2008 DODGE NITRO Eco mode

To Release the Steering Wheel Lock
Insert the key in the ignition and turn the wheel slightly
to the right or left to disengage the lock.
NOTE:If you turned the wheel to the right to engage
the lock, you must turn the wheel slightly to the right to
disengage it. If you turned the wheel to the left to engage
the lock, turn the wheel slightly to the left to disengage it.
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
This system monitors the vehicle doors, liftgate, and
ignition for unauthorized operation. When the alarm is
activated, the system provides both audible and visual
signals. The horn will sound repeatedly for three minutes
and the headlights and taillights will flash for an addi-
tional 15 minutes.
NOTE:The ªPanicº and ªSecurityº alarms are quite
different. Please take a moment to activate the ªPanicº
and the ªSecurityº modes to hear the differences in thehorn. In case one should go off in the future, you will
need to know which mode has been activated in order to
deactivate it.
To Arm the System:
Remove the keys from the ignition switch and exit the
vehicle. Lock the doors and liftgate by pressing the
power door lock switch or the Lock button on the remote
keyless entry transmitter. Close all doors. The ªVehicle
Security Alarm Indicator Lightº (located in the instru-
ment cluster) will flash rapidly for about 16 seconds to
signal that the system is arming. During this 16-second
pre-arm period, opening any door or the liftgate will
cancel the arming process. If the system arms success-
fully, the ªVehicle Security Alarm Indicator Lightº will
flash at a slower rate to indicate the alarm is set.
Manually locking the doors with the door lock plunger
(located on the inside of the doors) or the driver's door
key lock cylinder will not arm the system.
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

1. Press and hold the ªUnlockº button on a programmed
(i.e. functional) key fob for at least 4 seconds, but not
longer than 10 seconds. Then, press and hold the ªLockº
button while still holding the ªUnlockº button.
2. Release both buttons at the same time.
3. Test the feature from outside the vehicle by pressing
the ªLockº and ªUnlockº buttons on the key fob.
4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to
its previous setting.
NOTE:Pressing the ªLockº button on the key fob while
you are inside the vehicle will activate the Security
Alarm. Opening a door with the Security Alarm activated
will cause the alarm to sound. Press the ªUnlockº button
to deactivate the Security Alarm.Using the Panic Alarm
NOTE:The ªPanicº and ªSecurityº alarms are quite
different. Please take a moment to activate the ªPanicº
and the ªSecurityº modes to hear the differences in the
horn. In case one should go off in the future, you will
need to know which mode has been activated in order to
deactivate it.
To turn the panic alarm feature ON or OFF, press and
hold the ªPanicº button on the key fob for at least one
second and release. When the panic alarm is on, the
headlights and parking lights will flash, the horn will
pulse on and off, and the illuminated entry system will
turn on.
The panic alarm will stay on for 3 minutes unless you
turn it off by pressing the ªPanicº button a second time or
if the vehicle speed is 5 mph (8 km/h) or greater.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 23
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During the Panic Mode, the door locks and remote
keyless entry systems will function normally. Panic mode
will not disarm the security system on vehicles so
equipped.
Programming Additional Transmitters
Refer to SENTRY KEY ªCustomer Key Programming.º
in this section.
NOTE:If you do not have a programmed transmitter
(key fob), contact your dealer for details.
Battery Replacement
The recommended replacement battery is CR2032.
NOTE:
Perchlorate Material ± special handling may
apply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate
1. If the key fob is equipped with a screw, remove the
screw. With the key fob buttons facing down, use a flat
blade to pry the two halves of the key fob case apart.
Make sure not to damage the seal during removal.
Separating Case Halves
24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Accessories Until Exit,º under ªPersonal Settings (Cus-
tomer Programmable Features),º under ªElectronic Ve-
hicle Information Center (EVIC)º in Section 4 of this
manual.
Auto Up Feature with Anti-Pinch Protection Ð If
Equipped
On some models, the driver's power window switch has
an ªAuto Upº feature. Pull the window switch up to the
second detent, release, and the window will go up
automatically.
To stop the window from going all the way up during the
auto-up operation, push down on the switch briefly.
To close the window part way, pull the window switch
up to the first detent and release when you want the
window to stop.For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power window switches
will remain active for 45 seconds after the ignition switch
is turned to the LOCK position. Opening either front
door will cancel this feature.
For vehicles equipped with the EVIC, the power window
switches will remain active for up to 10 minutes after the
ignition switch is turned to the LOCK position. Opening
either front door will cancel this feature. The time is
programmable. For details, refer to ªDelay Power Off to
Accessories Until Exit,º under ªPersonal Settings (Cus-
tomer Programmable Features),º under ªElectronic Ve-
hicle Information Center (EVIC)º in Section 4 of this
manual.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35
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of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate the side curtain
airbag. The inflating side curtain airbag pushes the
outside edge of the headliner out of the way and
covers the window. The airbag inflates in about 30
milliseconds (about one quarter of the time it takes to
blink your eyes) with enough force to injure you if you
are not belted and seated properly, or if items are
positioned in the area where the side curtain airbag
inflates. This especially applies to children. The side
curtain airbag is only about 3
1¤2inches (9 cm) thick
when it is inflated.
The front passenger seat assembly contains critical com-
ponents that affect the front passenger airbag deploy-
ment. Correctly functioning front passenger seat compo-
nents are critical for the Occupant Classification System
(OCS) to properly classify the front passenger and calcu-
late the proper airbag deployment. Do not make any
modifications to the front passenger seat components,
assembly, or to the seat cover.The following requirements must be strictly adhered to:
²Do not modify the front passenger seat assembly or
components in any way.
²Do not use prior or future model year seat covers not
designated for the specific model being repaired. Al-
ways use the correct seat cover specified for the
vehicle.
²Do not replace the seat cover with an aftermarket seat
cover.
²Do not add a secondary seat cover other than those
approved by DaimlerChrysler/Mopar.
²At no time should any supplemental restraint system
(SRS) component or SRS related component or fas-
tener be modified or replaced with any part except
those which are approved by DaimlerChrysler/
Mopar.
60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Here are some tips for getting the most out of your child
restraint:
²Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. The manufacturer also recommends that
you try a child restraint in the vehicle seats where you
will use it before you buy it.
²The restraint must be appropriate for your child's
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
²Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
²Except for the second row center seating position, all
passenger seat belts are equipped with ªautomatic
locking retractors identified by a distinctive label.º
The second row center position has a cinching latchplate identified by a distinctive label. Both types of
seat belts are designed to keep the lap portion tight
around the child restraint so that it is not necessary to
use a locking clip. If the seat belt has a cinching latch
plate, pulling up on the shoulder portion of the
lap/shoulder belt will tighten the belt (the cinching
latch plate will keep the belt tight). However, any seat
belt system may loosen with time, so check the belt
occasionally and pull it tight if necessary. For the
second row seat belts with the automatic locking
retractors, pull the belt from the retractor until there is
enough to allow you to pass through the child restraint
and slide the latch plate into the buckle. Then, pull the
belt until it is fully extracted from the retractor. Allow
the belt to return to the retractor, pulling on the excess
webbing to tighten the lap portion about the child
restraint. For additional information, refer to9Auto-
matic Locking Mode9earlier in this section.
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55
mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
shown in Section 7 of this manual. NON-DETERGENT
OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS MUST NEVER BE
USED.A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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
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