2008 DODGE NITRO Owners Manual

Front/Rear Axle Fluid
Fluid Level Check
Lubricant should be at bottom edge of the oil fill hole.
Adding Fluid
Add lubricant only at the fill hole and only to the level
specified above.
Selection of Lubricant
Use only manufacturer's recommended fluid, refer to Fluids,
Lubricants, and Genuine Parts for correct fluid type.
Appearance Care And Protection From Corrosion
Protection Of Body And Paint From Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice, and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of
paint and protective coatings from your vehicle.
The most common causes are:
²Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation.
²Stone and gravel impact.
²Insects, tree sap and tar.
²Salt in the air near sea-coast localities.
²Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants.
²Bird droppings.
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7

Washing
²
Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your ve-
hicle in the shade using MopartCar Wash or a mild
car wash soap, and rinse the panels completely with
clear water.
²If insects, tar, or other similar deposits have accumu-
lated on your vehicle, use MopartSuper Kleen Bug
and Tar Remover to remove.
²Use MopartCleaner Wax to remove road film, stains,
and to protect your paint finish. Take care never to
scratch the paint.
²Avoid using abrasive compounds and power buffing
that may diminish the gloss or thin out the paint
finish.
CAUTION!
²Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning materials
such as steel wool or scouring powder, which will
scratch metal and painted surfaces.
²Use of power washers exceeding 1,200 psi (8 274
kPa) can result in damage or removal of paint and
decals.
Special Care
²
If you drive on salted or dusty roads or if you drive
near the ocean, hose off the undercarriage at least once
a month.
²It is important that the drain holes in the lower edges
of the doors, rocker panels and tailgate must be kept
clear and open.
378 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

²If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint,
touch them up immediately. The cost of such repairs is
considered the responsibility of the owner.
²If your vehicle is damaged due to an accident or
similar cause which destroys the paint and protective
coating have your vehicle repaired as soon as possible.
The cost of such repairs is considered the responsibil-
ity of the owner.
²If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers,
de-icer salt, etc., assure that such materials are well
packaged and sealed.
²If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider
mud or stone shields behind each wheel.
²Use MopartTouch Up Paint on scratches or chips as
soon as possible. Your authorized dealer has touch up
paint to match the color of your vehicle.
Wheel and Wheel Trim Care
All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and
chrome plated wheels should be cleaned regularly with a
mild soap and water to prevent corrosion. To remove
heavy soil, use MopartWheel Cleaner or select a non-
abrasive, non-acidic cleaner. Do not use scouring pads,
steel wool, a bristle brush or metal polishes. Only Mo-
partcleaners are recommended. Do not use oven cleaner.
Avoid automatic car washes that use acidic solutions or
harsh brushes that may damage the wheels' protective
finish.
YES EssentialstFabric Cleaning Procedure ± If
Equipped
YES Essentialstseats may be cleaned in the following
manner:
²Remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting
with a clean, dry towel.
²Blot any remaining stain with a clean, damp towel.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 379
7

