warning DODGE DAKOTA 2008 3.G Owner's Guide

WARNING!
Do not ride with the seatback reclined so that the
shoulder belt is no longer resting against your chest.
In a collision you could slide under the seat belt and
be seriously or even fatally injured. Use the recliner
only when the vehicle is parked.
Manual Lumbar Support Adjustment Ð If
Equipped
The manual lumbar support rotary control adjustment is
located on the left side of the driver's seat. Rotate the
knob to increase or decrease the amount of lumbar
support.Adjustable Head Restraints Ð Front Seating
Positions
Head restraints can reduce the risk of whiplash injury in
the event of impact from the rear. Pull up or push down
on the restraints so that the upper edge is as high as
practical, at least to the level of the ears.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 107
3

Extended Cab/Crew Cab Rear Seat
More cargo space is available by lifting up on the rear
seat cushion.
The Crew Cab rear seat is a 60/40 split cushion and full
back. Either cushion can be raised independently.
Heated Seats Ð If Equipped
The heated seat switches are located on the center of the
instrument panel.
Press the desired switch once to obtain High heat level,
then press the switch again to obtain Low heat level. A
third button press will turn Off the heated seat. If you do
not purposefully turn the switch Off, the seat heating
level will automatically change to the next lower level, or
Off. The High heat level operates for 30 minutes (ap-
proximate), the Low heat level operates for 30 minutes
(approximate). The heated seat will also turn Off when
the ignition is turned Off. Both indicators On identifies
High heat level. The lower indicator On identifies Lowheat level. Flashing indicator lights on the switch indicate
that the Heated Seat system needs servicing.
WARNING!
Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin
because of advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes,
spinal cord injury, medication, alcohol use, exhaus-
tion or other physical condition must exercise care
when using the seat heater. It may cause burns even
at low temperatures, especially if used for long
periods of time.
Do not place anything on the seat that insulates
against heat, such as a blanket or cushion. This may
cause the seat heater to overheat.
110 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Use a firm downward push at the center front
edge of the hood to ensure that both latches engage.
Never drive your vehicle unless the hood is fully closed,
with both latches engaged.
WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
Be sure all hood latches are fully latched before
driving.
LIGHTS
112 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Windshield Wipers
The wipers and washers are operated by a switch in the
multifunction control lever. Turn the end of the handle to
select the desired wiper speed.
Intermittent Wiper System
The intermittent feature of this system was designed for
use when weather conditions make a single wiping cycle,with a variable pause between cycles, desirable. For
maximum delay between cycles, rotate the control knob
into the upper end of the delay range.
The delay interval decreases as you rotate the knob until
it enters the LO continual speed position. The delay can
be regulated from a maximum of about 18 seconds
between cycles, to a cycle every 2 seconds. The delay
intervals will double in duration when the vehicle speed
is 10 mph (16 km) or less.
WARNING!
Sudden loss of visibility through the windshield
could lead to an accident. You might not see other
vehicles or other obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of
the windshield during freezing weather, warm the
windshield with defroster before and during wind-
shield washer use.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 119
3

WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL Ð IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, this device takes over accelerator opera-
tion at speeds greater than (refer to the table below for
the speed for your specific engine). The controls are
mounted on the steering wheel.
Tilt Steering Column Lever
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 121
3

WARNING!
Leaving the Speed Control ON when not in use is
dangerous. You could accidentally set the system to
cause it to go faster than you want. You could lose
control and have an accident. Always leave the sys-
tem OFF when you aren't using it.
To Resume Speed
To resume a previously set speed, push and release the
RESUME button. Resume can be used at any speed above
(refer to the table below for the speed for your specific
engine).
To Vary The Speed Setting
When the speed control is on, speed can be increased by
pressing and holding the ACCEL button. When the
button is released, a new set speed will be established.Tapping the ACCEL button once will result in a speed
increase (refer to the table below for the speed for your
specific engine). Each time the button is tapped, speed
increases so that tapping the button three times will
increase speed by three increments.
Tapping the DECEL button once will result in a speed
decrease (refer to the table below for the speed for your
specific engine). Each time the button is tapped, speed
will decrease. For example, tapping the button 3 times
will decrease the speed by 3 times the speed listed in the
table below (refer to the table below for the speed for
your specific engine).
To decrease speed while the speed control is on, press
and hold the DECEL button. Release the button when the
desired speed is reached, and the new speed will be set.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 123
3

WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can't maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don't use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
OVERHEAD CONSOLE
The overhead console has the following features:
²Courtesy Lights
²Garage Door Opener Ð If Equipped
²Compass/Temperature Mini-Trip Computer Ð If
Equipped
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 125
3

Compass/Temperature Display
WARNING!
Even if the display still reads a few degrees above
32ÉF ( 0ÉC), the road surface may be icy, particularly
in woods or on bridges. Drive carefully under such
conditions to prevent an accident and possible per-
sonal injury or property damage.
Automatic Compass Calibration
This compass is self-calibrating which eliminates the
need to manually set the compass. When the vehicle is
new, the compass may appear erratic and the CAL
symbol will be displayed.After completing one 360É turn, with the vehicle traveling
less than 5 mph (8 km/h), in an area free from large metal
or metallic objects, the CAL symbol will turn off and the
compass will function normally.
Manual Compass Calibration
NOTE:To ensure proper compass calibration, make
sure the compass variance is properly set before manu-
ally calibrating the compass.
If the compass appears erratic and the CAL symbol does
not appear, you must manually put the compass into the
ªCalibrationº mode.
130 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Your motorized door or gate will open and close while
you are training the Universal Transceiver. Do not train
the transceiver if people or pets are in the path of the
door or gate. Only use this transceiver with a garage
door opener that has a ªstop and reverseº feature as
required by federal safety standards. This includes
most garage door opener models manufactured after
1982. Do not use a garage door opener without these
safety features. Call toll-free 1±800±355±3515 or, on the
Internet at www.HomeLink.com for safety information
or assistance.
WARNING!
Vehicle exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a danger-
ous gas. Do not run your vehicle in the garage while
training the transceiver. Exhaust gas can cause seri-
ous injury or death.
Programming HomeLinkT
Before You Begin
The Compass Mini-Trip Computer (CMTC) illuminates
the HomeLinktsymbol (a house with an arrow inside it)
along with 1, 2 or 3 indicators under it when a
HomeLinktbutton is pressed.
Pay attention to the indicator(s), as they will flash at
different rates, or remain solid during training.
If you have not trained any of the HomeLinktbuttons,
erase all channels before you begin training.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 133
3

REAR STORAGE ± IF EQUIPPED
Rear Convenience Storage Crates
WARNING!
Do not sit or stand on this crate. It may collapse
causing serious injury.
The rear convenience storage crates are located under the
rear seat lower cushion and consist of two removable,
collapsible storage crates.
Rear Cup Holders ± Crew Cab with Automatic
142 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE