2009 DODGE NITRO brake

▫Shifting Procedure - Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case....................... 276
On-Road Driving Tips.................. 277
Off-Road Driving Tips.................. 278
▫When To Use 4L Or 4LO (Low) Range...... 278
▫Driving Through Water................ 278
▫Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand......... 279
▫Hill Climbing....................... 280
▫Traction Downhill.................... 281
▫After Driving Off-Road................ 281
Power Steering........................ 282
▫Power Steering Fluid Check............. 283
Parking Brake........................ 284Anti-Lock Brake System................. 285
Electronic Brake Control System........... 288
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........... 288
▫Traction Control System (TCS)........... 289
▫Brake Assist System (BAS).............. 290
▫Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM).......... 291
▫Electronic Stability Program (ESP)......... 292
▫ESP/BAS Warning Lamp............... 295
Tire Safety Information.................. 296
▫Tire Markings....................... 296
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN).......... 300
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure........... 301
256 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Start the engine with the shift lever in the NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
Normal Starting
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.Turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start
within 10 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK
position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal
starting procedure.
Tip Start Feature
Turn the ignition switch to START position and release it
as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor will
continue to run, but will automatically disengage itself
when the engine is running. If the engine fails to start, the
starter will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. If this
occurs, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting
procedure.
Extreme Cold Weather (below –20°F or –29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
STARTING AND OPERATING 259
5

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle
speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal,
the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in
REVERSE. You could lose control of the vehicle and
hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the shift lever out
of PARK and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. Always depress thebrake pedal first,before
moving the shift lever out of PARK.
STARTING AND OPERATING 263
5

Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual Override
Your vehicle may be equipped with a shift lock manual
override. The manual override may be used in the event
that the shift lever should fail to move from PARK with
the key in the ON position and the brake pedal de-
pressed. To operate the shift lock manual override, per-
form the following steps:
1. Turn the key to the ON position but do not start the
engine.
2. Firmly set the parking brake.
3. Using a flat blade screwdriver, carefully remove the
shift lock manual override cover which is located on the
PRNDL bezel.
4. Depress and maintain firm pressure on the brake
pedal.
5. Using the screwdriver, reach into the manual override
opening. Press and hold the shift lock lever down.6. Move the shift lever into the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
Have your vehicle inspected by your local authorized
dealer if the shift lock manual override has been used.
Interlock Manual Override
264 STARTING AND OPERATING

4–Speed Automatic Transmission (3.7L Engine)
NOTE:Under extreme cold temperatures (-6°F (-21°C)
and when in DRIVE, transmission operation may be
briefly limited to only 2nd gear operation. Normal op-
eration will resume once the transmission temperature
has risen to a suitable level.
Shifting from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE should be
done only after the accelerator pedal is released and the
vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on the brake
when moving the shift lever between these gears.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL position into another gear range.
Shift Lever
STARTING AND OPERATING 265
5

PARK
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range. Always apply the parking brake
first, then place the shift lever in the PARK position.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for
the parking brake. Always apply the parking
brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle
movement and possible injury or damage.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK
or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake
pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward
or in REVERSE. You could lose control of the
vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift
into gear when the engine is idling normally and
when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
REVERSE
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
266 STARTING AND OPERATING

NEUTRAL
Move the shift lever into this gear only after the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. Always depress and main-
tain firm pressure on the brake pedal while in this range.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range for extended periods of time. The engine may be
started in this range.
NOTE:Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any
other reason with shift lever in NEUTRAL can result in
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational Tow-
ing” in Section 5 and “Towing a Disabled Vehicle” in
Section 6 of this manual.
DRIVE
For most city and highway driving.
2 (Second)
For moderate grades and to assist braking on dry pavement
or in mud and snow. Begins at a stop in low gear with
automatic upshift to 2nd gear. Will not shift to 3rd gear.
1 (First)
For hard pulling at low speeds in mud, sand, snow, or on
steep grades. Begins and stays in low gear with no upshift.
Provides engine compression braking at low speeds.
Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled 4th speed (OVERDRIVE). The trans-
mission will automatically shift from 3rd gear to OVER-
DRIVE if the following conditions are present:
•the shift lever is in DRIVE
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature
•vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph
(48 km/h)
•the TOW/HAUL button has not been activated
•the transmission has reached normal operating
temperature
STARTING AND OPERATING 267
5

Gear Ranges
NOTE:After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating.
This is especially important when the engine is cold. If
there is a need to restart the engine, be sure to cycle the
key to the LOCK position before restarting. Transmission
gear engagement may be delayed after restarting the
engine if the key is not cycled to the LOCK position first.
PARK
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range. Always apply the parking brake
first, then place the shift lever in the PARK position.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for
the parking brake. Always apply the parking
brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle
movement and possible injury or damage.
•It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of
PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly
forward or in REVERSE. You could lose control of
the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only
shift into gear when the engine is idling normally
and when your right foot is firmly on the brake
pedal.
REVERSE
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
STARTING AND OPERATING 271
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