2008 DODGE NITRO automatic transmission

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
You can insert the double-sided keys into the locks with
either side up.The keys for your new vehicle are enclosed in a plastic
bag with the key code number on it. If you received your
keys without the bag, ask your dealer to give you the
number. The key code can also be obtained by the dealer
from your vehicle invoice.
Ignition Key Removal
Manual Transmission
Turn the key to the ACC position and then push the key
and cylinder inward slightly and rotate the key to the
LOCK position. Then remove the key.
Automatic Transmission Ð If Equipped
Place the shift lever in P (Park). Turn the key to the ACC
position and then push the key and cylinder inward
slightly and rotate the key to the LOCK position. Then
remove the key.
Vehicle Key
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To remote start your vehicle, press and release the
ªRemote Startº button on the key fob twice within three
seconds. To indicate that the vehicle is about to start, the
parking lights will flash and the horn will sound briefly
(if programmed).Once the engine starts it will run for 15 minutes. To
cancel remote start, press and release the ªRemote Startº
button once.
To enter the vehicle while the engine is running during a
remote start, you must first unlock the vehicle using the
ªUnlockº button on the key fob. Once the vehicle is
unlocked, you have 60 seconds to enter the vehicle and
insert the key in the ignition and turn it to the ON
position. Otherwise, the system will cancel the remote
start and automatically turn off.
Remote start will also cancel if any of the following occur:
²If the engine stalls or RPM exceeds 2500.
²Any engine warning lamps come on.
²The hood is opened.
²The hazard switch is pressed.
²The transmission is moved out of P (Park).
Remote Start Button
26 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Power Door Locks
A door lock switch is on each front door panel. Press this
switch to lock or unlock the doors.
If you press the power door lock switch while the key is
in the ignition, and any front door is open, the powerlocks will not operate. This prevents you from acciden-
tally locking your keys in the vehicle. Removing the key
or closing the door will allow the locks to operate. A
chime will sound if the key is in the ignition switch and
a door is open, as a reminder to remove the key.
Automatic Door Locks
The doors will lock automatically on vehicles with power
door locks if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The Automatic Door Locks feature is enabled.
2. The transmission is in gear.
3. All doors are closed.
4. The throttle is pressed.
5. The vehicle speed is above 15 mph (24 km/h).
6. The doors were not previously locked using the power
door lock switch or remote keyless entry transmitter.
Power Door Lock Switch
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 29
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Automatic Door Locks Programming
The Automatic Door Locks feature can be enabled or
disabled as follows:
For vehicles equipped with a Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC), refer to ªPersonal Settings (Customer
Programmable Features)º under ªElectronic Vehicle In-
formation Center (EVIC)º in Section 4 of this manual for
details.
For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the
following procedure:
1. Close all doors and place the key in the ignition.
2. Cycle the ignition switch between LOCK and ON and
then back to LOCK 4 times ending up in the LOCK
position.
3. Depress the power door lock switch to lock the doors.4. A single chime will indicate the completion of the
programming.
5. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to
its previous setting.
NOTE:Use the Automatic Door Locks feature in accor-
dance with local laws.
Automatic Unlock Doors on Exit
The doors will unlock automatically on vehicles with
power door locks if:
1. The Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit feature is en-
abled.
2. The transmission was in gear and the vehicle speed
returned to 0 mph (0 km/h).
3. The transmission is in N (Neutral) or P (Park).
4. The driver door is opened.
30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

bulb check. If the bulb does not come on during starting,
see your authorized dealer for service. If the light stays
on, it may be an indication that the parking brake has not
been released, or there is a low brake fluid level. If the
light remains on when the parking brake has been
disengaged, and the fluid level is at the full mark on the
master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction or a problem with the
Brake Booster. In this case, the light will remain on until
the condition has been corrected. If the problem is related
to the brake Booster the ABS pump will run when
applying the brake.
The ªBRAKEº warning light will flash whether or not it
is in gear, if the park brake is applied, and the engine is
running (manual transmission only). The ªBRAKEº
warning light will remain on steady with the park brake
on and the shifter in the P (Park) position. If shifted out
of P (Park), it will begin to flash (automatic transmission
only).If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary. Operating the vehicle in this condition is danger-
ous!
15. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning Light Ð
If Equipped
This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control system. If a prob-
lem is detected the light will come on while the
engine is running. If the light remains lit with
the engine running your vehicle will usually be drivable,
however, see your dealer for service as soon as possible.
If the light is flashing when the engine is running,
immediate service is required and you may experience
reduced performance, an elevated/rough idle or engine
stall and your vehicle may require towing. The light will
come on when the ignition is first turned on and remain
on for 15 seconds as a bulb check. If the light does not
come on during starting, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
172 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

24. Transmission Range Indicator
The electronic gear selector display is self-contained
within the instrument cluster. It displays the position of
the automatic transmission shift lever, and the relation of
each position to all other positions. For a good signal the
display will place a box around the selected transmission
range (PRND21). If the PRNDL displays only the char-
acters PRND21 (no boxes) have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
25. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light Ð If
Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on thevehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver 's responsibility to
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 175
4

Use the SCROLL button to display one of the following
choices:
Language
When in this display you may select one of five lan-
guages for all display nomenclature, including the trip
functions and the navigation system (if equipped). Press
the FUNCTION SELECT button while in this display to
select English, Espanol, or Francais. Then, as you con-
tinue, the information will display in the selected lan-
guage.
NOTE:The EVIC will not change the UConnectŸ
language selection. Please refer to ªLanguage Selectionº
in the HANDS±FREE COMMUNICATION (UConnectŸ)
section of this manual for details.
Lock Doors Automatically at 15 mph (24 km/h)
When ON is selected, all doors will lock automatically
when the vehicle reaches a speed of 15 mph (24 km/h).
To make your selection, press and release the FUNC-
TION SELECT button until ªONº or ªOFFº appears.
Unlock Doors Automatically on Exit
When ON is selected, all doors will unlock when the
vehicle is stopped and the transmission is in the P (Park)
or N (Neutral) position and the driver's door is opened.
To make your selection, press and release the FUNC-
TION SELECT button until ªONº or ªOFFº appears.
Remote Key Unlock
WhenDriver Door 1st Pressis selected, only the driver's
door will unlock on the first press of the remote keyless
entry unlock button. When Driver Door 1st Press is
selected, you must press of the remote keyless entry
unlock button twice to unlock the passenger's doors.
WhenAll Doors 1st Pressis selected, all of the doors will
unlock on the first press of the remote keyless entry
unlock button. To make your selection, press and release
the FUNCTION SELECT button until ªDriver Door 1st
Pressº or ªAll Doors 1st Pressº appears.
194 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................245
NManual Transmission..................245
NAutomatic Transmission................245
NNormal Starting......................245
NExtreme Cold Weather (Below ±20ÉF Or
±29ÉC).............................246
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................246
NAfter Starting........................248
mEngine Block Heater Ð If Equipped.........248mManual Transmission Ð If Equipped.........249
N6-Speed Manual Transmission............249
mAutomatic Transmission..................252
NShift Lock Manual Override Ð If Equipped . . . 253
NBrake/Transmission Interlock System.......254
N4±Speed Automatic Transmission (3.7L
Engine)............................255
N5±Speed Automatic Transmission (4.0L
Engine)............................260
NGear Ranges.........................260
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