2009 Dodge Dakota Owner Manual - Page 246

244 STARTING AND OPERATING Downshifting Moving from a high gear down to a lower gear is recommended to preserve brakes when driving down steep hills. In addition, downshifting at the right time provides better acceleration when you desire to resume speed. Downshift progressively. Do not skip gears to avoid overspeeding the engine and clutch. CAUTION! When descending a hill, be very careful to downshift one gear at a time to prevent overspeeding the engine which can cause valve damage, and/or clutch disc damage even if the clutch pedal is depressed. Maximum Recommended Downshift Speeds WARNING! Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their grip and the vehicle could skid. CAUTION! Failure to follow the maximum recommended downshifting speeds may cause the engine to overspeed and/or damage the clutch disc even if the clutch pedal is depressed.