DODGE DAKOTA 2007 3.G Owners Manual

actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000
lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000
lbs (907 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights & Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may includea4and7pin
wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness
and connector.
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NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.
4 - Pin Connector
7- Pin Connector
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If using a manual transmission vehicle for trailer towing,
all starts must be in FIRST gear to avoid excessive clutch
slippage.
Towing Tips — Automatic Transmission
The “D” range can be selected when towing. However, if
frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the “TOW
HAUL” feature should be selected.
NOTE:Using the “TOW HAUL” feature while operat-
ing the vehicle under heavy operating conditions will
improve performance and extend transmission life by
reducing excessive shifting and heat build up. This action
will also provide better engine braking.
The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than
45 minutes of continuous operation. See Schedule “B” in
section 8 of this manual for transmission fluid change
intervals.NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
Towing Tips — Tow/Haul (If Equipped)
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, turn the “TOW HAUL” feature ON when driving in
hilly areas or shift the transmission to Drive position 2 on
more severe grades.
Towing Tips — Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)

Don’t use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
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Towing Tips — Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
refer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
SNOWPLOW
Dodge Dakota Models
NOTE:Do not use Dodge Dakota Models for snowplow
applications.
WARNING!
Snowplows, winches, and other aftermarket equip-
ment should not be added to the front end of your
vehicle. The airbag crash sensors may be affected by
the change in the front end structure. The airbags
could deploy unexpectedly or could fail to deploy
during a collision resulting in serious injury or
death.
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CAUTION!
Using this vehicle for snowplow applications can
cause damage to the vehicle.
WARNING!
Attaching a snowplow to this vehicle could ad-
versely affect performance of the airbag system in an
accident. Do not expect that the airbag will perform
as described earlier in this manual
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Recreational Towing 2WD Models
Recreational towing of 2WD models is not allowable.
Towing the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral can
cause severe transmission damage. Removal of the drive-
shaft for towing is not recommended, since this would
allow fluid to drain from the transmission.
Recreational Towing 4WD Models
CAUTION!
Internal damage to the transfer case will occur if a
front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational
towing.
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CAUTION!
The transfer case must be shifted into Neutral (N) for
recreational towing. The Neutral (N) selection but-
ton is located on the lower left hand corner of the
4WD Control Switch. Shifts into and out of transfer
case Neutral (N) can take place with the selector
switch in any mode position.
Automatic Transmissions must be placed in P (Park)
position for recreational towing.
Manual Transmissions must be placed in gear (for
example, 4th gear) for recreational towing. Failure to
follow these procedures can cause severe transmis-
sion and/or transfer case damage.
Recreational Towing Procedure
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in Neutral (N) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.
1. Bring vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shut engine OFF.
3. Place ignition key in the ON position.
4. Depress brake pedal.
5. Shift automatic transmission to Neutral (N) or depress
clutch on manual transmission.
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6. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object,
depress the recessed transfer case Neutral (N) button for
4 seconds.
7. After shift is completed and the Neutral (N) light
comes on release Neutral (N) button.
8. Start engine.9. Shift automatic transmission into Reverse (R).
10. Release brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that
there is no vehicle movement.
11 .
Repeat steps 9 and 10 with the transmission in Drive (D).
12. Shut engine OFF and place ignition key to the
unlocked OFF position.
13. Shift automatic transmission into Park (P). Shift
Manual transmissions into 4th gear.
14. Attach vehicle to tow vehicle with tow bar.
15. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
NOTE:
Items 1 through 5 are requirements that must be
met prior to depressing the Neutral (N) selection button,
and must continue to be met until the 4 seconds elapse and
the shift has been completed. If any of these requirements
(with the exception of 3 - Key ON) are not met prior to
depressing the Neutral (N) button or are no longer met
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during the 4 second timer, then the Neutral (N) indicator
light will flash continuously until all requirements are met
or until the Neutral (N) button is released.
NOTE:The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take
place and for the position indicator lights to be operable.
If the key in not ON, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
NOTE:Flashing neutral (N) position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not been met.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the trans-
mission is shifted into Park (P) with the transfer case
in Neutral (N) and the engine RUNNING. With the
transfer case in Neutral (N), ensure that the engine is
OFF prior to shifting the transmission into Park (P).
Returning to Normal Operation
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
2. The vehicle must be at a complete stop.
3. Place the ignition if the Off position (if it has been
moved or the engine has been started).
4. Place ignition key in the ON position (engine Off).
5. Depress brake pedal.
6. Shift automatic transmission to Neutral (N) or depress
clutch on manual transmission.
7. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object,
depress the recessed transfer case Neutral (N) button for
1 second.
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8. After the Neutral (N) indicator light turns off release
the Neutral (N) button.
9. After the Neutral (N) button has been released the
transfer case will shift to the position identified by the
selector switch.
10. Start the engine. Shift the automatic transmission into
Drive (D), or place the manual transmission in 1st gear
and momentarily release the clutch, to verify that the
transfer case has engaged.
11. Set parking brake. Shift automatic transmission to
Park (P) or shift manual transmission to Neutral.
NOTE:Items 1 through 5 are requirements that must be
met prior to depressing the Neutral (N) selection button,and must continue to be met until 1 second elapses and
the shift has been completed. If any of these requirements
(with the exception of 3 - key ON) are not met prior to
depressing the Neutral (N) button or are no longer met
during the 1 second time, then all of the mode position
indicator lights will flash continuously until all require-
ments are met or until the Neutral (N) button is released.
NOTE:The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take
place and for the position indicator lights to be operable.
If the key is not ON, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
NOTE:Flashing neutral (N) position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not been met.
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WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the vehicle
unattended with the transfer case in the Neutral (N)
position without first fully engaging the parking brake.
The transfer case Neutral (N) position disengages both
the front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain and
will allow the vehicle to move despite the transmission
position. The parking brake should always be applied
when the driver is not in the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•Do not use a bumper mounted clamp-on tow bar on
your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.
•Do not disconnect the rear driveshaft because
fluid will leak from the transfer case and damage
internal parts.
EQUIPMENT IDENTIFICATION PLATE
The equipment Identification Plate is located on the hood
inner surface.
The following information about your vehicle is dis-
played on this plate: Model, Wheelbase, Vehicle Identifi-
cation Number, Truck Order Number, and code numbers
with descriptions of all production and special equip-
ment on the truck as shipped from the factory.
NOTE:Always refer to the equipment identification
plate when ordering parts.
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