steering DODGE DAKOTA 2008 3.G Owners Manual

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mA Word About Your Keys..................12
NIgnition Key Removal...................12
NLocking Doors With The Key..............14
mSentry Key............................14
NReplacement Keys......................16
NCustomer Key Programming..............16
NGeneral Information....................18
mSteering Wheel Lock Ð If Equipped..........18NIf You Wish To Manually Lock The
Steering Wheel........................18
NTo Release The Steering Wheel Lock.........18
NAutomatic Transmission Ignition
Interlock System.......................19
mSecurity Alarm System Ð If Equipped.........19
NTo Set The Alarm......................19
NTo Disarm The System...................19
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in the ignition cylinder. If this occurs, rotate the key to the
right slightly, then remove the key as described. If a
malfunction occurs, the system will trap the key in the
ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety feature is
inoperable. The engine can be started and stopped but
the key cannot be removed until you obtain service.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don't leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove key from the ignition and lock all doors
when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Manual TransmissionÐIf Equipped
When the steering wheel is in the LOCK position, the
steering and ignition systems are locked to provide
antitheft protection for your vehicle. It may be difficult to
turn the key from the LOCK position when starting your
vehicle. Move the steering wheel left and right while
turning the key until it turns easily. To remove the key,
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
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General Information
The Sentry Key system complies with FCC rules part 15
and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following conditions:
²This device may not cause harmful interference.
²This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.
STEERING WHEEL LOCK Ð IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passive steering
wheel lock. This lock prevents steering the vehicle with-
out the ignition key. If the steering wheel is moved no
more than 1/2 turn in either direction and the key is not
in the ignition switch, the steering wheel will lock.
If You Wish To Manually Lock The Steering
Wheel:
With the engine running, turn the steering wheel upside
down, turn off the engine and remove the key. Turn the
steering wheel slightly in either direction until the lock
engages.
To Release The Steering Wheel Lock:
Insert the key in the ignition switch and start the engine.
If the key is difficult to turn, move the wheel slightly to
the right or left to disengage the lock.
NOTE:If you turned the wheel to the right to engage
the lock, you must turn the wheel slightly to the right to
disengage it. If you turned the wheel to the left to engage
the lock, turn the wheel slightly to the left to disengage it.
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Driver And Right Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) ± Airbags
This vehicle has airbags for both the driver and right
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver's front airbag is mounted in thesteering wheel. The passenger front airbag is mounted in
the instrument panel, above the glove compartment. The
words SRS/AIRBAG are embossed on the airbag covers.
NOTE:The front airbags are certified to the Federal
regulations that allow less forceful deployment.
The front airbags have a multistage inflator design. This
may allow the airbag to have different rates of inflation
that are based on collision severity and occupant size.
This vehicle may also be equipped with window bags to
protect the driver, front, and rear passengers sitting next
to a window. If the vehicle is equipped with window
bags, they are located above the side windows. Their
covers are also labeled SRS AIRBAG.
NOTE:Airbag covers may not be obvious in the interior
trim; but they will open to allow airbag deployment.
1 - Airbags
2 - Knee BolstersTHINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45
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WARNING!
²Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won't deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you have
airbags.
²Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel during airbag deployment could cause seri-
ous injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back,
comfortably extending your arms to reach the
steering wheel or instrument panel.
²If the vehicle has window bags, they also need
room to inflate. Do not lean against the door or
window. Sit upright in the center of the seat.
Air Bag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
²Occupant Restraint Controller
²Side Remote Acceleration Sensors ± If Equipped
²Airbag Warning Light
²Driver Airbag
²Passenger Airbag
²Window Bags above Side Windows ± If Equipped
²Steering Wheel and Column
²Instrument Panel
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Knee Impact Bolsters
²Front Acceleration Sensors
²Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioners
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

How the Airbag System Works
²
TheOccupant Restraint Controller (ORC)determines
if a frontal collision is severe enough to require the
airbags to inflate. The front airbag inflators are de-
signed to provide different rates of airbag inflation
from direction provided by the ORC. The ORC will not
detect roll over.
The ORC also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or RUN positions. These include all of the
items listed above except the steering wheel and
column, and knee bolsters. If the key is in the OFF
position, in the ACC position, or not in the ignition,
the airbags are not on and will not inflate.
During a moderate-to-severe rear impact the ORC may
deploy the seat belt pretensioners alone.Also, the ORC turns on the AIRBAG warning
light in the instrument cluster for 6 to 8 seconds
for a self-check when the ignition is first turned
on. After the self-check, the AIRBAG warning
light will turn off. If the ORC detects a malfunction in any
part of the system, it turns on the AIRBAG warning light
either momentarily or continuously. A single chime will
sound if the light comes on again after initial start up.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG warning light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won't have the airbags to
protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have the airbag system checked right
away.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
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NOTE:Children 12 years and under should always ride
buckled up in a rear seat in an appropriate child restraint.
²TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Unitsare
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel. When the ORC detects a
collision requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator
units. A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the front airbags. Different airbag inflation rates
may be possible based on collision severity and occu-
pant size. The steering wheel hub trim cover and the
upper right side of the instrument panel separate and
fold out of the way as the bags inflate to their full size.
The bags fully inflate in about 50 - 70 milliseconds.
This is about half of the time it takes to blink your eyes.
The bags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain
the driver and front passenger. The driver's front
airbag gas is vented through vent holes in the sides of
the airbag. The passenger's front airbag gas is ventedthrough vent holes in the sides of the airbag. In this
way the airbags do not interfere with your control of
the vehicle.
²TheSide Impact SRS Window Bagsare designed to
activate only in certain side collisions. When the ORC
(with side impact option) detects a collision requiring
the window bags to inflate, it signals the inflators on
the crash side of the vehicle. A quantity of nontoxic gas
is generated to inflate the window bag. The inflating
window bag pushes the outside edge of the headliner
out of the way and covers the window. The airbag
forcefully inflates in about one quarter of the time it
takes to blink your eye. Make sure you are seated and
belted properly and do not position items in the area
where the window bag inflates. This especially applies
to children. The window bag is only about 3-1/2
inches (9 cm) thick when it is inflated.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

irritation continues, see your doctor. If these particles
settle on your clothing, follow the garment manufac-
turer's instructions for cleaning.
²It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags and seat belt pretensioners cannot
protect you in another collision. Have the airbags,
and both front seat belt retractor assemblies (w/
pretensioners), replaced by an authorized dealer as
soon as possible.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the airbag system is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure,
or add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an airbag system.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NAdjustable Head Restraints Ð Front Seating
Positions...........................107
N6 - Way Power Seat Adjuster Ð Driver's
Side Only...........................108
NExtended Cab/Crew Cab Rear Seat........110
NHeated Seats Ð If Equipped.............110
mTo Open And Close The Hood.............111
mLights...............................112
NInterior Lights.......................113
NBattery Saver........................114
NHeadlamp Delay......................114
NHeadlights, Parking Lights, Panel Lights.....114
NDaytime Running Lights (Canada ± Standard
And US Fleet Vehicles ± If Equipped).......115NLights-On Reminder...................116
NFog Lights Ð If Equipped...............116
NCargo Light Ð If Equipped..............116
NMultifunction Control Lever..............117
mWindshield Wipers And Washers............118
NWindshield Wipers....................119
NWindshield Washers...................120
mTilt Steering Column....................120
mElectronic Speed Control Ð If Equipped......121
NTo Activate..........................122
NTo Set At A Desired Speed...............122
NTo Deactivate........................122
NTo Resume Speed.....................123
74 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

phone supports a different profile (e.g., Headset Profile)
you may not be able to use any UConnecttfeatures. Refer
to your cellular service provider or the phone manufac-
turer for details.
The UConnecttsystem is fully integrated with the vehi-
cle's audio system. The volume of the UConnecttsystem
can be adjusted either from the radio volume control
knob or from the steering wheel radio control (right
switch), if so equipped.
The radio display will be used for visual prompts from
the UConnecttsystem such as9CELL9or caller ID on
certain radios.
Operation
Voice commands can be used to operate the UConnectt
system and to navigate through the UConnecttmenu struc-
ture. Voice commands are required after most UConnectt
system prompts. You will be prompted for a specific com-
mand and then guided through the available options.
²Prior to giving a voice command, one must wait for
the beep, which follows the9Ready9prompt or another
prompt.
²For certain operations, compound commands can be
used. For example, instead of saying9Setup9and then
9Phone Pairing,9the following compound command
can be said:9Setup Phone Pairing.9
²For each feature explanation in this section, only the
combined form of the voice command is given. You
can also break the commands into parts and say each
part of the command, when you are asked for it. For
example, you can use the combined form voice com-
mand9Phonebook New Entry,9or you can break the
combined form command into two voice commands:
9Phonebook9and9New Entry.9Please remember, the
UConnecttsystem works best when you talk in a
normal conversational tone, as if speaking to some one
sitting eight feet away from you.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 81
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