fuel DODGE DAKOTA 2009 3.G Owner's Guide

þWhen using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can resume cruising speed.
þUse speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips Ð Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
þCity Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
þHighway Driving
Reduce speed.
þAir Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
SNOWPLOW
Snow plows, winches, and other aftermarket equipment
shouldnotbe added to the front end of your vehicle. The
airbag crash sensors may be affected by the change in the
front end structure. The airbags could deploy unexpect-
edly or could fail to deploy during a collision.
WARNING!
Do not add a snow plow, winches, or any other
aftermarket equipment to the front of your vehicle.
This could adversely affect the functioning of the
airbag system and you could be injured.
STARTING AND OPERATING 323
5

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mEngine Compartment Ð 3.7L............. 351
mEngine Compartment Ð 4.7L............. 352
mOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II....... 353
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message........... 353
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................ 354
mReplacement Parts..................... 355
mDealer Service........................ 356
mMaintenance Procedures................. 356NEngine Oil......................... 356
NEngine Oil Filter..................... 358
NEngine Air Cleaner Filter............... 359
NMaintenance-Free Battery............... 359
NAir Conditioner Maintenance............ 360
NDrive Shaft Constant Velocity Joints....... 361
NBody Lubrication..................... 362
NWindshield Wiper Blades............... 362
NWindshield Washers................... 363
7

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 Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). 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 authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.CAUTION!
²Prolonged driving with the MIL 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 performed.
²If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
After fuel is added, the vehicle diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel filler cap is possibly loose, improp-
erly installed, or damaged. A loose fuel filler cap message
will be displayed in the instrument cluster. Tighten the
gas cap until a9clicking9sound is heard. This is an
indication that the gas cap is properly tightened. Press
the odometer RESET button to turn the message off. If the
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 353
7

Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the
dipstick. Adding one quart/liter of oil when the reading
is at the bottom of the SAFE zone will result in a reading
at the top of the safe zone on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Refer to the ªMaintenance Scheduleº in Section 8 for
proper maintenance intervals.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer onlyrecommends engine oils that are API certified and meet
the requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 357
7

WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing CO, fol-
low the preceding safety tips.
The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded fuel
only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effectiveness of the
catalyst as an emission control device.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
CAUTION!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In
the event of engine malfunction, particularly involv-
ing engine misfire or other apparent loss of perfor-
mance, have your vehicle serviced promptly. Contin-
ued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and the
vehicle.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
364 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

This center contains cartridge fuses, mini fuses and
relays. A description of each fuse and component may be
stamped on the inside cover, otherwise the cavity num-
ber of each fuse is stamped on the inside cover thatcorresponds to the following chart. These fuses and
relays can be obtained from your authorized dealer.
CavityCartridge
FuseMini-
FuseDescription
1 Spare
2 Spare
3 30 Amp
PinkElectric Brake
4 50 Amp
RedPower Seat
5 Spare
6 20 Amp
YellowIgnition Off Draw
(IOD) Cabin Com-
partment Node
(CCN), Radio
7 10 Amp
RedPowertrain Control
Module (PCM)/Fuel/
RAD/AC Coils
Power Distribution Center
382 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CavityCartridge
FuseMini-
FuseDescription
8 10 Amp
RedCabin Compartment
Node (CCN)/Mirror/
4x4
9 Spare
10 2 Amp
GrayLow Current Ignition
Switch
11 10 Amp
RedAC Clutch
12 15 Amp
BlueTrailer Tow Lt Stop/
Turn
13 15 Amp
BlueTrailer Tow Rt Stop/
Turn
14 20 Amp
YellowIgnition Off Draw
(IOD) #2
15 25 Amp
NaturalTrans/Powertrain
Control Module
(PCM)CavityCartridge
FuseMini-
FuseDescription
16 20 Amp
YellowHorn
17 20 Amp
YellowABS Feed (Valves)
18 20 Amp
YellowFuel Pump
19 15 Amp
BlueCenter High-Mounted
Stop Light (CHMSL)
20 20 Amp
YellowCabin Compartment
Node (CCN) Door
Locks/Brake Trans-
mission Shift Inter-
lock (BTSI)
21 25 Amp
NaturalAudio Amp
22 20 Amp
YellowPower Outlet (Switch-
able)
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 383
7

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)22 Gallons 83 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
3.7L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 5 Quarts 4.7 Liters
4.7L/4.7L HO Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 6 Quarts 5.7 Liters
Cooling System (Includes 2.1 Quarts/2 Liters for Cool-
ant Bottle)
3.7L Engine (MOPARtAntifreeze/Coolant 5
Year/100,000 Mile Formula)13.3 Quarts 12.5 Liters
4.7L/4.7L HO Engine (MOPARtAntifreeze/Coolant 5
Year/100,000 Mile Formula)13.3 Quarts 12.5 Liters
396 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Coolant MOPARtAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hy-
brid Organic Additive Technology)
Engine Oil Use API Certified SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil, meeting the requirements of
Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for
correct SAE grade
Engine Oil Filter MOPARtEngine Oil Filter, P/N 5281090 or equivalent
Spark Plugs (3.7L Engine) ZFR6F-11G (Gap 0.043 in [1.09 mm])
Spark Plugs (4.7L Engine) Upper Bank Ð FR8TE2 (Gap 0.039 in [0.99 mm]) Lower Bank Ð
FR8T1332 (Gap 0.051 in [1.30 mm])
Fuel Selection 3.7L/4.7L 87 Octane
Fuel Selection 4.7L HO Premium Unleaded 91 Octane only or higher
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 397
7

²Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
²Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If this
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under ªOil Change
Requiredº in ªUse Factory Settingsº of the EVIC section
in this manual, or under ªOdometer/Trip Odometerº in
the ªInstrument Cluster Descriptions section of this
manual.
At Each Stop for Fuel
²Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil levelwhile the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery, and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission, and
add as needed.
²Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 401
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