RAM DACOTA 2011, Dakota 2011 Owner's Manual

DAKOTA

US ER

GUIDE

2011

The driver’s primary responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle. Driving while
distracted can result in loss of vehicle control, resulting in an accident and personal
injury. Chrysler Group LLC strongly recommends that the driver use extreme caution
when using any device or feature that may take their attention o the road. Use of
any electrical devices such as cell phones, computers, portable radios, vehicle
navigation or other devices by the driver while the vehicle is moving is dangerous and
could lead to a serious accident. Texting while driving is also dangerous and should
never be done while the vehicle is moving. If you find yourself unable to devote your
full attention to vehicle operation, pull o the road to a safe location and stop your
vehicle. Some States or Provinces prohibit the use of cellular telephones or texting
while driving. It is always the driver’s responsibility to comply with all local laws.

IMPORTANT: This User Guide is intended to familiarize you with the important features

of your vehicle. The DVD enclosed contains your Owner’s Manual, Navigation/Media Center
Manuals, Warranty Booklets, Tire Warranty and 24-Hour Towing Assistance (new
vehicles purchased in the U.S.) or Roadside Assistance (new vehicles purchased in
Canada) in electronic format. We hope you find it useful. If you are the first registered
owner of your vehicle, you may obtain a printed copy of the Owner’s Manual, Navigation/
Media Center Manuals or Warranty Booklet by calling 1-866-726-4636 (U.S.) or
1-800-387-1143 (Canada) or by contacting your dealer. Replacement DVD kits may
be purchased by visiting www.techauthority.com. Copyright 2010 Chrysler Group LLC.

TABLE OF CO NTENTS

INTRODUCTION/WELCOME

Welcome From Chrysler Group LLC .....2

CONTROLS AT A GLANCE

Driver Cockpit ................4

Instrument Cluster .............6

GETTING STARTED

KeyFOB...................8

Remote Start ................8

Theft Alarm .................9

Seat Belt ..................9

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) —

Airbags ...................10

Child Restraints ...............11

Front Seats .................14

Heated Seats ................16

Tilt Steering Column .............17

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

Turn Signals/Wiper/Washer/High Beams

Lever ....................18

Headlight Switch ..............19

Speed Control ............... 20

Climate Controls ..............21

Wind Buffeting ...............21

ELECTRONICS

Non-Touch-Screen Radios ......... 22

Steering Wheel Audio Controls .......25

Uconnect™ Phone ..............25

Uconnect™ Voice Command ....... 28

Programmable Features ..........29

Universal Garage Door Opener

(HomeLink®) ................ 30

Power Outlet ............... 32

OFF-ROAD CAPABILITIES

Four-Wheel Drive Operation ........ 33

UTILITY

Rear Crate 'N Go® Storage ......... 34

Rear Cargo Area Utility Rails ........ 34

Tailgate .................. 34

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer

Weight Ratings) ...............35

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome,

Etc.) .................... 36

Brake/Transmission Interlock System ....37

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

24-Hour Towing Assistance - U.S. Only . . 38

Instrument Cluster Warning Lights .... 38

If Your Engine Overheats ...........41

Jacking And Tire Changing ......... 42

Jump-Starting ................47

Emergency Tow Hooks ........... 49

Towing A Disabled Vehicle ......... 50

Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ...........51

Event Data Recorder (EDR) .........52

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Opening The Hood ..............53

Engine Compartment ........... 54

Fluids And Capacities ........... 56

Maintenance Chart ............ 58

Fuses ...................60

Tire Pressures ............... 64

Wheel And Wheel Trim Care ........ 64

Exterior Bulbs ............... 65

CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Chrysler Group LLC Customer Center . . . 66
Chrysler Canada Inc. Customer Center . . 66
Assistance For The Hearing Impaired . . . 66

Publications Ordering ........... 66

Reporting Safety Defects In The 50 United

States And Washington, D.C. ........67

MOPAR ACCESSORIES

MOPAR® Accessories ........... 68

INDEX

..................69

INTRODUCTION/WELCOME

WELCOME FROM CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

Congratulations on selecting your new Chrysler Group LLC vehicle. Be assured that it
represents precision workmanship, distinctive styling, and high quality - all essentials
that are traditional to our vehicles.

