2009 DODGE NITRO fuel

WARNING!
Deployed airbags cannot protect you in another col-
lision. Have the airbags, and seat belt retractor as-
sembly replaced by an authorized dealer as soon as
possible. Also, have the Occupant Classification Sys-
tem serviced as well.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact that causes airbag deployment
with the vehicle stopped, the vehicle communication
network intact, and the power intact, the Enhanced
Accident Response System performs the following func-
tions:
•Cuts off fuel to the engine.
•Flashes hazard lights.
•Turns on the interior lamps which remain on as long as
the battery has power or until the ignition key is
removed.
•Unlocks the doors automatically.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the airbag system is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper or vehicle body struc-
ture.
(Continued)
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61
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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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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows level of fuel in tank when ignition
switch is in the ON position.
2. Fuel Door Reminder
This symbol indicates the side of the vehicle
where the fuel cap is located.
3. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call an authorized deal-
ership for service.
174 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer-
ship for service if your vehicle overheats. If you
decide to look under the hood yourself, see Section 7
of this manual. Follow the warnings under the Cool-
ing System Pressure Cap paragraph.
4. Low Fuel Light
When the fuel level reaches approximately 2.0 gal
(7.8 L) this light will turn on, and remain on until
fuel is added.
5. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned ON, this
light will turn on for five to eight seconds as a bulb
check. During the bulb check, if the driver’s seat
belt is unbuckled, a chime will sound. After the bulbcheck or when driving, if the driver’s seat belt remains
unbuckled, the Seat Belt Reminder Light will illuminate
and the chime will sound. Refer to “Occupant Restraints”
in Section 2 for more information.
6. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condition.
As temperatures rise and the gauge approachesH
,
this indicator will illuminate and a single chime
will sound after reaching a set threshold. Further over-
heating will cause the temperature gauge to passH, the
indicator will continuously flash and a continuous chime
will occur until the engine is allowed to cool.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and
stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also,
shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the ve-
hicle. If the temperature reading does not return to
normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service. Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in Section 6
for more information.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 175
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25. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly, when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation alsoreduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
182 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

26. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
The TRIP ODOMETER shows individual trip mileage. To
toggle between the odometer and the trip odometer,
press the ODOMETER/TRIP ODOMETER button. To
reset the TRIP ODOMETER, press and hold the button
while in trip mode, until the TRIP ODOMETER resets.
When the appropriate conditions exist, the following
odometer messages will display:
door.............................Door Ajar
gATE...........................Liftgate Ajar
LoWASH.................... LowWasher Fluid
ESPOFF...................... ESPDeactivated
gASCAP.......................Fuel Cap Fault
noFUSE..........................Fuse Fault
LoW tirE..................... LowTirePressureNOTE:Some of the above warnings will be displayed in
the Compass Mini-Trip Computer / Electronic Vehicle
Information Center Display Area located in the instru-
ment cluster.
Refer to ”Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display — If Equipped” in this section, for more infor-
mation.
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged,
GASCAP will be displayed in the instrument cluster.
Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the odom-
eter reset button to turn the GASCAP message off. If the
problem continues, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started.
184 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

27. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is part of
an onboard diagnostic system, called OBD, that
monitors engine and automatic transmission con-
trol systems. The light will illuminate when the key is in
the ON position, before engine start. If the bulb does not
come on when turning the key from OFF to ON, have the
condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc., may illuminate the MIL after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
If the MIL flashes when the engine is running, serious
conditions may exist that could lead to immediate loss of
power or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle
should be serviced as soon as possible if this occurs.28. Cruise Indicator — If Equipped
This indicator lights when the electronic speed control
system is turned on.
29. Odometer/Trip Odometer Reset Button
Press this button to change the display from odometer to
either of the two trip odometer settings. When the trip
odometer is displayed, press once for Trip A, and press
again for Trip B. If the instrument cluster is a base cluster
(no separate compass/temperature display), press the
button a third time for outside ambient temperature on
the odometer display. Press and hold the button for two
seconds to reset the trip odometer to 0 miles (0 km). The
odometer must be in trip mode to reset.
Press this button to view the compass display (if
equipped). Refer to “Compass/Trip Computer” in this
section.
186 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

30. Compass/Trip Computer or Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) Display — If Equipped
When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Compass/Trip Computer or Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) messages.
COMPASS AND TRIP COMPUTER — IF
EQUIPPED
The Compass/Trip Computer features a driver-
interactive display (displays information on outside tem-
perature, compass direction, and trip information). It is
located on the lower left part of the cluster below the fuel
and engine temperature gauge, and the tachometer.
The compass/trip computer, when the appropriate con-
ditions exist, will show the following messages in the
odometer display:
•Door Ajar (door)
•Lift Gate Ajar (gATE)
•Loose Fuel Cap (gASCAP)
Compass/Trip Computer Display
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