a tune-up to
manufacturer's specifications should be obtained imme-
diately.To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
²Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
²Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
²Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing.
²Do not idle the engine for prolonged periods during
very rough idle or malfunctioning operating condi-
tions.
²Do not allow vehicle to run out of fuel.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
190 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR or the maximum front and rear GAWR. If
you do, parts on your vehicle can break, or it can
change the way your vehicle handles. This could
cause you to lose control. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
A loaded vehicle is shown in the following example. Note
that neither GVWR nor GAWR capabilities are exceeded.
Overloading can cause potential safety hazards and
shorten service life.
NOTE:The weights shown in this chart are not
necessarily the weights for your vehicle. Also, the
amount of load added to both the front and rear axles
can be computed after the vehicle has been weighed
both in its(curb weight(condition, and in its(loaded
and ready for operation(condition.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) 6500 LBS.
STARTING AND OPERATING 193
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tongue that typically provides adjustable friction associ-
ated with the telescoping motion to dampen any un-
wanted trailer swaying motions while traveling.
CAUTION!
²During the first 500 miles (805 km) your new
vehicle is driven, do not tow a trailer. Doing so
may damage your vehicle.
²When first towing a trailer, limit your speed to 50
mph (80 km/h) during the first 500 miles (805 km)
of towing.
Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle:
²the tongue weight of the trailer
²the weight of any other type of cargo or equipment put
in or on your vehicle
NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or dealer-installed options,
must be considered as part of the total load on your
vehicle. Refer to the Certification label located at the
driver's door for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Perform maintenance services as prescribed in the Main-
tenance Schedules section. When your vehicle is used for
trailer towing, never exceed the gross axle weight rating
(GAWR) and GVWR.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
²Be sure the trailer is loaded heavier in front, with 60%
to 65% of the weight located ahead of the trailer's
axles(s) sufficiently to place result in tongue weights of
between 10% and 15% of the GTW loaded trailer
weight on the tow hitch of your vehicle. (For a95th
196 STARTING AND OPERATING

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The flasher switch is on the top of the steering column,
just behind the steering wheel. Press the flasher switch
and all front and rear directional signals will flash
intermittently.
Press the switch a second time to turn off the emergency
flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed and the vehicle locked.
ADDING FUEL
On some models, the fuel tank filler tube, on vehicles
equipped with a catalytic converter, has a restricting door
about 2 inches (50 mm) inside the opening. If using a
portable fuel container, it should have a flexible nozzle
long enough to force open the restricting door.
WARNING!
A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is in a vehicle or on a truck
bed. You could be burned. Always place gas contain-
ers on the ground while filling.
208 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Remove the gas cap slowly to prevent fuel spray
from the filler neck which may cause injury.
The volatility of present gasolines may cause a build
up of pressure in the fuel tank that may increase
while you drive. This pressure can result in a spray
of gasoline and/or vapors when you remove the cap
from a hot vehicle. Removing the cap slowly allows
the pressure to vent and prevents fuel spray.
Never allow any lit smoking materials near the
vehicles while removing the cap or filling the tank.
Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is
running.
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
Jack Location
The jack, jack drive tube, 2 tube extensions, and wheel
wrench are located behind the seat on the passenger's
side of the vehicle.
WARNING!
The jack is designed as a tool for changing tires only.
The jack should not be used to lift the vehicle for
service purposes, unless suitable supports are placed
under the vehicle as a safety measure. The vehicle
should be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid
ice or slippery areas.
²In the Regular Cab the jack and tools are stowed under
a formation in the carpet behind the passenger seat.
²In the Quad Cab the jack and tools are stowed under
the rear seat. Lift the passenger side rear seat cushion
to gain access to this area.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 209
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handle counterclockwise until the spare tire is on the
ground with enough cable slack to allow you to pull it
out from under the vehicle. When the spare is clear, tilt
the retainer at the end of the cable and pull it through the
center of the wheel.
It is recommended that you stow the flat or spare to
avoid tangling the loose cable.
NOTE:The winch mechanism is designed for use with
the jack extension tube only. Use of an air wrench or other
power tools is not recommended and can damage the
winch.
Tire Changing Procedure
WARNING!
Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never get any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
center where it can be raised on a lift.
Do not raise this vehicle using a bumper jack. The jack is
designed as a tool for changing tires on this vehicle only.
It is not recommended that the jack be used for service
purposes or to lift more than one wheel at a time.
Preparations
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoiding ice or
slippery areas. Set the parking brake and place the gear
selector in PARK (automatic transmission) or REVERSE
(manual transmission). On four-wheel drive vehicles,
shift the transfer case to the ª4Lº position.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 211
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Before raising the wheel off the ground, make sure that
the jack will not damage surrounding truck parts and
adjust the jack position as required.
5. By rotating the wheel wrench clockwise, raise the
vehicle until the wheel just clears the surface.WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle unstable and cause an accident. It could
slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the
vehicle only enough to remove the tire.
6. Remove the wheel nuts and pull the wheel off. Install
the spare wheel and wheel nuts with the cone shaped end
of the nuts toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the nuts. To
avoid risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not fully
tighten the nuts until the vehicle has been lowered.
7. Using the wheel wrench, finish tightening the nuts in
a crisscross pattern.Correct nut tightness is 85-115 ft. lbs.
(115-155 N´m) torque. If in doubt about the correct
tightness, have them checked with a torque wrench by
your dealer or at a service station.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 213
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mEngine Compartment 3.7L V6.............221
mEngine Compartment 4.7L V-8............222
mOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II......223
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs
............................224
mReplacement Parts.....................225
mDealer Service........................225
mMaintenance Procedures.................226
NEngine Oil..........................226
NEngine Oil Filter......................229
NDrive Belts Ð Check Condition And Tension . . 230
NSpark Plugs.........................230NIgnition Cables.......................230
NEngine Air Cleaner Filter................230
NEngine Fuel Filter.....................231
NCatalytic Converter....................231
NMaintenance-Free Battery................232
NAir Conditioner Maintenance.............233
NPower Steering Ð Fluid Check............234
NFront Suspension Ball Joints..............235
NSteering Linkage......................235
NDrive Shaft Constant Velocity
Joints Ð 4X4 Models...................235
NBody Lubrication.....................235
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