2011 DODGE NITRO Owners Manual

23. Tachometer
This gauge measures engine revolutions-per-minute
(RPM x 1000). When the engine RPM are kept within the
green area, you are driving the vehicle in a fuel efficient
manner. Before the pointer reaches the red area, ease up
on the accelerator to prevent engine damage.
24. Shift Lever Indicator
The Shift Lever Indicator is self-contained within the
instrument cluster. It displays the gear position of the
automatic transmission.
25. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale LightEach tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
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Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check theTPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.4
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26. Odometer / Trip Odometer Display Area
The odometer display shows the total distance the ve-
hicle has been driven. The trip odometer shows indi-
vidual trip mileage. Refer to “Trip Odometer Button” for
additional information.
NOTE:U.S. Federal regulations require that upon trans-
fer of vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the pur-
chaser the correct mileage that the vehicle has been
driven. If your odometer needs to be repaired or serviced,
the repair technician should leave the odometer reading
the same as it was before the repair or service. If s/he
cannot do so, then the odometer must be set at zero, and
a sticker must be placed in the door jamb stating what the
mileage was before the repair or service. It is a good idea
for you to make a record of the odometer reading before
the repair/service, so that you can be sure that it is
properly reset, or that the door jamb sticker is accurate if
the odometer must be reset at zero. Vehicle Odometer Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, the following
messages will display in the odometer:
ECO
................... Fuel Saver Indicator Off
ECO-ON ................ Fuel Saver Indicator On
door ............................. Door Ajar
gATE ........................... Liftgate Ajar
gASCAP ....................... Fuel Cap Fault
noFUSE .......................... Fuse Fault
CHAngE OIL ............... Oil Change Required
LoWASH .................... LowW asher Fluid
On vehicles equipped with a Premium Instrument Clus-
ter, this display shows the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) messages when the appropriate conditions
exist. Refer to Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) for further information.
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ECO / ECO-ON (Fuel Saver Indicator) — If Equipped
The ECO-ON indicator will illuminate when you are
driving in a fuel efficient manner and can be used to
modify driving habits in order to increase fuel economy.
The ECO display will toggle between ECO and ECO-ON
depending on driving habits and vehicle usage. Press the
Odometer / Trip Odometer / ECO (Fuel Saver Indicator)
button to change the display from odometer to either of
the two trip odometer settings or the “ECO” display.
gASCAP Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged,
“gASCAP” will be displayed in the odometer display
area. Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the
odometer reset button to turn the gASCAP message off. If
the problem continues, the message will appear the next
time the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).noFUSE
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the
Ignition Off Draw (IOD) fuse is improperly installed, or
damaged, a “noFUSE” message will display in the odom-
eter display area. For further information on fuses and
fuse locations refer to “Fuses” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle”.
CHAngE OIL Message
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “CHAngE OIL” message will flash
in the instrument cluster odometer for approximately
12 seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate
the next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil
change indicator system is duty cycle based, which
means the engine oil change interval may fluctuate
dependent upon your personal driving style. Unless
reset, this message will continue to display each time you
turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position. To turn
off the message temporarily, press and release the TRIP
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 209

ODOMETER button on the instrument cluster. To reset
the oil change indicator system (after performing the
scheduled maintenance), refer to the following proce-
dure:1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position.
Do not start the engine.
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three
times within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE: If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.
27. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is part of
an onboard diagnostic system, called OBD, that
monitors engine and automatic transmission con-
trol systems. The light will illuminate when the key is in the ON/RUN position, before engine start. If the bulb
does not come on when turning the key from OFF to
ON/RUN, have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing 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 of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and drivability. If the MIL is
flashing, severe catalytic converter damage and
power loss will soon occur. Immediate service is
required.
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WARNING!
A malfunctioning catalytic converter, as referenced
above, can reach higher temperatures than in normal
operating conditions. This can cause a fire if you
drive slowly or park over flammable substances such
as dry plants, wood, cardboard, etc. This could result
in death or serious injury to the driver, occupants or
others.
28. Cruise Indicator — If Equipped
This indicator lights when the electronic speed control
system is turned on. 29. Odometer / Trip Odometer / ECO
(Fuel Saver Indicator) Button
Changing the Display
Press this button to change the display from odometer to
either of the two trip odometer settings or the “ECO”
display. Trip A or Trip B will appear when in the trip
odometer mode. On vehicles equipped with a Base
Cluster, press and release it once again to display the
outside temperature. On vehicles equipped with a Mid
Line Cluster, press and release it once again to display the
outside temperature and compass heading in the screen
below the speedometer. Refer to “Compass/Trip Com-
puter” for details.
Resetting the Trip Odometer
Display the trip mileage that you want to reset, “Trip A”
or “Trip B.” Then push and hold the button (approxi-
mately two seconds) until the display resets to 0. The
odometer must be in Trip Mode to reset the trip odometer.
4
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30. Compass/Trip Computer or Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) Display — If Equipped
When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Compass/Trip Computer or Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) messages.
For further information, refer to “Compass/Trip Com-
puter” or “Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)”.
31. 4WD Indicator — If EquippedThis light indicates the vehicle is in four-wheel
drive and 4LOCK. 4WD allows all four wheels
to receive torque from the engine
simultaneously.
COMPASS AND TRIP COMPUTER —
IF EQUIPPED
The Compass/Trip Computer features a driver-
interactive display (displays information on outside tem-
perature, compass direction, and trip information). It is located on the lower left part of the cluster below the fuel
and engine temperature gauge, and the tachometer.
Control Buttons
Press and release the odometer/trip odometer reset but-
ton (right side of the instrument cluster) to access the
compass/trip computer displays.
Compass/Trip Computer Display
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NOTE:The system will display the last known outside
temperature when starting the vehicle and may need to
be driven several minutes before the updated tempera-
ture is displayed. Engine temperature can also affect the
displayed temperature; therefore, temperature readings
are not updated when the vehicle is not moving. The compass/trip computer, when the appropriate con-
ditions exist, will show the following messages in the
odometer display:
•Door Ajar (door)
•Lift Gate Ajar (gATE)
•Loose Fuel Cap (gASCAP)
These messages can be manually turned off by pressing
the right button (on the instrument cluster).
Trip Conditions
Trip Odometer (ODO) / ECO (Fuel Saver Indicator)
— If Equipped
This display shows the distance traveled since the last
reset. Press and release the right button (on the instru-
ment cluster) to switch from odometer to Trip A or Trip B
or to ECO. Press and hold the right button while the
odometer/trip odometer is displayed to reset.
Display Button
4
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