2011 DODGE NITRO check oil

Frequency Of Fluid Change
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will give satisfactory lubrication for the life of
the vehicle. Fluid changes are not necessary unless the
fluid becomes contaminated with water. Change the fluid
immediately if contaminated with water.
Front/Rear Axle Fluid
For normal service, periodic fluid level checks are not
required. When the vehicle is serviced for other reasons
the exterior surfaces of the axle assembly should be
inspected. If gear oil leakage is suspected inspect the
fluid level. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
Fluid Level Check
•
Front axle lubricant should be at the bottom edge of
the oil fill hole when the vehicle is in a level position.
•Rear axle lubricant should be 0.5 in (11 mm) below the
bottom edge of the oil fill hole when the vehicle is in a
level position.
Adding Fluid
Add lubricant only at the fill hole and only to the level
specified above.
Selection Of Lubricant
Use only manufacturer’s recommended fluid. Refer to
“Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining
Your Vehicle” for further information.
Appearance Care And Protection From Corrosion
Protection Of Body And Paint From Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice, and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 427

•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 8,000 miles (13 000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” or under “In-
strument Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information. At Each Stop For Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 449

Once A Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir and the
brake master cylinder, add as needed.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!
•Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
•Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles de-
pends on tires of equal size, type and circumfer-
ence on each wheel. Any difference in tire size can
cause damage to the transfer case. Tire rotation
schedule should be followed to balance tire wear.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
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S450 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Fabric Care............................ 430
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 410
Air Conditioning ..................... 284
Engine Oil ....................... 410,444
Finish Care ............................ 428
Flashers Hazard Warning ..................... 380
Turn Signal .............. 91,201,439,440,441
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 292
Floor Console .......................... 184
Fluid Capacities ......................... 443
Fluid Leaks ............................. 91
Fluid Level Checks .................... 426,427
Automatic Transmission ................ 424
Engine Oil ......................... 407
Power Steering ...................... 308
Fluid, Brake ........................... 445
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 444Fog Light Service
........................ 440
Fog Lights .......................... 152,440
Folding Rear Seat ........................ 146
Four Wheel Drive ....................... 304
Operation .......................... 304
Systems ........................... 304
Four Wheel Drive Operation ................ 304
Four-Way Hazard Flasher .................. 380
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 392
Front Axle (Differential) ................... 427
Fuel ................................. 351
Ethanol ........................... 352
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................. 356
Gasoline ........................... 351
Gauge ............................ 198
Light ............................. 199
Materials Added ..................... 354
Methanol .......................... 352
Octane Rating ................. 351,352,444
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INDEX 479

Life of Tires............................ 336
Liftgate ................................ 38
Light Bulbs ............................. 91
Lights .............................. 91,151
Airbag ...................... 66,75,89,205
Alarm ............................ 200
Anti-Lock .......................... 205
Back-Up ........................... 441
Brake Assist Warning .................. 319
Brake Warning ...................... 202
Bulb Replacement .................... 438
Cargo ............................. 185
Center Mounted Stop .................. 442
Cruise ............................ 211
Daytime Running .................... 152
Dimmer Switch, Headlight .............. 152
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) Indicator ................... 200,319
Engine Temperature Warning ............ 199Exterior
............................ 91
Fog ......................... 152,205,440
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator ............. 212
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 380
Headlight Switch ..................... 151
Headlights ......................... 438
High Beam Indicator .................. 200
Illuminated Entry ..................... 19
Instrument Cluster ................. 151,198
Interior ............................ 155
Lights On Reminder .................. 152
Low Fuel ....................... 198,199
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ...... 210
Oil Pressure ........................ 205
Passing ............................ 152
Rear Servicing ....................... 441
Rear Tail ........................... 441
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 199
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ............ 200
482 INDEX

Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls........ 271
Remote Starting System .................... 26
Replacement Keys ........................ 15
Replacement Parts ....................... 405
Replacement Tires ....................... 337
Reporting Safety Defects ................... 468
Restraints, Child ......................... 76
Restraints, Occupant ...................... 39
Roll Over Warning ........................ 4
Roof Type Carrier ....................... 190
Rotation, Tires .......................... 340
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ................. 89
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle ............... 91
Safety Defects, Reporting .................. 468
Safety Information, Tire ................... 320
Safety Tips ............................. 87
Safety, Exhaust Gas ....................... 88
Satellite Radio Antenna .................243,268Schedule, Maintenance
.................... 448
Seat Belt Reminder ....................... 55
Seat Belts ............................ 43,89
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage ...... 48
And Pregnant Women .................. 57
Child Restraint ..................... 76,84
Extender ........................... 57
Front Seat .......................... 43
Inspection .......................... 89
Maintenance ........................ 432
Shoulder Belt Anchorage ................ 48
Seats ................................. 135
Adjustment ......................... 139
Heated ............................ 137
Rear Folding ........................ 146
Reclining .......................... 140
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ................ 17
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 444
Selection of Oil ......................... 408
486 INDEX