2009 DODGE NITRO Owners Manual

WARNING!
•Never leave unattended children in a vehicle with
the key in the ignition switch. Occupants, particu-
larly unattended children, can become entrapped
by the power sunroof while operating the power
sunroof switch. Such entrapment may result in
serious injury or death.
•In an accident, there is a greater risk of being
thrown from a vehicle with an open sunroof. You
could also be seriously injured or killed. Always
fasten your seat belt properly and make sure all
passengers are properly secured too.
•Do not allow small children to operate the sun-
roof. Never allow fingers or other body parts, or
any object to project through the sunroof opening.
Injury may result.
Opening Sunroof - Express
Press the switch rearward and release it within one-half
second and the sunroof will open automatically from any
position. The sunroof will open fully and stop automati-
cally. This is called Express Open. During Express Open
operation, any movement of the sunroof switch will stop
the sunroof.
Opening Sunroof - Manual Mode
To open the sunroof, press and hold the switch rearward
to full open. Any release of the switch will stop the
movement and the sunroof will remain in a partially
opened condition until the switch is pushed and held
rearward again.
Closing Sunroof - Express
Press the switch forward and release it within one-half
second and the sunroof will close automatically from any
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position. The sunroof will close fully and stop automati-
cally. This is called Express Close. During Express Close
operation, any movement of the switch will stop the
sunroof.
NOTE:To ensure the sunroof is fully closed, press and
hold the switch until the sunroof has completely stopped
moving.
Closing Sunroof - Manual Mode
To close the sunroof, press and hold the switch in the
forward position. Any release of the switch will stop the
movement and the sunroof will remain in a partially
closed condition until the switch is pushed and held
forward again.
Pinch Protect Feature
This feature will detect an obstruction in the opening of
the sunroof during Express Close operation. If an ob-
struction in the path of the sunroof is detected, thesunroof will automatically retract. Remove the obstruc-
tion if this occurs. Next, press the switch forward and
release to Express Close.
Pinch Protect Override
If a known obstruction (ice, debris, etc.) prevents closing,
press the switch forward and hold. This allows the
sunroof to move towards the closed position.
NOTE:Pinch protection is disabled while the switch is
pressed.
Venting Sunroof - Express
Press and release theVbutton within one-half second
and the sunroof will open to the vent position. This is
called Express Vent, and it will occur regardless of
sunroof position. During Express Vent operation, any
movement of the switch will stop the sunroof.
152 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Sunshade Operation
The sunshade can be opened manually. However, the
sunshade will open automatically as the sunroof opens.
NOTE:The sunshade cannot be closed if the sunroof is
open.
Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter-type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the rear windows open, then open the front and rear
windows together to minimize the buffeting. If the
buffeting occurs with the sunroof open, adjust the sun-
roof opening to minimize the buffeting or open any
window.
Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to clean
the glass panel.
Ignition Off Operation
For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power sunroof switch
will remain active for 45 seconds after the ignition switch
is turned to the LOCK position. Opening either front
door will cancel this feature.
For vehicles equipped with the EVIC, the power sunroof
switch will remain active for up to 10 minutes after the
ignition switch is turned to the LOCK position. Opening
either front door will cancel this feature. The time is
programmable. For details, refer to “Delay Power Off to
Accessories Until Exit,” under “Personal Settings
(Customer-Programmable Features)” under “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Section 4 of this
manual.
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3

ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLET
This vehicle has two 12-Volt auxiliary power outlets that
can provide up to 20 Amps of current for accessories
designed for use with the standard power outlet adapt-
ers. The front power outlet, located in the lower portion
of the instrument panel, has a snap on plastic cap so that
it can be covered when not in use. As a safety precaution,
the outlet in the instrument panel only operates with the
ignition switch ON. When the optional Cigar Lighter
heating element is used, it heats when pushed in and
pops out automatically when ready for use.To preserve
the heating element, do not hold the lighter in the
heating position.
WARNING!
To avoid serious injury or death:
•Do not use a three-prong adapter.
•Do not insert any objects into the receptacles.
(Continued)
Front Power Outlet
154 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not touch with wet hands.
•Close the lid when not in use and while driving
the vehicle.
•If this outlet is mishandled, it may cause an
electric shock and failure.
CAUTION!
•Many accessories that can be plugged in draw
power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not in
use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s battery will
discharge sufficiently to degrade battery life
and/or prevent engine starting.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Accessories that draw higher power (i.e., coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.) will degrade the
battery even more quickly. Only use these inter-
mittently and with greater caution.
•After the use of high power draw accessories, or
long periods of the vehicle not being started (with
accessories still plugged in), the vehicle must be
driven a sufficient length of time to allow the
alternator to recharge the vehicle’s battery.
•Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs
only. Do not hang any type of accessory or acces-
sory bracket from the plug.
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POWER INVERTER — IF EQUIPPED
There is a 110-Volt, 150-Watt power inverter outlet lo-
cated on the back of the center console to convert DC
current to AC current. This outlet can be used to power
small appliances and electronics.
Press the switch located in the center stack lower switch
bank to turn the power on to the outlet. Press the switch
again to turn the power off.
110-Volt AC (150-Watt maximum) power outlet
156 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:When the inverter switch is pressed, there will
be a delay of approximately one second before the
inverter status indicator turns ON. The status indicator of
the AC power inverter indicates whether the inverter is
producing AC power.NOTE:Due to built in overload protection; the inverter
will shut down if the power rating is exceeded.
WARNING!
To Avoid Serious Injury or Death:
•Do not use a Three-Prong Adaptor.
•Do not insert any objects into the receptacles.
•Do not touch with wet hands.
•Close the lid when not in use.
•If this outlet is mishandled it may cause an electric
shock and failure.
Power Inverter Switch
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CUPHOLDERS
In the center console, there are two cupholders for the
front seat passengers.The rear passengers have cupholders at the rear of the
center console.
Front Cupholders
Rear Cupholders
158 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE