2009 DODGE NITRO tires

These cautions apply to all chain traction devices, includ-
ing link and cable (radial) chains.
Tire chain use is permitted only on the rear tires.
NOTE:The use of class “S” chains is permitted with
P235/65R17 and P225/75R16 tires.
CAUTION!
Do not use tire chains on vehicles equipped with
tires other than P235/65R17 and P225/75R16 tires.
There may not be adequate clearance for the chains
and you are risking structural or body damage to
your vehicle.
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles operate at
different loads and perform different steering, handling,
and braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at
unequal rates and develop irregular wear patterns.
The suggested rotation method is the “forward-cross”
shown in the following diagram.
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These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of tires.
The benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile with
aggressive tread designs such as those on On/Off-Road
type tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help to main-
tain mud, snow, and wet traction levels, and contribute to
a smooth, quiet ride.
Follow the recommended tire rotation frequency for your
type of driving. Refer to “Maintenance Schedules” in
Section 8 of this manual. More frequent rotation is
permissible if desired. The reasons for any rapid or
unusual wear should be corrected prior to rotation being
performed.
NOTE:The premium Tire Pressure Monitor System will
automatically locate the pressure values displayed in the
correct vehicle position following a tire rotation.TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS)
•
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) will warn
the driver of a low tire pressure based on the vehicle
recommended cold placard pressure.
•The tire pressure will vary with temperature by about
1 psi (6.9 kPa) for every 12°F (6.5°C). This means that
when the outside temperature decreases, the tire pres-
sure will decrease. Tire pressure should always be set
based on cold inflation tire pressure. This is defined as
the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been driven
for at least three hours, or driven less than 1 mile
(1 km) after a three hour period. The cold tire inflation
pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation
pressure molded into the tire sidewall. Refer to the
“Tires – General Information” in this section for infor-
mation on how to properly inflate the vehicle’s tires.
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The tire pressure will also increase as the vehicle is
driven. This is normal and there should be no adjust-
ment for this increased pressure.
•The TPMS will warn the driver of a low tire pressure
if the tire pressure falls below the low-pressure warn-
ing limit for any reason, including low temperature
effects and natural pressure loss through the tire.
•The TPMS will continue to warn the driver of low tire
pressure as long as the condition exists, and will not
turn off until the tire pressure is at or above the
recommended cold placard pressure. Once the low tire
pressure warning (Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale
light) illuminates, you must increase the tire pressure
to the recommended cold placard pressure in order for
the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale light to turn off.
The system will automatically update and the Tire
Pressure Monitoring Telltale light will turn off once the
system receives the updated tire pressures. The vehiclemay need to be driven for up to 20 minutes above
15 mph (25 km/h) in order for the TPMS to receive this
information.
For example, your vehicle may have a recom-
mended cold (parked for more than three hours)
placard pressure of 33 psi (227 kPa). If the ambient
temperature is 68°F (20°C) and the measured tire
pressure is 28 psi (193 kPa), a temperature drop to 20°F
(-7°C) will decrease the tire pressure to approximately
24 psi (165 kPa). This tire pressure is low enough to
turn ON the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale light.
Driving the vehicle may cause the tire pressure to rise
to approximately 28 psi (193 kPa), but the Tire Pressure
Monitoring Telltale light will still be on. In this situa-
tion, the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale light will
turn off only after the tires are inflated to the vehicle’s
recommended cold placard pressure value.
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CAUTION!
•The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system
operation or sensor damage may result when us-
ing replacement equipment that is not of the same
size, type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can
cause sensor damage. Do not use aftermarket tire
sealants or balance beads if your vehicle is
equipped with a TPMS, as damage to the sensors
may result.
•After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure,
always reinstall the valve stem cap. This will
prevent moisture and dirt from entering the valve
stem, which could damage the Tire Pressure Moni-
toring Sensor.NOTE:
•The TPMS is not intended to replace normal tire care
and maintenance, or to provide warning of a tire
failure or condition.
•The TPMS should not be used as a tire pressure gauge
while adjusting your tire pressure.
•Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
•The TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure using an accurate tire pressure
gauge, even if under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumination of the Tire Pressure Moni-
toring Telltale light.
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•Seasonal temperature changes will affect tire pressure,
and the TPMS will monitor the actual tire pressure in
the tire.
Base System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses wireless
technology with wheel rim mounted electronic sensors to
monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors, mounted to each
wheel as part of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure
readings to the receiver module.
NOTE:It is particularly important for you to check the
tire pressure in all of the tires on your vehicle monthly
and to maintain the proper pressure.
The TPMS consists of the following components:
•Receiver Module
•Four Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors
•Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale lightThe matching full-size spare wheel and tire assembly (if
equipped) has a tire pressure monitoring sensor. The
matching full-size spare can be used in place of any of the
four road tires. The TPMS will only monitor the pressure
in the full-size spare when it is used in place of a road
tire. Otherwise, a spare with a pressure below the low-
pressure limit will not cause the Tire Pressure Monitoring
Telltale light to illuminate or the chime to sound.
Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure Warnings
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale light will illu-
minate in the instrument cluster and a chime will
sound when tire pressure is low in one or more of the
four active road tires. Should this occur, you should stop as
soon as possible, check the inflation pressure of each tire on
your vehicle, and inflate each tire to the vehicle’s recom-
mended cold placard pressure value. Once the system
receives the updated tire pressures, the system will auto-
matically update and the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale
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light will turn off. The vehicle may need to be driven for up
to 20 minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) in order for the
TPMS to receive this information.
Check TPMS Warning
When a system fault is detected, the Tire Pressure Moni-
toring Telltale light will flash on and off for 75 seconds
and then remain on solid. The system fault will also
sound a chime. If the ignition key is cycled, this sequence
will repeat, providing the system fault still exists. The
Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale light will turn off when
the fault condition no longer exists. A system fault can
occur due to any of the following:
1. Jamming due to electronic devices or driving next to
facilities emitting the same Radio Frequencies as the
TPMS sensors.
2. Installing some form of aftermarket window tinting
that affects radio wave signals.3. Lots of snow or ice around the wheels or wheel
housings.
4. Using tire chains on the vehicle.
5. Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPMS sensors.
NOTE:
Vehicles with Full-Size Spare
1. The matching full-size spare wheel and tire assembly
has a tire pressure monitoring sensor that can be moni-
tored by the TPMS.
2. If you install the full-size spare in place of a road tire
that has a pressure below the low-pressure warning limit,
a chime will sound and the TPMS Telltale light will turn
on upon the next ignition key cycle.
3. Driving the vehicle for up to 20 minutes above 15 mph
(25 km/h) will turn off the TPMS Telltale light, as long as
no tire pressure is below the low-pressure warning limit
in any of the four active road tires.
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NOTE:
Vehicles with Compact Spare
1. The compact spare tire does not have a tire pressure
monitoring sensor. Therefore, the TPMS will not monitor
the pressure in the compact spare tire.
2. If you install the compact spare tire in place of a road
tire that has a pressure below the low-pressure warning
limit, a chime will sound and the TPMS Telltale light will
turn on upon the next ignition key cycle.
3. After driving the vehicle for up to 20 minutes above
15 mph (25 km/h), the TPMS Telltale light will flash on
and off for 75 seconds and then remain on solid.
4. For each subsequent ignition key cycle, a chime will
sound and the TPMS Telltale light will flash on and off
for 75 seconds and then remain on solid.
5. Once you repair or replace the original road tire and
reinstall it on the vehicle in place of the compact spare,
the TPMS will update automatically and the TPMS
Telltale light will turn off, as long as no tire pressure isbelow the low-pressure warning limit in any of the four
active road tires. The vehicle may need to be driven for
up to 20 minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) in order for the
TPMS to receive this information.
Premium System — If Equipped
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses wireless
technology with wheel rim mounted electronic sensors to
monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors, mounted to each
wheel as part of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure
readings to the receiver module.
NOTE:It is particularly important for you to check the
tire pressure in all of the tires on your vehicle monthly
and to maintain the proper pressure.
The TPMS consists of the following components:
•Receiver module
•Four Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors
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•Three Trigger modules (mounted in three of the four
wheel-wells)
•Various Tire Pressure Monitoring System messages,
which display in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)
•Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale light
The matching full size spare wheel and tire assembly (if
equipped) has a tire pressure monitoring sensor. The full
size spare can be used in place of any of the four road
tires. A spare with a pressure below the low-pressure
limit will not cause the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale
light to illuminate or the chime to sound. However, it will
cause a “SPARE LOW PRESSURE” message to display in
the EVIC.
Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure Warnings
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale light will
illuminate in the instrument cluster and a chime
will sound when tire pressure is low in one or
more of the four active road tires. In addition, the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) will display
a graphic showing the pressure values of each tire with
the low tire pressure values flashing.
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