2011 DODGE NITRO warning light

WARNING!
Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won’t have the air bags
to protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on as a bulb check when the ignition is first turned
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have an authorized dealer service the
air bag system immediately.
Occupant Classification System (OCS)
The OCS is part of a Federally regulated safety system
required for this vehicle. It is designed to turn off the
passenger Advanced Front Air Bag for an empty seat and
for occupants classified in a category other than an adult.
This could be a child, teenager, or even an adult.
NOTE:Children 12 years or younger should always
ride buckled up in a rear seat in an appropriate child
restraint.
•Occupant Classification Module (OCM)
The OCM is located beneath the front passenger seat. The
OCM classifies the occupant into categories based on the
measurements made by the seat weight sensors. The
OCM communicates with the ORC. The ORC uses the
occupant category to determine whether the passenger
Advanced Front Air Bag should be turned off. It also
determines the rate of air bag inflation during a collision.
•Weight Sensors
Your vehicle has four Weight Sensors located between the
seat and the floor pan. The weight sensors measure
applied weight and transfers that information to the
OCM.
•Passenger Air Bag Disable (PAD) Indicator Light
The PAD Indicator Light (an amber light located in the
center of the instrument panel) tells the driver and front
passenger when the passenger Advanced Front Air Bag is
turned off. The PAD Indicator light illuminates the words
66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Never place a rear facing infant seat in front of an air
bag. A deploying passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
can cause death or serious injury to a child in a
rear-facing infant seat.
Passenger Air Bag Disable (PAD) System
Front Passenger Indicator
Light Air Bag
Status
Adult OFF ON
Child ON OFF
Grocery Bags, Heavy Briefcases and Other
Relatively Light Objects ON OFF
Empty or Very Light Objects OFF* OFF
* Since the system senses weight, some small objects will turn the PAD Indicator Light on. Drivers and adult passengers should verify that the PAD
Indicator Light is not illuminated when an adult is riding
in the front passenger seat. If an adult occupant’s weight
is transferred to another part of the vehicle (like the door
or instrument panel), the weight sensors in the seat may
not properly classify the occupant. Objects lodged under
the seat or between the seat and the center console can
prevent the occupant’s weight from being measured
properly and may result in the occupant being improp-
erly classified. Ensure that the front passenger seatback
does not touch anything placed on the second row of
seats because this can also affect occupant classification.
Also, if you fold down the seats in the second row check
to be sure they don’t touch the front passenger seat.
If the front passenger seat is damaged in any way, it
should only be serviced by an authorized dealer. If the
seat is removed (or even if the seat attachment bolts are
loosened or tightened in any way), take the vehicle to an
authorized dealer.
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

If there is a fault present in the air bag system, the Air Bag
Warning Light (a red light located in the center of the
instrument cluster directly in front of the driver) will be
turned on. This indicates that you should have an autho-
rized dealer service the system immediately. The Air Bag
Warning Light is turned on whenever there is a fault that
can affect the operation of the air bag system. If there is a
fault present in the PAD Indicator Light, the Air Bag
Warning Light will be illuminated to show that the
passenger Advanced Front Air Bag may be turned off
until the fault is cleared. If the Air Bag Warning Light is
illuminated, have an authorized dealer service the air bag
system immediately. If an object is lodged under the seat
and interferes with operation of the weight sensors, a
fault will occur which turns on both the PAD Indicator
Light and the Air Bag Warning Light. Once the lodged
object is removed, the fault will be automatically cleared
after a short period of time.Driver And Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units
TheDriver And Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units are located in the center of the steering
wheel and on the right side of the instrument panel.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags, it signals the inflator units. A large
quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the
Advanced Front Air Bags. Different air bag inflation rates
are possible based on collision severity and type. The
steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper right side of
the instrument panel separate and fold out of the way as
the air bags inflate to their full size. The air bags fully
inflate in about 50 to 70 milliseconds. This is about half of
the time it takes to blink your eyes. The air bags then
quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and
front passenger.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69

