2010 DODGE NITRO tow

RECREATIONAL TOWING
(BEHIND MOTORHOME,
ETC.)
Towing — Two-Wheel Drive
Models
Recreational Towing (All Four Wheels
On The Ground)
• Recreational towing is allowed ONLY ifthe driveshaft is removed. Towing
with the rear wheels on the ground
while the driveshaft is connected can
result in severe transmission damage.
WARNING!
If the driveshaft is removed, the
vehicle can roll even if the
transmission is in PARK, which could
cause serious injury or death.
• The parking brake must be firmly engaged and the wheels chocked
during driveshaft removal and
installation. The parking brake must
remain engaged unless the vehicle is
securely and properly connected to
the tow vehicle, or the driveshaft is
completely reinstalled. See your
authorized dealer for proper
driveshaft removal and reinstallation
procedures, including flange
orientation/alignment, use of
thread-locking compound, proper bolt
torque specifications, etc.
NOTE: This vehicle may be towed on a
flatbed or vehicle trailer provided all four
wheels are OFF the ground.
Towing — Four-Wheel Drive Or
All-Wheel Drive Models
CAUTION!
Front or rear wheel lifts should not be
used. Internal damage to the
transmission or transfer case will
occur if a front or rear wheel lift is
used when recreational towing.
Recreational Towing (All Four Wheels
On The Ground)
• Recreational towing is NOT allowed. These models do not have a NEUTRAL
position in the transfer case.
NOTE: This vehicle may be towed on a
flatbed or vehicle trailer provided all four
wheels are OFF the ground.
• Refer to your Owner's Manual on the DVD for further details.
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UTILITY

24-HOUR TOWING ASSISTANCE - U.S. ONLY
• Dial toll-free 1-800-521-2779 or 1-800-363-4869 for Canadian residents.
• Provide your name, vehicle identification number and license plate number.
• Provide your location, including telephone number, from which you are calling.
• Briefly describe the nature of the problem and answer a few simple questions.
• You will be given the name of the service provider and an estimated time of arrival. Ifyou feel you are in an “unsafe situation”, please let us know. With your consent, we
will contact local police or safety authorities.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING LIGHTS
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator Light
• If this indicator light flashes during acceleration, apply as little throttle as possible.While driving, ease up on the accelerator. Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions. To improve the vehicle's traction when starting off in deep
snow, sand or gravel, it may be desirable to switch the ESP system off.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Light
• A Tire Pressure Monitoring Light and a “low tire” message will display in your instrument cluster along with an audible chime if one or more of your vehicle’s four
road tires are significantly under-inflated.
• Check the inflation pressure of each tire and inflate to the recommended pressure for your vehicle. The tire pressures recommended for your vehicle are found on the “Tire
and Loading Information” label located on the driver’s side door opening. The TPMS
light should not be used as a tire pressure gauge when adjusting your tire pressure.
• It is recommended that you check the tire pressure in the morning when tires are cool; inflate each tire to the recommended pressure for your vehicle. The light will turn off
after your vehicle’s tire pressures are properly inflated and the pressure has been
recognized. The vehicle may need to be driven for up to 20 minutes above 15 mph
(25 km/h) before the light will turn off.
• Temperature changes can affect tire pressure, causing the TPMS light to turn on. Tire pressures will also increase as the vehicle is driven – this is normal and you should
not adjust for this in creased pressure.
• Driving on under-inflated tires reduces your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and tire tread life.
If a spare tire is in use on the vehicle, the TPMS light may turn on.
- Engine Temperature Warning Light
• This light warns of an overheated engine condition.
• If the light turns on and a warning chime sounds while driving, safely pull over and stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, t urn it off. Also, shiftthe transmission into
NEUTRAL and idle the vehicle. If the temperat ure reading does not return to normal,
turn the engine off immediately.
• We recommend that you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
39
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 dealership for service if
your vehicle overheats.
- Brake Warning Light
• The Brake Warning light illuminates when there is either a system malfunction or the
parking brake is applied. If the light is on and the parking brake is not applied, it
indicates a possible brake hydraulic malfunction, brake booster problem or an
Anti-Lock Brake System problem.
• We recommend you do not operate the vehicle. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is dangerous. Part of the brake system
may have failed. It will take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an accident.
Have the vehicle checked immediately.
- Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
• Certain conditions, such as a loose or m issing 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 typical driving cycles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive
normally and 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. We recommend
you do not operate the vehicle. Hav e the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Electronic StabilityProgram (ESP) Indicator Light/Brake Assist
System (BAS) Warning Light
• If the ESP/BAS warning light comes on continuously with the engine running, a
malfunction has been detected.
• If this light remains on after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several miles (kilometers) at speeds g reater than 30 mph (48 km/h), we recommend
you do not operate the vehicle. Hav e the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Charging System Light
• This light shows the status of the electrical ch arging system. If the charging system
light remains on, it means that the vehicle is experiencing a problem with the charging
system.
• We recommend you do not continue driving if the charging system light is on. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
40

- Oil Pressure Warning Light
• This light indicates low engine oil pressure. If the light turns on while driving, stop thevehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A chime will sound for four
minutes when this light turns on.
• We recommend you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light
• This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).
• If the light is not on during starting, stays on, or turns on while driving, we recommendyou do not operate the vehicle. Hav e the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
• This light informs you of a problem with the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system.
• If a problem is detected, the light will come on while the engine is running. Cycle the
ignition key when the vehicle has completely stopped and the shift lever is placed in
the PARK position; the light should turn off.
• If the light remains lit with the engine running, your vehicle will usually be drivable; however, see an authorized dealer for service as soon as possible. If the light is
flashing when the engine is running, immedi ate service is required and you may
experience reduced performance, an elevat ed/rough idle or engine stall and your
vehicle may require towing. We recommend you do not operate the vehicle. Have the
vehicle serviced immediately.
- Airbag Warning Light
• If the light is not on during starting, stays on, or turns on while driving, we recommend you do not operate the vehicle. Hav e the vehicle serviced immediately.
- SERV (Service) 4WD Indicator Light
• If the light stays on or comes on during driving, it means that the 4WD system is not
functioning properly and that service is required. We recommend you do not operate
the vehicle. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Transmission Temperature Warning Light
• This light indicates that ther e is excessive transmission fluid temperat ure that might
occur with severe usage such as trailer towing. If this light turns on, stop the vehicle
and run the engine at idle, w ith the transmission inNEUTRAL, until the light turns off.
Once the light turns off, you may continue to drive normally.
Fuel Cap/Loose Gas Cap Message
• If a “gas cap” message (shown as gASCAP) appears, tighten the gas cap until a “clicking” sound is heard.
• Press the odometer reset button to turn the message off.
• If the message continues to appear for mor e than three days after tightening the gas
cap, see your authorized dealer.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
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 the danger of being hit when operating the jack
or changing the wheel.
• Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You could be crushed. Never get any part of your body under a
vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
• The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should be jacked on a firm,
level surface only. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
• If it is necessary to retrieve the spare tire from under the vehicle on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic, pull far enough off the road to avoid the danger of
being hit.
Jack Location
• The scissor-type jack and tire changing toolsare located in the left rear trim panel behind
the second row seat.
Spare Tire Stowage
• To remove the spare tire, remove the jack-handle components from the storage bin in
the left rear trim panel and assemble them.
• Lower the spare tire by turning the winch drive nut, located in the rear cargo area inside the vehicle, counterclockwise with the jack-handle assembly until the spare tire
is on the ground with enough cable slack to allow you to pull the spare tire out from
underneath the vehicle.
• When the spare is clear, tilt the retainer at the end of the cable and pull it through the center of the wheel.
43
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

• Locate the jack:• For the front tires, place it (rearward) of the notch on the body weld seam behindthe wheel to be changed.
• For the rear tires, place it under the axle by the wheel to be changed.
• Raise the vehicle by turning the jack screw clockwise. Raise the vehicle only until the tire just clears the surface and enough clearance is obtained to install the spare tire.
WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make the vehicle less stable and cause
an accident. It could slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only
enough to remove the tire.
• Remove the lug nuts, wheel cover (if equipped) and the wheel.
• Position the spare wheel/tire on the vehicle and install the lug nuts with the cone-shaped end toward the wheel. Do NOT attempt to install a center cap or wheel
cover on the compact spare. Lightly tighten the lug nuts clockwise. To avoid the risk of
forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not tighten the nuts fully until the vehicle has been
lowered.
• Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the left, and remove the jack and wheel blocks.
• Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push do wn on the wrench while tightening for
increased leverage. Alternate nuts until each one has been tightened twice. The
correct wheel nut tightness is 95 ft lbs (130 N•m). If in doubt about the correct
tightness, have them checked with a tor que wrench by your authorized dealer or at a
service station.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack, thrown forward in a collision or hard stop, could endanger the
occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in the places
provided.
• Secure the tire, jack, and tools in their proper locations.
45
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLEModelFlat Towing (all four
wheels on the ground)Flatbed Towing (all four
wheels suspended OFF
the ground)Front Wheels Raised,
Rear Wheels on the
GroundRear Wheels Raised,
Front Wheels on the
Ground
Two-Wheel Drive NOT Permitted
Recommended Method Shift lever must be in
NEUTRAL, the speed
less then 30 mph
(48 km/h) and the
distance traveled less
than 15 mi (24 km).Shift lever must be in
NEUTRAL, the speed
less then 30 mph
(48 km/h) and the
distance traveled less
than 15 mi (24 km).
Four-Wheel Drive NOT Permitted
Recommended Method NOT Permitted NOT Permitted
49
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTENANCE CHART
Miles:
6,000 12,000 18,000 24,000 30,000 36,000 42,000 48,000 54,000 60,000 66,000 72,000 78,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78
Or Kilometers:
10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 100,000 110,000 120,000 130,000
Change the engine oil and engine oil filter. XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rotatethetires. XXXXXXXXXXXXX
If using your vehicle for any of the following: dusty or
off-road conditions. Inspect the engine air cleaner
filter; replace if necessary. XXXX
X
Inspect the brake linings; replace if necessary. XXXXXX
Inspect the CV joints. Perform the first inspection at
12,000 miles (20,000 km) or 12 months. X
XXX
Inspect the exhaust system. Perform the first
inspection at 12,000 miles (20,000 km) or 12 months. X
XXX
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. XX
Inspect the front and rear axle fluid, change if using
your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent
trailer towing. XXXX
Inspect the transfer case fluid. X
Change the transfer case fluid if using your vehicle for
the following: police, taxi, fleet or frequent trailer
towing. X
Adjust the parking brake on vehicles equipped with
four wheel disc brakes. XX
Change the autom atic transmissionfluid and filter if
using your vehicle for any of the following: police, taxi,
fleet or frequent trailer towing. X
Inspect front suspension, tie rod ends, and boot seals
for cracks or leaks and all parts for damage, wear,
improper looseness or end play; replace if necessary. XXXXXX
Replace the spark plugs (3.7L engine). XX• Refer to the Owner's Manual on the DVD for the complete maintenance schedule.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE