2009 DODGE NITRO ignition

Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged i.e., (bent retractor, torn web-
bing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on, and remain on for six to eight
seconds as a bulb check, when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the bulb is not lit during starting, have it
replaced. If the light stays on or comes on while driving,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the DEFROST mode and
place the blower control on high speed. You should be
able to feel the air directed against the windshield. See
your authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside the
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of all exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check the area under the vehicle after overnight parking
for fuel, coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected, the cause should be located and
corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 77
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▫Closing Sunroof - Express............... 151
▫Closing Sunroof - Manual Mode.......... 152
▫Pinch Protect Feature.................. 152
▫Pinch Protect Override................. 152
▫Venting Sunroof - Express.............. 152
▫Sunshade Operation................... 153
▫Wind Buffeting...................... 153
▫Sunroof Maintenance.................. 153
▫Ignition Off Operation................. 153
Electrical Power Outlet.................. 154
Power Inverter — If Equipped............ 156
Cupholders.......................... 158
Storage............................. 159▫Front Storage Compartment............. 159
▫Console Storage Compartment........... 159
Cargo Area Features.................... 160
▫Cargo Light........................ 160
▫Cargo Tie-Down Hooks................ 160
▫Cargo Load Floor — If Equipped......... 162
▫Rear Cargo Slide Out System (Load N Go)
— If Equipped....................... 163
Rear Window Features.................. 165
▫Rear Window Wiper/Washer —
If Equipped......................... 165
▫Rear Window Defroster — If Equipped..... 166
Roof Ditch Applique — Non Functional...... 166
82 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Call Termination
To end a call in progress, momentarily press the PHONE
button. Only the active call(s) will be terminated and if
there is a call on hold, it will become the new active call.
If the active call is terminated by the far end, a call on
hold may not become active automatically. This is cell
phone-dependent. To bring the call back from hold, press
and hold the PHONE button until you hear a single beep.
Redial
•
Press the PHONE button to begin.
•After theReadyprompt and the following beep, say
Redial.
•The UConnectsystem will call the last number that
was dialed from your cellular phone.
NOTE:This may not be the last number dialed from the
UConnectsystem.
Call Continuation
Call continuation is the progression of a phone call on the
UConnectsystem after the vehicle ignition key has been
switched to OFF. Call continuation functionality avail-
able on the vehicle can be any one of three types:
•After the ignition key is switched to OFF, a call can
continue on the UConnectsystem either until the call
ends, or until the vehicle battery condition dictates
cessation of the call on the UConnectsystem and
transfer of the call to the mobile phone.
•After the ignition key is switched to OFF, a call can
continue on the UConnectsystem for a certain dura-
tion, after which the call is automatically transferred
from the UConnectsystem to the mobile phone.
•An active call is automatically transferred to the
mobile phone after the ignition key is switched to OFF.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 99
3

•dry weather conditions, and
•operation from the driver’s seat.
•Performance, such as audio clarity, echo, and loudness
to a large degree rely on the phone and network, and
not the UConnectsystem.
•Echo at the far end can sometimes be reduced by
lowering the in-vehicle audio volume.
•In a convertible vehicle, system performance may be
compromised with the convertible top down.
BluetoothCommunication Link
Cellular phones have been found to lose connection to
the UConnectsystem. When this happens, the connec-
tion can generally be re-established by switching the
phone off/on. Your cellular phone is recommended to
remain in BluetoothON mode.
Power-Up
After switching the ignition key from OFF to either the
ON or ACC position, or after a language change, you
must wait at least five seconds prior to using the system.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 109
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Heated Seats — If Equipped
This feature heats the front driver and passenger seats.
The controls for each heater are located near the bottom
center of the instrument panel.After turning ON the ignition, Press the switch
once to select High level heating. Press the
switch a second time to select Low level heat-
ing. Press the switch a third time to shut Off the
heating elements. Amber indicators in the switch indicate
the level of heat in use. Two indicators will illuminate for
High, one for Low, and none for Off.
When High is selected, the heaters provide a boosted
heat level during the first four minutes of operation after
heating is activated. The heat output then drops to the
normal High setting. If High is selected, the system will
automatically switch to Low after 30 minutes of continu-
ous operation. At that time, the number of illuminated
LEDs changes from two to one, indicating the change.
Operation on Low also turns Off automatically after
30 minutes.
NOTE:Once a heat setting is selected, heat will be felt
within two to five minutes.
Heated Seat Switches
124 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Parking Lights, Instrument Panel Lights and
Headlights
Turn the end of the multifunction lever to the first detent
for parking lights and instrument panel lights. Turn to
the second detent for headlight operation.To change the brightness of the instrument panel lights,
rotate the center portion of the multifunction lever up or
down.
NOTE:If the driver’s door is left open, and the head-
lights or parking lights are left on, a chime will sound.
Lights-On Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned OFF, a chime will sound when the driver’s door
is opened.
High Beam Headlights
Push the multifunction lever away from you to switch
the headlights to high beams. Pull the lever towards you
to switch the headlights back to low beams.
Headlight Switch
130 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Interior Lights
The overhead light comes on when a door is opened. It
may also be turned on by rotating the control for the
dimmer switch on the multifunction lever fully upward.
The overhead light will automatically turn off in approxi-
mately 10 minutes if a door is left open or the dimmer
control is left in the dome light position and the key is not
in the ignition. Turn the ignition switch ON to restore the
overhead light operation.
Daytime Brightness Feature
Certain instrument panel components (odometer, radio
display) can be illuminated at full brightness during the
daytime. This can be helpful when driving with your
headlights on during the daytime, such as in a parade or
a funeral procession. To activate this feature, rotate the
left stalk one detent lower than the dome light.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
Windshield Wiper Operation
Move the lever upward to the second detent for Low
speed wiper operation, or to the third detent for High
speed operation.
Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch
132 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:The vehicle should be traveling at a steady
speed and on level ground before pressing the SET lever.
To Deactivate
A soft tap on the brake pedal, pulling the Electronic
Speed Control lever toward you, “CANCEL”, or normal
brake or clutch pressure while slowing the vehicle will
deactivate speed control without erasing the set speed
memory. Pressing the ON/OFF button or turning off the
ignition switch erases the set speed memory.
To Resume Speed
To resume a previously set speed, push the RESUME
ACCEL lever up and release. Resume can be used at any
speed above 25 mph (40 km/h).
To Vary The Speed Setting
When the Electronic Speed Control is on, speed can be
increased by pushing up and holding RESUME ACCEL.
Release the lever when the desired speed is reached, and
the new speed will be set.Tapping RESUME ACCEL once will result ina1mph
(2 km/h) speed increase. Each time the lever is tapped,
speed increases so that tapping the lever three times will
increase speed by 3 mph (6 km/h), etc.
To decrease speed while Electronic Speed Control is on,
push down and hold SET DECEL. Release the lever when
the desired speed is reached, and the new speed will be
set.
Tapping the SET DECEL lever once will result ina1mph
(2 km/h) speed decrease. Each time the lever is tapped,
speed decreases.
NOTE:The Electronic Speed Control system has been
designed to shut down if multiple speed control switch
functions are operated simultaneously in order to ensure
proper operation. If this occurs, the system can be
reactivated by pushing the Electronic Speed Control lever
ON/OFF button and resetting the desired vehicle set
speed.
136 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE