2008 DODGE NITRO ignition

inflation. These airborne particles may irritate the skin,
eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye irritation,
rinse the area with cool water. For nose or throat
irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation continues,
see your doctor. If these particles settle on your
clothing, follow the garment manufacturer's instruc-
tions for cleaning.
²It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags and seat belt pretensioners cannot
protect you in another collision. Have the airbags,
seat belt pretensioner, and seat belt retractor assem-
bly, replaced by an authorized dealer as soon as
possible. Also, have the Occupant Classification Sys-
tem serviced as well.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact that causes airbag deployment,
with the vehicle stopped, and the vehicle communication
network intact, and the power intact, the Enhanced
Accident Response System performs the following func-
tions:
²Cuts off fuel to the engine.
²Flashes hazard lights.
²Turns on the interior lamps which remain on as long as
the battery has power or until the ignition key is
removed.
²Unlocks the doors automatically
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system could cause it to fail
when you need it. You could be injured if the airbag system is not
there to protect you. Do not modify the components or wiring,
including adding any kind of badges or stickers to the steering wheel
hub trim cover or the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper or vehicle body structure.
²Do not attempt to modify any part of your advanced airbag system.
The airbag may inflate accidentally or may not function properly if
modifications are made. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for
any advanced airbag system service. If your seat including your trim
cover and cushion needs to be serviced in any way (including removal
or loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle to
your authorized dealer. Only manufacturer approved seat accessories
may be used. If it is necessary to modify an advanced airbag system
for persons with disabilities, contact your authorized dealer.
²Do not place or hang any items such as add-on video players on the
right front passenger seat back. The additional weight may cause the
Occupant Classification System to be unable to correctly classify the
right front occupant. This could allow the passenger frontal airbag to
inflate when it is not desired.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the airbag system yourself.
Be sure to tell anyone who works on your vehicle that it has an airbag
system.
NOTE:Perchlorate Material ± special handling may
apply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate
Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbag system ready to inflate
for your protection in an impact. The airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free. If any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
promptly:
²Does not come on during the 6 to 8 seconds after the
ignition switch is first turned on.
²Remains on after the 6 to 8 second interval.
²Comes on for any period of time while driving.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 63
2

provided to the custodial entity upon request. General
data that does not identify particular vehicles or crashes
may be released for incorporation in aggregate crash
databases, such as those maintained by the US govern-
ment and various states. Data of a potentially sensitive
nature, such as would identify a particular driver, ve-
hicle, or crash, will be treated confidentially. Confidential
data will not be disclosed by DaimlerChrysler Corpora-
tion to any third party except when:
1. Used for research purposes, such as to match data
with a particular crash record in an aggregate database,
provided confidentiality of personal data is thereafter
preserved
2. Used in defense of litigation involving a
DaimlerChrysler Corporation product
3. Requested by police under a legal warrant
4. Otherwise required by lawData Parameters that May Be Recorded:
²Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning lamp status
for electronically-controlled safety systems, including
the airbag system
²Airbag disable lamp status (if equipped)
²9Time9of airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
²Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
²Impact acceleration and angle
²Seat belt status
²Brake status (service and parking brakes)
²Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
²Engine control status (including engine speed)
²Transmission gear selection
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65
2

²Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill.
Never run the engine in a closed area, such as a
garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for a extended period. If the vehicle is
stopped in an open area with engine running for more
than a short period, adjust the ventilation system to
force fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
²Guard against carbon monoxide with proper mainte-
nance. Have the exhaust system inspected every time
the vehicle is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.
²Always run the climate control in panel or floor mode
when driving with any windows open, even if only
slightly, to help keep fresh air circulating inside ve-
hicle. Otherwise poisonous gases could be drawn into
the vehicle.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned on. If the bulb is not lit during starting, have it
replaced. If the light stays on or comes on while driving,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 77
2

hold may not become active automatically. This is cell
phone dependent. To bring the call back from hold, press
and hold the ªPhoneº button until you hear a single
beep.
Redial
²
Press the ªPhoneº button to begin.
²After the9Ready9prompt and the following beep, say
9Redial.9
²The UConnecttsystem will call the last number that
was dialed on your cellular phone.
NOTE:This may not be the last number dialed from the
UConnecttsystem.
Call Continuation
Call continuation is progression of a phone call on
UConnecttsystem after the vehicle ignition key has been
switched to off. Call continuation functionality available
on the vehicle can be any one of three types:
²After ignition key is switched off, a call can continue
on the UConnecttsystem either until the call ends or
until the vehicle battery condition dictates cessation of
the call on the UConnecttsystem and transfer of the
call to the mobile phone.
²After ignition key is switched to off, a call can continue
on the UConnecttsystem for certain duration, after
which the call is automatically transferred from the
UConnecttsystem to the mobile phone.
²An active call is automatically transferred to the
mobile phone after ignition key is switched to off.
98 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

²Even though international dialing for most number
combinations is supported, some shortcut dialing
number combinations may not be supported.
²In a convertible vehicle, system performance may be
compromised with the convertible top down.
Far End Audio Performance
²
Audio quality is maximized under:
²low-to-medium blower setting,
²low-to-medium vehicle speed,
²low road noise,
²smooth road surface,
²fully closed windows, and
²dry weather condition.
²operation from driver seat.
²Performance, such as audio clarity, echo, and loudness
to a large degree rely on the phone and network, and
not the UConnecttsystem.
²Echo at far end can sometime be reduced by lowering
the in-vehicle audio volume.
²In a convertible vehicle, system performance may be
compromised with the convertible top down.
Bluetooth Communication Link
Cellular phones have been found to lose connection to
the UConnecttsystem. When this happens, the connec-
tion can generally be re-established by switching the
phone off/on. Your cell phone is recommended to remain
in Bluetooth9on9mode.
Power-Up
After switching the ignition key from OFF to either ON
or ACC position, or after a language change, you must
wait at least five (5) seconds prior to using the system.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 107
3

Fold Flat Front Passenger Seat
The front passenger seat can be folded flat to allow for
extended cargo space. Pull up on the lever to fold down
the seat back.
Head Restraints
Head restraints can reduce the risk of whiplash injury in
the event of impact from the rear. Adjustable head
restraints should be adjusted so that the upper edge is as
high as practical. The head restraints have a locking
button that must be pushed inward to lower the head
restraint. The head restraints may be raised without
pushing in the button.
Heated Seats Ð If Equipped
Heated seats provide comfort and warmth on cold days
and can help soothe sore muscles and backs. The heaters
provide the same heat level for both cushion and back.
The front driver and passenger seats are heated. The
controls for each heater are located near the bottom
center of the instrument panel. After turning on the
ignition, you can choose from High, Low, or Off heat
settings. Amber LEDs in the top portion of each switch
Fold Flat Passenger Seat
116 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