towing DODGE DAKOTA 2008 3.G Owner's Guide

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM Ð 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 ªMalfunction Indicator Light.º 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!
²Prolonged driving with the ªMalfunction Indica-
tor Lightº 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.
²If the ªMalfunction Indicator Lightº is flashing
while the engine is running, severe catalytic con-
verter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
334 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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:
²Day or night temperatures are below 32ÉF (0ÉC).
²Stop and Go driving.
²Extensive engine idling.
²Driving in dusty conditions.
²Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km).
²More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90ÉF (32ÉC).
²Trailer towing, Taxi, Police or delivery service (com-
mercial service).
²Off-Road or desert operation.
²If 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 ªBº of the
9Maintenance Schedules9section 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 schedule9A9of the9Maintenance
Schedules9section 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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 339
7

To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
²Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
²Do not try to start engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
²Do 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!
²Battery 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.
²Battery 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.
²Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands
after handling.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 345
7

Perform Maintenance Every(Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items Miles Kilometers or Months
Change the engine oil and engine oil filter. 6,000 10 000 6
Rotate Tires. 6,000 10 000 6
If using your vehicle for any of the following: Dusty
or off-road conditions. Inspect the engine air cleaner
filter, replace if necessary.12,000 20 000 12
Inspect the brake linings, replace if necessary. 12,000 20 000 12
Inspect the front & rear axle fluid, change if using
your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent
trailer towing.18,000 30 000 18
Inspect the CV Joints. Perform the first inspection at
12,000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months.24,000 40 000 24
Inspect Exhaust System. Perform the first inspection at
12,000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months.24,000 40 000 24
Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot
seals, replace if necessary.24,000 40 000 24
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 391
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Perform Maintenance Every(Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items Miles Kilometers or Months
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. 30,000 50 000 30
Inspect the transfer case fluid. 30,000 50 000 30
Replace the top row of spark plugs on 4.7L engines.
**30,000 50 000 30
Replace the spark plugs on 3.7L engines.30,000 50 000 30
Change the automatic transmission fluid & main
sump filter, if using your vehicle for any of the follow-
ing: police, taxi, fleet or frequent trailer towing (4.7L
engines only).60,000 100 000 60
Change the automatic transmission fluid & main
sump filter, if using your vehicle for any of the follow-
ing: police, taxi, fleet or frequent trailer towing (3.7L
engines).60,000 100 000 60
392 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Perform Maintenance Every(Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items Miles Kilometers or Months
Change the transfer case fluid if using your vehicle for
any of the following: police, taxi, fleet, off-road or fre-
quent trailer towing.60,000 100 000 60
Change the manual transmission fluid if using your
vehicle for any of the following: trailer towing, snow-
plowing, heavy loading, taxi, police, delivery service
(commercial service), off-road, desert operation or
more then 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90FÉ (32CÉ).60,000 100 000 60
Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary.90,000 150 000 90
Flush and replace the engine coolant. 102,000 170 000 60
Replace the ignition cables on 4.7L engines.102,000 170 000 102
Replace the side row of spark plugs on 4.7L engines.
**102,000 170 000 102
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 393
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Perform Maintenance Every(Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items Miles Kilometers or Months
Change the automatic transmission fluid, main sump
filter and spin-on cooler return filter (if equipped) if
using your vehicle for any of the following: police,
taxi, fleet or frequent trailer towing (4.7L engines
only).120,000 200 000 120
Change the automatic transmission fluid & main
sump filter, if using your vehicle for any of the follow-
ing: police, taxi, fleet or frequent trailer towing (3.7L
engines).120,000 200 000 120
Replace Accessory Drive Belt(s). 120,000 200 000 120
394 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Jacking............................. 318
Tow Hooks.......................... 326
Towing............................. 327
Emission Control System Maintenance......... 388
Emission Related Components.............. 356
Engine
Air Cleaner.......................... 343
Block Heater......................... 224
Break-In Recommendations................ 68
Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 385
Exhaust Gas Caution..................69,281
Flooded, Starting...................... 222
Fuel Requirements..................... 384
Jump Starting......................... 323
Oil ...........................338,384,385
Oil Filler Cap......................... 340
Oil Selection.......................... 384
Oil Synthetic......................... 341
Starting............................. 221Temperature Gauge..................... 158
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 20
Equipment Identification Plate.............. 310
Event Data Recorder...................... 53
Exhaust Gas Caution................69,281,350
Exhaust System.......................69,350
Extender, Seat Belt........................ 44
Exterior Lighting........................ 114
Fabric Care............................ 365
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 343
Engine Fuel.......................... 343
Engine Oil........................341,385
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 341
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 312
Turn Signal..................... 117,158,377
Flat Tire Stowage........................ 322
412 INDEX

Gasoline (Fuel)......................... 278
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 279
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 158
Fuel................................ 158
Odometer.........................161,163
Speedometer......................... 160
Tachometer.......................... 161
Gear Ranges........................... 225
General Information.................18,105,278
Glass Cleaning.......................... 366
Grocery Bag Retainer..................... 144
Gross Axle Weight Rating...............289,292
Gross Cargo Weight...................... 288
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating................ 291
GVWR............................288,291
Hands-Free Phone (UConnectŸ)........79,197,199
Hard Drive (HDD)....................... 197Hazard
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or
Shallow Standing Water................. 245
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 312
Headlights............................ 374
High Beam........................... 118
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 118
Lights On Reminder.................... 116
Passing............................. 118
Switch.............................. 114
Heated Seats........................... 110
Heater, Engine Block..................... 224
High Beam Indicator..................... 159
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 118
Hitches
Trailer Towing........................ 295
Holder, Cup........................... 141
HomeLinkt(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 132
Hood Release........................... 111
414 INDEX

Preparation for Jacking.................... 318
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 42
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 25
Quad Cab............................. 110
Radial Ply Tires......................... 264
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......351,353
Radio Broadcast Signals................... 168
Radio, Navigation....................... 197
Radio Operation......................198,209
Radio, Satellite....................197,199,201
Radio (Sound Systems).................... 197
Rear Axle (Differential).................... 362
Rear Cargo Area Utility Rails............... 149
Rear Convenience Storage Crates............. 142
Rear Window.......................... 146Rear Window Defroster................... 145
Rear Window Features.................... 145
Rearview Mirrors........................ 77
Reclining Front Seats..................... 106
Recorder, Event Data...................... 53
Recreational Towing...................... 305
Shifting into Transfer Case Neutral (N)....... 305
Shifting out of Transfer Case Neutral (N)..... 308
Reformulated Gasoline.................... 279
Refrigerant............................ 347
Release, Hood.......................... 111
Reminder, Seat Belt....................... 43
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)................. 21
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls........ 205
Remote Starting System.................... 27
Replacement Keys........................ 16
Replacement Parts....................... 337
Replacement Tires....................... 268
Reporting Safety Defects................... 402
INDEX 419
10