warning light DODGE DAKOTA 2007 3.G Owner's Manual

WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the
end of the steering wheel travel will increase the
steering fluid temperature and should be avoided
when possible. Damage to the power steering pump
may occur.
ROCKING THE VEHICLE
If vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the gear
selector rhythmically between FIRST and REVERSE,
while applying slight pressure to the accelerator.
The least amount of accelerator pedal pressure to main-
tain the rocking motion without spinning the wheels or
racing the engine is most effective. Allow the engine to
idle with the transmission selector in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion cycles.
This will minimize overheating and reduce the risk of
transmission failure during prolonged efforts to free a
stuck vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 217
5

Life of Tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying
factors including but not limited to:
•Driving style
•Tire pressure
•Distance driven
WARNING!
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after six
years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to
follow this warning can result in sudden tire failure.
You could lose control and have an accident result-
ing in serious injury or death.
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease, and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-
lent to the originals in size, quality and performance
when replacement is needed (refer to the paragraph on
“Tread Wear Indicators”). Refer to the “Tire and Loading
Information” placard for the size designation of your tire.
The service description and load identification will be
found on the original equipment tire. Failure to use
equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the
safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend
that you contact your original equipment or an autho-
rized tire dealer with any questions you may have on tire
specifications or capability.
STARTING AND OPERATING 233
5

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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 261
5

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.
5. 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.
6. Using the wheel wrench, finish tightening the nuts in
a crisscross pattern. Correct nut tightness is 130-160 ft.
lbs. (177-217 N·m). If in doubt about the correct tightness,
have them checked with a torque wrench by your dealer
or at a service station.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could injure someone in the vehicle.
Always stow the jack, tools and the extra tire and
wheel in the places provided.
7. Lower the jack to its fully closed position. Stow the
replaced tire, jack, and tools as previously described.
8. Adjust the tire pressure when possible.
NOTE:Do not oil wheel studs. For chrome wheels, do
not substitute with chrome plated wheel nuts.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 281
6

JUMP STARTING
WARNING!
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or cloth-
ing. Don’t lean over battery when attaching
clamps or allow the clamps to touch each other. If
acid splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the con-
taminated area immediately with large quantities
of water.
•A battery generates hydrogen gas which is flam-
mable and explosive. Keep flame or spark away
from the vent holes. Do not use a booster battery
or any other booster source with an output that
exceeds 12 volts.
Check the Battery Test Indicator (if equipped). If a light or
bright colored dot is visible in the indicator (if equipped),
DO NOT jump-start the battery.
If the indicator (if equipped) is dark or shows a green dot,
proceed as follows:
1. Wear eye protection and remove all metal jewelry such
as watch bands or bracelets which might make an
unintended electrical contact.
2. Park the booster vehicle within cable reach but with-
out letting the vehicles touch. Set the parking brake, place
the automatic transmission in PARK and turn the ignition
OFF on both vehicles.
3. Turn OFF heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 283
6

attempt to clean the oil PCV valve!Check ventilating
hose for indication of damage or plugging with deposits.
Replace if necessary.
Brake System
Power Disc Brakes (Front)
Disc brakes do not require adjustment; however, several
hard stops during the break-in period are recommended
to seat the linings and wear off any foreign material.
Brake Master Cylinders
The fluid level in the master cylinders should be checked
whenever the vehicle is serviced, or immediately if the
brake system warning light is on. If necessary, add fluid
to bring level to the full mark on the side of the reservoir
of the brake master cylinder. Be sure to clean the top of
the master cylinder area before removing the cap. With
disc brakes, fluid level can be expected to fall as the brakepads wear. Brake fluid level should be checked when
pads are replaced. If the brake fluid level is abnormally
low, check system for leaks.
Refer to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct
fluid type.
WARNING!
Use of brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point, or is unidentified as to specifications,
may result in sudden brake failure during hard
prolonged braking. You could have an accident.
316 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adding Fuel........................243,272
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 302
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 305
Air Conditioning........................ 175
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips..........175,178
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............305,306
Air Conditioning System................175,305
AirFilter .............................. 302
Air Pressure, Tires....................227,235
Airbag........................... 44,54,142
Airbag Light.......................... 54,73
Airbag On/Off Switch..................... 54
Alarm, Panic............................ 22
Alarm (Security Alarm)................. 18,139
Alignment and Balance................... 234
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 171
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)........... 311,312,345
Disposal............................ 313Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............213,214
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 139
Anti-Theft System..................... 18,139
Appearance Care........................ 323
Arming Theft System (Security Alarm)......... 18
Auto Unlock, Doors....................... 30
AutomaticDimmingMirror ................. 79
Automatic Door Locks..................... 29
Automatic Transaxle.................... 12,190
Interlock System........................ 15
Automatic Transmission.............187,191,318
Adding Fluid......................... 319
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 320
Fluid Level Check...................... 318
FluidType ........................320,347
Gear Ranges.......................... 191
Special Additives...................... 320
Torque Converter...................... 195
AxleFluid ............................. 347
378 INDEX

Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid)............... 321
BallJoints ............................. 306
Battery............................... 304
Charging............................ 283
Emergency Starting..................... 283
Gas Caution.......................... 283
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)....... 25
Saving Feature (Protection)................ 91
Belts,Drive ............................ 301
Belts, Seat.............................. 35
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 307
B-Pillar Location........................ 222
Brake Fluid............................ 347
Brake System........................213,316
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................213,214
Disc Brakes.......................... 316
Fluid Check.......................... 316
Hoses.............................. 317Master Cylinder....................... 316
Parking............................. 212
Warning Light.....................139,141
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 191
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 71
Bulb Replacement....................... 333
Bulbs,Light ............................ 332
Calibration, Compass..................... 107
Camper............................... 128
Capacities, Fluid........................ 345
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine).......................... 299
Power Steering........................ 306
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 312
Car Washes............................ 323
Carbon Monoxide Warning..............129,242
CargoLight ............................ 94
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 247
INDEX 379
10

Emission Related Components.............. 315
Engine
Air Cleaner.......................... 302
Block Heater......................... 189
Break-In Recommendations................ 71
Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 346
Exhaust Gas Caution.................. 72,242
Flooded, Starting...................... 188
Fuel Requirements..................... 345
Jump Starting......................... 283
Oil ...........................297,345,346
Oil Filler Cap......................... 299
Oil Selection.......................... 345
Oil Synthetic......................... 300
Starting............................. 187
Temperature Gauge..................... 136
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 19
Equipment Identification Plate.............. 270
Event Data Recorder...................... 56Exhaust Gas Caution................ 72,242,309
Exhaust System....................... 72,309
Extender, Seat Belt........................ 43
ExteriorLighting ......................... 92
Fabric Care............................ 325
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 302
Engine Fuel.......................... 302
Engine Oil........................300,346
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 300
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 272
Turn Signal...................... 94,136,338
Flat Tire Stowage........................ 282
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Cruising Range........................ 247
Engine Oil........................... 246
Fuel Requirements..................... 245
382 INDEX

Fuel................................ 136
Odometer........................... 140
Speedometer......................... 138
Tachometer.......................... 139
Gear Ranges........................... 191
General Information...................... 18
Glass Cleaning.......................... 326
Grease............................... 322
Gross Axle Weight Rating...............248,252
GrossCargoWeight ...................... 247
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating................ 251
GVWR ............................248,251
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 272
Headlights............................ 333
High Beam........................... 96
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch......... 96
Lights On Reminder..................... 93
Passing.............................. 95Replacing............................ 333
Switch ............................... 92
Heated Mirrors.......................... 82
Heated Seats............................ 87
Heater, Engine Block..................... 189
High Beam Indicator..................... 137
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . . 96
Hitches
TrailerTowing ........................ 256
Holder,Cup ........................... 123
HomeLink(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 110
Hood Release........................... 88
Hoses................................ 315
Ignition............................... 12
Key ................................. 12
Ignition Key Removal..................... 12
Illuminated Entry........................ 19
Infant Restraint.......................... 58
384 INDEX