2008 DODGE NITRO coolant temperature

Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/antifreeze (coolant) solu-
tion. The use of lower quality water will reduce the
amount of corrosion protection in the engine cooling
system.
Please note that it is the owner's responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:Mixing antifreeze/coolant types will decrease
the life of the antifreeze/coolant and will require more
frequent antifreeze/coolant changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
antifreeze/coolant, and to insure that antifreeze/coolant
will return to the radiator from the coolant reserve tank.The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
The warning words DO NOT OPEN HOT on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precaution.
Never add antifreeze/coolant when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to cool
an overheated engine. Heat causes pressure to build
up in the cooling system. To prevent scalding or
injury, do not remove the pressure cap while the
system is hot or under pressure.
Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based antifreeze/coolant is a regu-
lated substance requiring proper disposal. Check with
your local authorities to determine the disposal rules for
your community. To prevent ingestion by animals or
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 369
7

children, do not store ethylene glycol based antifreeze/
coolant in open containers or allow it to remain in
puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child, contact a
physician immediately. Clean up any ground spills im-
mediately.
Engine Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine idling, and warm to normal operating tempera-
ture, the level of the antifreeze/coolant in the bottle
should be between the ranges indicated on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
not need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
antifreeze/coolant freeze point or replacing antifreeze/
coolant. Advise your service attendant of this. As long as
the engine operating temperature is satisfactory, the
coolant bottle need only be checked once a month.When additional antifreeze/coolant is needed to main-
tain the proper level, it should be added to the coolant
bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles of
operation, you may observe vapor coming from the front
of the engine compartment. This is normally a result of
moisture from rain, snow, or high humidity accumulat-
ing on the radiator and being vaporized when the
thermostat opens, allowing hot antifreeze/coolant to
enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
²Do not overfill the coolant bottle.
370 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 367
Inspection........................... 366
Points to Remember.................... 370
Pressure Cap......................... 369
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......367,394,395
Temperature Gauge..................... 168
Corrosion Protection..................... 377
Crankcase Emission Control System.......... 361
Cup Holder............................ 151
Customer Assistance..................... 406
Data Recorder, Event...................... 64
Daytime Running Lights................... 125
Dealer Service.......................... 353
Defroster, Rear Window................... 159
Defroster, Windshield...................78,237
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 126
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 350
Dimmer Switch, Headlight..............124,170Dipsticks
Oil (Engine).......................... 354
Disposal
Engine Oil........................... 357
Used Coolant (Antifreeze)................ 369
Door Locks............................. 27
Door Opener, Garage..................... 137
Drive Belts............................ 358
Driving............................... 268
Off-Pavement......................... 268
Off-Road............................ 268
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System)...... 231
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 85
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary (Power Outlet)...... 147
Electrical Power Outlets................... 147
Electronic Brake Control System............. 131
Anti-Lock Brake System................. 131
Brake Assist System.................... 132
INDEX 419
10

Electronic Roll Mitigation................ 133
Electronic Stability Program............... 134
Traction Control System................. 132
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)............. 133
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 128
Electronic Stability Program (ESP).........134,170
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 184
Emergency, In Case of
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 334
Jacking............................. 336
Overheating.......................... 335
Towing............................. 343
Emission Control System Maintenance......351,398
Engine
Air Cleaner.......................... 361
Block Heater......................... 248
Break-In Recommendations................ 76
Compartment......................348,349
Compartment Identification............348,349Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 395
Exhaust Gas Caution..................76,309
Fails to Start.......................... 246
Flooded, Starting...................... 246
Fuel Requirements..................306,394
Jump Starting......................... 341
Oil ...........................354,394,395
Oil Disposal.......................... 357
Oil Filter............................ 357
Oil Selection.......................... 394
Overheating.......................... 335
Starting............................. 245
Temperature Gauge..................... 168
Engine Oil Viscosity...................... 356
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart................. 356
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 62
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 19
Event Data Recorder...................... 64
Exhaust Gas Caution...................76,309
420 INDEX

Octane Rating......................306,395
Requirements......................... 394
Tank Capacity........................ 394
Fuel System Caution................308,311,312
Fuses................................ 381
Garage Door Opener (HomeLinkt) ........... 137
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)............310,312,351
Gas Gauge (Fuel Gauge)................... 168
Gasoline (Fuel)......................... 306
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 307
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends................ 307
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 168
Fuel................................ 168
Odometer........................... 177
Speedometer......................... 170
Tachometer.......................... 174
Gear Ranges......................251,255,260General Information.................17,113,305
Glass Cleaning.......................... 380
Gross Axle Weight Rating...............313,316
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.............313,315
GVWR............................... 313
Hands-Free Phone (UConnectŸ).............. 87
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 334
Head Restraints......................... 116
Head Rests............................ 116
Headlights
Bulb Replacement...................... 389
Dimmer Switch....................... 124
Replacing............................ 389
Switch.............................. 123
Heated Seats........................... 116
Heater, Engine Block..................... 248
High Beam Indicator..................... 170
422 INDEX

Cold Weather......................... 246
Emergency (Jump Starting)............... 341
Engine Block Heater.................... 248
Engine Fails to Start.................... 246
Manual Transmission................... 245
Remote.............................. 25
Steering
Power...........................277,363
Tilt Column.......................... 127
Wheel Lock........................... 17
Wheel, Tilt........................... 127
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls.............................. 233
Storage............................... 152
Storage Bin............................ 152
Storage, Vehicle......................... 240
Sun Roof.............................. 144
Sun Visor Extension....................... 86
Sunroof Maintenance..................... 147Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag........ 49
System, Navigation...................... 225
System, Remote Starting.................... 25
Tachometer............................ 174
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......... 168
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 70
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo................... 153
Tilt Steering Column..................... 127
Tip Start.............................. 246
Tire and Loading Information Placard......... 283
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 282
Tire Markings.......................... 279
Tire Safety Information.................... 279
Tires ............................78,287,412
Air Pressure.......................... 288
Alignment and Balance.................. 293
Chains.............................. 294
Changing............................ 336
430 INDEX