DODGE DAKOTA 2009 3.G Owners Manual

CAUTION!
²Do not use a bumper mounted clamp-on tow bar
on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be
damaged.
²Do not disconnect the rear driveshaft because
fluid will leak from the transfer case and damage
internal parts.
STARTING AND OPERATING 329
5

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mHazard Warning Flasher................. 332
mChanging A Flat Tire................... 332
NJack Location....................... 332
NRemoving The Spare Tire............... 334
NTire Changing Procedure............... 337
NPreparations........................ 337
NInstructions......................... 338NTo Stow The Flat Or Spare.............. 343
mJump±Starting........................ 343
mFreeing A Stuck Vehicle................. 346
mEmergency Tow Hooks Ð If Equipped....... 346
mTowing A Disabled Vehicle............... 347
NFour-Wheel Drive Vehicles.............. 347
NTwo-Wheel Drive Vehicles.............. 348
6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The Hazard Warning Flasher switch is located on the top
of the steering column, just behind the steering wheel.
Press the switch and all front and rear directional signals
will flash intermittently. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the emergency flashers.This is an emergency warning system and should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
Hazard Warning Flasher will continue to operate with
the ignition key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE:With extended use, the Hazard Warning Flasher
may wear down your battery.
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
Jack Location
In this vehicle, the scissor jack and tire changing tools for
Extended Cab models are stowed in a compartment
under the rear passenger seat. CrewtCab model scissor
jack and tire changing tools are accessed by lifting up the
rear passenger seat.
Hazard Warning Flasher Switch
332 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

The jack is secured in place by turning the jack screw
until the jack is secured into place.
A finger-operated helper tool is provided to assist re-
moval and stowage of the jack. This tool must be
removed to operate the jack for changing the spare tire.
Jack Stowage Location (Extended Cab)
Jack Screw
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 333
6

WARNING!
The jack is designed as a tool for changing tires only.
The jack should not be used to lift the vehicle for
service purposes, unless suitable supports are placed
under the vehicle as a safety measure. The vehicle
should be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid
icy or slippery areas.
Removing The Spare Tire
Remove the spare tire before attempting to jack the truck.
Attach the wheel wrench to the jack extension tube. Insert
the tube through the access hole in the rear bumper and
into the winch mechanism tube. Rotate the wheel wrench
handle counterclockwise until the spare tire is on the
ground with enough cable slack to allow you to pull it
out from under the vehicle. When the spare is clear, tilt
the retainer at the end of the cable and pull it through the
center of the wheel.
Jack Stowage Location (CrewtCab)
334 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Steps for Removing the Spare Tire
²Remove the jack from the stowage compartment using
the supplied finger-assist tool.
²Remove the finger-assist tool from jack and set aside
until jack is stowed.
²Assemble the jack tools.
²Locate the tire carrier access hole on the rear bumper.
²Place assembled jack tool extension rod into the access
hole in the direction of the arrow on the bumper trim.
²Rotate the tool counterclockwise to release and lower
the spare tire to the ground so that it can be pulled
from under the vehicle.
²Rotate clockwise to stow the spare tire.
Inserting Lug Wrench and Extension
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 335
6

It is recommended that you stow the flat or spare to
avoid tangling the loose cable.NOTE:The winch mechanism is designed for use with
the jack extension tube only. Use of an air wrench or other
power tools is not recommended and can damage the
winch.
Turning Lug Wrench and ExtensionSpare Tire Stowage Location
336 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Tire Changing Procedure
WARNING!
Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never get any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift.
Do not raise this vehicle using a bumper jack. The scissor
jack is designed as a tool for changing tires on this vehicle
only. It is not recommended that the jack be used for
service purposes or to lift more than one wheel at a time.
Preparations
1. Park the vehicle on a firm level surface. Avoid icy or
slippery areas.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. Place the shift lever in PARK (automatic transmission).
On 4-Wheel Drive vehicles, shift the transfer case to the
4L position.
4. Turn the ignition OFF.
5. Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 337
6

6. Block both the front and rear of the
wheel diagonally opposite the jacking
position. For example, if the right front
wheel is being changed, block the left
rear wheel.
NOTE:Passengers should not remain in the vehicle
when the vehicle is being jacked.
Instructions
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
²Always park on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible before raising
the vehicle.
²Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to
be raised.
²Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic
transmission in PARK; a manual transmission in
REVERSE.
²Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
²Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
²Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
²Only use the jack in the positions indicated and
for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
(Continued)
338 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES