2008 DODGE NITRO lights

Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is inoper-
able.
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.
78 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NFront Seat Adjustment Ð Recline..........114
N6±Way Driver's Power Seat With Manual
Recliner............................115
NFold Flat Front Passenger Seat............116
NHead Restraints......................116
NHeated Seats Ð If Equipped.............116
N60/40 Split Folding Rear Seat With Fold Flat
Feature............................118
mTo Open And Close The Hood.............121
mLights...............................122
NInterior Lights.......................122
NMulti-Function Control Lever.............123
NParking Lights, Instrument Panel Lights,
And Headlights......................123NLights-On Reminder...................124
NHeadlight Dimmer Switch...............124
NPassing Light........................124
NFront Fog Lights Ð If Equipped...........124
NTurn Signals.........................125
NDaytime Running Lights Ð If Equipped.....125
mWindshield Wipers And Washers............125
NIntermittent Wiper System...............126
NWindshield Wiper Operation.............126
NWindshield Washers...................126
NMist Feature.........................127
mTilt Steering Column....................127
mElectronic Speed Control Ð If Equipped......128
80 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Illuminated Vanity Mirrors Ð If Equipped
An illuminated vanity mirror is on each sun visor. To use
the mirror, rotate the sun visor down and swing the
mirror cover upward. The lights will turn on automati-
cally. Closing the mirror cover will turn off the light.
Sun Visor ªSlide-Outº Feature
The sun visor ªslide-on rod º feature allows for addi-
tional flexibility in positioning the visor to block out the
sun.
1. Fold down sun visor.
2. Unclip visor from center clip.
3. Pull the sun visor toward inside rearview mirror to
extend.
Illuminated Vanity Mirror
86 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Use a firm downward push at the center front
edge of the hood to ensure that both latches engage.
Never drive your vehicle unless the hood is fully closed,
with both latches engaged.
NOTE:Ensure hood prop rod is fully seated into clip
before closing hood to prevent damage to grille.
WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
Be sure all hood latches are fully latched before
driving.
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.
122 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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.
Parking Lights, Instrument Panel Lights, and
Headlights
Turn the end of the multi-function control lever to the
first detent for parking lights and instrument panel
lights. Turn to the second detent for headlight operation.
Multi-Function Control LeverHeadlight Switch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 123
3

To change the brightness of the instrument panel lights,
rotate the center portion of the multi-function control
lever up or down.
NOTE:If the driver's door is left open, and the head-
lights or parking lights are left on, the ªHigh Beam
Indicator Lightº will flash and a chime will sound.
Lights-On Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned off, a chime will sound when the driver's door
is opened.
Headlight Dimmer Switch
Push the multi-function control lever away from you to
switch the headlights to high beam. Pull the lever to-
wards you to switch the headlights back to low beam.
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 Ð 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.
124 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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).
Daytime Running Lights Ð If Equipped
The headlights come on at a low intensity level after the
vehicle has been driven approximately 3 feet (1 meter).
They will turn off when the vehicle is turned off or when
the headlights are switched on.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
CAUTION!
In cold weather, always turn off the wiper switch and
allow the wipers to return to the park position before
turning off the engine. If the wiper switch is left on
and the wipers freeze to the windshield, damage to
the wiper motor may occur when the vehicle is
restarted.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 125
3

The rear power outlet (if equipped) is located in the left
rear cargo area.Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off
WARNING!
²Many accessories that can be plugged in draw power
from the vehicle's battery, even when not in use (i.e.
cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if plugged in long
enough, the vehicle's battery will discharge sufficiently
to degrade battery life and/or prevent engine starting.
²Accessories that draw higher power (i.e. coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.), will degrade the battery
even more quickly. Only use these intermittently and
with greater caution.
²After the use of high power draw accessories, or long
periods of the vehicle not being started (with accesso-
ries still plugged in), the vehicle must be driven a
sufficient length of time to allow the alternator to
recharge the vehicle's battery.
²Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs only. Do
not hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug.
Rear Power Outlet
148 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE