2009 DODGE NITRO engine

Towing Tips — Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put the trans-
mission in NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
Refer to “Cooling System Operating” information in
the Maintenance section of this manual for more
information.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing — 2WD Models
Recreational towing (all four wheels on the
ground)
Recreational towing is allowedONLYif the driveshaft is
removed. Towing with the rear wheels on the ground
while the driveshaft is connected can result in severe
transmission damage.
NOTE:This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or
vehicle trailer provided all four wheels areOFFthe
ground.
STARTING AND OPERATING 351
5

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 354
If Your Engine Overheats................ 355
Jacking And Tire Changing............... 356
▫Jack Location....................... 356
▫Spare Tire Stowage................... 356
▫Spare Tire Removal................... 357▫Preparations For Jacking................ 358
▫Jacking Instructions................... 358
Jump-Starting........................ 362
Towing A Disabled Vehicle............... 364
▫2-Wheel Drive Vehicles................ 364
▫4-Wheel Drive Vehicles................ 364
6

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating your engine by taking the
appropriate action.
•On the highways — slow down.
•In city traffic — while stopped, put transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the temperature
control to maximum heat, the mode control to floor, and
the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H,”
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately and call for service.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 355
6

WARNING! (Continued)
•Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic
transmission in PARK; a manual transmission in
REVERSE.
•Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
•Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
•Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
•Only use the jack in the positions indicated and
for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
•If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
•To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
•Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.1. Remove spare tire.
2. Remove jack and tools from mounting bracket. As-
semble the tools by connecting the driver to the exten-
sion, and then to the lug wrench.
3. Loosen (but do not remove) the wheel lug nuts by
turning them to the left one turn while the wheel is still
on the ground.
Jack Warning Label
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 359
6

5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery and then to the engine of the
vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure you have
a good contact on the engine.
WARNING!
•Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharge battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode.
•During cold weather when temperatures are be-
low the freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged
battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The
battery temperature must be brought up above the
freezing point before attempting a jump start.6. Start the engine in the vehicle which has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
7. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
•Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting out
the battery vent.
•Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion.
•Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 363
6

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment — 3.7L............. 367
Engine Compartment — 4.0L............. 368
Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II....... 369
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message........... 370
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................ 370
Replacement Parts..................... 372
Dealer Service........................ 372
Maintenance Procedures................. 373▫Engine Oil......................... 373
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter............... 376
▫Maintenance-Free Battery............... 377
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance............ 378
▫Body Lubrication..................... 379
▫Windshield Wiper Blades............... 379
▫Adding Washer Fluid.................. 379
▫Exhaust System...................... 380
▫Cooling System...................... 382
7

▫Brake System....................... 388
▫Automatic Transmission................ 389
▫Transfer Case....................... 390
▫Front/Rear Axle Fluid................. 391
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion.......................... 392
Fuses.............................. 396
▫Totally Integrated Power Module......... 396
Replacement Light Bulbs................. 403
Bulb Replacement..................... 403
▫Headlight.......................... 403▫Left Front Turn Signal................. 404
▫Right Front Turn Signal................ 405
▫Front Side Marker.................... 405
▫Front Fog Light (Front Fascia Mounted)..... 405
▫Rear Tail, Stop, Turn Signal, And Backup
Lights............................. 406
▫Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) . . 407
Fluid Capacities....................... 408
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts....... 409
▫Engine............................ 409
▫Chassis............................ 410
366 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.7L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter 6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
2 — Engine Oil Dipstick 7 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 8 — Engine Oil Fill
4 — Integrated Power Module 9 — Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — BatteryMAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 3677