2011 DODGE NITRO traction control

WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than
that specified for your vehicle. Some combinations
of unapproved tires and wheels may change sus-
pension dimensions and performance characteris-
tics, resulting in changes to steering, handling, and
braking of your vehicle. This can cause unpredict-
able handling and stress to steering and suspen-
sion components. You could lose control and have
a collision resulting in serious injury or death. Use
only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings
approved for your vehicle.
•Never use a tire with a smaller load index or
capacity, other than what was originally equipped
on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load
index could result in tire overloading and failure.
You could lose control and have a collision.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
TIRE CHAINS
Use “Class S” chains or other traction aids that meet SAE
Type “S” specifications.
NOTE:Chains must be the proper size for the vehicle as
recommended by the chain manufacturer.
338 STARTING AND OPERATING

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may departsignificantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 471

Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)....418,443,444
Corrosion Protection ..................... 427
Cupholders ............................ 182
Customer Assistance ..................... 465
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 75
Daytime Running Lights ................... 152
Dealer Service .......................... 405
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 189
Defroster, Windshield ................89,276,281
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 158
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 403
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................. 152
Dipsticks Oil (Engine) ........................ 407
Power Steering ...................... 308
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 394 Disposal
Engine Oil ......................... 409
Used Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 420
Door Locks ............................. 28
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 30
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 169
Driving ............................... 307
Electric Remote Mirrors .................... 99
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary (Power Outlet) ...... 179
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 179
Electronic Brake Control System ............. 313
Anti-Lock Brake System ................ 314
Brake Assist System ................... 315
Electronic Roll Mitigation ............... 316
Traction Control System ................ 314
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ............. 316
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 160
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ............. 316
10
INDEX 477

Service............................ 438
Service Engine Soon
(Malfunction Indicator) ................ 210
Side Marker ........................ 441
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ............ 200
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .......206,341
Traction Control ..................... 319
Turn Signal .............. 91,153,439,440,441
Voltage ............................ 204
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 198
Load Floor, Cargo ....................... 187
Loading Vehicle ......................... 358
Tires .............................. 325
Locks ................................. 28
Automatic Door ...................... 30
Child Protection ...................... 33
Door .............................. 28
Power Door ......................... 30
Low Tire Pressure System .................. 341 Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH)
............................ 81,82
Lubrication, Body ....................... 413
Luggage Carrier ......................... 190
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 411
Maintenance Procedures ................... 406
Maintenance Schedule .................... 448
Maintenance, Sunroof ..................... 178
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 210,404
Manual Transmission Lubricant Selection ................... 445
Manual, Service ......................... 469
Master Cylinder (Brakes) .................. 423
Methanol ............................. 352
Mini-Trip Computer ................... 212,219
Mirrors ................................ 97
Automatic Dimming ................... 98
Electric Powered ...................... 99
10
INDEX 483

Safety.......................... 320,329
Sizes ............................. 321
Spare Tire .......................... 382
Spinning ........................... 335
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 336
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 369
Torque Converter Clutch ................299,304
Towing ............................ 361,394
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............. 114
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 394
Guide ............................. 367
Recreational ........................ 377
Weight ............................ 367
Towing Assistance ....................... 114
Traction Control ...................... 204,314
Trailer Towing .......................... 361
Cooling System Tips .................. 376
Hitches ............................ 366
Minimum Requirements ................ 370 Trailer and Tongue Weight
.............. 369
Wiring ............................ 373
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 367
Trailer Weight .......................... 367
Transaxle ............................. 294
Automatic ......................... 294
Operation .......................... 294
Transfer Case ........................... 426
Fluid .......................... 426,445
Maintenance ........................ 426
Transmission ........................ 295,300
Automatic ....................... 295,300
Fluid ............................. 445
Maintenance ........................ 424
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 24
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) . . 169
Tread Wear Indicators .................... 336
Trip Computer .......................... 212
10
INDEX 489