Your new Chrysler Group LLC vehicle has characteristics to enhance the driver's control
under some driving conditions. These are to assist the driver and are never a substitute
for attentive driving. They can never take the driver's place. Always drive carefully.

Your new vehicle has many features for the comfort and convenience of you and your
passengers. Some of these should not be used when driving because they take your
eyes from the road or your attention from driving. Never text while driving or take your
eyes more than momentarily off the road.

This guide illustrates and describes the operation of features and equipment that are
either standard or optional on this vehicle. This guide may also include a description of
features and equipment that are no longer available or were not ordered on this vehicle.
Please disregard any features and equipment described in this guide that are not
available on this vehicle. Chrysler Group LLC reserves the right to make changes in
design and specifications and/or make additions to or improvements to its products
without imposing any obligation upon itself to install them on products previously
manufactured.

The User Guide has been prepared to help you quickly become acquainted with the
important features of your vehicle. It contains most everything you will need to operate
and maintain the vehicle, including emergency information.

The DVD includes a computer application containing detailed owner's information
which can be viewed on a personal computer or MAC computer. The multimedia DVD
also includes videos which can be played on any standard DVD player (including the
Media Center Touch-Screen Radios). Additional DVD operational information is located
on the back of the DVD sleeve.

For complete owner information, refer to your owner's manual on the DVD in the
owner’s kit provided at the time of new vehicle purchase. For your convenience, the
information contained on the DVD may also be printed and saved for future reference.

Chrysler Group LLC is committed to protecting our environment and natural resources.
By converting from paper to electronic delivery for the majority of the user information
for your vehicle, together we greatly reduce the demand for tree-based products and
lessen the stress on our environment.

Vehicles Sold In Canada

With respect to any vehicles sold in Canada, the name Chrysler Group LLC shall be
deemed to be deleted and the name Chrysler Canada Inc. used in substitution
therefore.

2

INTRODUCTION/WELCOME

WARNING!

• Pedals that cannot move freely can cause loss of vehicle control and increase the
risk of serious personal injury.

• Always make sure that objects cannot fall into the driver foot well while the
vehicle is moving. Objects can become trapped under the brake pedal and
accelerator pedal causing a loss of vehicle control.

• Failure to properly follow floor mat installation or mounting can cause
interference with the brake pedal and accelerator pedal operation causing loss of
control of the vehicle.

• Never use the ‘PARK’ position as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply
the parking brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.

• Refer to your Owner's Manual on the DVD for further details.

CHRYSLER, DODGE, JEEP, ATF+4, MOPAR and Uconnect are registered trademarks of
Chrysler Group LLC.

COPYRIGHT ©2010 CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

3

CONTROLS AT A GLANCE

DRIVER COCKPIT

4

CONTROLS AT A GLANCE

5

CONTROLS AT A GLANCE

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

Warning Lights

- Low Fuel Warning Light

- Charging System Light**

- Oil Pressure Warning Light**

- Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light**

- Airbag Warning Light**

- Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light

- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Light

- Engine Temperature Warning Light

- Transmission Temperature Warning Light

- Seat Belt Reminder Light

BRAKE

(See page 38 for more information.)

- Brake Warning Light**

- Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)**

- SVC (Service) 4WD Indicator Light

6

CONTROLS AT A GLANCE

Indicators

- Turn Signal Indicators

- High Beam Indicator

- Front Fog Light Indicator

- Vehicle Security Indicator*

- TOW/HAUL Indicator

- Cruise Indicator

- 4WD Indicator

- 4WD LOW Indicator

- Cargo Lamp Indicator

Odometer Messages

door - Door Ajar LoW tirE - Low Tire Pressure
gASCAP - Fuel Cap Fault noFUSE* - Fuse Fault
LoW WASH- Low Washer Fluid CHAngE OIL* - Change Engine Oil

* If equipped
** Bulb Check with Key On

7

GETTING STARTED

KEY FOB

Locking And Unlocking The Doors

• Press the LOCK button once to lock all
the doors. Press the UNLOCK button
once to unlock the driver’s door only
and twice within five seconds to
unlock all the doors.

• All doors can be programmed to
unlock on the first press of the
UNLOCK button. Refer to
Programmable Features in this guide.

Panic Alarm

• Press the PANIC button once to turn
the panic alarm on.

• Wait approximately three seconds and press the button a second time to turn the
panic alarm off.

WARNING!

Leaving unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a number of reasons. A
child or others could be severely injured or killed. Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake, brake pedal, or the shift lever. Do not leave the key in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.

RE MOTE START

x

• Press the REMOTE START button
REMOTE START button a third time shuts the engine off.

• To drive the vehicle, press the UNLOCK button, insert the key in the ignition and
turn to the ON/RUN position.

• With remote start, the engine will only run for 15 minutes (timeout) unless the
ignition key is placed in the ON/RUN position.

• The vehicle must be started with the key after two consecutive timeouts.

• Do not start or run an engine in a closed garage or confined area. Exhaust gas
contains Carbon Monoxide (CO) which is odorless and colorless. Carbon Monoxide
is poisonous and can cause serious injury or death when inhaled.

• Keep Key Fob transmitters away from children. Operation of the Remote Start
System, windows, door locks or other controls could cause serious injury or death.

2

twice within five seconds. Pressing the

WARNING!

8

GETTING STARTED

THE FT ALARM

To Arm

• Press the Key Fob LOCK button or the power door lock switch while the door is
open.

To Disarm

• Press the Key Fob UNLOCK button and turn the ignition to the ON/RUN position.

SEAT BELT

• Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a seat belt properly.

• Position the lap belt across your thighs, below your abdomen. To remove slack in
the lap portion, pull up a bit on the shoulder belt. To loosen the lap belt if it is too
tight, tilt the latch plate and pull on the lap belt. A snug belt reduces the risk of
sliding under the belt in an accident.

• Position the shoulder belt on your chest so that it is comfortable and not resting
on your neck . The retractor will withdraw any slack in the belt.

• A shoulder belt placed behind you will not protect you from injury during an
accident. You are more likely to hit your head in an accident if you do not wear
your shoulder belt. The lap and shoulder belt are meant to be used together.

• A belt that is too loose will not protect you properly. In a sudden stop you could
move too far forward, increasing the possibility of injury. Wear your seat belt
snugly.

• A frayed or torn belt could rip apart in an accident and leave you with no
protection. Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts, frays, or loose
parts. Damaged parts must be replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or
modify the system. Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing, etc.).

• The seat belts for both front seating positions may be equipped with pretensioning
devices that are designed to remove slack from the seat belt in the event of an
accident.

• A deployed pretensioner or a deployed airbag must be replaced immediately.

WARNING!

In an accident, you and your passengers can suffer much greater injuries if you are
not buckled up properly. You can strike the interior of your vehicle or other
passengers, or you can be thrown out of the vehicle. Always be sure you and others
in your vehicle are buckled up properly.

9

GETTING STARTED

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) —
AIRBAGS

• This vehicle has Advanced Front Airbags for both driver and right front passenger
as a supplement to the seat belt restraint system. The Advanced Front Airbags will
not deploy in every type of collision.

• Advanced Front Airbags are designed to provide additional protection by
supplementing the seat belts in certain frontal collision depending on the severity
and type of collision. Advanced Front Airbags are not expected to reduce the risk
of injury in rear, side, or rollover collision.

• This vehicle may be equipped with Supplemental Side Airbag Inflatable Curtains to
protect the driver, front and rear passengers sitting next to a window.

• This vehicle may be equipped with Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Airbags to
provide enhanced protection to help protect an occupant during a side impact.

• If the Airbag Warning Light
while driving, have the vehicle serviced by an authorized service center

immediately.

