2009 DODGE NITRO climate control

SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO),
follow these safety tips:
•Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill.
Never run the engine in a closed area, such as a
garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for a extended period. If the vehicle is
stopped in an open area with engine running for more
than a short period, adjust the ventilation system to
force fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
•Guard against carbon monoxide with proper mainte-
nance. Have the exhaust system inspected every time
the vehicle is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.
•Always run the climate control in panel or floor mode
when driving with any windows open, even if only
slightly, to help keep fresh air circulating inside the
vehicle; otherwise, poisonous gases could be drawn
into the vehicle.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for
cuts, frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be
replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the
system.
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Vehicles Equipped with Rear Park Assist Switch
You can turn the Rear Park Assist System on or off by
pressing the Rear Park Assist switch located the lower
switch bank below the climate controls.System Operation
The system uses four sensors located in the rear bumper
fascia to scan for obstacles up to 79 in (200 cm) away from
the rear bumper fascia. The warning display located
above the rear window provides both visible and audible
warnings to indicate the range of the object.
Rear Park Assist Switch
Rear Park Assist LED Display
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 141
3

Rear Window Defroster — If Equipped
The pushbutton for the rear window defroster is
located on the mode knob of the climate control
switch bank. Press this button to turn on the rear window
defroster and the electric remote control heated mirrors
(optional). An amber light shows that the defroster is on.
The defroster will automatically turn off after approxi-
mately 10 minutes. For an additional five minutes of
operation, press the switch again. To prevent excessive
battery drain, use the defroster only when the engine is
operating.CAUTION!
Use care when washing the inside of the rear window
to prevent damage to heating elements. Use a soft
cloth and a mild washing solution, wiping parallel to
the heating elements. Also, keep all objects a safe
distance from the window to prevent damaging the
heating elements.
ROOF DITCH APPLIQUE — NON FUNCTIONAL
The Roof Ditch Applique as provided on the vehicle is
non functional. Metal side rails and crossbars can be
purchased from Moparaccessories to proved a func-
tional roof rack system.
The load carried on the roof, when equipped with a
luggage rack, must not exceed 150 lbs (68 kg), and it
should be uniformly distributed over the cargo area.
Check the straps frequently to be sure that the load
remains securely attached.
166 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

▫Operation Instructions — CD Mode For CD
And MP3 Audio Play.................. 233
▫Notes On Playing MP3 Files............. 235
▫List Button (CD Mode For MP3 Play)...... 238
▫Info Button (CD Mode For MP3 Play)...... 238
Satellite Radio — If Equipped
(REN/REQ/RER/RES/REU Radios Only)..... 240
▫System Activation.................... 240
▫Electronic Serial Number/Sirius
Identification Number (ESN/SID)......... 240
▫Selecting Satellite Mode................ 241
▫Satellite Antenna..................... 241
▫Reception Quality.................... 242
▫Operating Instructions — Satellite Mode.... 242▫Operating Instructions — Hands-Free Phone
(If Equipped)........................ 245
▫
Operating Instructions — Video Entertainment
System (VES)™ (If Equipped)
............ 245
Video Entertainment System™ (Sales Code
XRV) — If Equipped.................... 245
Remote Sound System Controls —
If Equipped........................... 246
▫Radio Operation..................... 247
▫CD Player.......................... 247
CD/DVD Maintenance.................. 247
Climate Controls...................... 248
▫Manual Air Conditioning And Heating
System............................ 248
▫Operating Tips...................... 252
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 171
4

INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES
1 - Air Outlet 6 - Glove Compartment 11 - Hazard Warning Flasher
2 - Instrument Cluster 7 - Climate Control 12 - Electronic Stability Control / Traction
Control Switch *
3 - Storage Tray 8 - Heated Seat Switch * 13 - Cigar Lighter / Power Outlet
4 - Center Air Outlet 9 - Rear Park Assist Switch * 14 - Storage Bin
5 - Radio 10 - Passenger Airbag Disable Light * If Equipped 172 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

5. Store the disc in its case after playing.
6. Do not expose the disc to direct sunlight.
7. Do not store the disc where temperatures may become
too high.
NOTE:If you experience difficulty in playing a particu-
lar disc, it may be damaged (i.e. scratched, reflective
coating removed, a hair, moisture or dew on the disc)
oversized, or have theft protection encoding. Try a
known good disc before considering disc player service.
CLIMATE CONTROLS
Manual Air Conditioning and Heating System
The controls for the heating/air conditioning and venti-
lation system in this vehicle consist of a series of rotary
knobs. These comfort controls can be set to obtain desired
interior conditions.The instrument panel features four airflow registers. Two
registers are located on the outer ends of the instrument
panel and two are located in the center of the instrument
panel. These registers can be fully closed to partially
block airflow, and they can be adjusted to direct airflow
where you desire.
248 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Blower Control
Use this control to regulate the
amount of air forced through the sys-
tem in any mode you select. The fan
speed increases as you turn the outer
control ring to the right from the OFF
position.
NOTE:For vehicles equipped with Remote Start, the
climate controls will not function during Remote Start
operation if the blower control is left in the “O” (Off)
position.
Temperature Control
Use this control to regulate the tem-
perature of the air inside the passenger
compartment. The blue area of the
scale indicates cooler temperatures
while the red area indicates warmer
temperatures.
NOTE:If your air conditioning performance seems
lower than expected, check the front of the A/C con-
denser located in front of the radiator, for an accumula-
tion of dirt or insects. Clean with a gentle water spray
from behind the radiator and through the condenser.
Fabric front fascia protectors may reduce air flow to the
condenser, reducing air conditioning performance.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 249
4

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The Hazard Warning Flasher switch is located on the
lower switch bank below the climate controls.To operate the Hazard Warning flasher, press the switch
and all front and rear directional signals will flash
intermittently. Press the switch a second time to turn off
the flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
Hazard Warning flasher will continue to operate with the
ignition key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE:With extended use, the Hazard Warning flasher
may wear down your battery.
Hazard Warning Switch
354 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES