engine DODGE DAKOTA 2008 3.G User Guide

locks will not operate. This prevents you from acciden-
tally locking your keys in the vehicle. Removing the key
or closing the door will allow the locks to operate. A
chime will sound if the key is in the ignition switch and
a door is open, as a reminder to remove the key.
²The driver's door is open while the key is in the
ignition.
Automatic Door Locks
If this feature is enabled, your door locks will lock
automatically when the vehicle's speed exceeds 15 mph
(24 km/h).
This feature is enabled when your vehicle is shipped
from the assembly plant and can be disabled by using the
following procedure:
1. Enter your vehicle and close all doors.2. Fasten your seat belt (fastening the seat belt will cancel
any chiming that may confuse you during this program-
ming procedure).
3. Place the key into the ignition.
4. Within 10 seconds, cycle the key from the LOCK
position to the ON position and back to LOCK position a
minimum of four times; ending in the LOCK position(do
not start the engine)
5. Within 30 seconds, press the driver's door lock switch
in the LOCK direction.
6. A single chime will be heard to indicate the feature has
been disabled.
7. To re-activate this feature, repeat the above steps.
8. If a chime is not heard, program mode was canceled
before the feature could be disabled. If necessary, repeat
the above procedure.
30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Auto Unlock On Exit Feature - If Equipped
This feature unlocks all of the doors of the vehicle when
any door is opened. This will occur only after the vehicle
has been shifted into the Park position after the vehicle
has been driven (shifted out of Park and the doors
closed).
Auto Unlock Feature Programming
Customer Programming sequence to disable or enable:
1. Enter your vehicle and close all doors.
2. Fasten your seat belt (fastening the seat belt will cancel
any chiming that may be confusing during this program-
ming procedure).
3. Insert the key into the ignition.4. Within 15 seconds, cycle the key from the LOCK
position to the ON position and back to LOCK position a
minimum of four times; ending in the LOCK position(do
not start the engine).
5. Within 30 seconds, press the driver's door lock switch
in the UNLOCK direction.
6. A single chime will sound to indicate the feature has
been changed.
7. To reactivate the feature, repeat the above steps.
8. If a chime is not heard, program mode was canceled
before the feature could be changed. If necessary repeat
the above procedure.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 31
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Enhanced Driver Seat Belt Reminder System
(BeltAlert)
If the driver's seat belt has not been buckled within 60
seconds of starting the vehicle and if the vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), the Enhanced Warning
System (BeltAlert) will alert the driver to buckle their seat
belt. The driver should also instruct all other occupants to
buckle their seat belts. If the driver unbuckles the seat
belt while the vehicle is in motion an immediate chime
will be heard and, the Enhanced Warning System
(BeltAlert) will continue to chime and flash the Seat Belt
Warning Light for 96 seconds or until the driver's seat
belt is buckled. The Enhanced Warning System
(BeltAlert) will be reactivated if the driver's seat belt is
unbuckled for more than 10 seconds and the vehicle
speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) can be en-
abled or disabled by your authorized dealer or by
following these steps:NOTE:The following steps must occur within the first
60 seconds of the ignition switch being turned to the ON
or START position. DaimlerChrysler does not recom-
mend deactivating the Enhanced Warning System
(BeltAlert).
1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position and
buckle the driver's seat belt.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and wait
for the Seat Belt Warning Light to turn off.
3. Within 60 seconds of starting the vehicle, unbuckle
and then re-buckle the driver's seat belt at least three
times within 10 seconds, ending with the seat belt
buckled.
4. Turn off the engine. A single chime will sound to
signify that you have successfully completed the pro-
gramming.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 43
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NOTE:Perchlorate Material ± special handling may ap-
ply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Enhanced Accident Response System
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, vehicles equipped with
power door locks will unlock automatically. In addition,
approximately 5 seconds after the vehicle has stopped
moving, the interior lights will light until the ignition
switch is turned off.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to
inflate for your protection in an impact. While
the airbag system is designed to be mainte-
nance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system promptly:
²The airbag light does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
²The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
²The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
NOTE:If the speedometer, tachometer or any engine
related gauges are not working, the airbag control mod-
ule may also be disabled. The airbags may not be ready
to inflate for your protection. Promptly check the fuse
block for blown fuses. Refer to the label located on the
inside of the fuse block cover for the proper airbag fuses.
See your dealer if the fuse is good.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of an accident, your vehicle is designed to
record up to 5-seconds of specific vehicle data parameters
(see the following list) in an event data recorder prior to
the moment of airbag deployment, and up to a quarter
second of high-speed deceleration data during and/or
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
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2. Used in defense of litigation involving a
DaimlerChrysler Corporation product
3. Requested by police under a legal warrant
4. Otherwise required by law
Data Parameters that May Be Recorded:
²Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning lamp status
for electronically-controlled safety systems, including
the airbag system
²9Time9of airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
²Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
²Impact acceleration and angle
²Seatbelt status
²Brake status (service and parking brakes)
²Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
²Engine control status (including engine speed)
²Transmission gear selection
²Cruise control status
²Traction/stability control status
²Tire pressure monitoring system status (if equipped)
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time - babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it. Children 12
years and under should ride properly buckled up in a
rear seat, if available. According to crash statistics, chil-
dren are safer when properly restrained in the rear seats
rather than in the front.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55
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WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
seat failure and injury to the child. In a collision, the
seat could come loose and allow the child to crash
into the inside of the vehicle or other passengers, or
even be thrown from the vehicle. Use only the anchor
positions directly behind the child restraint to secure
a child restraint top tether strap. See your dealer for
help if necessary.
Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision. Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in
pet harnesses or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle. Drive moderately during the first 300
miles (500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds
up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable. While
cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the limits
of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Avoid wide open throttle acceleration in low gear.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality, energy-conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
shown in Section 7.
NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS
MUST NEVER BE USED.
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles of operation. This is a normal part of the
break-in and is not an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust System
WARNING!
Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an ex-
tremely toxic gas that by itself is colorless and
odorless. To avoid inhaling these gases, the following
precautions should be observed:
²Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
²It may be necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for more than a short period. If so,
adjust your climate control system to force outside air
into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed and the
controls in any position except OFF or RECIRC.
²The best protection against carbon monoxide entry
into the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine
exhaust system.
Be aware of changes in the sound of the exhaust system;
exhaust fumes detected inside the vehicle; or damage to
the underside or rear of the vehicle. Have a competent
mechanic inspect the complete exhaust system and adja-
cent body areas for broken, damaged, deteriorated or
mispositioned parts. Open seams or loose connections
could permit exhaust fumes to seep into the passenger
compartment. In addition, inspect the exhaust system
each time the vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil
change. Replace or adjust as required.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69
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NGeneral Information...................138
mElectrical Power Outlets..................138
NElectrical Outlet Use With Engine Off
(Battery Fed Configuration)..............139
mFloor Console Ð If Equipped..............140
NFloor Console Features.................140
mCenter Storage Compartment Ð If Equipped . . . 141
mCup Holders..........................141
mRear Storage ± If Equipped................142
NRear Convenience Storage Crates..........142
NPlastic Grocery Bag Retainers.............144
mRear Window Features...................145NRear Window Defroster ± If Equipped.......145
NSliding Rear Window ± If Equipped........146
mTailgate..............................146
NTailgate Removal.....................146
NTwo Position Tailgate / Upper
Load Platform.......................147
mRear Cargo Area Utility Rails..............149
mSlide-In Campers.......................151
NCamper Applications...................151
NGeneral Information...................151
NCarbon Monoxide Warning Vehicles Equipped
With A Cap Or Slide-In Campers..........151
76 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

