2011 DODGE NITRO wheel

RECREATIONAL
TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive
Models
• Recreational towing is allowed if therear wheels are OFFthe ground. This
may be accomplished using a tow
dolly or vehicle trailer. If using a tow
dolly, follow this procedure:
• Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions.
• Drive the rear wheels onto the tow dolly, firmly set the parking brake
and place the transmission in PARK.
• Turn the ignition switch to the unlocked OFF position.
• Install a suitable clamping device, designed for towing, to secure the
front wheels in the straight position.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable and secure it away from the
battery post.
• 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.
• The parking brake mustbe firmly
engaged and the wheels chocked
during driveshaft removal and
installation. The parking brake must
remain engaged 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.
Towing — Four-Wheel Drive Or All-Wheel
Drive Models
Recreational Towing (All Four Wheels On
The Ground)
• 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.
• Refer to your Owner's Manual on theDVD for further details.
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 recreational towing.
WARNING!
If the driveshaft is removed, the
vehicle can roll even if the
transmission is in PARK, which
could cause serious injury or death.
UTILITY
48

• Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicatewhen 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 each time the vehicle is
restarted as long as the malfunction exists.
• When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system 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 the TPMS 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 operation or sensor damage may result
when using replacement 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.
- Engine Temperature Warning Light
• This light warns of an overheated engine condition.
• If the light turns on and a warning chime sounds while driving, safely pull over andstop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also, shift the transmission
into NEUTRAL and idle the vehicle. If the temperature reading does not return to
normal, turn the engine off immediately.
• We recommend that you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or others could be badly burned
by steam or boiling coolant. You may want to call an authorized service center
for service if your vehicle overheats.
BRAKE- Brake Warning Light
• The Brake Warning light illuminates when there is either a system malfunction orthe parking brake is applied. If the light is on and the parking brake is not applied,
it indicates a possible brake hydraulic malfunction, booster problem or an
Anti-Lock Brake System problem.
• We recommend you drive to the nearest service center and have the vehicle serviced immediately.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
50

• Lower the spare tire by turning the winch drive nut, located in the rear cargo areainside the vehicle, counterclockwise with the jack-handle assembly until the spare
tire is on the ground with enough cable slack to allow you to pull the spare tire out
from underneath the vehicle.
• When the spare is clear, tilt the retainer at the end of the cable and pull it through the center of the wheel.
Preparations For Jacking
• Park on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
• Set the parking brake and shift the automatic transmission into PARK.
• Turn the ignition to LOCK and turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
• Block both the front and rear of thewheel diagonally opposite of the
jacking position. For example, if
changing the right front tire, block the
left rear wheel.
NOTE: Passengers should not remain in the
vehicle when the vehicle is being jacked.
Jacking And Tire Changing Instructions
• Remove the spare tire, jack and tools from the stored location.
• Loosen (but do not remove) the wheel lug nuts by turning them counterclockwise one turn while the wheel is still on the ground.
• Assemble the jack and jacking tools. Connect the jack handle driver to the extension, then to the lug wrench.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
54

• Locate the jack:• For the front tires, place it (rearward) of the notch on the body weld seambehind the wheel to be changed.
• For the rear tires, place it under the axle by the wheel to be changed.
• Raise the vehicle by turning the jack screw clockwise. Raise the vehicle only until the tire just clears the surface and enough clearance is obtained to install the
spare tire.
• Remove the lug nuts, wheel cover (if equipped) and the wheel.
• Position the spare wheel/tire on the vehicle and install the lug nuts with the cone-shaped end toward the wheel. Do NOT attempt to install a center cap or
wheel cover on the compact spare. Lightly tighten the lug nuts clockwise. To avoid
the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not tighten the nuts fully until the
vehicle has been lowered.
• Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw counterclockwise, and remove the jack and wheel blocks.
• Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the wrench while tightening for increased leverage. Alternate nuts until each one has been tightened twice. The
correct wheel nut tightness is 95 ft lbs (130 N•m). If in doubt about the correct
tightness, have them checked with a torque wrench by your authorized dealer or at
a service station.
• Secure the tire, jack, and tools in their proper locations.
WARNING!
• Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
• Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You could be crushed. Never get any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get under a raised vehicle,
take it to a service center where it can be raised on a lift.
• The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should be
jacked on a firm, level surface only. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
• If it is necessary to retrieve the spare tire from under the vehicle on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic, pull far enough off the road to avoid the
danger of being hit.
• Carefully follow these tire changing procedures to help prevent personal injury or damage to your vehicle: Always park on a firm, level surface as far
from the edge of the roadway as possible before raising the vehicle.
• Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make the vehicle less stable and could cause it to slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the
vehicle only enough to remove the tire.
(Continued)
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
55