• Refer to the Owner's Manual on the DVD for further details regarding the
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).

is not on during starting, stays on, or turns on

WARNING!

• Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more severe injuries in an collision. The
airbags work with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In some collisions, the
airbags won't deploy at all. Always wear your seat belts even though you have
airbags.

• Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument panel during Advanced Front
Airbag deployment could cause serious injury, including death. Airbags need room
to inflate. Sit back, comfortably extending your arms to reach the steering wheel
or instrument panel.

• Supplemental Side Airbag Inflatable Curtains and Supplemental Seat-Mounted
Side Airbags need room to inflate. Do not lean against the door or window. Sit
upright in the center of the seat.

• Being too close to the Supplemental Side Airbag Inflatable Curtain and/or
Seat-Mounted Side Airbag during deployment could cause you to be severely
injured or killed.

• Do not drive your vehicle after the airbags have deployed. If you are involved in
another collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you.

• After any accident, the vehicle should be taken to an authorized dealer
immediately.

10

GETTING STARTED

CHILD RESTRAINTS

• Children 12 years and under should ride properly buckled up in a rear seat, if
available. According to crash statistics, children are safer when properly restrained
in the rear seats rather than in the front.

• Every state in the United States and all Canadian provinces require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law, and you can be
prosecuted for ignoring it.

Installing The LATCH - Compatible Child Restraint System

• Your vehicle is equipped with the child restraint anchorage system called LATCH,
which stands for Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren.

Extended Cab

• The Extended Cab front and right rear (if equipped with a rear seat) passenger
seating positions have lower anchorages that are capable of accommodating
LATCH compatible child seats having flexible, webbing mounted lower
attachments.

• Loosen the child seat adjusters on the
lower straps and tether straps so that
you can attach the hook or connector
to the lower and tether anchorages
more easily.

• Attach the lower hooks or connectors
over the top of the anchorage bars,
pushing aside the seat cover material.
You will easily feel the anchorage bars
if you run your finger along the
intersection of the seatback and seat
cushion surfaces.

Tether Strap at the Front Passenger Seat (Extended Cab)

• Route the child restraint tether strap up and over the front passenger seatback,
and under the head restraint.

• Connect the tether strap to the lower anchor located at the bottom rear of the
seat.

• Remove the slack in the tether strap so that it is pulled tight.

11

GETTING STARTED

Tether Straps at the Rear Passenger Seat (Extended Cab)

• Route the child restraint tether strap through the routing loop, located directly
behind the child restraint. The routing loops are located behind the flip-down door
on the cab back panel (padded bolster).

• Route the tether strap across to the
center tether anchorage. The center
tether is located behind the slide door
in the center of the vehicle, between
the two seating positions.

• Remove the slack in the tether strap
so that the anchor strap is pulled
tight.

Crew Cab

• The Crew Cab second row seat has lower anchorages that are capable of
accommodating LATCH compatible child seats having flexible, webbing mounted
lower attachments at all three seating positions.

• Child seats with fixed lower
attachments must be installed in the
outboard positions only.

• Never install LATCH-compatible child
seats such that two seats share a
common lower anchorage.

• Loosen the child seat adjusters on the
lower straps and tether straps so that
you can attach the hook or connector
to the lower and tether anchorages
more easily.

• Attach the lower hooks or connectors over the top of the anchorage bars, pushing
aside the seat cover material. You will easily feel the anchorage bars if you run
your finger along the intersection of the seatback and seat cushion surfaces. The
rear seat lower anchors can be readily identified by the symbol

seatback directly above the anchorages and are just visible when you lean into the
rear seat to install the child restraint.

located on the

12

GETTING STARTED

Tether Straps at the Rear Passenger Seat (Crew Cab)

• Route the child restraint tether strap over the seatback and under the head
restraint (for outboard seating position only) and through the anchor strap outer
loop (webbing material loop) located directly behind the child restraint.

• Connect the tether strap hook to the
anchor strap inner metal ring in the
ADJACENT seating position.

• Remove the slack in the tether strap
so that both anchor straps are pulled
tight.

NOTE: Two anchors must be used for any of the three seating positions.

1. Inner Anchor Strap Ring(s)

2. Snap Hook

3. Tether Strap

4. Passenger's Side Rear Child Seat

5. Rear Center Child Seat

6. Driver's Side Rear Child Seat

Installing The Child Restraint Using The Vehicle Seat Belts

• To install a child restraint, first, pull enough of the seat belt webbing from the
retractor to route it through the belt path of the child restraint and slide the latch
plate into the buckle.

• Next, extract all the seat belt webbing out of the retractor and then allow the
belt to retract into the retractor. Finally, pull on any excess webbing to tighten
the lap portion around the child restraint. Any seat belt system will loosen with
time, so check the belt occasionally, and pull it tight if necessary.

• Once you have completed securing the child restraint with the seat belt, secure
the top tether strap as described on the previous pages.

13

GETTING STARTED

WARNING!

• In an accident, an unrestrained child, even a tiny baby, can become a projectile
inside the vehicle. The force required to hold even an infant on your lap could
become so great that you could not hold the child, no matter how strong you are.
The child and others could be severely injured or killed. Any child riding in your
vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child's size.

• Improper installation of a child restraint to the LATCH anchorages can lead to
failure of an infant or child restraint. The child could be severely injured or killed.
Follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly when installing an infant or child
restraint.

• An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to increased head motion and
possible injury to the child. Use only the anchor positions directly behind the child
seat to secure a child restraint top tether strap.

• Rearward-facing child seats must never be used in the front seat of a vehicle with
a front passenger airbag. An airbag deployment could cause severe injury or death
to infants in this position.

FRONT SEATS

Power Seat — Driver's Side Only

Manual Seat Adjustment

Forward/Rearward

• The power seat controls are located on
the outboard side of the driver's seat
cushion.

• The power seat switch controls the
forward, backward, up, or down
adjustment.

• The two tilt switches control the tilt
up or down adjustment.

• Lift up on the adjusting bar located at
the front of the seat near the floor and
release bar to lock seat at the desired
position.

14

Lumbar Support/Recliner

GETTING STARTED

• Rotate the lumbar knob, located on
the left-side of the driver's seat, to
increase or decrease the amount of
lumbar support.

• Lean forward slightly, lift the recline
lever located on the outboard side of
the seat, then push back to the
desired position and release the lever.

• Lean forward and lift the recline lever
to return the seatback to its normal
position.

CAUTION!

Do not place any article under a power seat or impede its ability to move as it may
cause damage to the seat controls. Seat travel may become limited if movement is
stopped by an obstruction in the seat’s path.

WARNING!

• Adjusting a seat while the vehicle is moving is dangerous. The sudden movement
of the seat could cause you to lose control. The seat belt might not be properly
adjusted, and you could be severely injured or killed. Only adjust a seat while the
vehicle is parked.

• Do not ride with the seatback reclined so that the shoulder belt is no longer
resting against your chest. In a collision, you could slide under the seat belt and
be severely injured or killed. Use the recliner only when the vehicle is parked.

15

GETTING STARTED

HEATED SEATS

Front Heated Seats

• The heated seat switches are located
on the center of the instrument panel.

• After turning the ignition ON, press
the switch once to select High-level
heating. Press the switch a second
time to select Low-level heating.
Press the switch a third time to shut
the heating elements Off.

CAUTION!

Repeated overheating of the seat could damage the heating element and/or degrade
the material of the seat.

WARNING!

• Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin because of advanced age, chronic
illness, diabetes, spinal cord injury, medication, alcohol use, exhaustion or other
physical conditions must exercise care when using the seat heater. It may cause
burns even at low temperatures, especially if used for long periods of time.

• Do not place anything on the seat that insulates against heat, such as a blanket
or cushion. This may cause the seat heater to overheat. Sitting in a seat that has
been overheated could cause serious burns due to the increased surface
temperature of the seat.

16

TILT STEERING COLUMN

WARNING!

GETTING STARTED

• The tilt lever is located on the steering
column, below the turn signal lever.

• Pull the lever toward the steering
wheel to unlock the steering column.

• With one hand firmly on the steering
wheel, move the steering column up
or down as desired.

• Push the lever away from the steering
wheel to lock the column firmly in
place.

Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is moving is dangerous. Without a
stable steering column, you could lose control of the vehicle and have an accident.
Adjust the column only while the vehicle is stopped. Be sure the column is locked
before driving.

17

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

TURN SIGNALS/WIPER/WASHER/HIGH BEAMS LEVER

Turn Signals/Lane Change Assist

• Tap the lever up or down once and the turn signal (right or left) will flash three
times and automatically turn off.

Wipers

Intermittent, Low And High Operation

• Rotate the end of the lever to the first detent position for one of five intermittent
settings, the second detent for low wiper operation and the third detent for high
wiper operation.

Washer Operation

• Push the end of the lever inward to the second detent and hold for as long as
spray is desired.

High Beams

• Pull the lever toward you to activate the high beams.

• A high beam symbol will illuminate in the cluster to indicate the high beams are
on.

NOTE: For safe driving, turn off high beams when oncoming traffic is present to
prevent headlight glare and as a courtesy to other motorists.

18

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

HEAD LIGHT SWITCH

Automatic Headlights/Parking
Lights/Headlights

• Rotate the headlight switch, located
on the instrument panel to the left of
the steering wheel, to the first detent
for parking lights and to the second
detent for headlights.

• With the parking lights or low beam
headlights on, push the headlight
switch once for fog lights.

• Rotate the headlight switch to “A” for
AUTO headlights.

• When set to “A” (AUTO), the system automatically turns the headlights on or off
based on ambient light levels.

Instrument Panel Dimmer

• Rotate the dimmer control to the extreme bottom position to fully dim the
instrument panel lights and prevent the interior lights from illuminating when a
door is opened.

• Rotate the dimmer control up to increase the brightness of the instrument panel
when the parking lights or headlights are on.

• Rotate the dimmer control up to the next detent position to fully brighten the
odometer and radio when the parking lights or headlights are on. Refer to your
Media Center/Radio User Manual on the DVD for display dimming.

• Rotate the dimmer control up to the last detent position to turn on the interior
lighting.

Cargo Light

• The cargo light is strategically placed lighting that helps illuminate the bed area of
the truck. A cargo light symbol will illuminate in the cluster to indicate the light is
on.

• Push the button to turn ON/OFF the cargo lighting.

19

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

SPE ED CONTROL

• The speed control switches are
located on the steering wheel.

Cruise ON/OFF

• Push the ON/OFF switch to activate the Speed Control.

• CRUISE will appear in the instrument cluster to indicate the Speed Control is on.

• Push the ON/OFF switch a second time to turn the system off.

Set

• With the Speed Control on, push and release the SET switch to set a desired
speed.

Accel/Decel

• Push and hold the RESUME/ACCEL switch to accelerate or push and hold the
DECEL switch to decelerate the vehicle; release the switch to save the new set
speed.

• Once a speed is set, pushing the RESUME/ACCEL switch once or the DECEL
switch once will increase or decrease the set speed approximately 1 mph (2 km/h).

Resume

• To resume a previously selected set speed in memory, push the RESUME/ACCEL
switch and release.

Cancel

• Push the CANCEL switch, or apply the brakes or clutch, to cancel the set speed
and maintain the set speed memory.

• Push the ON/OFF switch to turn the system off and erase the set speed memory.

20

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

CLI MATE CONTRO LS

Air Recirculation

• Use recirculation for maximum A/C operation.

• For window defogging, turn the recirculation off.

• Recirculation is not allowed in defrost, floor, defrost/floor (mix) modes.

WIN D BUFFETING

• Wind buffeting can be described as a helicopter-type percussion sound. If
buffeting occurs with the rear windows open, adjust the front and rear windows
together.

21