2008 DODGE NITRO wheel

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

that enables different electronic devices to connect to
each other without wires or a docking station, so UCon-
necttworks no matter where you stow your cellular
phone (be it your purse, pocket, or briefcase), as long as
your phone is turned on and has been paired to the
vehicle's UConnecttsystem. The UConnecttsystem
allows up to seven cellular phones to be linked to system.
Only one linked (or paired) cellular phone can be used
with the system at a time. The system is available in
English, Spanish, or French languages (as equipped).
Phone Button
The rearview mirror contains the microphone
for the system (depending on the type of
mirror and radio equipped), and either the
radio or the mirror has the two control buttons
(Phone Button and Voice Recognition Button) that will
enable you to access the system.Voice Recognition Button
Actual button location may vary with radio.
The individual buttons are described in the
ªOperationº section.
The UConnecttsystem can be used with any Hands-Free
Profile certified BluetoothŸ cellular phone. See UCon-
necttwebsite for supported phones. If your cellular
phone supports a different profile (e.g., Headset Profile)
you may not be able to use any UConnecttfeatures.
Refer to your cellular service provider or the phone
manufacturer for details.
The UConnecttsystem is fully integrated with the vehi-
cle's audio system. The volume of the UConnecttsystem
can be adjusted either from the radio volume control
knob or from the steering wheel radio control (right
switch), if so equipped.
88 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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

If the lever is pulled while in the OFF position, the wipers
will operate for as long as the lever is held plus two wipe
cycles, then turn OFF.
Mist Feature
Push down on the wiper lever to activate a single wipe to
clear off road mist or spray from a passing vehicle. As
long as the lever is held down, the wipers will continue
to operate.
TILT STEERING COLUMN
To tilt the column, push down on the lever under the
multi-function control lever and move the wheel up or
down, as desired. Pull the lever back upwards to lock the
column firmly in place.
WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. Without a stable steering column, you could
lose control of the vehicle and have an accident. Adjust
the column only while the vehicle is stopped. Be sure it is
locked before driving.
Tilt Steering Column
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 127
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ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL Ð IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, this device takes over the accelerator
operation at speeds greater than 25 mph (40 km/h).
Electronic Speed Control Operation
The speed control lever is located on the right side of the
steering wheel.
To Activate
Push the ON/OFF button. The CRUISE indicator in the
instrument cluster will illuminate. To turn the system
OFF, push the ON/OFF button a second time. The
CRUISE indicator will turn off. The system should be
turned OFF when not in use.
WARNING!
Leaving the Speed Control system on when not in use is
dangerous. You could accidentally set the system or cause
it to go faster than you want. You could lose control and
have an accident. Always leave the system OFF when you
are not using it.
Speed Control Lever
128 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

On steep hills a greater speed loss or gain may occur so
it may be preferable to drive without speed control.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes ABS (Anti-Lock Brake
System), TCS (Traction Control System), BAS (Brake
Assist System), ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation) and ESP
(Electronic Stability Program). All five systems work
together to enhance vehicle stability and control in vari-
ous driving conditions are commonly referred to as ESP.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lock-up and
help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
Refer to ªAnti-Lock Brake Systemº in Section 5 of this
manual for more information about ABS.
WARNING!
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing
road conditions. ABS cannot prevent accidents, in-
cluding those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ABS-
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the
user's safety or the safety of others.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 131
3

TCS (Traction Control System)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS system functions similar to
a limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is
spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the
brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine
torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning.
This feature remains active even if TCS and ESP are in the
ªPartial Offº mode. Refer to ªESP (Electronic Stability
Program)º in this section.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle's braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sens-
ing the rate and amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the
anti-lock brake system (ABS). Applying the brakes very
quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the
benefit of the system, you must apply continuous brak-
ing pressure during the stopping sequence. Do not
reduce brake pedal pressure unless braking is no longer
desired. Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is
deactivated.
132 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
BAS (Brake Assist System) cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded by prevailing road
conditions. BAS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving
on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user's safety or
the safety of others.
ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation)
This system anticipates the potential for wheel lift by
monitoring the driver 's steering wheel input and the
speed of the vehicle. When ERM determines that the rate
of change of the steering wheel angle and vehicles speed
are sufficient to potentially cause wheel lift, it applies the
appropriate brake and may reduce engine power to
lessen the chance that wheel lift will occur. ERM will only
intervene during very severe or evasive driving maneu-
vers. ERM can only reduce the chance of wheel lift
occurring during severe or evasive driving maneuvers. It
can not prevent wheel lift due to other factors such as
road conditions, leaving the roadway or striking objects
or other vehicles.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 133
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