towing DODGE DAKOTA 2007 3.G Owner's Guide

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light.” It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the “Malfunction Indica-
tor Light” on could cause further damage to the
emission control system. It could also affect fuel
economy and driveability. The vehicle must be
serviced before any emissions tests can be per-
formed.
•If the “Malfunction Indicator Light” is flashing
while the engine is running, severe catalytic con-
verter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
After fuel is added, the vehicle diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel filler cap is loose, improperly
installed, or damaged. A loose fuel filler cap message will
be displayed in the instrument cluster. Tighten the gas
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 293
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Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your style of driving affect the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following to determine ifANYapply to you:
•Day or night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C).
•Stop and Go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).
•Trailer towing, Taxi, Police or delivery service (com-
mercial service).
•Off-Road or desert operation.
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
IfNONEof these apply to you, then change your engine
oil every 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first and follow scheduleAof theMaintenance
Schedulessection of this manual.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change in-
tervals exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
4x4 Models, If Used Primarily For Off-Road Operation
Every 50 hours of use.
298 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idling or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Maintenance Free Battery
The top of the maintenance free battery is permanently
sealed. You will never have to add water, nor is periodic
maintenance required.
WARNING!
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Don’t allow battery fluid
to contact your eyes, skin or clothing. Don’t lean
over a battery when attaching clamps. If acid
splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area imme-
diately with large amounts of water.
•Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep
flame or sparks away from the battery. Don’t use
a booster battery or any other booster source with
an output greater than 12 volts. Don’t allow cable
clamps to touch each other.
•Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands
after handling.
304 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The “Scheduled” maintenance services, listed inbold
typeon the following pages must be done at the times or
mileages specified to assure the continued proper func-
tioning of the emission control system. These, and all
other maintenance services included in this manual,
should be done to provide best vehicle performance and
reliability. More frequent maintenance may be needed for
vehicles in severe operating conditions such as dusty
areas and very short trip driving.
Inspection and service also should be done any time a
malfunction is suspected.
NOTE:Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emis-
sion control devices and systems on your vehicle may be
performed by any automotive repair establishment or
individual using any automotive part which has been
certified pursuant to U.S. EPA or, in the State of Califor-
nia, California Air Resources Board regulations.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
There are two maintenance schedules that show the
requiredservice for your vehicle.
First is Schedule“B”. It is for vehicles that are operated
under the conditions that are listed below and at the
beginning of the schedule.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32° F (0° C).
•Stop and go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90° F (32° C).
•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial service).
350 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Schedule “B”
Follow schedule “B” if you usually operate your vehicle
under one or more of the following conditions.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32° F (0° C).
•Stop and go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90° F (32° C).
•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial service).
•Off-road or desert operation.
•Heavy Loading
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
coolant every 102,000 miles (170 000 km) or 60 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
SCHEDULE “B” 353
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Miles 105,000 108,000 111,000 114,000 117,000 120,000
(Kilometers) (175 000) (180 000) (185 000) (190 000) (195 000) (200 000)
Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid,
change filter (3.7L). *X
Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid
and change main sump filter and spin-on
cooler return filter if equipped. (4.7L). *X
Flush and replace engine coolant, if not re-
placed at 102,000 miles (170 000 km).X
*This applies only if your vehicle is used for police, taxi,
fleet, or frequent trailer towing.
** This maintenance is recommended by the manufac-
turer to the owner, but not required to maintain the
emissions warranty.Inspection and service should also be performed anytime
a malfunction is observed or suspected. Retain all re-
ceipts.
SCHEDULE “B” 363
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Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)...... 311,345,346
Temperature Gauge..................... 136
Cruise Control (Speed Control)............... 99
CupHolder ............................ 123
Customer Assistance..................... 370
Data Recorder, Event...................... 56
Daytime Running Lights................... 93
Dealer Service.......................... 296
Defroster, Rear Window................... 124
Defroster, Windshield................... 73,177
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 97
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 293
Differential, Limited-Slip.................. 210
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 137
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission................. 318
Oil (Engine).......................... 297
Power Steering........................ 306Disarming, Theft System................... 18
Disc Brakes............................ 316
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 313
Door Locks............................. 27
Door Opener, Garage..................... 110
DriveBelts ............................ 301
Drive Shaft Universal Joints................ 307
E-85 Fuel............................. 245
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 81
Electrical Power Outlets................... 119
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)....... 99
Emergency, In Case of
FreeingVehicleWhenStuck ............... 217
Jacking............................. 278
Tow Hooks.......................... 285
Towing ............................. 286
Emission Control System Maintenance......... 350
INDEX 381
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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

Radio (Sound Systems).................146,154
Rear Axle (Differential).................... 321
Rear Window.......................... 125
Rear Window Defroster................... 124
Rear Window Features.................... 124
Rearview Mirrors........................ 79
Reclining Front Seats...................... 83
Recorder, Event Data...................... 56
Recreational Towing...................... 265
Shifting into Transfer Case Neutral (N)....... 266
Shifting out of Transfer Case Neutral (N)..... 268
Reformulated Gasoline.................... 239
Refrigerant............................ 306
Release, Hood........................... 88
Reminder, Seat Belt....................... 41
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)................. 20
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls........ 172
Remote Starting System.................... 26
Replacement Parts....................... 295Replacement Tires....................... 233
Reporting Safety Defects................... 373
Restraints, Child....................... 58,63
Restraints, Occupant...................... 34
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck................ 217
Rotation, Tires.......................... 237
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle................. 73
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle............... 73
Safety Defects, Reporting.................. 373
Safety Information, Tire................... 218
Safety Tips............................. 72
Satellite Radio.......................... 167
Satellite Radio Antenna................... 171
Schedule, Maintenance.................... 350
Seat Belt Maintenance.................... 327
Seat Belt Reminder....................... 41
Seat Belts.......................... 34,35,73
And Pregnant Women................... 43
INDEX 389
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Chains.............................. 235
Changing............................ 273
Compact Spare........................ 230
General Information.................... 226
High Speed.......................... 229
Inflation Pressures..................... 227
Jacking............................. 278
LifeofTires .......................... 233
Load Capacity.....................222,223
Quality Grading....................... 375
Radial.............................. 229
Replacement......................... 233
Rotation............................. 237
Safety...........................218,226
Sizes ............................... 219
Snow Tires........................... 237
Spare Tire........................... 275
Spinning ............................ 231
Tread Wear Indicators................... 232Wheel Mounting....................... 278
Wheel Nut Torque..................... 281
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 257
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 195
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 285
Towing ............................... 251
Disabled Vehicle....................... 286
Guide .............................. 257
Recreational.......................... 265
Weight .............................. 257
Traction ............................... 211
TrailerTowing .......................... 251
Cooling System Tips.................... 264
Hitches............................. 256
Minimum Requirements................. 258
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 257
Wiring .............................. 261
TrailerTowingGuide ..................... 257
TrailerWeight .......................... 257
392 INDEX