2010 DODGE NITRO maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE..............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE............................. 93
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL.................................. 187
5STARTING AND OPERATING................................................289
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES............................................. 385
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE..............................................399
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES.................................................449
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE........................................ 469
10INDEX...................................................................479
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INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on selecting your new Chrysler Group
LLC vehicle. Be assured that it represents precision
workmanship, distinctive styling, and high quality - all
essentials that are traditional to our vehicles.
This Owner’s Manual has been prepared with the assis-
tance of service and engineering specialists to acquaint
you with the operation and maintenance of your vehicle.
It is supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet,
located on the DVD, and various customer-oriented
documents. Please take the time to read these publica-
tions carefully. Following the instructions and recom-
mendations in this manual will help assure safe and
enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient referencing and remain
with the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will
be aware of all safety warnings.When it comes to service, remember that your authorized
dealer knows your vehicle best, has factory-trained tech-
nicians and genuine MOPAR
parts, and cares about
your satisfaction.
ROLLOVER WARNING
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate
than other types of vehicles. This vehicle has a higher
ground clearance and a higher center of gravity than
many passenger cars. It is capable of performing better in
a wide variety of off-road applications. Driven in an
unsafe manner, all vehicles can go out of control. Because
of the higher center of gravity, if this vehicle is out of
control it may roll over when some other vehicles may
not.
Do not attempt sharp turns, abrupt maneuvers, or other
unsafe driving actions that can cause loss of vehicle
4 INTRODUCTION

Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbag system ready to inflate
for your protection in an impact. The airbag warning
light monitors the internal circuits and interconnecting
wiring associated with airbag system electrical compo-
nents. The airbag system is designed to be maintenance
free. If any of the following occurs, have an authorized
dealer service the system promptly:
•Does not come on during the four to eight seconds
after the ignition switch is first turned ON.
•Remains on after the four to eight second interval.
•Comes on for any period of time while driving.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of a collision, your vehicle is designed to
record up to five seconds of specific vehicle data param-
eters (see list below) in an event data recorder prior to the
moment of airbag deployment, or near deployment (ifapplicable), and up to a quarter second of either high-
speed deceleration data or change in velocity during
and/or after airbag deployment or near-deployment.
EDR data is ONLY recorded if an airbag deploys, or
nearly deploys, and is otherwise unavailable.
NOTE:
1. A near-deployment event occurs when the airbag
sensor detects severe vehicle deceleration usually indica-
tive of a crash, but not severe enough to warrant airbag
deployment.
2. Under certain circumstances, EDR data may not be
recorded (e.g., loss of battery power).
In conjunction with other data gathered during a com-
plete accident investigation, the electronic data may be
used by Chrysler Group LLC and others to learn more
about the possible causes of crashes and associated
injuries in order to assess and improve vehicle perfor-
mance. In addition to crash investigations initiated by
74 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine and
drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or
55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur. For
the recommended viscosity and quality grades refer to
“Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle”. NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL
OILS MUST NEVER BE USED.A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered a normal part of the break-in and not inter-
preted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Transporting Passengers
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO
AREA.
WARNING!
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
(Continued)
86 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Opening Sunroof — Manual Mode ........ 172
▫ Closing Sunroof — Express ............. 172
▫ Closing Sunroof — Manual Mode ........ 173
▫ Pinch Protect Feature ................. 173
▫ Pinch Protect Override ................ 173
▫ Venting Sunroof — Express ............. 173
▫ Sunshade Operation .................. 173
▫ Wind Buffeting ...................... 174
▫ Sunroof Maintenance ................. 174
▫ Ignition Off Operation ................. 174
 Electrical Power Outlet ................. 175
 Cupholders .......................... 177 
Storage ............................. 178
▫ Glove Box Storage Compartment ......... 178
▫ Front Storage Compartment ............. 178
▫ Console Storage Compartment ........... 179
 Cargo Area Features ................... 180
▫ Cargo Light ........................ 180
▫ Cargo Tie-Down Hooks ................ 180
▫ Cargo Load Floor — If Equipped ......... 182
 Rear Window Features .................. 183
▫ Rear Window Wiper/Washer ............ 183
▫ Rear Window Defroster ................ 184
 Roof Trim Applique — Non Functional ...... 185
96 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:The sunshade cannot be closed if the sunroof is
open.
Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter-type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the rear windows open, then open the front and rear
windows together to minimize the buffeting. If the
buffeting occurs with the sunroof open, adjust the sun-
roof opening to minimize the buffeting or open any
window.
Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to clean
the glass panel.
Ignition Off Operation
For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power sunroof switch
will remain active for 45 seconds after the ignition switch
is turned to the LOCK position. Opening either front
door will cancel this feature.
For vehicles equipped with the EVIC, the power sunroof
switch will remain active for up to approximately ten
minutes after the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK
position. Opening either front door will cancel this
feature. The time is programmable. Refer to “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/Personal Settings
(Customer-Programmable Features)” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
174 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

▫List Button (CD Mode For MP3 Play) ...... 263
▫ Info Button (CD Mode For MP3 Play) ...... 263
▫ Uconnect™ Multimedia (Satellite Radio) —
If Equipped ........................ 264

Uconnect™ Multimedia (Satellite Radio) — If
Equipped (REN/REQ/RER/RES Radios Only)
. . 268
▫ System Activation .................... 269
▫ Electronic Serial Number/Sirius
Identification Number (ESN/SID) ......... 269
▫ Selecting Uconnect™ Multimedia (Satellite)
Mode ............................. 270
▫ Satellite Antenna ..................... 270
▫ Reception Quality .................... 270
▫ Operating Instructions - Uconnect™
Multimedia (Satellite) Mode ............. 270▫
Operating Instructions - Uconnect™ Phone
(If Equipped) ....................... 272
 Remote Sound System Controls —
If Equipped ........................... 273
▫ Radio Operation ..................... 273
▫ CD Player ......................... 274
 CD/DVD Disc Maintenance .............. 274
 Radio Operation And Cellular Phones ....... 275
 Climate Controls ...................... 275
▫ Manual Heating And Air Conditioning ..... 275
▫ Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) — If
Equipped .......................... 279
▫ Operating Tips ...................... 2854
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 189

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 also
reduces 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 iscombined 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
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 201