DODGE DAKOTA 2011 3.G Owners Manual

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may departsignificantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 429

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
430 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

INDEX
10

Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).......... 373
Adding Fuel ........................... 310
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 363
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 366
Air Conditioning ........................ 238
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............366,367
Air Conditioning System ................238,366
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ..........238,241
Air Filter .............................. 363
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 285
Airbag ........................... 51,58,190
Airbag Deployment ....................... 59
Airbag Light ........................ 57,61,78
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 60
Airbag, Side .......................... 55,58
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ...........54,55,58
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................18,181
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............... 18
Alarm, Panic ............................ 23 Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle
............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................208,232
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............. 273
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 181
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 18
Anti-Theft System ..................... 18,181
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..............372,401
Disposal ........................... 374
Appearance Care ........................ 382
Assistance Towing ....................... 102
Auto Unlock, Doors ....................... 31
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 86
Automatic Door Locks ..................... 29
Automatic Transaxle .................... 12,252
Interlock System ...................... 15
Automatic Transmission .............249,253,378
Adding Fluid ....................... 379
Fluid Level Check .................... 379
Fluid Type ......................... 403
432 INDEX

Gear Ranges........................ 253
Special Additives ..................... 378
Torque Converter .................... 257
Axle Fluid ............................. 403
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid) ............... 381
B-Pillar Location ........................ 280
Battery ............................... 364
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 24
Saving Feature (Protection) .............. 138
Belts, Seat ............................ 39,78
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 367
Brake Fluid ............................ 403
Brake System ........................ 273,376
Anti-Lock (ABS) ..................... 273
Fluid Check ........................ 376
Master Cylinder ..................... 376
Parking ........................... 271
Warning Light .................... 181,186Brake/Transmission Interlock
............... 253
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 75
Bulb Replacement ....................... 392
Bulbs, Light .......................... 80,392
Calibration, Compass ..................... 152
Camper ............................... 170
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 401
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) ........................ 362
Power Steering ...................... 270
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 374
Car Washes ............................ 383
Carbon Monoxide Warning ............77,171,305
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 312
Cargo Light ............................ 139
Cellular Phone ........................ 88,238
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 397
Certification Label ....................... 312
10
INDEX 433

Changing A Flat Tire..................... 335
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 276
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 358
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 76
Checks, Safety ........................... 76
Child Restraint ...................... 63,64,65
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............67,72
Child Seat .............................. 69
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 384
Climate Control ......................... 238
Clock ........................... 194,212,221
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 237
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 288
Compass ........................... 151,152
Compass Calibration ..................... 152
Compass Variance ....................... 152
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 147 Console, Floor
.......................... 165
Console, Overhead ....................... 146
Contract, Service ........................ 425
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 374
Cooling System ......................... 371
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 373
Coolant Capacity ..................... 401
Coolant Level .................... 371,375
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 374
Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 372
Inspection .......................... 375
Points to Remember .................. 375
Pressure Cap ........................ 374
Radiator Cap ....................... 374
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....372,401,402
Temperature Gauge ................... 179
Crates Rear Convenience Storage .............. 163
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 143
434 INDEX

Cupholders............................ 162
Customer Assistance ..................... 423
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 62
Daytime Running Lights ................... 135
Dealer Service .......................... 360
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 169
Defroster, Windshield ................... 78,240
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 140
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 357
Differential, Limited-Slip .................. 264
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................. 180
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ................ 379
Oil (Engine) ........................ 361
Power Steering ...................... 270
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 374
Door Locks ............................. 28 Door Locks, Automatic
.................... 29
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 153
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 265
E-85 Fuel ............................. 306
Electric Remote Mirrors .................... 87
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 160
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 143
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ............. 349
Jump Starting ....................... 345
Tow Hooks ......................... 351
Towing ............................ 352
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 358
Engine Air Cleaner ......................... 363
Block Heater ........................ 251
10
INDEX 435

Break-In Recommendations.............. 75
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................. 402
Exhaust Gas Caution ................77,305
Flooded, Starting ..................... 250
Fuel Requirements .................... 401
Jump Starting ....................... 345
Oil ......................... 361,401,402
Oil Filler Cap ....................... 362
Oil Selection ........................ 401
Oil Synthetic ........................ 363
Starting ........................... 249
Temperature Gauge ................... 179
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 59
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 302
Event Data Recorder ...................... 62
Exhaust Gas Caution ................... 77,305
Exhaust System ....................... 77,368
Extender, Seat Belt ........................ 51 Exterior Lighting
........................ 134
Exterior Lights .......................... 80
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 363
Engine Oil ....................... 363,402
Engine Oil Disposal ................... 363
Flashers Hazard Warning ..................... 334
Turn Signal ................. 80,137,179,394
Flat Tire Stowage ........................ 345
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ...................... 309
Engine Oil ......................... 308
Fuel Requirements ................. 306,307
Maintenance ........................ 309
Replacement Parts .................... 309
Starting ........................... 308
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 250
436 INDEX

Floor Console.......................... 165
Fluid Capacities ......................... 401
Fluid Leaks ............................. 80
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ................ 379
Brake ............................. 376
Engine Oil ......................... 361
Power Steering ...................... 270
Transfer Case ....................... 381
Fluid, Brake ........................... 403
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 402
Fog Lights .......................... 135,401
Four Wheel Drive ....................... 258
Operation .......................... 258
Four-Way Hazard Flasher .................. 334
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 349
Front Axle (Differential) ................... 381
Fuel ................................. 301
Adding ........................... 310 Ethanol
........................... 302
Gauge ............................ 179
Methanol .......................... 302
Octane Rating .................... 301,402
Requirements .................... 301,401
Tank Capacity ....................... 401
Fuel, Flexible ........................... 306
Fueling ............................... 310
Fuses ................................ 387
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) ........... 153
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............310,311,357
Gas Gauge (Fuel Gauge) ................... 179
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 301
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 302
Gauges Coolant Temperature .................. 179
Fuel .............................. 179
Odometer ....................... 182,183
10
INDEX 437

Speedometer........................ 181
Tachometer ......................... 182
Gear Ranges ........................... 253
General Information ................... 1 18,301
Glass Cleaning .......................... 386
Grocery Bag Retainer ..................... 165
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............313,315
Gross Cargo Weight ...................... 312
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ................ 315
GVWR ............................... 312
Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect™) .............. 88
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 265
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 334
Headlights ............................ 392
High Beam ......................... 138
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...... 138Lights On Reminder
.................. 135
Passing ............................ 137
Switch ............................ 134
Heated Seats ........................... 129
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 251
High Beam Indicator ..................... 180
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 138
Hitches Trailer Towing ....................... 319
Holder, Cup ........................... 162
HomeLink® (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . 153
Hood Release .......................... 132
Ignition Key ............................... 12
Illuminated Entry ........................ 20
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ................... 15
Infant Restraint ........................ 63,64
Inside Rearview Mirror .................... 85
438 INDEX