2009 Dodge Dakota Owner Manual - Page 378

376 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 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. Lubricant Selection Refer to "Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts" in this section for the correct fluid type. Rear Axle Rear axle limited-slip differentials require the use of MOPAR௡ limited-slip additive. Refer to "Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts" in this section for the correct fluid type. This should be added to the gear lubricant whenever a fluid change is made, when equipped with limited-slip differential. Rear axle fluid level should be 1/4 in (6.4 mm) below filler plug for 8-1/4 in, and 9-1/4 in axles. Front Axle Front axle fluid level should be at the bottom of the fill plug. Appearance Care and Protection from Corrosion Protection of Body And Paint from Corrosion Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geographic 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 underbody 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.