2007 DODGE NITRO turn signal

Key-In-Ignition Reminder
Opening the driver’s door when the key is in the ignition,
sounds a signal to remind you to remove the key.
STEERING WHEEL LOCK — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passive steering
wheel lock (manual transmission only). This lock pre-
vents steering the vehicle without the ignition key. If the
steering wheel is moved a half turn in either direction
and the key is not in the ignition, the steering wheel will
lock.
To Manually Lock the Steering Wheel
With the engine running, rotate the steering wheel 1/2
revolution from straight ahead position, turn off the
engine and remove the key. Rotate the steering wheel
slightly in both directions until the lock engages.
To Release the Steering Wheel Lock
Insert the key in the ignition and turn the wheel slightly
to the right or left to disengage the lock.
NOTE:If you turned the wheel to the right to engage
the lock, you must turn the wheel slightly to the right to
disengage it. If you turned the wheel to the left to engage
the lock, turn the wheel slightly to the left to disengage it.
SENTRY KEY — IF EQUIPPED
The Sentry Key Immobilizer System prevents unautho-
rized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
The system uses ignition keys, which have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder), to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro-
grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operate
16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

On electronic vehicle information center (EVIC)
equipped vehicles refer to “Remote Unlock Driver’s Door
1st” under “Personal Settings” in the EVIC section (Sec-
tion 4) of this manual.
On non EVIC – equipped vehicles perform the following
steps:
1. Perform this operation while standing outside the
vehicle.
2. Press and hold the “Lock” button on your key fob.
3. Continue to hold the “Lock” button at least 4 seconds,
but not longer than 10 seconds, then press and hold the
“Unlock” button while still holding the “Lock” button.
4. Release both buttons at the same time.
5. This will allow you to unlock all doors on the first
press of the “Unlock” button.To Lock the Doors and Liftgate
Press and release the “Lock” button on the key fob to lock
all doors and liftgate. If the ignition is OFF, when the
doors are locked, the parking lights will flash on once
and the horn will chirp once.
Sound Horn Unlock
Press and release the “Lock” button on the transmitter to
lock all doors and tailgate. The turn signal lights will
flash and the horn will chip once to acknowledge the lock
signal. If desired, the “Sound Horn On Lock” feature can
be turned on or off by using the following procedure:
•On electronic vehicle information center (EVIC)
equipped vehicles refer to “Personal Settings” in the
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” sec-
tion (Section 4) of this manual.
•On non EVIC – equipped vehicles perform the follow-
ing steps:
22 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

because this can also affect occupant classification. Also,
if you fold down the rear seat check to be sure it doesn’t
touch the front passenger seat.
If the front passenger seat is damaged in any way, it
should only be serviced by an authorized dealer. If the
seat is removed (or even if the seat attachment bolts are
loosened or tightened in any way), take the vehicle to an
authorized dealer.
If there is a fault present in the OCS, the “Airbag Warning
Light” (a red light located in the center of the instrument
cluster directly in front of the driver) will be turned on.
This indicates that you should take the vehicle to an
authorized dealer. The “Airbag Warning Light” is turned
on whenever there is a fault that can affect the operation
of the airbag system. If there is a fault present in the OCS,
both the “PAD Indicator Light” and the “Airbag Warning
Light” are illuminated to show that the passenger airbag
is turned off until the fault is cleared. If an object islodged under the seat and interferes with operation of
the weight sensors, a fault will occur which turns on both
the “PAD Indicator Light” and the “Airbag Warning
Light.” Once the lodged object is removed, the fault will
be automatically cleared after a short period of time.
•TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Unitsare
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel. When the ORC detects a
collision requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator
units. A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the front airbags. Different airbag inflation rates
are possible, based on collision severity and occupant
size. The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper
right side of the instrument panel separate and fold
out of the way as the bags inflate to their full size. The
bags fully inflate in about 50–70 milliseconds. This is
about half of the time it takes to blink your eyes. The
bags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain the
driver and front passenger.
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The driver front airbag gas is vented through the vent
holes in the sides of the airbag. The passenger front
airbag gas is vented through the vent holes in the sides
of the airbag. In this way, the airbags do not interfere
with your control of the vehicle.
•TheOccupant Classification Module (OCM)is lo-
cated beneath the front passenger seat. The OCM
classifies the occupant into categories based on the
measurements made by the seat weight sensors. The
OCM communicates with the Occupant Restraint Con-
trol (ORC) Module. The ORC uses the occupant cat-
egory to determine whether the front passenger airbag
should be turned off. It also determines the rate of
airbag inflation during a collision.
•Your vehicle has fourWeight Sensorslocated between
the seat and the floor pan. The weight sensors measure
applied weight and transfers that information to the
OCM.
•TheSide Impact SRS Side Curtain Airbagsare de-
signed to activate only in certain side collisions. When
the ORC detects a collision requiring the side curtain
airbag to inflate, it signals the inflators on the crash
side of the vehicle. A quantity of nontoxic gas is
generated to inflate the side curtain airbag. The inflat-
ing side curtain airbag pushes the outside edge of the
headliner out of the way and covers the window. The
airbag inflates in about 30 milliseconds (about one
quarter of the time it takes to blink your eyes) with
enough force to injure you if you are not belted and
seated properly, or if items are positioned in the area
where the side curtain airbag inflates. This especially
applies to children. The side curtain airbag is only
about 3
12inches (9 cm) thick when it is inflated.
•TheKnee Impact Bolstershelp protect the knees of
the driver and the front passenger, and position every-
one for the best interaction with the front airbag.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
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Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should feel the air
directed against the windshield.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of all exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes
are detected, the cause should be located and corrected
immediately.
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫6–Way Driver’s Power Seat With Manual
Recliner ............................112
▫Fold Flat Front Passenger Seat............113
▫Head Restraints......................113
▫Heated Seats — If Equipped.............113
▫60/40 Split Folding Rear Seat With Fold Flat
Feature............................115

To Open And Close The Hood.............117

Lights...............................119
▫Interior Lights.......................119
▫Multi-Function Control Lever.............119
▫Parking Lights, Instrument Panel Lights, And
Headlights..........................120
▫Lights-On Reminder...................120▫Headlight Dimmer Switch...............120
▫Passing Light........................121
▫Front Fog Lights — If Equipped...........121
▫Turn Signals.........................121
▫Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped.....122

Windshield Wipers And Washers............122
▫Intermittent Wiper System...............122
▫Windshield Wiper Operation.............123
▫Windshield Washers...................123
▫Mist Feature.........................123

Tilt Steering Column....................124

Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped......125
▫ToActivate ..........................125
78 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

LIGHTS
Interior Lights
The overhead light comes on when a door is opened. It
may also be turned on by rotating the control for the
dimmer switch on the multi-function control lever fully
upward.
The overhead light will automatically turn off in about 20
minutes if a door is left open or the dimmer control is left
in the dome light position. Turn the ignition switch ON to
restore the overhead light operation.
Daytime Brightness Feature
Certain instrument panel components (odometer, radio
display) can be illuminated at full brightness during the
daytime. This can be helpful when driving with your
headlights on during the daytime such as in a parade or
a funeral procession. To activate this feature, rotate the
left stalk one detent lower than the dome light.
Multi-Function Control Lever
The multi-function control lever controls the operation of
the parking lights, headlights, headlight beam selection,
passing light, fog lights, instrument panel light dimming,
and turn signals.
Multifunction Control Lever
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 119
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Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the multi-function control lever toward
the steering wheel. This will cause the headlights to turn
on at high beam and remain on until the lever is released.
Front Fog Lights — If Equipped
The front fog light switch is in the multi-function
control lever. To activate the front fog lights, turn
on the parking or low beam headlights and pull
out the end of the lever.
NOTE:The fog lights will only operate with the parking
lights or the headlights on low beam. Selecting high
beam headlights will turn off the fog lights.
Turn Signals
Move the multi-function control lever up or down and
the arrows on each side of the instrument cluster flash to
show proper operation of the front and rear turn signal
lights. You can signal a lane change by moving the lever
partially up or down without moving beyond the detent.
If either light remains on and does not flash, or there is a
very fast flash rate, check for a defective outside light
bulb. If an indicator fails to light when the lever is
moved, it would suggest that the indicator bulb is
defective.
NOTE:A tone will chime if the turn signals are left on
for more than 1 mile (2 km).
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 121
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