2011 DODGE NITRO engine overheat

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning Flasher switch is located on the
lower switch bank below the climate controls.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE: With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating your engine by taking the
appropriate action.
•On the highways — slow down.
•In city traffic — while stopped, put transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H,”
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately and call for service.
380 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
•If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
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.
•Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack.
•Never start or run the engine while the vehicle 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.
(Continued)6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 381

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE. Using minimal accelerator pedal pressure
to maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the
wheels, is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Con-
trol or Electronic Stability Control (ESC), turn the system
OFF before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).
392 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
•The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions con-
trol device and may seriously reduce engine per-
formance and cause serious damage to the engine.
•Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition.
In the event of engine malfunction, particularly
involving engine misfire or other apparent loss of
performance, have your vehicle serviced promptly.
Continued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is impor-
tant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure proper
catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst damage.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
416 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent the loss of
engine coolant (antifreeze) and to ensure that the engine
coolant (antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the
coolant reserve tank.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precaution.
Never add engine coolant (antifreeze) when the
engine is overheated. Do not loosen or remove the
cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat causes
pressure to build up in the cooling system. To
prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the pres-
sure cap while the system is hot or under pressure.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal Of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child
or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up
any ground spills immediately.
420 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 200
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 216
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................ 381
Jump Starting ....................... 388
Overheating ........................ 380
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 404
Engine ............................... 401
Air Cleaner ......................... 410
Block Heater ........................ 293
Break-In Recommendations .............. 86
Compartment .................... 401,402
Compartment Identification ............. 402
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................. 444
Exhaust Gas Caution ................88,355
Fails to Start ........................ 292
Flooded, Starting ..................... 292
Fuel Requirements ................. 351,443
Jump Starting ....................... 388 Oil .........................
407,443,444
Oil Disposal ........................ 409
Oil Filter ........................... 410
Oil Selection ........................ 443
Oil Synthetic ........................ 409
Overheating ........................ 380
Starting ........................... 291
Temperature Gauge ................... 198
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 409
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ................. 409
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 72
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 19
Ethanol ............................... 352
Event Data Recorder ...................... 75
Exhaust Gas Caution ................... 88,355
Exhaust System ....................... 88,415
Exterior Finish Care ...................... 428
Exterior Lights .......................... 91
478 INDEX

Outside............................ 99
Rearview ........................... 97
Vanity ............................ 100
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ............. 8
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ............... 341
Mopar Parts ......................... 405,468
MTBE/ETBE ........................... 352
Multi-Function Control Lever ............... 151
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 86
Occupant Restraints ....................... 39
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ................. 62
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ............351,352
Odometer Trip .............................. 211
Oil, Engine ......................... 407,444
Capacity ........................... 443
Dipstick ........................... 407 Filter
.......................... 410,444
Identification Logo ................... 408
Materials Added to ................... 409
Recommendation .................. 408,443
Synthetic .......................... 409
Viscosity ........................ 409,443
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............403,404
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®) ........... 169
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 5
Outside Rearview Mirrors .................. 99
Overdrive ....................... 206,298,302
Overdrive OFF Switch .................298,302
Overheating, Engine ................... 198,380
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........5,469
Paint Care ............................. 427
Paint Damage .......................... 427
Panic Alarm ............................ 24
Park Sense System, Rear ................... 163
484 INDEX