2009 DODGE NITRO steering wheel

Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for over/under steering of the vehicle by applying
the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counter-
acting the over/under steer condition. Engine power
may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the
desired path.
ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESP applies the brake of the appropri-
ate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESP/TCS Indicator Light
TheESP/TCS Indicator Lightlocated in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. TheESP/TCS Indicator Lightalso
flashes when TCS is active. If theESP/TCS Indicator
Lightbegins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the
accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure
to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than
that specified for your vehicle. Some combinations
of unapproved tires and wheels may change sus-
pension dimensions and performance characteris-
tics, resulting in changes to steering, handling, and
braking of your vehicle. This can cause unpredict-
able handling and stress to steering and suspen-
sion components. You could lose control and have
an accident resulting in serious injury or death.
Use only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings
approved for your vehicle.
•Never use a tire with a smaller load index or
capacity than what was originally equipped on
your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load index
could result in tire overloading and failure. You
could lose control and have an accident.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
STARTING AND OPERATING 313
5

WARNING! (Continued)
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle transmission in PARK.
Always, block orchockthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized.
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).
346 STARTING AND OPERATING

5. Disconnect the electrical connector and replace the
bulb.
Left Front Turn Signal
1. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right (full
right lock).
2. Remove the door in the left wheel liner by twisting
counter clockwise. Access to the bulb can be gained
through the wheel liner hole.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector.
4. Twist the bulb counter clockwise to remove.
Access Door
404 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 354
Turn Signal..................176,404,405,406
Flooded Engine Starting................... 260
Floor Console.......................... 159
Fluid, Brake........................... 410
Fluid Capacities......................... 408
Fluid Leaks............................. 77
Fluid Level Checks...................... 391
Automatic Transmission................. 389
Engine Oil........................... 373
Power Steering........................ 283
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 409
Fog Light Service........................ 405
Fog Lights..........................131,405
Folding Rear Seat........................ 125
Four Wheel Drive....................... 275
Operation........................... 275
Systems............................. 275Four Wheel Drive Operation................ 275
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 354
Front Axle (Differential)................... 391
Fuel................................. 326
Filler Cap (Gas Cap).................... 331
Gasoline............................ 326
Gauge.............................. 174
Light............................... 175
Materials Added....................... 329
Octane Rating...................326,327,409
Requirements......................... 408
Tank Capacity........................ 408
Fuel System Caution..................... 330
Fuses................................ 396
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 144
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)............331,333,370
Gas Gauge (Fuel Gauge)................... 174
Gasoline (Fuel)......................... 326
INDEX 443
10

Service Contract......................... 431
Service Engine Soon Light
(Malfunction Indicator).................... 186
Service Manuals........................ 433
Setting the Clock................202,216,220,229
Settings, Personal........................ 198
Shift Lock Manual Override................ 264
Shifting
Automatic Transmission..............265,270
Shoulder Belts........................... 38
Signals, Turn................131,176,404,405,406
Sliding Cargo Floor
LoadNGo .......................... 163
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................. 314
Spare Tire.......................308,309,356
Specifications
Fuel (Gasoline)........................ 326
Oil ................................ 374
Speed Control (Cruise Control).............. 135Speedometer........................... 176
Starting............................... 259
Cold Weather......................... 259
Emergency (Jump Starting)............... 362
Engine Block Heater.................... 262
Engine Fails to Start.................... 260
Remote.............................. 25
Steering
Power...........................282,283
Tilt Column.......................... 134
Wheel, Tilt........................... 134
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls.............................. 246
Storage............................... 159
Storage Bin............................ 159
Storage, Vehicle......................... 253
Sun Roof.............................. 150
Sun Visor Extension....................... 86
Sunroof Maintenance..................... 153
INDEX 451
10