2009 DODGE NITRO fuel

•Left/right front door ajar (one or more, with a single
chime if speed is above 1 mph/1 km/h)
•Left/right rear door ajar (one or more, with a single
chime if speed is above 1 mph/1 km/h)
•Door(s) ajar (with a single chime if vehicle is in
motion)
•Liftgate ajar (with a single chime)
•Left front low pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System” in Section 5.
•Left rear low pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System” in Section 5.
•Right front low pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System” in Section 5.
•Right rear low pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System” in Section 5.
•Check TPM System (with a single chime). Refer to
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System” in Section 5.
•Check gascap (refer to “Adding Fuel” in Section 5).
•Oil change required (with a single chime).
Oil Change Required
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “Oil Change Required” message
will flash in the EVIC display for approximately 10 sec-
onds after a single chime has sounded to indicate the next
scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style. Unless reset, this message
will continue to display each time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON/RUN position. To turn off the message
temporarily, press and release the MENU button. To reset
the oil change indicator system (after performing the
scheduled maintenance) refer to the following procedure.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 193
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1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. (Do not
start the engine).
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three times
within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the engine, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.
Trip Functions
Press and release the MENU button until one of the
following trip functions displays in the EVIC:
•Average fuel economy
•Distance to empty
•Elapsed time
•Display units of measure inPress the SCROLL button to cycle through all the trip
computer functions.
The Trip Functions mode displays the following informa-
tion:
•Average Fuel Economy
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset.
When the fuel economy is reset, the display will read
“RESET” or show dashes for two seconds. Then, the
history information will be erased, and the averaging will
continue from the last fuel average reading before the
reset.
•Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be traveled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by a weighted average of the instantaneous
and average fuel economy, according to the current fuel
tank level. DTE cannot be reset through the FUNCTION
SELECT button.
194 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NOTE:Significant changes in driving style or vehicle
loading will greatly affect the actual drivable distance of
the vehicle, regardless of the DTE displayed value.
When the DTE value is less than 30 miles (48 km)
estimated driving distance, the DTE display will change
to a text display of LOW FUEL. This display will con-
tinue until the vehicle runs out of fuel. Adding a signifi-
cant amount of fuel to the vehicle will turn off the LOW
FUEL text and a new DTE value will display.
•Elapsed Time
Shows the total elapsed time of travel since the last reset
when the ignition switch is in the ACC position. Elapsed
time will increment when the ignition switch is in the ON
or START position.
•Display Units of Measure in:
To make your selection, press and release the FUNC-
TION SELECT button until “US” or “METRIC” appears.
To Reset The Display
Reset will only occur while a resettable function is being
displayed. Press and release the FUNCTION SELECT
button once to clear the resettable function being dis-
played. To reset all resettable functions, press and release
the FUNCTION SELECT button a second time within
three seconds of resetting the currently displayed func-
tion. (Reset ALL will display during this three second
window).
Compass Display
The compass readings indicate the direction
the vehicle is facing. Press and release the
compass button to display one of eight com-
pass readings and the outside temperature.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 195
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NOTE:The air conditioning compressor operates in
both MIX and DEFROST or a blend of these modes even
if the fan switch is not in the A/C position. This dehu-
midifies the air to help dry the windshield. To improve
fuel economy, use these modes only when necessary.
Recirculation Control
Press the mode control knob to activate the
recirculation mode. A lamp in the knob will
illuminate when you are in recirculate mode.
Press the knob again to deactivate the system.
Only use the recirculation mode to temporarily block out
any outside odors, smoke, or dust and to cool the interior
rapidly upon initial start up in very hot or humid
weather.
NOTE:Continuous use of the recirculation mode may
make the inside air stuffy and window fogging may
occur. Extended use of this mode is not recommended.In cold or damp weather, the use of the recirculation
mode will cause windows to fog on the inside because of
moisture build up inside the vehicle. For maximum
defogging, select the Outside Air position.
NOTE:Recirculation mode will not operate in FLOOR,
MIX or DEFROST modes.Air Conditioning Operation
Press the temperature control knob to activate the
air conditioning mode. A lamp will illuminate
when the air conditioning system is engaged.
Press the knob again to deactivate the system.
NOTE:The air conditioning compressor will not engage
until the engine has been running for about 10 seconds.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 251
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Tires — General Information.............. 305
▫Tire Pressure........................ 305
▫Tire Inflation Pressures................. 306
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation.... 308
▫Radial-Ply Tires...................... 308
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped........ 308
▫Limited-Use Spare — If Equipped......... 309
▫Tire Spinning....................... 310
▫Tread Wear Indicators................. 311
▫Life Of Tire......................... 311
▫Replacement Tires.................... 312
Tire Chains.......................... 314
Tire Rotation Recommendations............ 315Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)....... 316
▫Base System........................ 319
▫Premium System — If Equipped.......... 321
▫General Information................... 326
Fuel Requirements..................... 326
▫3.7L Engine......................... 326
▫4.0L Engine......................... 327
▫Reformulated Gasoline................. 327
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............. 328
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles...... 328
▫MMT In Gasoline.................... 329
▫Materials Added To Fuel............... 329
▫Fuel System Cautions.................. 330
STARTING AND OPERATING 257
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▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings............. 330
Adding Fuel......................... 331
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)............... 331
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message........... 333
Vehicle Loading....................... 334
▫Certification Label.................... 334
Trailer Towing........................ 336
▫Common Towing Definitions............ 336
▫Trailer Hitch Classification.............. 341▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)...................... 342
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight.............. 344
▫Towing Requirements................. 345
▫Towing Tips........................ 350
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.)................. 351
▫Towing — 2WD Models................ 351
▫Towing — 4WD Or All-Wheel
Drive Models....................... 352
258 STARTING AND OPERATING

If Engine Fails to Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be dan-
gerous if done improperly. Refer to Section 6 of
this manual for proper jump starting procedures
and follow them carefully.
260 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15 sec-
ond periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal held
to the floor, repeat the “Normal Starting” or “Extreme
Cold Weather” procedures.With Tip Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Then, turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor
will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. Once this
occurs, release the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the normal starting procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, wait 10 to 15 sec-
onds before trying again.
STARTING AND OPERATING 261
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