2007 DODGE NITRO heating

Be sure the parking brake is firmly set when parked, and
the gear shift lever is in the P (Park) position (automatic
transmission) or R (Reverse) or 1st gear (manual trans-
mission). When parking on a hill, you should apply the
parking brake before placing the gear shift lever in P
(Park), otherwise the load on the transmission locking
mechanism may make it difficult to move the selector out
of P (Park).WARNING!
•Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-
ing your vehicle, or it may roll and cause damage
or injury. Also, be certain to leave an automatic
transmission in P (Park), a manual transmission in
R (Reverse) or 1st gear. Failure to do so may allow
the vehicle to roll and cause damage or injury.
•Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be injured. Don’t leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving, failure to do so can lead to brake
problems due to excessive heating of the rear
brakes.
264 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips — Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
refer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing – 2WD Models
Recreational towing is allowed ONLY if the driveshaft
is removed.Towing with the rear wheels on the ground
while the driveshaft is connected can result in severe
transmission damage.
Towing — 4WD or All-Wheel Drive Models
Recreational towing is not allowed.These models do
not have a N (Neutral) position in the transfer case.
STARTING AND OPERATING 321
5

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — Slow down.
•In city traffic — While stopped, put transmission in N
(Neutral), but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
Control to maximum heat, the Mode Control to floor, and
the Fan Control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H”,
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H”, and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call for service.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 325
6

WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your ex-
haust system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in
areas where your exhaust system can contact any-
thing that can burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing.
•Do not idle the engine for prolonged periods during
very rough idle or malfunctioning operating condi-
tions.
•Do not allow vehicle to run out of fuel.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 349
7

Emission Control System Maintenance......341,386
Engine
Air Cleaner.......................... 350
Block Heater......................... 243
Break-In Recommendations................ 74
Compartment......................338,339
Compartment Identification............338,339
Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 383
Exhaust Gas Caution.................. 74,299
Fails to Start.......................... 240
Flooded, Starting...................... 240
Fuel Requirements..................296,382
Jump Starting......................... 332
Oil ...........................343,382,383
Oil Disposal.......................... 346
OilFilter ............................ 346
Oil Selection.......................... 382
Overheating.......................... 325
Starting............................. 239Temperature Gauge..................... 164
Engine Oil Viscosity...................... 346
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart................. 346
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 60
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 20
Event Data Recorder...................... 61
Exhaust Gas Caution................... 74,299
Exhaust System......................... 355
ExteriorFinishCare ...................... 367
Fabric Care............................ 369
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 350
Engine Fuel.......................... 350
Engine Oil........................346,383
FinishCare ............................ 367
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 324
Turn Signal.....................167,379,381
424 INDEX

Odometer
Trip ................................ 174
Oil, Engine.........................343,383
Capacity............................ 382
Dipstick............................. 343
Filter ............................346,383
Identification Logo..................... 345
Materials Added to..................... 346
Recommendation...................345,382
Viscosity..........................346,382
Onboard Diagnostic System..............340,341
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ........... 134
Outside Rearview Mirrors.................. 82
Overdrive.......................171,251,257
Overdrive OFF Switch.................251,257
Overheating, Engine...................165,325
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual).......... 416
PaintCare ............................. 366Paint Damage.......................... 366
Panic Alarm............................ 23
Parking Brake.......................... 263
Parking On Hill......................... 263
Passing Light........................... 121
PCVValve ............................ 350
Personal Settings........................ 188
Pets.................................. 73
Pets, Transporting........................ 73
Phone, Cellular.......................... 84
Phone, Hands-Free (UConnect™)............. 84
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 274
PolishingandWaxing ..................... 367
Power
Distribution Center (Fuses)............... 371
Door Locks........................... 29
Inverter............................. 146
Mirrors .............................. 83
Steering..........................268,352
430 INDEX