²You can also press the ªVoice Recognitionº button
anytime while the list is being played, and then choose
the phone you wish to delete.
Things You Should Know About Your UConnectT
System
UConnecttTutorial
To hear a brief tutorial of the system features, press the
ªPhoneº button and say ªUConnecttTutorial.º
Voice Training
For users experiencing difficulty with the system recog-
nizing their voice commands or numbers, the UConnectt
system Voice Training feature may be used. To enter this
training mode, follow one of the two procedures:
From outside the UConnecttmode (e.g. from radio
mode)
²Press and hold the ªVoice Recognitionº button for 5
seconds until the session begins, or,
²Press the ªVoice Recognitionº button and say9Setup,
Voice Training9command.
Repeat the words and phrases when prompted by the
UConnecttsystem. For best results, the Voice Training
session should be completed when the vehicle is parked,
engine running, all windows closed, and the blower fan
switched off.
This procedure may be repeated with a new user. The
system will adapt to the last trained voice only.
To restore the Voice Recognition system to factory default
settings, enter the Voice Training session via the above
procedure and follow the prompts.
Voice Recognition (VR)
²
For best performance, adjust the rear view mirror to
provide at least1¤2inch (1 cm) gap between the
overhead console (if equipped) and the mirror.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 97
3

Your vehicle is equipped with plastic headlight lenses
that are lighter and less susceptible to stone breakage
than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other abrasive materials to clean the lenses.
Daytime Running Lights (Canada ± Standard and
US Fleet Vehicles ± If Equipped)
The headlights on your vehicle will illuminate when the
engine is started, the transmission is out of the PARK
position and the parking brake is released. This provides
a constant9Lights ON9condition until the ignition is
turned OFF. The lights illuminate at less than normal
intensity. If the parking brake is applied or the transmis-
sion is in the park position, the Daytime Running Lights
will turn off.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 115
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