2008 Dodge Dakota Owner's Manual
Year:
2008
Make:
Dodge
Model:
Dakota
Rating:
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
3
INTRODUCTION
4
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
4
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
6
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
6
VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS/ALTERATIONS
7
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
9
A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
12
Ignition Key Removal
12
Locking Doors With The Key
14
SENTRY KEY
14
Replacement Keys
16
Customer Key Programming
16
General Information
18
STEERING WHEEL LOCK - IF EQUIPPED
18
If You Wish To Manually Lock The Steering Wheel
18
To Release The Steering Wheel Lock
18
Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock System
19
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM - IF EQUIPPED
19
To Set the Alarm
19
To Disarm the System
19
ILLUMINATED ENTRY
20
Vehicles Equipped With Power Door Locks
20
REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY
21
To unlock the doors
21
To lock the doors
22
Using the Panic Alarm
24
General Information
24
Programming Additional Transmitters
25
Battery Replacement
26
REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM - IF EQUIPPED
27
DOOR LOCKS
28
Manual Door Locks
28
Power Door Locks
29
Child Protection Door Lock
32
WINDOWS
33
Power Windows
33
Auto Down (Drivers Side Only)
34
Window Lockout Switch
34
WIND BUFFETING
34
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
35
Lap/Shoulder Belts
36
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage
40
Automatic Locking Retractors (ALR) Mode - If Equipped
41
Center Lap Belts
42
Seat Belt Pretensioners
42
Enhanced Driver Seat Belt Reminder System (BeltAlert)
43
Seat Belts and Pregnant Women
44
Seat Belt Extender
44
Driver And Right Front Passenger Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Airbags
45
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
53
Child Restraint
55
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
68
SAFETY TIPS
69
Exhaust System
69
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The Vehicle
70
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The Vehicle
70
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
73
MIRRORS
77
Inside Day/Night Mirror
77
Outside Mirrors
77
Exterior Mirrors Folding Feature - If Equipped
77
Electric Remote-Control Mirrors
77
HANDS-FREE COMMUNICATION (UConnect) - IF EQUIPPED
79
Operation
81
Phone Call Features
88
UConnect System Features
91
Advanced Phone Connectivity
95
Things You Should Know About Your UConnect System
97
General Information
105
SEATS
105
Manual Seat Adjustment
105
Front Seats Manual Seat Recliners
106
Manual Lumbar Support Adjustment - If Equipped
107
Adjustable Head Restraints - Front Seating Positions
107
6 - Way Power Seat Adjuster - Drivers Side Only
108
Extended Cab/Crew Cab Rear Seat
110
Heated Seats - If Equipped
110
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
111
LIGHTS
112
Interior Lights
113
Battery Saver
114
Headlamp Delay
114
Headlights, Parking Lights, Panel Lights
114
Daytime Running Lights (Canada - Standard and US Fleet Vehicles - If Equipped)
115
Lights-on Reminder
116
Fog Lights - If Equipped
116
CARGO Light - If Equipped
116
Multifunction Control Lever
117
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
118
Windshield Wipers
119
Windshield Washers
120
TILT STEERING COLUMN
120
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL - IF EQUIPPED
121
To Activate
122
To Set At A Desired Speed
122
To Deactivate
122
To Resume Speed
123
To Vary The Speed Setting
123
To Accelerate For Passing
124
OVERHEAD CONSOLE
125
Courtesy/Reading Lights
126
COMPASS/TEMPERATURE MINI-TRIP COMPUTER
126
US/M Button
126
RESET Button
127
Global Reset
127
Step Button
128
Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)
128
Distance To Empty (DTE)
128
Trip Odometer (ODO)
129
Elapsed Time (ET)
129
C/T Button
129
Compass/Temperature Display
130
Automatic Compass Calibration
130
Manual Compass Calibration
130
To Put Into a Calibration Mode
131
Outside Temperature
132
GARAGE DOOR OPENER - IF EQUIPPED
132
Programming HomeLink
133
Gate Operator/Canadian Programming
136
Using HomeLink
137
Reprogramming a Single HomeLink Button
137
Security
137
Troubleshooting Tips
137
General Information
138
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS
138
Electrical Outlet Use With Engine OFF (Battery Fed Configuration)
139
FLOOR CONSOLE - IF EQUIPPED
140
Floor Console Features
140
CENTER STORAGE COMPARTMENT - IF EQUIPPED
141
CUP HOLDERS
141
REAR STORAGE - IF EQUIPPED
142
Rear Convenience Storage Crates
142
Plastic Grocery Bag Retainers
144
REAR WINDOW FEATURES
145
Rear Window Defroster - If Equipped
145
Sliding Rear Window - If Equipped
146
TAILGATE
146
Tailgate Removal
146
Two Position Tailgate / Upper Load Platform
147
REAR CARGO AREA UTILITY RAILS
149
SLIDE-IN CAMPERS
151
Camper Applications
151
General Information
151
Carbon Monoxide Warning Vehicles Equipped With A Cap or Slide-In Campers
151
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS
153
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
156
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
157
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
158
ELECTRONIC DIGITAL CLOCK
167
Clock Setting Procedure
168
RADIO GENERAL INFORMATION
168
Radio Broadcast Signals
168
Two Types of Signals
169
Electrical Disturbances
169
AM Reception
169
FM Reception
169
SALES CODE RES - AM/FM STEREO RADIO WITH CD PLAYER (MP3 AUX JACK)
170
Operating Instructions - Radio Mode
170
Operation Instructions - CD MODE for CD and MP3 Audio Play
176
Notes On Playing MP3 Files
178
LIST Button (CD Mode for MP3 Play)
181
INFO Button (CD Mode for MP3 Play)
181
SALES CODE REQ - AM/FM STEREO RADIO AND 6-DISC CD/DVD CHANGER (MP3/WMA AUX JACK)
182
Operating Instructions - Radio Mode
183
Operation Instructions - (DISC MODE for CD and MP3/WMA Audio Play, DVD-VIDEO)
190
Notes On Playing MP3/WMA Files
192
LIST Button (DISC Mode for MP3/WMA Play)
195
INFO Button (DISC Mode for MP3/WMA Play)
195
SALES CODE RER - MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM - IF EQUIPPED
197
Operating Instructions - Satellite Radio
199
Operating Instructions - Hands-Free Communication (UConnect) (If Equipped)
199
Clock Setting Procedure
199
SATELLITE RADIO (RSC) - IF EQUIPPED (RER/REQ/REN RADIOS ONLY)
201
System Activation
201
Electronic Serial Number/Sirius Identification Number (ENS/SID)
202
Selecting Satellite Mode
202
Satellite Antenna
202
Reception Quality
203
Operating Instructions - Satellite Mode
203
Operating Instructions - Hands Free Phone (If Equipped)
205
Operating Instructions - Video Entertainment System (VES) (If Equipped)
205
REMOTE SOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS - IF EQUIPPED
205
Radio Operation
206
CD Player
206
COMPACT DISC MAINTENANCE
207
SOUND BOX OPERATION
208
RADIO OPERATION AND CELLULAR PHONES
209
CLIMATE CONTROLS
209
Air Conditioning And Heater
209
Operating Tips
213
Operation Tips Chart
215
STARTING AND OPERATING
217
STARTING PROCEDURES
221
Manual Transmission
221
Automatic Transmission
221
Normal Starting
222
If Engine Fails To Start
222
After Starting
223
Engine Block Heater - If Equipped
224
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
224
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
225
Automatic Transmission
225
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
230
Recommended Shift Speeds
231
Downshifting
232
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
233
NV233/243 GII Transfer Case Operating Information/Precautions
233
Shifting Procedure - NV233/243 Transfer Case
237
NV 244 Generation II Transfer Case Operating Information / Precautions
239
Shifting Procedure - NV 244 Generation II Transfer Case
243
LIMITED-SLIP REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL - IF EQUIPPED
244
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
245
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
245
Flowing/Rising Water
246
Shallow Standing Water
246
PARKING BRAKE
247
BRAKE SYSTEM
249
Rear Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System - If Equipped
249
Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System
250
POWER STEERING
251
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
253
Tire Markings
253
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
256
Tire Loading and Tire Pressure
257
TIRES - GENERAL INFORMATION
261
Tire Pressure
261
Tire Inflation Pressures
262
Radial-Ply Tires
264
Compact Spare Tire - If Equipped
265
Limited Use Spare - If Equipped
265
Tire Spinning
266
Tread Wear Indicators
267
Life of Tire
267
Replacement Tires
268
Alignment And Balance
269
SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION - IF EQUIPPED
270
TIRE CHAINS
270
SNOW TIRES
272
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS
272
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) - IF EQUIPPED
273
Base System - If Equipped
275
General Information
278
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
278
Reformulated Gasoline
279
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends
279
MMT In Gasoline
280
Materials Added To Fuel
280
Fuel System Cautions
281
Carbon Monoxide Warnings
281
ADDING FUEL
282
Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)
283
FLEXIBLE FUEL - IF EQUIPPED
284
E-85 General Information
284
ETHANOL FUEL (E-85)
285
Fuel Requirements
285
Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles (E-85) and Gasoline Vehicles
286
Starting
286
Cruising Range
287
Replacement Parts
287
Maintenance
287
VEHICLE LOADING
288
Certification Label
288
Curb Weight
289
Loading
289
TRAILER TOWING
291
Common Towing Definitions
291
Trailer Hitch Classification
295
Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
296
Trailer and Tongue Weight
296
Towing Requirements
298
Towing Tips
302
SNOWPLOW
304
Snowplow Usage
304
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
305
Recreational Towing 2WD Models
305
Recreational Towing 4WD Models
305
EQUIPMENT IDENTIFICATION PLATE
310
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
311
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
312
ADDING FUEL
312
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
313
Jack Location
313
Removing The Spare Tire
315
Tire Changing Procedure
318
JUMP STARTING
323
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
325
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS - IF EQUIPPED
326
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
327
Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
327
Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles
327
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
329
3.7L ENGINE COMPARTMENT
332
4.7L ENGINE COMPARTMENT
333
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM - OBD II
334
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
335
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS
335
REPLACEMENT PARTS
337
DEALER SERVICE
337
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
337
Engine Oil
338
Engine Oil Filter
341
Drive Belts - Check Condition and Tension
342
Spark Plugs
342
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
343
Engine Fuel Filter
343
Catalytic Converter
343
Maintenance Free Battery
345
Air Conditioner Maintenance
346
Power Steering - Fluid Check
347
Front Suspension Ball Joints
348
Drive Shaft Constant Velocity Joints
348
Body Lubrication
348
Windshield Wiper Blades
349
Windshield Washers
349
Exhaust System
350
Cooling System
351
Emission Related Components
356
Brake System
357
Clutch Hydraulic System
359
Manual Transmission
359
Automatic Transmission
359
Transfer Case
362
Axles
362
Appearance Care and Protection from Corrosion
363
FUSES (POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER)
367
VEHICLE STORAGE
373
REPLACEMENT LIGHT BULBS
373
BULB REPLACEMENT
374
Headlight (Halogen)/Front Park and Turn Lights
374
Rear Side Marker, Taillamps/Stoplamp, and Turn Signal Bulbs - Replacement
377
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp And Cargo Lamp
379
License Lamps
382
Fog Lamps
383
FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
384
FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
385
Engine
385
Chassis
386
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
387
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
388
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
388
Required Maintenance Intervals
390
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
397
SUGGESTIONS FOR OBTAINING SERVICE FOR YOUR VEHICLE
398
Prepare For The Appointment
398
Prepare A List
398
Be Reasonable With Requests
398
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE
398
WARRANTY INFORMATION (U.S. Vehicles Only)
401
MOPAR PARTS
401
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
402
In Canada
402
PUBLICATION ORDER FORMS
402
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES
404
Treadwear
404
Traction Grades
404
Temperature Grades
405
INDEX
407
2008 Dodge Dakota Overview
Introduction
The 2008 Dodge Dakota stands out as a versatile and robust midsize pickup truck that caters to both utility and comfort. With its muscular design and capable performance, the Dakota is well-suited for various tasks, whether it be for hauling heavy loads or navigating daily commutes. Its blend of strength, technology, and practicality makes it a valuable choice for truck enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike.
Powertrains
The 2008 Dakota offers a variety of powertrains that provide robust performance tailored to different needs. The base model is equipped with a 3.7-liter V6 engine that delivers 238 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque, making it a capable workhorse. For those seeking enhanced power, a more robust 4.7-liter V8 engine produces 302 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, delivering a smooth driving experience catering to both city driving and off-road adventures.
Trims
The Dakota comes in several trims, allowing buyers to find the perfect fit for their preferences and requirements. Key trims include the base ST, the mid-level SLT, and the sporty TRX4. Each trim offers varying levels of features and options, with the SLT providing additional comfort and technology, while the TRX4 caters to those looking for off-road capability with features like skid plates and tow hooks.
Features
Inside the 2008 Dakota, owners will find a well-appointed cabin that balances style and functionality. Standard and available features include air conditioning, power windows and locks, an audio system with an MP3 player, and available navigation options. Higher trims introduce leather seating, premium sound systems, and additional technology enhancements, making it a well-rounded option for those seeking both utility and comfort.
Owner's Manual
To maximize the ownership experience, the 2008 Dodge Dakota comes with a comprehensive owner's manual. This guide provides essential information on maintenance, operation, safety features, and troubleshooting tips, ensuring that owners can make the most of their Dakota's capabilities while enjoying peace of mind on the road.
User manual download
The Dodge Dakota owner manual for the 2008 model year is to be found in PDF downloadable format on this page. The owner manual for the model year 2008 is free and in English, but the repair manuals are usually not easy to get and may cost more.
Posted by, John Mana
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