Dodge Dakota (2011 year). Manual

(upper) reference holes when the transmission reaches
180° F (82° C). Remember it is best to check the level at
the normal operating temperature.

CAUTION!

Be aware that if the fluid temperature is below 50° F
(10° C) it may not register on the dipstick. Do not add
fluid until the temperature is elevated enough to
produce an accurate reading.

7. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake.

To prevent dirt and water from entering the transmission
after checking or replenishing fluid, make certain that the
dipstick cap is properly reseated. It is normal for the
dipstick cap to spring back slightly from its fully-seated
position, as long as its seal remains engaged in the
dipstick tube.

CAUTION!

• Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission

as the chemicals can damage your transmission
components. Such damage is not covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

• Using a transmission fluid other than the manu-

facturer’s recommended fluid may cause deterio-
ration in transmission shift quality and/or torque
converter shudder. Using a transmission fluid,
other than the manufacturer’s recommended fluid,
will result in more frequent fluid and filter
changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information.

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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Transfer Case
Inspect the transfer case for fluid leaks. If a fluid leak is
evident the transfer case fluid level may be low. Have the
transfer case serviced immediately.

CAUTION!

Damage may result from operation of the vehicle
with low transfer case fluid.

Drain And Refill
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.

Lubricant Selection
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.

Front/Rear Axle Fluid

For normal service, periodic fluid level checks are not
required. When the vehicle is serviced for other reasons
the exterior surfaces of the axle assembly should be
inspected. If gear oil leakage is suspected inspect the
fluid level. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.

Front Axle Fluid Level Check
Front axle fluid level should be 3/4 in (20 mm) below the
bottom of the fill plug.

Rear Axle Fluid Level Check
Rear axle limited-slip differentials require the use of
MOPAR

威 Limited-Slip Additive or equivalent. Refer to

“Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining
Your Vehicle” for further information. This should be
added to the gear lubricant whenever a fluid change is
made, when equipped with limited-slip differential. Rear

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

381

axle fluid level should be 1/8 in (3 mm) below bottom of
filler plug for 8-1/4 in, and 9-1/4 in axles.

Drain And Refill
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.

NOTE:

The presence of water in the gear lubricant will

result in corrosion and possible failure of differential
components. Operation of the vehicle in water, as may be
encountered in some off-highway types of service, will
require draining and refilling the axle to avoid damage.

Selection Of Lubricant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.

Appearance Care And Protection From Corrosion

Protection Of Body And Paint From Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads

passable in snow and ice, and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse affect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.

The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.

What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of
paint and protective coatings from your vehicle.

The most common causes are:

• Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation
• Stone and gravel impact

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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

• Insects, tree sap and tar
• Salt in the air near seacoast localities
• Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants

Washing

• Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your ve-

hicle in the shade using MOPAR

威 Car Wash or equiva-

lent, or a mild car wash soap, and rinse the panels
completely with clear water.

• If insects, tar or other similar deposits have accumu-

lated on your vehicle, use MOPAR

威 Super Kleen Bug

and Tar Remover or equivalent to remove.

• Use a high quality cleaner wax, such as MOPAR威

Cleaner Wax or equivalent to remove road film, stains,
and to protect your paint finish. Take care never to
scratch the paint.

• Avoid using abrasive compounds and power buffing

that may diminish the gloss or thin out the paint
finish.

CAUTION!

• Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning materials

such as steel wool or scouring powder, which will
scratch metal and painted surfaces.

• Use of power washers exceeding 1,200 psi

(8 274 kPa) can result in damage or removal of
paint and decals.

Special Care

• If you drive on salted or dusty roads, or if you drive

near the ocean, hose off the undercarriage at least once
a month.

• It is important that the drain holes in the lower edges

of the doors, rocker panels be kept clear and open.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

383

• If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint,

touch them up immediately. The cost of such repairs is
considered the responsibility of the owner.

• If your vehicle is damaged due to a collision or similar

cause, which destroys the paint and protective coating,
have your vehicle repaired as soon as possible. The
cost of such repairs is considered the responsibility of
the owner.

• If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers,

de-icer salt, etc., be sure that such materials are well
packaged and sealed.

• If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider

mud or stone shields behind each wheel.

• Use MOPAR威 Touch Up Paint or equivalent on

scratches as soon as possible. Your authorized dealer
has touch up-paint to match the color of your vehicle.

