2009 DODGE NITRO fuel cap

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.
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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.
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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
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 187
4

•Left/right front door ajar (one or more, with a single
chime if speed is above 1 mph/1 km/h)
•Left/right rear door ajar (one or more, with a single
chime if speed is above 1 mph/1 km/h)
•Door(s) ajar (with a single chime if vehicle is in
motion)
•Liftgate ajar (with a single chime)
•Left front low pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System” in Section 5.
•Left rear low pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System” in Section 5.
•Right front low pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System” in Section 5.
•Right rear low pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System” in Section 5.
•Check TPM System (with a single chime). Refer to
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System” in Section 5.
•Check gascap (refer to “Adding Fuel” in Section 5).
•Oil change required (with a single chime).
Oil Change Required
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “Oil Change Required” message
will flash in the EVIC display for approximately 10 sec-
onds after a single chime has sounded to indicate the next
scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style. Unless reset, this message
will continue to display each time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON/RUN position. To turn off the message
temporarily, press and release the MENU button. To reset
the oil change indicator system (after performing the
scheduled maintenance) refer to the following procedure.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 193
4

▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings............. 330
Adding Fuel......................... 331
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)............... 331
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message........... 333
Vehicle Loading....................... 334
▫Certification Label.................... 334
Trailer Towing........................ 336
▫Common Towing Definitions............ 336
▫Trailer Hitch Classification.............. 341▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)...................... 342
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight.............. 344
▫Towing Requirements................. 345
▫Towing Tips........................ 350
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.)................. 351
▫Towing — 2WD Models................ 351
▫Towing — 4WD Or All-Wheel
Drive Models....................... 352
258 STARTING AND OPERATING

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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