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLEModelFlat Towing (all four
wheels on the ground)Flatbed Towing (all four
wheels suspended OFF the
ground)Front Wheels Raised, Rear
Wheels on the Ground
Rear Wheels Raised, Front
Wheels on the Ground
Two-Wheel Drive NOT Permitted
Recommended Method Shift lever must be in
NEUTRAL, the speed
less then 30 mph
(48 km/h) and the
distance traveled less
than 15 mi (24 km).Shift lever must be in
NEUTRAL, the speed
less then 30 mph
(48 km/h) and the
distance traveled less
than 15 mi (24 km).
Four-Wheel Drive NOT Permitted
Recommended Method NOT Permitted NOT Permitted
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
59

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
• If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it can often be moved by arocking motion. Turn your steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between REVERSE and DRIVE. Using
minimal accelerator pedal pressure to maintain the rocking motion, without
spinning the wheels, is most effective.
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control or Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), turn the system OFF before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.
CAUTION!
• Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to transmission overheating and failure. Allow the engine to idle with the shift lever in
NEUTRAL for at least one minute after every five rocking-motion cycles. This
will minimize overheating and reduce the risk of transmission failure during
prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving between REVERSE and DRIVE, do not spin the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no transmission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated by excessive wheel
speeds may cause damage, or even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster than
30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30 seconds continuously without stopping
when you are stuck and do not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter
what the speed.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
60

MAINTENANCE CHART
Miles:
8,000 16,000 24,000 32,000 40,000 48,000 56,000 64,000 72,000 80,000 88,000 96,000 104,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78
Or Kilometers:
13,000 26,000 39,000 52,000 65,000 78,000 91,000 104,000 117,000 130,000 143,000 156,000 169,000
Change the engine oil and engine oil filter. XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rotate the tires, rotate at the first sign of irregular
wear, even if it occurs before scheduled mainte-
nance. XXXXXXXXXXXXX
If using your vehicle for any of the following: dusty or
off-road conditions. Inspect the engine air cleaner
filter; replace if necessary. XXX
Inspect the brake linings; replace if necessary. X X XXXX
Inspect the CV joints. XXXX
Inspect the exhaust system. X XXXX
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. X X X
Inspect the front and rear axle fluid, change if using
your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent
trailer towing. XXXX
Inspect the transfer case fluid. X X
Change the transfer case fluid if using your vehicle
for the following: police, taxi, fleet or frequent trailer
towing. X
Adjust the parking brake on vehicles equipped with
four wheel disc brakes. XX
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter if
using your vehicle for any of the following: police,
taxi, fleet or frequent trailer towing. X
Inspect front suspension, tie rod ends, and boot seals
for cracks or leaks and all parts for damage, wear,
improper looseness or end play; replace if necessary. XXXXXX
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
66

CAUTION!(Continued)
• When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to use only a fuse having thecorrect amperage rating. The use of a fuse with a rating other than indicated
may result in a dangerous electrical system overload. If a properly rated fuse
continues to blow, it indicates a problem in the circuit that must be
corrected.
TIRE PRESSURES
• Check the inflation pressure of each tire, including the spare tire, at least monthly
and inflate to the recommended pressure for your vehicle.
• The tire pressures recommended for your vehicle are found on the “Tire and Loading Information” label located on the driver’s side door opening.
NOTE: Refer to the Owner's Manual on the DVD for more information regarding tire
warnings and instructions.
WARNING!
• Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the
recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never overload them.
• Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can cause collisions. Under-inflation is the leading cause of tire failure and may result in severe
cracking, component separation, or “blow out”. Over-inflation reduces a tire’s
ability to cushion shock. Objects on the road and chuck holes can cause
damage that results in tire failure. Unequal tire pressures can cause steering
problems. You could lose control of your vehicle. Over-inflated or
under-inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail suddenly,
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
WHEEL AND WHEEL TRIM CARE
• All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and chrome plated wheels, shouldbe cleaned regularly with a mild soap and water to prevent corrosion.
• To remove heavy soil and/or excessive brake dust, use MOPAR
®Wheel Cleaner or
equivalent or select a non-abrasive, non-acidic cleaner.
CAUTION!
Do not use scouring pads, steel wool, a bristle brush, or metal polishes. Do not
use oven cleaner. These products may damage the wheel's protective finish.
Avoid automatic car washes that use acidic solutions or harsh brushes that may
damage the wheel's protective finish. Only MOPAR
®Wheel Cleaner or
equivalent is recommended.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
73