Wheel And Wheel Trim Care
All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and
chrome-plated wheels, should be cleaned regularly with
a mild soap and water to prevent corrosion. To remove
heavy soil, use MOPAR

威 Wheel Cleaner or equivalent, or

select a nonabrasive, non-acidic cleaner. Do not use
scouring pads, steel wool, a bristle brush or metal pol-
ishes. Only MOPAR

威 cleaners or equivalent are recom-

mended. Do not use oven cleaner. Avoid automatic car
washes that use acidic solutions or harsh brushes that
may damage the wheels’ protective finish.

Stain Repel Fabric Cleaning Procedure –
If Equipped
Stain Repel seats may be cleaned in the following man-
ner:

• Remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting

with a clean, dry towel.

• Blot any remaining stain with a clean, damp towel.

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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

• For tough stains, apply MOPAR威 Total Clean or

equivalent or a mild soap solution to a clean, damp
cloth and remove the stain. Use a fresh, damp towel to
remove soap residue.

• For grease stains, apply MOPAR威 Multi-Purpose

Cleaner or equivalent to a clean, damp cloth and
remove the stain. Use a fresh, damp towel to remove
soap residue.

• Do not use any harsh solvents or any other form of

protectants on Stain Repel products.

Interior Care
Use MOPAR

威 Total Clean or equivalent to clean fabric

upholstery and carpeting.

Interior trim should be cleaned starting with a damp
cloth, a damp cloth with MOPAR

威 Total Clean or equiva-

lent, then MOPAR

威 Spot & Stain Remover or equivalent,

if absolutely necessary. Do not use harsh cleaners or
Armor All

威. Use MOPAR威 Total Clean or equivalent to

clean vinyl upholstery.

Use MOPAR

威 Vinyl Cleaner or equivalent to clean vinyl

upholstery and trim.

Leather Seat Care And Cleaning
MOPAR

威 Total Clean or equivalent is specifically recom-

mended for leather upholstery.

Your leather upholstery can be best preserved by regular
cleaning with a damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt
can act as an abrasive and damage the leather upholstery
and should be removed promptly with a damp cloth.
Stubborn soils can be removed easily with a soft cloth
and MOPAR

威 Total Clean or equivalent. Care should be

taken to avoid soaking your leather upholstery with any
liquid. Please do not use polishes, oils, cleaning fluids,
solvents, detergents, or ammonia-based cleaners to clean

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

385

your leather upholstery. Application of a leather condi-
tioner is not required to maintain the original condition.

WARNING!

Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.

Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis
with any commercial household-type glass cleaner.
Never use an abrasive type cleaner. Use caution when
cleaning inside rear windows equipped with electric
defrosters, or windshields equipped with a windshield
wiper de-icer. Do not use scrapers or other sharp instru-
ments, which may scratch the elements.

When cleaning the rearview mirror, spray cleaner on the
towel or rag that you are using. Do not spray cleaner
directly on the mirror.

Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in this vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.

1. Clean with a wet soft rag. A mild soap solution may be
used, but do not use high alcohol content or abrasive
cleaners. If soap is used, wipe clean with a clean damp
rag.

2. Dry with a soft cloth.

Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye or clean the belts with chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners. This will weaken the fabric.
Sun damage will also weaken the fabric.

If the belts need cleaning, use a mild soap solution or
lukewarm water. Do not remove the belts from the car to
wash them. Dry with a soft cloth.

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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Replace the belts if they appear frayed or worn, or if the
buckles do not work properly.

FUSES

Underhood Fuses (Power Distribution Center)
Your vehicle is equipped with an electrical power distri-
bution center located on the left side of the engine
compartment.

CAUTION!

When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to use
only a fuse having the correct amperage rating. The
use of a fuse with a rating other than indicated may
result in a dangerous electrical system overload. If a
properly rated fuse continues to blow, it suggests a
problem in the circuit that must be corrected.

This center contains cartridge fuses, mini fuses and
relays. A description of each fuse and component may be
stamped on the inside cover, otherwise the cavity num-
ber of each fuse is stamped on the inside cover that
corresponds to the following chart. These fuses and
relays can be obtained from your authorized dealer.