WARNING!
Unapproved modifications or service procedures to
the front passenger seat assembly, its related compo-
nents or seat cover may inadvertently change the air
bag deployment in case of a frontal crash. This could
result in death or serious injury to the front seat
passenger if the vehicle is involved in a collision. A
modified vehicle may not comply with required
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)
and/or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(CMVSS).
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact causing air bag deployment, if
the communication network remains intact, and the
power remains intact, depending on the nature of theevent the ORC will determine whether to have the
Enhanced Accident Response System perform the follow-
ing functions:
•Cut off fuel to the engine.
•Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has power or
until the ignition key is turned off.
•Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long as
the battery has power or until the ignition key is
removed.
•Unlock the doors automatically.
If A Deployment Occurs
The front air bags are designed to deflate immediately
after deployment.
NOTE:
Front and/or side air bags will not deploy in all
collisions. This does not mean something is wrong with
the air bag system.
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Air Bag Warning Light
You will want to have the air bags ready to
inflate for your protection in a collision. The
Air Bag Warning Light monitors the internal
circuits and interconnecting wiring associated
with air bag system electrical components. While the air
bag system is designed to be maintenance free. If any of
the following occurs, have an authorized dealer service
the air bag system immediately.
•The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on during
the four to eight seconds when the ignition switch is
first turned to the ON/RUN position.
•The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the four to
eight-second interval.
•The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently or
remains on while driving. NOTE:
If the speedometer, tachometer, or any engine
related gauges are not working, the Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) may also be disabled. The air bags may
not be ready to inflate for your protection. Promptly
check the fuse block for blown fuses. Refer to the label
located on the inside of the fuse block cover for the
proper air bag fuses. See your authorized dealer if the
fuse is good.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder
(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in
certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air
bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will
assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems per-
formed. The EDR is designed to record data related to
vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of
time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle
is designed to record such data as:
•How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 75

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt
or retractor condition, replace the belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for four to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see your
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit the footwell of your
vehicle. Use only floor mats that leave the pedal area
unobstructed and that are firmly secured so that they
cannot slip out of position and interfere with the pedals
or impair safe operation of your vehicle in other ways.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 89

Outside Mirrors
To receive maximum benefit, adjust the outside mirror(s)
to center on the adjacent lane of traffic with a slight
overlap of the view obtained on the inside mirror.
WARNING!
Vehicles and other objects seen in the passenger side
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away
than they really are. Relying too much on your
passenger side mirror could cause you to collide with
another vehicle or other object. Use your inside
mirror when judging the size or distance of a vehicle
seen in the passenger side mirror.
Power Mirrors
The power mirror switch is located on the driver’s door
trim panel.
Press the switch to the L (left) or R (right) to select a
mirror. Using one of the four arrows, move the mirror to
the desired position.
Power Mirror Switch
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 99

Canada and 060 for Mexico). The number dialed may
not be applicable with the available mobile service and
area.
•If supported, this number may be programmable on
some systems. To do this, press the
button and
say “Setup”, followed by “Emergency”.
•The Uconnect™ Phone does slightly lower your
chances of successfully making a phone call as to that
for the mobile phone directly.
WARNING!
To use your Uconnect™ Phone System in an emer-
gency, your mobile phone must be:
•turned on,
•paired to the Uconnect™ System,
•and have network coverage.
Towing Assistance
If you need towing assistance:
•Press thebutton to begin.
•After the “Ready” prompt and the following beep, say
“Towing Assistance”.
NOTE:
•The towing assistance number dialed is based on the
country where the vehicle is purchased (1-800-528-
2069 for the U.S., 1-877-213-4525 for Canada, 55-14-
3454 for Mexico City and 1-800-712-3040 for outside
Mexico City in Mexico). Please refer to the 24-Hour
“Towing Assistance” coverage details on the DVD in
the Warranty Information Booklet and the 24-Hour
Towing Assistance references.
•If supported, this number may be programmable on
some systems. To do this, press the
button and
say “Setup”, followed by “Towing Assistance”.
114 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE