2010 DODGE NITRO manual transmission

•Magnetic materials should be kept away from the top
of the right rear quarter window. This is where the
compass sensor is located.
To Set the Variance
Start the engine and leave the transmission gear selector
lever in the PARK position. Press and hold the CMTCreset button (for approximately ten seconds) until the
current variance zone number is displayed. To change the
zone, press and release the CMTC reset button to increase
the variance one step. Repeat as necessary until the
desired variance is achieved.
NOTE:
The factory default zone is 8. During program-
ming, the zone value will wrap around from zone 15 to
zone 1.
Manual Compass Calibration
If the compass appears erratic inaccurate or abnormal,
you may wish to calibrate the compass. Prior to calibrat-
ing the compass, make sure the proper zone is selected.
1. Start the engine and leave the transmission in the
PARK position.
2. Press and hold the CMTC reset button (for approxi-
mately 10 seconds) until the current variance zone num-
ber is displayed.
Compass Variance Map
210 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 293
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 293
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or –29°C) ................ 294
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 294
▫ After Starting ....................... 295
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 296
 Automatic Transmission ................. 296
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 297▫
Brake/Transmission Interlock System ...... 297
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual
Override .......................... 298
▫ Four–Speed Automatic Transmission –
3.7L Engine ........................ 299
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 299
▫ Five–Speed Automatic Transmission –
4.0L Engine ........................ 303
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 304
5

Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual Override
Your vehicle may be equipped with a shift lock manual
override. The manual override may be used in the event
that the shift lever should fail to move from PARK with
the key in the ON position and the brake pedal pressed.
To operate the shift lock manual override, perform the
following steps:
1. Turn the key to the ON position but do not start the
engine.
2. Firmly set the parking brake.
3. Using a flat blade screwdriver, carefully remove the
shift lock manual override cover which is located on the
PRNDL bezel.
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
5. Using the screwdriver, reach into the manual override
opening. Press and hold the shift lock lever down.6. Move the shift lever into the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
Have your vehicle inspected by your local authorized
dealer if the shift lock manual override has been used.
Interlock Manual Override
298 STARTING AND OPERATING

Traction Downhill
Shift the transmission into a low gear and the transfer
case to 4L or 4LO range. Let the vehicle go slowly down
the hill with all four wheels turning against engine
compression drag. This will permit you to control the
vehicle speed and direction.
When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking
can cause brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid
repeated heavy braking by downshifting the transmis-
sion whenever possible.
After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After going off-road, it is
always a good idea to check for damage. That way you
can get any problems taken care of right away and have
your vehicle ready when you need it.
•Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle.
Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and
exhaust system for damage.
•Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and clean as
required.
•Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on
the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus-
pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the
values specified in the Service Manual.
•Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These
things could be a fire hazard. They might hide damage
to fuel lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals, and
propeller shafts.
•After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or
similar dirty conditions, have the radiator, fan, brake
rotors, wheels, brake linings, and axle yokes inspected
and cleaned as soon as possible.
314 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid being hit when operating the jack
or changing the wheel.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. Place the shift lever into PARK.
4. Turn the ignition to the LOCK position.
5. Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher. 6. Block both the front and rear of the
wheel diagonally opposite of the jack-
ing position. For example, if changing
the right front tire, block the left rear
wheel.
Jacking Instructions
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
•Always park on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible before raising
the vehicle.
•Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to
be raised.
•Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic
transmission in PARK; a manual transmission in
REVERSE.
•Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack. (Continued)
390 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Theft Alarm (Security Alarm).............. 194
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ........200,348
Traction Control ....................... 326
Turn Signal ................ 90,150,441,442,443
Voltage ............................. 198
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ..... 192
Load Floor, Cargo ....................... 182
Loading Vehicle ......................... 366
Tires ............................... 334
Locks ................................. 28
Child Protection ........................ 31
Door ................................ 28
Power Door ........................... 29
Low Tire Pressure System .................. 348
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH) ............................ 80,81
Lubrication, Body ....................... 413
Luggage Carrier ......................... 185 Maintenance Free Battery
.................. 411
Maintenance Procedures ................... 406
Maintenance Schedule .................... 450
Maintenance, Sunroof ..................... 174
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 205,404
Manual, Service ......................... 475
Manual Transmission Lubricant Selection ..................... 447
Master Cylinder (Brakes) .................. 423
Mini-Trip Computer ................... 207,215
Mirrors ................................ 97
Automatic Dimming ..................... 98
Electric Powered ....................... 99
Outside .............................. 98
Rearview ............................. 97
Vanity .............................. 100
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ............. 8
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ............... 348
Mopar Parts ......................... 406,474
10
INDEX 489

Sentry Key Replacement................... 15
Service Assistance ....................... 471
Service Contract ......................... 473
Service Engine Soon Light
(Malfunction Indicator) .................... 205
Service Manuals ........................ 475
Setting the Clock .............223,238,240,243,253
Settings, Personal ........................ 219
Shift Lock Manual Override ................ 298
Shifting Automatic Transmission ..............299,303
Shoulder Belts ........................... 39
Side Window Demisters (Defrosters) .......... 286
Signals, Turn .............. 90,150,195,441,442,443
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ................. 346
Spare Tire .......................... 341,388
Specifications Fuel (Gasoline) ........................ 358
Oil ................................ 408 Speed Control (Cruise Control)
.............. 156
Speedometer ........................... 194
Starting ............................... 293
Cold Weather ......................... 294
Engine Block Heater .................... 296
Engine Fails to Start .................... 294
Remote .............................. 25
Steering Power ........................... 315,316
Tilt Column .......................... 155
Wheel, Tilt ........................... 155
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound
System Controls ......................... 273
Storage ............................... 178
Storage Bin ............................ 178
Storage, Vehicle ......................... 285
Sun Roof .............................. 171
Sun Visor Extension ...................... 100
Sunroof Maintenance ..................... 174
10
INDEX 493