2009 DODGE NITRO clutch

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

Manual Transmission
Depressing the clutch pedal will disengage the Electronic
Speed Control. A slight increase in engine RPM before the
speed control disengages is normal.
Vehicles equipped with manual transmissions may need
to be shifted into a lower gear to climb hills without
speed loss.
WARNING!
Electronic Speed Control can be dangerous where the
system can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle
could go too fast for the conditions, and you could
lose control. An accident could be the result. Don’t
use Electronic Speed Control in heavy traffic or on
roads that are winding, icy, snow-covered, or slip-
pery.
To Accelerate For Passing
Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
Using Electronic Speed Control On Hills
NOTE:The Electronic Speed Control system maintains
speed up and down hills. A slight speed change on
moderate hills is normal.
On steep hills a greater speed loss or gain may occur so
it may be preferable to drive without Electronic Speed
Control.
REAR PARK ASSIST SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
The Rear Park Assist System is a driver aid that senses for
obstacles behind the vehicle and provides both visible
and audible warnings to indicate the range of the object.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 137
3

NOTE:If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission may not shift into OVER-
DRIVE and will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. Normal operation
will resume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable level. Refer also to the note under
torque converter clutch, later in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. If the transmission
temperature becomes hot enough, the “Transmission
Temperature Warning Light” may illuminate and the
transmission may downshift out of OVERDRIVE until
the transmission cools down. After the transmission cools
down, the transmission will resume normal operation.The transmission will downshift from OVERDRIVE to
DRIVE if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at
vehicle speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
When To Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the TOW/HAUL button. This will improve
performance and reduce the potential for transmission
overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When
operating in TOW/HAUL mode, the transmission will
shift to 3rd gear.
268 STARTING AND OPERATING

If the problem is no longer detected, the transmission will
return to normal operation. If the problem persists,
PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue to oper-
ate. Only 2nd gear range will operate in the DRIVE
position. Have the transmission checked at your autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
added to the automatic transmission of this vehicle. A
clutch within the torque converter engages automatically
at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly differ-
ent feeling or response during normal operation in high
gear. When the vehicle speed drops or during accelera-
tion, the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages.
5–Speed Automatic Transmission (4.0L Engine)
The electronically controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a newvehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles/kilometers.
Shift Lever
270 STARTING AND OPERATING

Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled 5th gear (OVERDRIVE). The trans-
mission will automatically shift from 4th gear to OVER-
DRIVE if the following conditions are present:
•the transmission selector is in DRIVE
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature
•the vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph
(48 km/h)
•the transmission has reached normal operating
temperature
NOTE:If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission may not shift into OVER-
DRIVE and will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. Normal operation
will resume when the transmission fluid temperature hasrisen to a suitable level. Refer also to the note under
torque converter clutch later in this section.
During cold temperature operation, you may notice
delayed upshifts depending on engine and transmission
temperature. This feature improves the warm up time of
the engine and transmission.
During cold temperature operation, the transmission
may not downshift from 2nd gear to 1st gear after the
initial 1st to 2nd gear upshift.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored for abnormal condi-
tions. If a condition is detected that could result in
transmission damage, the Transmission Limp Home
Mode will be engaged. In this mode, the transmission
will remain in the current gear until the vehicle is
brought to a stop.
STARTING AND OPERATING 273
5

To reset the transmission, use the following procedure:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Move the shift lever to the PARK position.
3. Turn OFF the engine and be sure to turn the key to the
LOCK position.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds, then restart the en-
gine.
5. Move the shift lever to the desired gear range.
If the problem is no longer detected, the transmission will
return to normal operation. If the problem persists,
PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue to oper-
ate. Only 2nd gear range will operate in the DRIVE
position. Have the transmission checked at your autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible.Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter engages automati-
cally at a calibrated speed at light throttle. It engages at
higher speeds under heavier acceleration. This may re-
sult in a slightly different feeling or response during
normal operation in high gear. When the vehicle speed
drops below a calibrated speed, or during acceleration,
the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages. The
feature is operational in OVERDRIVE and in DRIVE.
NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch will not engage until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm (usu-
ally after 1 to 3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving). Because
the engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmis-
sion is not shifting into OVERDRIVE when cold. This
is normal.
274 STARTING AND OPERATING

Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag........ 48
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 375
System, Remote Starting.................... 25
Tachometer............................ 181
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......... 174
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 69
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo................... 160
Tilt Steering Column..................... 134
Tip Start.............................. 259
Tire and Loading Information Placard......... 301
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 300
Tire Markings.......................... 296
Tire Safety Information.................... 296
Tires ............................77,305,435
Air Pressure.......................... 306
Chains.............................. 314
Changing............................ 356
Compact Spare........................ 308General Information.................... 305
High Speed.......................... 308
Inflation Pressures..................... 306
Jacking............................. 356
Life of Tires.......................... 311
Load Capacity........................ 301
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 316
Pressure Warning Light.................. 182
Quality Grading....................... 435
Radial.............................. 308
Replacement......................... 312
Rotation............................ 315
Safety............................77,296
Sizes............................... 298
Spare Tire........................... 356
Spinning............................ 310
Tread Wear Indicators................... 311
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 344
Torque Converter Clutch................270,274
452 INDEX