²For tough stains, apply MopartTotal Clean or a mild
soap solution to a clean, damp cloth and remove stain.
Use a fresh, damp towel to remove soap residue.
²For grease stains, apply MopartMulti-Purpose
Cleaner to a clean, damp cloth and remove stain. Use
a fresh, damp towel to remove soap residue.
²Do not use any solvents or protectants on Yes Essen-
tialstproducts.
Interior Care
Use MopartTotal Clean to clean fabric upholstery and
carpeting.
Interior Trim should be cleaned starting with a damp
cloth, a damp cloth with MopartTotal Clean, then
MopartSpot & Stain Remover if absolutely necessary. Do
not use harsh cleaners or Armorall. Use MopartTotal
Clean to clean vinyl upholstery.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis
with MopartGlass Cleaner or any commercial
household-type glass cleaner. Never use an abrasive type
cleaner. Use caution when cleaning inside rear windows
equipped with electric defrosters. Do not use scrapers or
other sharp instruments which may scratch the elements.
When cleaning the rear view mirror, spray cleaner on the
towel or rag that you are using. Do not spray cleaner
directly on the mirror.
380 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in this vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.
1.
Clean with a wet soft rag. A mild soap solution may be
used, but do not use high alcohol content or abrasive
cleaners. If soap is used, wipe clean with a clean damp rag.
2. Dry with a soft tissue.
Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye or clean the belts with chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners. This will weaken the fabric.
Sun damage will also weaken the fabric.
If the belts need cleaning, use MopartTotal Clean, a mild
soap solution, or lukewarm water. Do not remove the
belts from the vehicle to wash them.
Replace the belts if they appear frayed or worn or if the
buckles do not work properly.
FUSES (INTEGRATED POWER MODULE)
The Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) is located
in the engine compartment near the battery. This center
contains cartridge fuses, mini fuses and relays. A label
that identifies each component is printed on the inside of
the cover.
Integrated Power Module (TIPM)
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7

Cavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
J1 40 Amp
GreenPower Folding Seat
J2 30 Amp
PinkTransfer Case/Pwr
Liftgate Module
J3 40 Amp
GreenRear Door Module
(RR DOOR NODE)
J4 25 Amp
NaturalDriver Door Node
J5 25 Amp
NaturalPassenger Door Node
J6 40 Amp
GreenAnti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) Pump/ESP
J7 30 Amp
PinkAnti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) Valve/ESP
J8 40 Amp
GreenPower Memory Seat
(If Equipped)Cavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
J9 40 Amp
GreenPZEV Motor/Flex
Fuel
J10 30 Amp
PinkHdlp Wash Relay/
Manual Tuning Valve
J11 30 Amp
PinkSway Bar/
THATCHAM Lock-
Unlock/Power Slid-
ing Door Module
J13 60 Amp
YellowIgnition Off Draw
(IOD) Ð Main
J14 40 Amp
GreenEBL (Rear Window
Defogger)
J15 30 Amp
PinkRear Blower
J17 40 Amp
GreenStarter Solenoid
382 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
J18 20 Amp
YellowPowertrain Control
Module (PCM) Trans
Range
J19 60 Amp
YellowRadiator Fan
J20 30 Amp
PinkFront Wiper LO/HI
J21 20 Amp
YellowFront/Rear Washer
J22 25 Amp
NaturalSunroof Module
M1 15 Amp
BlueCenter High Mounted
Stop Light (CHMSL)/
Brake Switch
M2 20 Amp
YellowTrailer LightingCavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
M3 20 Amp
YellowFrt/Rear Axle Lockers
M4 10 Amp
RedTrailer Tow
M5 25 Amp
NaturalInverter
M6 20 Amp
YellowPower Outlet #1/Rain
Sensor
M7 20 Amp
YellowPower Outlet #2
(BATT/ACC SELECT)
M8 20 Amp
YellowFront Heated Seat
M9 20 Amp
YellowRear Heated Seat (If
Equipped)
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7

Cavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
M10 20 Amp
YellowIgnition Off Draw Ð
Vehicle Entertainment
System (IOD-VES),
Satellite Digital Audio
Receiver (SDARS),
DVD, Hands Free
Module (HFM), RA-
DIO, Antenna (ANT),
Universal Garage
Door Opener
(UGDO), Vanity
Lamp (VANITY LP)
M11 10 Amp
Red(Ignition Off Draw)
IOD-HVAC/ATC,
MW SENSR, Under-
hood Lamp (UH
LMP)Cavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
M12 30 Amp
GreenAmplifier (AMP)
M13 20 Amp
YellowIgnition Off DrawÐ
Cabin Compartment
Node (IOD-CCN),
Wireless Control
Module (WCM), SI-
REN, Clock Module
(CLK MOD), Multi-
Function Control
Switch (MULTIFCTN
SW)
M14 20 Amp
YellowTrailer Tow (Export
Only)
384 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE