2011 DODGE NITRO Owners Manual

•Service Manuals
These comprehensive Service Manuals provide the
information that students and professional technicians
need in diagnosing/troubleshooting, problem solving,
maintaining, servicing, and repairing Chrysler Group
LLC vehicles. A complete working knowledge of the
vehicle, system, and/or components is written in
straightforward language with illustrations, diagrams,
and charts.
•Diagnostic Procedure Manuals
Diagnostic Procedure Manuals are filled with dia-
grams, charts and detailed illustrations. These practi-
cal manuals make it easy for students and technicians
to find and fix problems on computer-controlled ve-
hicle systems and features. They show exactly how to
find and correct problems the first time, using step-by-
step troubleshooting and drivability procedures,
proven diagnostic tests and a complete list of all tools
and equipment.
•Owner’s Manuals
These Owner’s Manuals have been prepared with the
assistance of service and engineering specialists to
acquaint you with specific Chrysler Group LLC ve-
hicles. Included are starting, operating, emergency
and maintenance procedures as well as specifications,
capabilities and safety tips.
Call toll free at:
•1–800–890–4038 (U.S.)
•1–800–387–1143 (Canada)
Or
Visit us on the Worldwide Web at:
•www.techauthority.com
470 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

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

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
472 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

INDEX
10

About Your Brakes....................... 309
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) .............. 311
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 419
Adding Fuel ........................... 356
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 410
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 412
Air Conditioning ........................ 274
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 274
Air Conditioning Filter .................... 284
Air Conditioning Refrigerant ............... 413
Air Conditioning System ................274,278
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 285
Air Filter .............................. 410
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 330
Airbag ................................ 58
Airbag Deployment ....................... 72
Airbag Light ..................... 66,75,89,205
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 74
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ............... 62Alarm (Security Alarm)
.................... 17
Alarm Light ........................... 200
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............... 17
Alarm, Panic ............................ 24
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 8
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................243,268
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............ 311,314
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 205
Anti-Theft System ........................ 17
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................ 443
Appearance Care ........................ 427
Assistance Towing ....................... 114
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 35
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 98
Automatic Door Locks ..................... 30
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 278
Automatic Transaxle ...................... 294
Automatic Transmission .............295,300,424
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 424
474 INDEX

Fluid Level Check.................... 425
Fluid Type ...................... 424,445
Special Additives ..................... 425
Torque Converter .................. 299,304
Autostick ............................. 301
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet) ...... 179
Auxiliary Power Outlet ................... 179
Axle Fluid ............................. 445
B-Pillar Location ........................ 325
Battery ............................... 411
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 24
Belts, Seat ............................ 43,89
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 413
Brake Assist System ...................... 315
Brake Control System, Electronic ............. 313
Brake Fluid ............................ 445
Brake System ........................... 422
Anti-Lock (ABS) ................... 31 1,314Master Cylinder
..................... 423
Parking ........................... 309
Warning Light ....................... 202
Brake, Parking .......................... 309
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 295
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 86
Bulb Replacement ....................... 438
Bulbs, Light .......................... 91,438
Calibration, Compass .................. 215,222
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 443
Caps, Filler Fuel .............................. 356
Power Steering ...................... 308
Car Washes ............................ 428
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............88,355
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 358
Cargo Area Features ...................... 185
10
INDEX 475

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

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