DODGE DAKOTA 2008 3.G Owners Manual

Mix
Outside air flows in equal proportions through the
floor and defroster outlets.
Defrost
Outside air is primarily directed to the windshield
through the defroster outlets located at the base of
the windshield, and the demister outlets located at the
edge of each side of the instrument panel.
NOTE:The air conditioner compressor operates in both
Mix and Defrost or a blend of these modes, even if the
A/C button has not been pressed. This dehumidifies the
air to help dry the windshield.
Blower Control
The rotary knob on the left of
the control panel is the
blower control. Turn the knob
clockwise to one of the four
positions to obtain the blower
speed you desire. To turn the
blower off, turn the knob to
the far left position.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 211
4

Temperature Control
The rotary knob at the center
of the control panel controls
the temperature of the inte-
rior air. You can choose your
degree of comfort by rotating
the knob. The coldest tem-
perature setting is to the ex-
treme left (blue region) and
the warmest setting is to the
extreme right (red region) of
the rotation.
Circulation
The cab is designed with features to promote outside air
circulation. There are grilles in the cab back panel. These
are air exhausters that provide the means for regular
exchange of cab air.Side window demisters direct air flow specifically to the
window glass to help prevent interior fogging of the
glass. They are located in the extreme outside upper
edges of the instrument panel. The demisters also pro-
vide extra air ducts for circulation. They are in operation
whenever the Floor, Mix, Defrost, or Bi-Level modes are
in use.
NOTE:When you turn off the engine you may hear a
hissing sound from under the hood for a short period of
time. This is a normal condition that occurs if the air
conditioning system has been on. It is not an indication of
a problem with the air conditioning system.
212 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

Operating Tips
Fast Cooldown
For a fast cooldown, open the windows and turn the
blower fan rotary knob to the extreme right position, turn
the mode control to the panel fresh position, press the
snowflake button to turn on the air conditioning, and
drive with the windows open for the first few minutes.
Once the hot air has been expelled, close the windows
and turn the mode selector to the Recirculation Panel
Mode or Recirculation Mode Bi-level position. When a
comfortable condition has been reached, choose a mode
position and adjust the temperature control knob and
blower speed as necessary to maintain comfort. For high
humidity conditions it may be necessary to remain in the
Recirculation mode to maintain comfort.
Window Fogging
Windows will fog on the inside when the humidity inside
the vehicle is high. This often occurs in mild or cooltemperatures when it's rainy or humid. In most cases
turning on the Air-conditioning (pressing the snowflake
button) will clear the fog. Adjust the temperature control,
air direction and blower speed to maintain comfort.
As the temperature gets colder it may be necessary to
direct air onto the windshield by using MIX Mode
position on the control. Adjust the temperature control
and blower speed to maintain comfort. High blower
speeds will reduce fogging. Interior fogging on the
windshield can be quickly removed by selecting the
defrost mode.
Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminates (cigarette
smoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows.
Contaminates on the inside of windows can increase the
rate of window fogging.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 213
4

Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality antifreeze coolant during summer to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50%
concentration of engine coolant to distilled water is
recommended. See ªCooling Systemº in the Maintaining
Your Vehicle section of your Owner's Manual.
When using the air conditioner in extremely heavy traffic
in hot weather especially when towing a trailer, addi-
tional engine cooling may be required. If this situation is
encountered, operate the transmission in a lower gearand set the air conditioner to recirculation mode. Oper-
ating the air conditioner in recirculation mode provides
the maximum performance from your air conditioning.
When stopped in heavy traffic, it may be necessary to
shift into NEUTRAL and depress the accelerator slightly
for fast idle operation.
Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other obstruc-
tions. This will help prevent snow going into the ducts.
214 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

Operation Tips Chart
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 215
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................221
NManual Transmission..................221
NAutomatic Transmission................221
NNormal Starting......................222
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................222
NAfter Starting........................223
mEngine Block Heater Ð If Equipped.........224
mAutomatic Transmission..................224
NBrake/Transmission Interlock System.......225NAutomatic Transmission................225
mManual Transmission....................230
NRecommended Shift Speeds..............231
NDownshifting........................232
mFour-Wheel Drive Operation...............233
NNV233/243 GII Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................233
NShifting Procedure - NV233/243
Transfer Case........................237
5

NNV 244 Generation II Transfer Case Operating
Information / Precautions...............239
NShifting Procedure - NV 244 Generation II
Transfer Case........................243
mLimited-Slip Rear Axle Differential Ð If
Equipped............................244
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces..............245
mDriving Through Water..................245
NFlowing/Rising Water..................246
NShallow Standing Water.................246
mParking Brake.........................247
mBrake System..........................249
NRear Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System ± If
Equipped...........................249NFour-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System........250
mPower Steering........................251
mTire Safety Information...................253
NTire Markings........................253
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........256
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........257
mTires Ð General Information...............261
NTire Pressure.........................261
NTire Inflation Pressures.................262
NRadial-Ply Tires......................264
NCompact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped.........265
NLimited Use Spare Ð If Equipped.........265
NTire Spinning........................266
218 STARTING AND OPERATING

NTread Wear Indicators..................267
NLife Of Tire.........................267
NReplacement Tires.....................268
NAlignment And Balance.................269
mSupplemental Tire Pressure Information Ð If
Equipped............................270
mTire Chains...........................270
mSnow Tires...........................272
mTire Rotation Recommendations............272
mTire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Ð If
Equipped............................273
NBase System ± If Equipped...............275
NGeneral Information...................278mFuel Requirements......................278
NReformulated Gasoline.................279
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............279
NMMT In Gasoline.....................280
NMaterials Added To Fuel................280
NFuel System Cautions..................281
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............281
mAdding Fuel..........................282
NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............283
mFlexible Fuel Ð If Equipped...............284
NE-85 General Information................284
NEthanol Fuel (E-85)....................285
NFuel Requirements....................285
STARTING AND OPERATING 219
5

NSelection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.......286
NStarting............................286
NCruising Range.......................287
NReplacement Parts.....................287
NMaintenance.........................287
mVehicle Loading........................288
NCertification Label.....................288
NCurb Weight.........................289
NLoading............................289
mTrailer Towing.........................291
NCommon Towing Definitions.............291NTrailer Hitch Classification...............295
NTrailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings).........296
NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............296
NTowing Requirements..................298
NTowing Tips.........................302
mSnowplow............................304
NSnowplow Usage.....................304
mRecreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 305
NRecreational Towing 2WD Models.........305
NRecreational Towing 4WD Models.........305
mEquipment Identification Plate.............310
220 STARTING AND OPERATING