light DODGE DAKOTA 2009 3.G Owner's Guide

Courtesy/Reading Lights
Near the front of the console are two courtesy/reading
lights.
Both lights illuminate as courtesy lights when a door is
opened, when the dimmer control is rotated to the
courtesy light position (fully upward position), or when
the UNLOCK button is pressed on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter, if so equipped. These lights are
also operated individually as reading lights by pressing
the recessed area of the corresponding lens.NOTE:The courtesy/reading lights will remain on until
the switch is pressed a second time, so be sure they have
been turned off before leaving the vehicle. If the interior
lights are left on after the vehicle is turned OFF, they will
extinguish after approximately 10 minutes.
COMPASS/TEMPERATURE MINI-TRIP COMPUTER
This feature allows you to choose between a compass/
temperature display and one of four trip conditions being
monitored.
136 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To set the variance: Turn the ignition ON and set the
display to ªCompass/Temperature.º Press and hold the
RESET button approximately five seconds. The last vari-
ance zone number will be displayed. Press the STEP
button to select the new variance zone and press the
RESET button to resume normal operation.
Outside Temperature
Because the ambient temperature sensor is located under
the hood, engine temperature can influence the displayed
temperature; therefore, temperature readings are slowly
updated when the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h) or during stop-and-go driving.
GARAGE DOOR OPENER Ð IF EQUIPPED
HomeLinktreplaces up to three remote controls (hand-
held transmitters) that operate devices such as garage
door openers, motorized gates, lighting, or home security
systems. The HomeLinktunit operates off of your vehi-
cle's battery.
The HomeLinktbuttons are located in the overhead
console, and contain one, two, or three dots/lines desig-
nating the different HomeLinktchannels.
Compass Variance Map
142 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

transmission ± which may not be long enough for
HomeLinktto pick up the signal during programming.
Similar to this Canadian law, some U.S. gate operators are
designed to ªtime-outº in the same manner.
It may be helpful to unplug the device during the cycling
process, to prevent possible overheating of the garage
door or gate motor.
If you are having difficulties programming a garage door
opener or a gate operator, replace ªProgramming
HomeLink,º Step 3, with the following:
3. Continue to press and hold the HomeLinktbutton,
while you press and release - every two seconds
(ªcycleº), your hand-held transmitter until HomeLinkt
has successfully accepted the frequency signal. The
indicator(s) will change from a slow flash, to a rapid
flash when trained.If you unplugged the device for training, plug it back in
at this time.
Then proceed with Step 4 under, ªProgramming
HomeLinkt,º earlier in this section.
Using HomeLinkT
To operate, simply press and release the programmed
HomeLinktbutton. Activation will now occur for the
trained device (i.e., garage door opener, gate operator,
security system, entry door lock, home/office lighting,
etc.) The hand-held transmitter of the device may also be
used at any time.
Reprogramming A Single HomeLinkTButton
To reprogram a channel that has been previously trained,
follow these steps:
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 147
3

2. This device must accept any interference that may be
received including interference that may cause undesired
operation
NOTE:The transmitter has been tested and it complies
with FCC and IC rules. Changes or modifications not
expressly approved by the party responsible for compli-
ance could void the user 's authority to operate the
device.
The term ªICº before the certification/registration num-
ber only signifies that Industry Canada technical specifi-
cations were met.
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS
This vehicle has two 12-Volt auxiliary power outlets that
can provide up to 20-Amps of current for accessories
designed for use with standard power outlet adapters.
The outlets are located in the instrument panel (below the
temperature control setting knob) and inside the full -
size center console. When the optional Cigar Lighterheating element is used, it heats when pushed in and
pops out automatically when ready for use.To preserve
the heating element, do not hold the lighter in the
heating position.
The instrument panel outlet can be reconfigured by the
customer to operate only when the ignition is ON (switch
battery fed) or with the ignition switch ON/OFF (battery
fed) to allow for cellular phone charging and/or opera-
tion while the ignition is OFF. This can be done by
moving the power outlet (switchable) fuse (fuse #22)
from the inboard position to the outboard position.
NOTE:All accessories connected to these outlets should
be removed or turned OFF when the vehicle is not in use,
to protect the battery against discharge (unless the cus-
tomer has reconfigured the fuse block to switched battery
feed).
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 149
3

