towing DODGE DAKOTA 2009 3.G Owner's Guide

WARNING!
²Chains are not recommended for freeing a stuck
vehicle. Chains may break, causing serious injury
or death.
²Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow
hooks. Tow straps and chains may break, causing
serious injury.
CAUTION!
Tow hooks are for emergency use only, to rescue a
vehicle stranded off road. Do not use tow hooks for
tow truck hookup or highway towing. You could
damage your vehicle.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use of safety chains is recom-
mended.Attach towing device to main structural mem-
bers of the vehicle Ð not to bumpers or associated
brackets. State and local laws, applying to vehicles
under tow, must be observed.
Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of the vehicle raised
and the opposite end on a towing dolly.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 347
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Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Provided that the transmission is operable, tow with the
transmission in NEUTRAL and the ignition key in the
OFF position, along with the front wheels raised and the
rear wheels on the ground. The speed must not exceed
30 mph (50 km/h), and the distance must not exceed
15 miles (25 km).If the vehicle is to be towed more than 15 miles (25 km)
or faster than 30 mph (50 km/h), it must be towed on a
flatbed, or with the rear wheels raised and the front
wheels on the ground, or with the front end raised and
the rear wheels on a towing dolly.
NOTE:Towing the vehicle with the rear wheels on the
ground at more than 30 mph (50 km/h) or for more than
15 miles (25 km), can cause severe transmission damage.
348 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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
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WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your exhaust
system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in areas
where your exhaust system can contact anything that
can burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may indicate severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, the
vehicle should be stopped, the engine shut off and the
vehicle allowed to cool. Thereafter, service, including a
tune-up to manufacturer's specifications, should be ob-
tained immediately.To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:²Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
²Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
²Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idling or malfunctioning operating conditions.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 365
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18,000 Miles (30,000 km) or
18 Months Maintenance
Service Schedule
oChange the engine oil and engine oil
filter.
oRotate tires.
oInspect the front and rear axle fluid,
change if you are using your vehicle for
police, taxi, fleet, off-road, or frequent
trailer towing.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
24,000 Miles (40,000 km) or 24 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule
oChange the engine oil and engine oil filter.
oRotate tires.
oIf using your vehicle for any of the following: Dusty or off-road conditions. Inspect the
engine air cleaner filter, replace if necessary.
oInspect the brake linings, replace if necessary.
oInspect the CV joints.
oInspect the exhaust system.
oInspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals, replace if necessary.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
404 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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30,000 Miles (50,000 km) or
30 Months Maintenance
Service Schedule
oChange the engine oil and engine oil
filter.
oRotate tires.
oReplace the engine air cleaner filter.
oReplace the spark plugs (3.7L engines).
oReplace the top row of spark plugs
(4.7L engines). **
oInspect the transfer case fluid.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
36,000 Miles (60,000 km) or
36 Months Maintenance
Service Schedule
oChange the engine oil and engine oil
filter.
oRotate tires.
oIf using your vehicle for any of the
following: Dusty or off-road conditions.
Inspect the engine air cleaner filter,
replace if necessary.
oInspect the brake linings, replace if
necessary.
oInspect the front and rear axle fluid,
change if you are using your vehicle for
police, taxi, fleet, off-road, or frequent
trailer towing.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
42,000 Miles (70,000 km) or
42 Months Maintenance
Service Schedule
oChange the engine oil and engine oil
filter.
oRotate tires.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 405
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48,000 Miles (80,000 km) or 48 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule
oChange the engine oil and engine oil filter.
oRotate tires.
oIf using your vehicle for any of the following: Dusty or off-road conditions. Inspect the
engine air cleaner filter, replace if necessary.
oInspect the brake linings, replace if necessary.
oInspect the CV joints.
oInspect the exhaust system.
oInspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals, replace if necessary.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
54,000 Miles (90,000 km) or
54 Months Maintenance
Service Schedule
oChange the engine oil and engine oil
filter.
oRotate tires.
oInspect the front and rear axle fluid,
change if you are using your vehicle for
police, taxi, fleet, off-road, or frequent
trailer towing.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
406 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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60,000 Miles (100,000 km) or 60 Months Maintenance Service Schedule
oChange the engine oil and engine oil filter.
oRotate tires.
oReplace the engine air cleaner filter.
oReplace the ignition cables (3.7L engine).
oReplace the spark plugs (3.7L engines).
oReplace the top row of spark plugs (4.7L engines). **
oInspect the brake linings, replace if necessary.
oChange the manual transmission fluid if using your vehicle for any of the following: trailer towing, snow plowing, heavy loading, taxi, police,
delivery service (commercial service), off-road, desert operation or more than 50% of your driving is at sustained high speeds during hot
weather, above 90ÉF (32ÉC).
oChange the automatic transmission fluid & filter if using your vehicle for any of the following: police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing.
oChange the transfer case fluid if using your vehicle for any of the following: police, taxi, fleet, off-road, or frequent trailer towing.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 407
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66,000 Miles (110,000 km) or
66 Months Maintenance
Service Schedule
oChange the engine oil and engine oil
filter.
oRotate tires.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
72,000 Miles (120,000 km) or 72 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule
oChange the engine oil and engine oil filter.
oRotate tires.
oIf using your vehicle for any of the following: Dusty or off-road conditions. Inspect the
engine air cleaner filter, replace if necessary.
oInspect the brake linings, replace if necessary.
oInspect the front and rear axle fluid, change if you are using your vehicle for police, taxi,
fleet, off-road, or frequent trailer towing.
oInspect the CV joints.
oInspect the exhaust system.
oInspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals, replace if necessary.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
408 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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90,000 Miles (150,000 km) or 90 Months Maintenance Service
Schedule
oChange the engine oil and engine oil filter.
oRotate tires.
oReplace the engine air cleaner filter.
oReplace the spark plugs (3.7L engines).
oReplace the top row of spark plugs (4.7L engines). **
oInspect and replace PCV valve, if necessary.
oInspect the front and rear axle fluid, change if you are using your vehicle for police, taxi,
fleet, off-road, or frequent trailer towing.
oInspect the transfer case fluid.
Odometer Reading Date
Repair Order # Dealer Code
Signature Authorized Chrysler Dealer
410 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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