Power Distribution Center

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

387

Cavity

Cartridge

Fuse

Mini-

Fuse

Description

Spare

30 Amp

Pink

Electric Brake

50 Amp

Red

Power Seat

Spare

20 Amp

Yellow

Ignition Off Draw,
Instrument Cluster,
Radio

10 Amp

Red

Powertrain Control
Module/Fuel/
RAD/AC Coils

10 Amp

Red

Instrument Cluster/
Mirror/4x4

Spare

Cavity

Cartridge

Fuse

Mini-

Fuse

Description

2 Amp

Gray

Run/Start Ignition
Switch

10 Amp

Red

AC Clutch

15 Amp

Blue

Trailer Tow Lt Stop/
Turn

15 Amp

Blue

Trailer Tow Rt Stop/
Turn

20 Amp

Yellow

Ignition Off Draw #2

25 Amp

Natural

Powertrain Control
Module

20 Amp

Yellow

Horn

20 Amp

Yellow

Antilock Brakes Feed
(Valves)

388

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cavity

Cartridge

Fuse

Mini-

Fuse

Description

20 Amp

Yellow

Fuel Pump

15 Amp

Blue

Rear Center Brake
Lamp

20 Amp

Yellow

Instrument Cluster/
Door Locks/Brake
Transmission Shift
Interlock

25 Amp

Natural

Audio Amp

20 Amp

Yellow

Power Outlet
(Switchable)

20 Amp

Yellow

Fog Lamps

20 Amp

Yellow

Powertrain Control
Module B+

Cavity

Cartridge

Fuse

Mini-

Fuse

Description

15 Amp

Blue

Instrument Cluster
Illumination

20 Amp

Yellow

Ignition Run/Start
Feed

10 Amp

Red

Power Mirror

20 Amp

Yellow

Power Outlet

20 Amp

Yellow

Body Control Module
4 (Wipers)

Spare

30 Amp

Green

Ignition Run/AC/
Windows

30 Amp

Pink

Body Control Module
1 (Ext. Lights # 1)

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

389

Cavity

Cartridge

Fuse

Mini-

Fuse

Description

30 Amp

Pink

Automatic Shutdown

30 Amp

Pink

Body Control Module
2 (Ext. Light # 2)

40 Amp

Green

Climate Control Sys-
tem Blower Motor

Spare

20 Amp

Blue

Spare

30 Amp

Pink

Starter Solenoid

40 Amp

Green

Ignition Run Feeds

30 Amp

Pink

Wiper Motor

Cavity

Cartridge

Fuse

Mini-

Fuse

Description

25 Amp

Natural

Body Control Module
5 (T-Case)

10 Amp

Red

Lt Park Lamps

10 Amp

Red

Rt Park Lamps

20 Amp

Yellow

Trailer Tow Park
Lamps

10 Amp

Red

Airbag System # 2

Spare

20 Amp

Blue

Sunroof/Sound Box

30 Amp

Pink

Trailer Tow B+

390

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cavity

Cartridge

Fuse

Mini-

Fuse

Description

40 Amp

Green

Antilock Brakes
Module (Pump)

40 Amp

Green

Park Lamps

Spare

40 Amp

Green

Rear Defogger

Spare

10 Amp

Red

Heated Seats

20 Amp

Yellow

Airbag System # 2

20 Amp

Yellow

Heated Seats

10 Amp

Climate Control

Cavity

Cartridge

Fuse

Mini-

Fuse

Description

Red

System Module

10 Amp

Red

Antilock Brakes
Module

20 Amp

Yellow

Body Control Module
3 (Reverse Lamps)

VEHICLE STORAGE
If you are leaving your vehicle dormant for more than
21 days you may want to take steps to protect your
battery. You may:

• Remove fuse #J13 in the Totally Integrated Power

Module (TIPM) labeled Main Ignition Off Draw (IOD).

• Or, disconnect the negative cable from the battery.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

391

• Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of

service (i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the
air conditioning system at idle for about five minutes
in the fresh air and high blower setting. This will
ensure adequate system lubrication to minimize the
possibility of compressor damage when the system is
started again.

REPLACEMENT BULBS

LIGHT BULBS – Interior

Bulb No.

Dome Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WL212–2
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 921
Overhead Console Lamps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Reading Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WL212–2

LIGHT BULBS – Exterior

Bulb No.

Headlamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H13
Front Park/Turn/Side Marker . . . . . . . . . . . . 3157NA
Back-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3157
Center High Mounted Stop Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 921
Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9145
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Rear Tail, Stop, Turn Signal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3057

BULB REPLACEMENT

Headlamp (Halogen)/Front Park and Turn Signal
Lamps

1. Open the hood

2. Remove the three bolts from the front of the headlamp
housing.

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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

3. Grasp the headlamp and pull firmly to disengage the
headlamp housing from the fender panel.

4. While firmly holding the headlamp housing in your
hands, unlock and disconnect headlamp bulb connector.

5. Twist 1/4-turn and remove headlamp bulb from hous-
ing and replace.

NOTE:

The headlamp bulb is a halogen bulb. Take care

not to touch the bulb with your fingers. Body oils from
your fingers could cause excessive heat buildup which
reduces bulb life.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

393

Dodge Dakota (2011 year). Manual - part 24