Electrical Outlet Use With Engine OFF (Battery
Fed Configuration)
CAUTION!
²Many accessories that can be plugged in, draw
power from the vehicle's battery, even when not in
use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough, the vehicle's battery will
discharge sufficiently to degrade battery life
and/or prevent engine starting.
²Accessories that draw higher power (i.e., coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.), will discharge the
battery even more quickly. Use these only inter-
mittently and with greater caution.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
²After the use of high power draw accessories, or
long periods of the vehicle not being started (with
accessories still plugged in), the vehicle must be
driven a sufficient length of time to allow the
generator to recharge the vehicle's battery.
CUPHOLDERS
If your vehicle has bucket seats with a center console,
there are three cupholders located on the console.
150 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To remove the cleats from the utility rail, remove the end
cap by pushing up on the locking tab, located on the
bottom of the end cap. Slide the cleat off the end of the
rail.REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Rear Window Defroster Ð If Equipped
CAUTION!
Use care when washing the inside of the rear window
to prevent damage to heating elements. Use a soft
cloth and a mild washing solution, wiping parallel to
the heating elements. Also, keep all objects a safe
distance from the window to prevent damaging the
heating elements.
A pushbutton type switch is located on the right
side of the Air Conditioning and Heater Control,
below the A/C (snowflake) button. Pressing the switch
will turn on the Rear Window Defroster. A light above the
Rear Window Defroster symbol will illuminate to indi-
cate the Rear Window Defroster is on. Pushing the button
a second time will turn the Rear Window Defroster off
Utility Rail End Cap
156 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

3. Lift the tailgate off of the pivot on the passenger side
by pulling upward and rearward at the same time.
4. Slide the tailgate to the passenger side while making
sure clearance from the box and taillight is maintained.
To reinstall the tailgate, do the following:1. Slide the tailgate onto the driver's side pivot.
2. Hold the tailgate at a 45 degree angle and insert it into
the passenger side pivot.
3. Clip the cables to the box.
Two±Position Tailgate/Upper Load Platform
Your tailgate can be opened to the full-open or the
partial-open position. The partial-open position is for
loading objects longer than the length of the bed (sheets
of plywood, etc.) by creating an upper load platform:
Installing Lumber
1. Place lumber across the box in the indentations pro-
vided above the wheel housings and in the bulkhead
dividers, to form the floor. There are indents in the sheet
metal (or bed liner if equipped) on the inner side of the
box in front (Club Cabtonly) and behind both wheel
housings.Tailgate Cable
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 159
3

2. Secure the tailgate in the partially-open position:
3. Open the tailgate slightly.4. Snap the tailgate support cable between the cable
guide and the tailgate bumper. Do this on both sides of
the tailgate.
1 Ð Bulkhead Divider Slot
2 Ð Wheel Housing Indentions
Tailgate Guide
160 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To return the tailgate to the full-open position:
1. Lift up on the tailgate.
2. Remove both cables from between the cable guides
and the tailgate bumpers, and lower the tailgate.
CAUTION!
²Care should always be exercised when operating a
vehicle with cargo. Vehicle speeds may need to be
reduced. Severe turns or rough roads may cause
shifting or bouncing of the cargo that may result in
vehicle damage.
²Ensure the load is securely tied down and is
properly identified according to local laws if it
extends beyond the tail lights.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
²Loading should not exceed 400 lbs (181 kg) of
material suspended above the wheelhouse and
partially open tailgate or vehicle damage may
result.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 161
3

INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
1 - Headlight Switch 6 - Glove Compartment 11 - Transfer Case Switch*
2 - Air Outlets 7 - Radio 12 - Speed Control Switches
3 - Demister Outlets 8 - Climate Controls 13 - Hood Release
4 - Instrument Cluster 9 - Power Outlet 14 - Parking Brake Release
5 - Airbags 10 - Heated Seat Switches* * If Equipped 166 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL