2008 DODGE NITRO alarm

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mA Word About Your Keys..................12
NIgnition Key Removal...................12
NKey-In-Ignition Reminder................14
mSentry Key............................14
NReplacement Keys......................15
NCustomer Key Programming..............16
NGeneral Information....................17
mSteering Wheel Lock Ð If Equipped..........17
NTo Manually Lock The Steering Wheel.......17NTo Release The Steering Wheel Lock.........18
mSecurity Alarm System Ð If Equipped.........18
NTo Arm The System.....................18
NTo Disarm The System...................19
mIlluminated Entry........................19
mRemote Keyless Entry.....................20
NTo Unlock The Doors And Liftgate..........20
NTo Lock The Doors And Liftgate............21
NUsing The Panic Alarm..................23
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Key-In-Ignition Reminder
If you open the driver's door and the key is in the
ignition, a chime will sound to remind you to remove the
key.
NOTE:The Key-In-Ignition reminder only sounds
when the ignition key is placed in the LOCK or ACC
position.
SENTRY KEY
The Sentry Key Immobilizer System prevents unautho-
rized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
The system uses ignition keys, which have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder), to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro-
grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operatethe vehicle. The system will shut the engine off in two (2)
seconds if someone uses an invalid key to start the
engine.
NOTE:A key, which has not been programmed, is also
considered an invalid key even if it is cut to fit the
ignition switch lock cylinder for that vehicle.
During normal operation, after turning on the ignition
switch, the Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator Light will
turn on for three (3) seconds for a bulb check. If the light
remains on after the bulb check, it indicates that there is
a problem with the electronics. In addition, if the light
begins to flash after the bulb check, it indicates that
someone used an invalid key to start the engine. Either of
these conditions will result in the engine being shut off
after two (2) seconds.
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

If the Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator Light turns on
during normal vehicle operation (vehicle running for
longer than 10 seconds), it indicates that there is a fault in
the electronics. Should this occur, have the vehicle ser-
viced as soon as possible.
NOTE:
²The Sentry Key Immobilizer System is not compatible
with some after-market remote starting systems. Use
of these systems may result in vehicle starting prob-
lems and loss of security protection.
²Exxon/Mobil Speed Pass,Ÿ additional Sentry Keys, or
any other transponder-equipped components on the
same key chain willnotcause a key-related (transpon-
der) fault unless the additional part isphysically held
against the ignition keybeing used when starting the
vehicle. Cell phones, pagers, or other RF electronics
will not cause interference with this system.All of the keys provided with your new vehicle have
been programmed to the vehicle electronics.
Replacement Keys
NOTE:Only keys that are programmed to the vehicle
electronics can be used to start and operate the vehicle.
Once a Sentry Key is programmed to a vehicle, it cannot
be programmed to any other vehicle.
CAUTION!
Always remove Sentry Keys from the vehicle and
lock all doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
At the time of purchase, the original owner is provided
with a four-digit PIN number. Keep the PIN in a secure
location. This number is required for dealer replacement
of keys. Duplication of keys may be performed at an
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
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authorized dealer or by using the Customer Key Pro-
gramming procedure. This procedure consists of pro-
gramming a blank key to the vehicle electronics. A blank
key is one, which has never been programmed.
NOTE: When having the Sentry Key Immobilizer
System serviced, bring all vehicle keys with you to the
dealer.
Customer Key Programming
If you have two valid sentry keys, you can program new
sentry keys to the system by performing the following
procedure:
1. Cut the additional Sentry Key Transponder blank(s) to
match the ignition switch lock cylinder key code.
2. Insert the first valid key into the ignition switch. Turn
the ignition switch to the ªONº position for at least 3seconds, but no longer than 15-seconds. Then, turn the
ignition switch to the ªLOCKº position and remove the
first key.
3. Insert the second valid key into the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ªONº position within 15
seconds. After ten seconds, a chime will sound. In
addition, the Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator Light will
begin to flash. Turn the ignition switch to the ªLOCKº
position and remove the second key.
4. Insert a blank Sentry Key into the ignition switch. Turn
the ignition switch to the ªONº position within 60
seconds. After 10 seconds, a single chime will sound. In
addition, the Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator Light will
stop flashing. To indicate that programming is complete,
the indicator light will turn on again for 3 seconds and
then turn off.
16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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

To Disarm the System:
Either press the Unlock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter or insert a valid sentry key into the
ignition lock cylinder and turn the key to the ON
position.
The Security Alarm System is designed to protect your
vehicle; however, you can create conditions where the
system will give you a false alarm. If the previously
described arming sequence has occurred, the system will
arm regardless of whether you are inside or outside the
vehicle. If you remain inside the vehicle and open a door,
the alarm will sound. If this occurs, disarm the system.
Manually unlocking the doors with the door lock plunger
(located on the inside of the doors) or the driver's door
key lock cylinder will not disarm the system.
Tamper Alert
If something has triggered the alarm in your absence, the
horn will sound three times when you unlock the doors.
Check the vehicle for tampering.
ILLUMINATED ENTRY
The interior lights come on when you open any door.
They will remain on for about 30 seconds after all doors
are closed then fade to off.
The lights also will fade to off if you turn on the ignition
after you close all the doors.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19
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REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY
This system allows you to lock or unlock the doors and
liftgate or activate the panic alarm from distances up to
23 feet (7 meters) using your key fob. The key fob does
not need to be pointed at the vehicle to activate the
system.NOTE:²For the remote starting feature (if equipped), refer to
ªRemote Starting Systemº in this section.
²Your vehicle's key fob may have three or four buttons
depending on the optional features purchased with
your vehicle.
To Unlock the Doors and Liftgate
Press and release the ªUnlockº button on the key fob
once to unlock the driver's door, or twice to unlock all
doors and the liftgate. The parking lights will flash to
acknowledge the unlock signal. The illuminated entry
system will also turn on.
Remote Key Unlock, Driver Door/All Doors First
This feature lets you program the system to unlock either
the driver's door or all doors and the liftgate on the first
press of the ªUnlockº button on the key fob. To change
the current setting, proceed as follows:
Three Button Key Fob
20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

On electronic vehicle information center (EVIC)
equipped vehicles, refer to ªRemote Key Unlock,º under
ªPersonal Settings (Customer Programmable Features),º
under ªElectronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in
Section 4 of this manual
On non-EVIC equipped vehicles, perform the following
steps:
1. Press and hold the ªLockº 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 ªUn-
lockº button while still holding the ªLockº 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.
To Lock the Doors and Liftgate
Press and release the ªLockº button on the key fob to lock
all doors and the liftgate. If the ignition is OFF when the
doors are locked, the parking lights will flash once and
the horn will chirp once.
Sound Horn with Lock
This feature will cause the horn to chirp when the doors
are locked with the key fob. This feature can be turned on
or off. To change the current setting, proceed as follows:
²On electronic vehicle information center (EVIC)
equipped vehicles, refer to ªSound Horn with Lock,º
under ªPersonal Settings (Customer Programmable
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