2011 DODGE NITRO climate control

Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO),
follow these safety tips:
Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in or
out of the area.
If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine
running, adjust your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed. If you are required to drive with the trunk/liftgate open,
make sure that all windows are closed and the climate
control BLOWER switch is set at high speed. DO NOT
use the recirculation mode.
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open
seams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes
to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,
inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
88 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Enabling And Disabling ParkSense
There are times when you may want to disable Park-
Sense, such as when towing a trailer.
Vehicles Equipped With The Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)
You can turn ParkSenseon or off through the EVIC.
Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/
Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable Features)” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
Vehicles Equipped With ParkSense Rear Park
Assist Switch
You can turn ParkSense on or off by pressing
the ParkSense Rear Park Assist switch located
on the lower switch bank below the climate
controls.
ParkSense Operation
ParkSenseuses four sensors located in the rear bumper
fascia to scan for obstacles up to 79 in (200 cm) away from
the rear bumper fascia. The warning display located
above the rear window provides both visible and audible
warnings to indicate the range of the object.
ParkSense LED Display
166 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLET
Your vehicle is equipped with a fused 12 Volt (13 Amp)
power outlet. This power outlet is located on the instru-
ment panel, below the climate controls. It has power
available when the ignition switch is in the ON or ACC
position. Insert the cigar lighter or accessory plug into the
outlet for use to ensure proper operation.To preserve the
heating element, do not hold the lighter in the heating
position.
NOTE:To ensure proper operation a MOPAR knob
and element must be used.
Front Power Outlet
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 179

Rotate the switch upward to the first detent posi-
tion for rear wiper operation.
NOTE: The rear wiper operates in an intermittent mode
only.
Rotate the switch upward past the first detent to
activate the rear washer. The washer pump will
continue to operate as long as the switch is held
(for a maximum of 10 seconds). Upon release, the wiper
will cycle two times before returning to the set position.
If the rear wiper is operating when the ignition is turned
OFF, the wiper will automatically return to the “park”
position. When the vehicle is restarted, the wiper will
resume function at whichever position the switch is set.
NOTE: The rear wiper and the rear washer will not
operate If the liftgate flipper glass is open.Rear Window Defroster
The rear window defroster button is located on the
climate control (Mode) knob. Press this button to
turn on the rear window defroster and the heated outside
mirrors. An indicator in the button will illuminate when
the rear window defroster is on. The rear window
defroster automatically turns off after approximately
10 minutes. For an additional five minutes of operation,
press the button a second time.
NOTE: To prevent excessive battery drain, use the rear
window defroster only when the engine is operating.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these cautions can cause damage to
the heating elements:
(Continued)
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 189

Media Center 130 With Satellite Radio
(Sales Code RES+RSC) ................... 255
▫ Operating Instructions — Radio Mode ..... 256
▫ Operation Instructions — CD Mode For CD
And MP3 Audio Play ................. 261
▫ Notes On Playing MP3 Files ............ 263
▫ List Button (CD Mode For MP3 Play) ...... 266
▫ Info Button (CD Mode For MP3 Play) ...... 266
▫ Uconnect™ Multimedia (Satellite Radio) —
If Equipped ........................ 267 
Steering Wheel Audio Controls —
If Equipped .......................... 271
▫ Radio Operation ..................... 272
▫ CD Player ......................... 272
 CD/DVD Disc Maintenance .............. 273
 Radio Operation And Mobile Phones ....... 273
 Climate Controls ...................... 273
▫ Manual Heating And Air Conditioning ..... 274
▫ Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) —
If Equipped ........................ 278
▫ Operating Tips ...................... 283
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 195

INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES
1 — Air Outlet6 — Glove Compartment 11 — Hazard Warning Flasher
2 — Instrument Cluster 7 — Climate Control 12 — Electronic Stability Control / Traction Control Switch *
3 — Storage Tray 8 — Heated Seat Switch * 13 — Cigar Lighter / Power Outlet
4 — Center Air Outlet 9 — Rear Park Assist Switch * 14 — Storage Bin
5 — Radio 10 — Passenger Airbag Disable Light * If Equipped
196 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CD/DVD DISC MAINTENANCE
To keep a CD/DVD in good condition, take the following
precautions:
1. Handle the disc by its edge; avoid touching the
surface.
2. If the disc is stained, clean the surface with a soft cloth,
wiping from center to edge.
3. Do not apply paper or tape to the disc; avoid scratch-
ing the disc.
4. Do not use solvents such as benzene, thinner, cleaners,
or anti-static sprays.
5. Store the disc in its case after playing.
6. Do not expose the disc to direct sunlight.
7. Do not store the disc where temperatures may become
too high.NOTE:
If you experience difficulty in playing a particu-
lar disc, it may be damaged (i.e., scratched, reflective
coating removed, a hair, moisture or dew on the disc)
oversized, or have protection encoding. Try a known
good disc before considering disc player service.
RADIO OPERATION AND MOBILE PHONES
Under certain conditions, the mobile phone being on in
your vehicle can cause erratic or noisy performance from
your radio. This condition may be lessened or eliminated
by relocating the mobile phone antenna. This condition is
not harmful to the radio. If your radio performance does
not satisfactorily “clear” by the repositioning of the
antenna, it is recommended that the radio volume be
turned down or off during mobile phone operation when
not using Uconnect™ (if equipped).
CLIMATE CONTROLS
The air conditioning and heating system is designed to
make you comfortable in all types of weather.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 273

Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) —
If Equipped
Automatic Operation
The Automatic Temperature Control system automati-
cally maintains the climate in the cabin of the vehicle at
the comfort levels desired by the driver and passenger.Operation of the system is quite simple.
1. Turn the Mode Control knob (on the right) and the
Blower Control knob (on the left) to AUTO.
NOTE:
The AUTO position performs best for front seat
occupants only.
2. Dial in the temperature you would
like the system to maintain by rotating
the Temperature Control knob. Once
the comfort level is selected, the sys-
tem will maintain that level automati-
cally using the heating system. Should
the desired comfort level require air
conditioning, the system will automatically make the
adjustment.
You will experience the greatest efficiency by simply
allowing the system to function automatically. Selecting
the “O” (OFF) position on the blower control stops the
system completely and closes the outside air intake.
Automatic Temperature Control
278 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL