2009 DODGE NITRO oil temperature

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
CONTENTS
Instrument Panel Features................ 172
Instrument Cluster..................... 173
Instrument Cluster Description............ 174
Compass And Trip Computer — If Equipped . . 187
▫Control Buttons...................... 188
▫Trip Conditions...................... 188
▫Compass/Temperature Display........... 189Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) —
If Equipped........................... 191
▫Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Displays........................... 192
▫Oil Change Required.................. 193
▫Trip Functions....................... 194
▫Compass Display..................... 195
▫Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable
Features)........................... 1984

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
4

Operating Tips
Window Fogging
Windows will fog on the inside when the humidity inside
the vehicle is high. This often occurs in mild or cool
temperatures when it’s rainy or humid. In most cases,
turning on the air conditioning (pressing the “Snow-
flake” button) will clear the fog. Adjust the temperature
control, air direction, and blower speed to maintain
comfort.
As the temperature gets colder, it may be necessary to
direct air onto the windshield. Adjust the temperature
control and blower speed to maintain comfort. Higher
blower speeds will reduce fogging. Interior fogging on
the windshield can be quickly removed by selecting the
DEFROST mode.
Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminants (cigarettesmoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows.
Contaminants increase the rate of window fogging.Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality antifreeze coolant during summer to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50%
concentration is recommended. Refer to Fluids and
Genuine Parts in Section 7 for the proper coolant type.
When using the air conditioner in extremely heavy traffic
in hot weather especially when towing a trailer, addi-
tional engine cooling may be required. If this situation is
encountered, operate the transmission in a lower gear to
increase engine RPM, coolant flow and fan speed. When
stopped in heavy traffic, it may be necessary to shift into
NEUTRAL and depress the accelerator slightly for fast
idle operation to increase coolant flow and fan speed.
252 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Change Engine Oil
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule in Section 8 for the
proper maintenance intervals.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change in-
tervals exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months,
whichever comes first.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection for all
engines under all types of operating conditions, the
manufacturer recommends engine oils that are API Cer-
tified and meet the requirements of Chrysler Material
Standard MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
Engine Oil Viscosity (3.7L Engine)
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy. Your engine oil filler
cap shows the recommended engine oil viscosity for your
vehicle.
374 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 356
Overheating.......................... 355
Towing............................. 364
Emission Control System Maintenance......370,412
Engine............................... 367
Air Cleaner.......................... 376
Block Heater......................... 262
Break-In Recommendations................ 75
Compartment......................367,368
Compartment Identification............... 368
Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 409
Exhaust Gas Caution..................76,330
Fails to Start.......................... 260
Flooded, Starting...................... 260
Fuel Requirements..................326,408
Jump Starting......................... 362
Oil ...........................373,408,409
Oil Disposal.......................... 375Oil Filter............................ 375
Oil Selection.......................... 408
Oil Synthetic......................... 375
Overheating.......................... 355
Starting............................. 259
Temperature Gauge.................... 174
Engine Oil Viscosity...................374,375
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart..............374,375
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 61
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 19
Exhaust Gas Caution...................76,330
Exhaust System......................... 380
Exterior Finish Care...................... 393
Fabric Care.........................394,395
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 376
Engine Oil........................375,409
Finish Care............................ 393
442 INDEX

Brake Warning........................ 177
Bulb Replacement...................... 403
Cargo .............................. 160
Center Mounted Stop................... 407
Cruise.............................. 186
Daytime Running...................... 131
Dimmer Switch, Headlight............... 130
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Indicator.........................176,292
Engine Temperature Warning.............. 175
Fog ..........................131,180,405
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 354
Headlight Switch...................... 130
Headlights........................... 403
High Beam Indicator.................... 176
Illuminated Entry....................... 19
Instrument Cluster..................130,174
Interior............................. 132
Lights On Reminder.................... 130Low Fuel.........................174,175
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)........ 186
Oil Pressure.......................... 181
Passing............................. 131
Rear Servicing........................ 406
Rear Tail............................ 406
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 175
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm).............. 176
Service............................. 403
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . . 186
Side Marker.......................... 406
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm).............. 176
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)........182,316
Traction Control....................... 292
Turn Signal..................131,404,405,406
Voltage............................. 180
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 174
Load Floor, Cargo....................... 162
446 INDEX

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