2011 DODGE NITRO towing

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing Condition Wheel OFF the Ground Two-Wheel Drive Models Four-Wheel Drive ModelsFlat Tow NONENOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Rear OKNOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALL OK OK
Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive Models
Recreational towing is allowed if the rear wheels are OFF
the ground. This may be accomplished using a tow dolly
or vehicle trailer. If using a tow dolly, follow this proce-
dure:
1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following
the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the tow dolly. 3. Firmly set the parking brake. Place the transmission in
PARK.
4. Properly secure the rear wheels to the dolly, following
the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the unlocked OFF position.
6. Install a suitable clamping device, designed for tow-
ing, to secure the front wheels in the straight position.
7. Disconnect the negative battery cable and secure it
away from the battery post.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 377

Flat towing (with all four wheels on the ground) is
allowed ONLY if the driveshaft is removed.Towing
with the rear wheels on the ground while the driveshaft
is connected will result in severe transmission damage.
WARNING!
If the driveshaft is removed, the vehicle can roll even
if the transmission is in PARK, which could cause
serious injury or death.
The parking brake mustbe firmly engaged and the
wheels chocked during driveshaft removal and installa-
tion. The parking brake must remainengaged unless the
vehicle is securely and properly connected to the tow
vehicle, or the driveshaft is completely reinstalled. See
your authorized dealer for proper driveshaft removal
and reinstallation procedures, including flange
orientation/alignment, use of thread-locking compound,
proper bolt torque specifications, etc.
CAUTION!
Towing with the rear wheels on the ground (while the
driveshaft is connected) will cause severe transmis-
sion damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive Models
Recreational towing is not allowed. These models do
not have a NEUTRAL position in the transfer case.
NOTE:
This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or vehicle
trailer provided all four wheels are OFF
the ground.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
378 STARTING AND OPERATING

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flashers ................ 380
 If Your Engine Overheats ................ 380
 Jacking And Tire Changing ............... 381
▫ Jack Location ....................... 382
▫ Spare Tire Stowage ................... 382
▫ Spare Tire Removal ................... 383
▫ Preparations For Jacking ............... 383
▫ Jacking Instructions ................... 384 
Jump-Starting Procedures ................ 388
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ............. 388
▫ Jump-Starting Procedure ............... 390
 Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................. 392
 Shift Lever Override ................... 393
 Towing A Disabled Vehicle ............... 394
▫ Towing Without The Ignition Key FOB ..... 396
▫ Two-Wheel Drive Models .............. 396
▫ Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles .............. 397
6

5. Using a screwdriver, reach into the opening and press
and hold the shift override lever down.6. Move the shift lever into the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
8. Reinstall the shift lever override access cover.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial wrecker service. If the trans-
mission and drivetrain are operable, disabled vehicles
may also be towed as described under “Recreational
Towing” in the “Starting and Operating” section.
Shift Lever Override Access
394 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Towing Condition Wheels OFFthe Ground 2WD Models
4WD Models
Flat Tow NONE If transmission is operable:
•Trans in
NEUTRAL
•30 mphmax(48 km/h)
•15 miles (24 km) maxdistance NOT ALLOWED
Wheel Lift or Dolly To w Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear OKNOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD OK
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for the purpose, following equip-
ment manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains is
mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to
main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers
or associated brackets. State and local laws applying to
vehicles under tow must be observed. If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position.
If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, see “Shift Lever
Override” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for instruc-
tions on shifting the automatic transmission out of the
PARK position for towing.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 395

CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to use sling type equipment when
towing. When securing the vehicle to a flat bed
truck, do not attach to front or rear suspension
components. Damage to your vehicle may result
from improper towing.
•If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition must be in the ON/RUN or ACC position,
not in the LOCK position.
Towing Without The Ignition Key Fob
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. The only ap-
proved method of towing without the ignition key is
with a flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
Two-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheelsOFFthe ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmis-
sion is operable, the vehicle may be towed (with rear
wheels on the ground) with the transmission in NEU-
TRAL. Speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) and the
distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km).
CAUTION!
Towing faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than
15 miles (24 km) with rear wheels on the ground can
cause severe damage to the transmission. Such dam-
age is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than
396 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

15 miles (24 km), tow with the rear wheelsOFFthe
ground (on a flatbed, or with the rear wheels raised using
a wheel lift or towing dolly), or remove the driveshaft.
WARNING!
If the driveshaft is removed, the vehicle can roll even
if the transmission is in PARK, which could cause
serious injury or death.
The parking brake mustbe firmly engaged and the
wheels chocked during driveshaft removal and installa-
tion. The parking brake must remainengaged unless the
vehicle is securely and properly connected to the tow
vehicle, or the driveshaft is completely reinstalled. See
your authorized dealer for proper driveshaft removal
and reinstallation procedures, including flange
orientation/alignment, use of thread-locking compound,
proper bolt torque specifications, etc.
Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
The manufacturer requires towing with all wheels OFF
the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle on
a flatbed or with one end of vehicle raised and the
opposite end on a towing dolly.
CAUTION!
•Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used.
Internal damage to the transmission or transfer
case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used
when towing.
•Failure to follow these towing methods could
result in damage to the transmission and/or trans-
fer case. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 397

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light” (MIL). It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and drivability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
•If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
“gASCAP” message will display in the odometer or a
“CHECK GASCAP” message will be displayed in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 403