2008 DODGE NITRO Owners Manual

26. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
The trip odometer shows individual trip mileage. To
toggle between the odometer and the trip odometer,
press the Odometer/Trip Odometer Button. To reset the
Trip Odometer, press and hold the button while in trip
mode, until the Trip Odometer resets.
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged,
GASCAP will be displayed in the instrument cluster.
Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the odom-
eter reset button to turn the GASCAP message off. If the
problem continues, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser thecorrect mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
Change Oil Message
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The ªChange Oilº message will flash in
the instrument cluster odometer for approximately 12
seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate the
next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style. Unless reset, this message
will continue to display each time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON/RUN position. To turn off the message
temporarily, press and release the Trip Odometer button
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 177
4

on the instrument cluster. To reset the oil change indica-
tor system (after performing the scheduled maintenance)
refer to the following procedure.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (Do not
start the engine).
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three
times within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary repeat this procedure.27. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
which monitors the emissions and engine control
system. If the vehicle is ready for emissions
testing the light will come on when the ignition is first
turned on and remain on, as a bulb check, until the
engine is started. If the vehicle is not ready for emissions
testing the light will come on when the ignition is first
turned on and remain on for 15 seconds, then blink for 10
seconds, and remain on until the vehicle is started. If the
bulb does not come on during starting, have the condi-
tion investigated promptly.
If this light comes on and remains on while driving, it
suggests a potential engine control problem and the need
for system service.
Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
178 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and driveability.
If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic converter
damage and power loss will soon occur. Immediate
service is required.
28. Cruise Indicator Light Ð If Equipped
This indicator lights when the electronic speed control
system is turned on.
29. Odometer/Trip Odometer Reset Button
Press this button to change the display from odometer to
either of the two trip odometer settings. When the trip
odometer is displayed, press once for Trip A, and press
again for Trip B. If the instrument cluster is a base cluster(no separate compass/temperature display), press the
button a third time for outside Ambient Temperature on
the odometer display. Press and hold the button for two
seconds to reset the trip odometer to 0 miles or kilome-
ters. The odometer must be in trip mode to reset.
Press this button to view the compass display (if
equipped). Refer to ªCompass/Trip Computerº in this
section.
30. Compass/Trip Computer or Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) DisplayÐIf Equipped
When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Compass/Trip Computer or Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) messages.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 179
4

COMPASS AND TRIP COMPUTER Ð IF
EQUIPPED
The Compass/Trip Computer features a driver-
interactive display (displays information on outside tem-
perature, compass direction, and trip information). It is
located on the lower left part of the cluster below the fuel
and engine temperature gauge, and the tachometer.
The compass/trip computer, when the appropriate con-
ditions exist, will show the following messages in the
odometer display:
²Door Ajar (door)
²Lift Gate Ajar (gATE)
Compass/Trip Computer Display
180 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

²Loose Fuel Cap (gASCAP)
These messages can be manually turned off by pressing
the right button (on the instrument cluster).
Control Buttons
Press and release the odometer/trip odometer reset but-
ton (right side of the instrument cluster) to access the
compass/trip computer displays.
Display Button
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 181
4

Trip Conditions
Trip Odometer (ODO)
This display shows the distance traveled since the last
reset. Press and release the right button (on the instru-
ment cluster) to switch from odometer, to trip A or trip B.
Press and hold the right button while the odometer/trip
odometer is displayed to reset.
Trip A
Shows the total distance traveled for trip A since the last
reset.
Trip B
Shows the total distance traveled for trip B since the last
reset.
Compass/Temperature Display
Compass Variance
Compass Variance is the difference between magnetic
North and Geographic North. In some areas of the
country, the difference between magnetic and geographic
North is great enough to cause the compass to give false
readings. In order to ensure compass accuracy, the com-
pass variance should be properly set according to the
compass variance map zone that the vehicle is in.
182 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

NOTE:Magnetic materials should be kept away from
the top of the right rear quarter window. This is where
the compass sensor is located.
To Set the Variance
Start the engine, and leave the transmission in the P
(Park) position. Press and hold (approximately ten sec-
onds) the odometer/trip odometer reset button until the
current variance zone number is displayed. To change the
zone, press and release the odometer/trip odometer reset
button to increment the variance one step. Repeat as
necessary, until the desired variance is achieved.
NOTE:The factory default zone is 8. During program-
ming, the zone value will wrap around from zone 15 to
zone 1.
Compass Calibration
If the compass appears erratic, inaccurate or abnormal,
you may wish to calibrate the compass. Prior to calibrat-
ing the compass make sure the proper zone is selected.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 183
4

To Manually Calibrate the Compass
Start the engine, and leave the transmission in the P
(Park) position. Press and hold (approximately 10 sec-
onds) the odometer/trip odometer reset button until the
current variance zone number is displayed. Release the
odometer/trip odometer reset button, then press and
hold again (approximately 10 seconds), until the direc-
tion is displayed with the ªCALº indicator on continu-
ously in the display. To complete the compass calibration,
drive the vehicle in one or more complete 360 degree
circles under 5 mph (8 km/h) in an area free from power
lines, large metallic objects, until the ªCALº indicator
turns off. The compass will now function normally.ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC) Ð IF EQUIPPED
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display. It is located on the
instrument cluster in the lower half of the fuel/coolant
temperature gauge.
184 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS