2011 DODGE NITRO child restraint

downward into the seat, removing slack in the straps
according to the child restraint manufacturer’s instruc-
tions.
WARNING!
Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of an infant or
child restraint. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly
when installing an infant or child restraint.
Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat
Belt
The passenger seat belts are equipped with either cinch-
ing latch plates or automatic locking retractors, which are
designed to keep the lap portion tight around the child
restraint so that it is not necessary to use a locking clip. If
the seat belt has a cinching latch plate, pulling up on the
shoulder portion of the lap/shoulder belt will tighten thebelt. However, any seat belt system may loosen with
time, so check the belt occasionally and pull it tight if
necessary.
Pull the belt from the retractor until there is enough to
allow it to pass through the child restraint and slide the
latch plate into the buckle. Then, pull the belt until it is
completely extracted from the retractor. Allow the belt to
return to the retractor, pulling on the excess webbing to
tighten the lap portion around the child restraint. Refer to
“Automatic Locking Mode”.
In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the
lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint because the
buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt path opening
on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate from the
buckle and twist the short buckle-end belt several times
to shorten it. Insert the latch plate into the buckle with the
release button facing out.
84 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

If the belt still can’t be tightened, or if pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, you may need
to do something more. Disconnect the latch plate from
the buckle, turn the buckle around, and insert the latch
plate into the buckle again. If you still can’t make the
child restraint secure, try a different seating position.
To attach a child restraint tether strap:
Route the tether strap over the seatback and attach the
hook to the tether anchor located on the back of the seat.
For the outboard seating positions, route the tether under
the head restraints, and attach the hook to the tether
anchor located on the back of the seat.
Tether Strap Mounting
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 85

WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchor positions directly behind
the child seat to secure a child restraint top tether
strap.
Transporting Pets
Air Bags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
an accident. Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in
pet harnesses or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine and
drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or
55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur. For
the recommended viscosity and quality grades, refer to
“Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle”. NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL
OILS MUST NEVER BE USED.
86 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Cargo Compartment...................... 185
Light ............................. 185
Cargo Light ............................ 185
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 187
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 185
Cellular Phone ....................... 100,273
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 442
Certification Label ....................... 358
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 381
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 321
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............210,404
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 87
Checks, Safety ........................... 87
Child Restraint .................... 76,77,82,84
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............81,82
Child Safety Locks ........................ 33
Climate Control ......................... 273
Clock ........................... 229,248,257Coin Holder
........................... 184
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 273
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 333
Compass ........................ 212,215,221
Compass Calibration .................. 215,222
Compass Variance .................... 214,223
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 219
Console .............................. 184
Console, Floor .......................... 184
Contract, Service ........................ 467
Cooling System ......................... 417
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 419
Coolant Capacity ..................... 443
Coolant Level ....................... 421
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 420
Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 418
Inspection .......................... 417
Points to Remember .................. 421
Pressure Cap ........................ 420
476 INDEX

HomeLink® (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . 169
Hood Release.......................... 149
Ignition ............................... 12
Key ............................... 12
Ignition Key Removal ..................... 12
Illuminated Entry ........................ 19
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ................... 14
Infant Restraint ........................ 76,77
Information Center, Vehicle ................. 216
Inside Rearview Mirror .................... 97
Instrument Cluster .................... 197,198
Instrument Panel and Controls .............. 196
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ............. 431
Integrated Power Module (Fuses) ............ 432
Interior Appearance Care .................. 430
Interior Lights .......................... 155
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) ........... 158
Introduction ............................. 4 Jack Location
........................... 382
Jack Operation ....................... 381,384
Jacking Instructions ...................... 384
Jump Starting .......................... 388
Key-In Reminder ......................... 14
Key, Programming ........................ 16
Key, Replacement ........................ 15
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer) ................... 14
Keyless Entry System ...................... 20
Keys ................................. 12
Lane Change Assist ...................... 154
Lap/Shoulder Belts ....................... 43
LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) .....81,82
Latches ................................ 91
Lead Free Gasoline ...................... 351
Leaks, Fluid ............................ 91
10
INDEX 481

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

Storage, Vehicle......................... 283
Stuck, Freeing .......................... 392
Sun Roof .............................. 175
Sun Visor Extension ...................... 100
Sunroof Maintenance ..................... 178
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag ........ 58
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 409
System, Remote Starting .................... 26
Tachometer ............................ 206
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ........ 278
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......... 198
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............... 81
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo ................... 185
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 159
Tip Start .............................. 291
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 325
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 323
Tire Markings .......................... 320 Tire Safety Information
.................... 320
Tires ............................ 91,329,471
Aging (Life of Tires) .................. 336
Air Pressure ........................ 329
Chains ............................ 338
Changing .......................... 381
Compact Spare ...................... 333
General Information .................. 329
High Speed ......................... 332
Inflation Pressures .................... 330
Jacking ............................ 381
Life of Tires ........................ 336
Load Capacity .................... 325,326
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ......... 341
Pressure Warning Light ................ 206
Quality Grading ..................... 471
Radial ............................ 332
Replacement ........................ 337
Rotation ........................... 340
488 INDEX