weight DODGE DAKOTA 2006 3.G Owner's Manual

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)
NOTE: For additional trailer towing information (maxi-
mum trailer weight ratings) refer to the following website
addresses:
•http:// www.dodge.com/towing .
•http:// www.dodge.ca(Canada).
Trailer and Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your
vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to sway severelyside to side
which will cause loss of control of vehicle and trailer.
Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of
many trailer accidents. Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your bumper or trailer hitch.
Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
STARTING AND OPERATING 265
5

•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
•The weight of the driver and all passengers.
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 Tire and Loading Information plac-
ard in the Tire Safety Information Section of this manual.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle driv-
etrain components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
•Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles (805
km) of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage
your vehicle.
•During the first 500 miles (805 km) of trailer
towing, limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Perform the maintenance listed in Section 8 of this
manual. When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR,
or GCWR, ratings.
266 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
P for Park. With a manual transmission, shift the
transmission into reverse. And with four-wheel-drive
vehicles, make sure the transfer case is not in neutral.
Always, block or chockthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
STARTING AND OPERATING 267
5

2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).
Towing Requirements — Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
Tires–General Information section of this manual on
Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the Tires–General
Information section of this manual on Tread Wear
Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires refer to the Tires–General Infor-
mation section of this manual on Replacement Tires for
proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires
with a higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes

Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
268 STARTING AND OPERATING

Grease............................... 332
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............259,262
Gross Cargo Weight ...................... 258
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ................ 261
GVWR ............................ 258,261
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect™) .............. 82
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 282
Headlights ............................ 342
High Beam ........................... 118
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ........ 118
Lights On Reminder .................... 116
Passing ............................. 118
Replacing ............................ 342
Switch .............................. 115
Heated Mirrors .......................... 82
Heated Seats ........................... 110
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 203
High Beam Indicator ..................... 153 High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 118
Hitches
Trailer Towing ........................ 264
Holder, Cup ........................... 144
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 132
Hood Release ........................... 111
Hoses ................................ 325
Ignition ............................... 13
Key ............................... 10,13
Lock ................................ 13
Illuminated Entry ........................ 14
Infant Restraint .......................... 57
Inflation Pressure Tires .................... 247
Inside Rearview Mirror .................... 79
Instrument Cluster ....................... 152
Instrument Panel and Controls .............. 150
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ............. 336
Interior Appearance Care .................. 335
396 INDEX

Chains.............................. 247
Changing ............................ 284
Compact Spare ........................ 242
General Information .................... 238
High Speed .......................... 240
Inflation Pressures ..................... 239
Jacking ............................. 288
Life of Tires .......................... 245
Load Capacity ..................... 234,235
Quality Grading ....................... 387
Radial .............................. 241
Replacement ......................... 245
Rotation ............................. 249
Safety ........................... 230,238
Sizes ............................... 231
Snow Tires ........................... 249
Spare Tire ........................... 286
Spinning ............................ 243
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 244 Wheel Mounting
....................... 288
Wheel Nut Torque ..................... 291
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 265
Torque Converter Clutch .................. 208
Tow Hooks, Emergency ................... 296
Towing ............................... 261
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 297
Guide .............................. 265
Recreational .......................... 273
Weight .............................. 265
Traction .............................. 278
Trailer Towing .......................... 261
Cooling System Tips .................... 272
Hitches ............................. 264
Minimum Requirements ................. 266
Mirrors ............................. 272
Trailer and Tongue Weight ................ 265
Wiring .............................. 269
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 265
404 INDEX

Trailer Weight.......................... 265
Transaxle ............................. 204
Automatic ........................... 204
Operation ........................... 204
Transfer Case ........................... 331
Fluid ............................... 357
Transmission ........................ 204,328
Automatic ...................... 201,204,328
Filter ............................... 330
Fluid ......................... 328,330,357
Maintenance .......................... 328
Manual ........................ 201,209,328
Shifting ............................. 210
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry) . 25
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink ) . . 132
Transmitter Programming (Remote Keyless Entry) . 24
Tread Wear Indicators .................... 244
Trip Computer .......................... 126
Trip Odometer .......................... 156 Trip Odometer Reset Button
................ 159
Turn Signals ...................... 1 17,152,348
Uniform Tire Quality Grades ................ 387
Universal Transmitter ..................... 132
Unlock, Auto ........................... 17
Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses ................. 325
Variance, Compass ....................... 130
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ............ 5
Vehicle Loading ...................... 235,258
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations .............. 6
Vehicle Storage ......................... 340
Warning Lights (Instrument Cluster Description) . 152
Warnings and Cautions ..................... 5
Warranty Information ..................... 385
Washers, Windshield ..................... 120
Washing Vehicle ......................... 333
INDEX 405
10

Weight Load Carrying.................... 258
Wheel Alignment and Balance ............... 246
Wheel and Wheel Trim .................... 334
Wheel Changing ........................ 284
Wheel Mounting ........................ 288
Wheel Nut Torque ....................... 291
Wind Buffeting .......................... 30
Window Fogging ........................ 192
Windows .............................. 28 Power
............................... 28
Windshield Defroster ................... 72,190
Windshield Washers ................ 1 19,120,319
Fluid ............................ 1 19,319
Windshield Wiper Blades .................. 318
Windshield Wipers ....................... 119
Wiper Blade Replacement .................. 318
Wipers, Intermittent ...................... 119
Wrecker Towing ......................... 297
406 INDEX