2008 DODGE NITRO steering

3. Pull out the sliding panel.
4. Squeeze the right hand release handle to slide the
panel back into the vehicle.REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Rear Window Wiper/Washer Ð If Equipped
A rotary ring switch on the control lever (located on the
right side of the steering column), controls operation of
the rear wiper/washer function. Rotating the center of
the switch up to the ªOnº position will activate the wiper.
Rotating the switch ring beyond the ªOnº or ªOffº
position will activate the rear washer. The wash pump
will continue to operate as long as the lever or ring is
engaged. Upon release, the wipers will cycle three times
before returning to the set position.
Sliding Panel
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 157
3

Vehicles equipped with steering wheel mounted buttons
(described in this section) are also equipped with the
EVIC. The EVIC consists of the following:
²System Status
²Vehicle information warning message displays
²Tire Pressure Monitor System (If Equipped)
²Personal Settings (Customer Programmable Features)
²Compass display
²Outside temperature display
²Trip computer functions
²UConnectŸ hands-free communication system dis-
plays (If Equipped)
²Navigation system screens (If Equipped)
²Audio mode displayThe system allows the driver to select information by
pressing the following buttons mounted on the steering
wheel:
Press and release the MENU button and the
mode displayed will change between Trip
Functions, Navigation (if equipped), System
Status, Personal Settings, and Telephone (if
equipped).
Press the FUNCTION SELECT button to accept
a selection. Also, the FUNCTION SELECT but-
ton changes the current CD track being played
(if so equipped) when the EVIC is in the
Compass/Temp/Audio screen.
Press the SCROLL button to scroll through Trip
Functions, Navigation (if equipped), System
Status Messages, and Personal Settings (Cus-
tomer Programmable Features).
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 185
4

AM Reception
AM sound is based on wave amplitude, so AM reception
can be disrupted by such things as lightning, power lines
and neon signs.
FM Reception
Because FM transmission is based on frequency varia-
tions, interference that consists of amplitude variations
can be filtered out, leaving the reception relatively clear,
which is the major feature of FM radio.
NOTE:The radio, steering wheel radio controls (if
equipped), and 6 disc CD/DVD changer (if equipped)
will remain active for up to 10 minutes after the ignition
switch has been turned off. Opening a vehicle front door
will cancel this feature.
SALES CODE REQ Ð AM/FM STEREO RADIO
AND 6±DISC CD/DVD CHANGER (MP3/WMA AUX
JACK)
NOTE:The radio sales code is located on the lower right
side of your radio faceplate.
REQ Radio
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 197
4

REMOTE SOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS Ð IF
EQUIPPED
The remote sound system controls are located on the rear
surface of the steering wheel. Reach behind the wheel to
access the switches.The right hand control is a rocker type switch with a push
button in the center. Pressing the top of the switch will
increase the volume and pressing the bottom of the
switch will decrease the volume.
The button located in the center of the right hand control
will switch modes to Radio or CD.
The left hand control is a rocker type switch with a push
button in the center. The function of the left hand control
is different depending on which mode you are in.
The following describes the left hand control operation in
each mode.
Radio Operation
Pressing the top of the switch will SEEK up for the next
listenable station and pressing the bottom of the switch
will SEEK down for the next listenable station.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 233
4

mFour-Wheel Drive Operation...............265
NMP 143 Single-Speed Part-Time Transfer Case Ð
If Equipped.........................265
NShifting Procedure - Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case........................266
NMP 140 Single-Speed Full-Time Transfer Case Ð
If Equipped.........................267
mOn-Road Driving Tips...................268
mOff-Road Driving Tips...................268
NWhen To Use 4L Or 4LO (Low) Range......268
NDriving Through Water.................268
NDriving In Snow, Mud And Sand..........270
NHill Climbing........................270
NTraction Downhill.....................271NAfter Driving Off-Road.................271
mParking Brake.........................272
mAnti-Lock Brake System..................274
mPower Steering........................277
mTire Safety Information...................279
NTire Markings........................279
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........282
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........283
mTires Ð General Information...............287
NTire Pressure.........................287
NTire Inflation Pressures.................288
NTire Pressures For High Speed Operation....290
NRadial-Ply Tires......................290
242 STARTING AND OPERATING

Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill-always
drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a
hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway by
turning the front wheels slowly left and right. This may
provide a fresh ªbiteº into the surface and will usually
provide traction to complete the climb.
Traction Downhill
Shift the transmission into a low gear and the transfer
case to 4L or 4LO range. Let the vehicle go slowly down
the hill with all four wheels turning against engine
compression drag. This will permit you to control the
vehicle speed and direction.
When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking
can cause brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid
repeated heavy braking by downshifting the transmis-
sion whenever possible.
After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After going off-road, it is
always a good idea to check for damage. That way you
can get any problems taken care of right away and have
your vehicle ready when you need it.
²Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle.
Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and
exhaust system for damage.
²Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on
the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus-
pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the
values specified in the Service Manual.
²Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These
things could be a fire hazard. They might hide damage
to fuel lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals, and
propeller shafts.
STARTING AND OPERATING 271
5

WARNING!
²The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase braking or steering
efficiency beyond that afforded by the condition
of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction
afforded.
²The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
²The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner, which could jeopardize the user's safety
or the safety of others.
CAUTION!
The Anti-Lock Brake System is subject to possible
detrimental effects of electronic interference caused
by improperly installed after-market radios or
telephones.
NOTE:During severe braking conditions, a pulsing
sensation may occur and a clicking noise will be heard.
This is normal, indicating that the Anti-Lock Brake
System is functioning.
WARNING!
To use your brakes and accelerator more safely,
follow these tips:
276 STARTING AND OPERATING

²Do not ªrideº the brakes by resting your foot on the
pedal. This could overheat the brakes and result in
unpredictable braking action, longer stopping dis-
tances, or brake damage.
²When descending mountains or hills, repeated brak-
ing can cause brake fade with loss of braking control.
Avoid repeated heavy braking by downshifting the
transmission or locking out overdrive whenever pos-
sible.
²Engines may idle at higher speeds during warm-up,
which could cause rear wheels to spin and result in
loss of vehicle control. Be especially careful while
driving on slippery roads, in close quarter maneuver-
ing, parking, or stopping.
²Do not drive too fast for road conditions, especially
when roads are wet or slushy. A wedge of water canbuild up between the tire tread and the road. This
hydroplaning action can cause loss of traction, braking
ability, and control.
²After going through deep water or a car wash, brakes
may become wet, resulting in decreased performance
and unpredictable braking action. Dry the brakes by
gentle, intermittent pedal action while driving at very
slow speeds.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
STARTING AND OPERATING 277
5