key DODGE NITRO 2007 1.G Service Manual

risen to a suitable level. Refer also to the Note under
torque converter clutch, later in this section.
During cold temperature operation, you may notice
delayed upshifts depending on engine and transmission
temperature. This feature improves the warm up time of
the engine and transmission.
During cold temperature operation, the transmission
may not downshift from 2nd (2) gear to 1st (1) gear after
the initial 1st (1) to 2nd (2) gear upshift.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored for abnormal condi-
tions. If a condition is detected that could result in
transmission damage, the transmission limp home mode
will be engaged. In this mode, the transmission will
remain in the current gear until the vehicle is brought to
a stop.
To reset the transmission, use the following procedure:1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Move the shift lever to the P (Park) position.
3. Turn off the engine, be sure to turn the key to the
LOCK position.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds, then restart the en-
gine.
5. Move the shift lever to the desired gear range.
If the problem is no longer detected, the transmission will
return to normal operation. If the problem persists, P
(Park), R (Reverse), and N (Neutral) will continue to
operate. Only Second gear range will operate in the D
(Drive) shifter position. Have the transmission checked at
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature, designed to improve fuel economy, has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle.
258 STARTING AND OPERATING

Proper operation of 4 wheel drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel.
Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the
transfer case.
Since 4 wheel drive provides improved traction, there is
a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds.
Do not go faster than road conditions permit.
Shifting Procedure - Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case
NOTE:If any of the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case
will not shift. The “4WD” Indicator Light (located in the
display under the tachometer) will flash until all the
requirements for the selected position have been met. To
retry a shift: return the control knob back to the original
position, make certain all shift requirements have been
met, wait five (5) seconds and try the shift again.
2WD⇔4WD LOCK
Rotate the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position.
Shifts between 2WD and 4WD LOCK can be done with
the vehicle stopped or in motion. With the vehicle in
motion, the transfer case will engage/disengage faster if
you momentarily release the accelerator pedal after turn-
ing the control switch. If the vehicle is stopped, the
ignition key must be in the ON position with the engine
either RUNNING or OFF. This shift cannot be completed
if the key is in the accessory position.
NOTE:The 4x4 system will not allow shifts between
2WD/4WD LOCK if the front and/or rear wheels are
spinning (no traction). In this situation, the “4WD”
Indicator Light (located in the display under the tachom-
eter) will flash. At this time, reduce speed and stop
spinning the wheels to complete the shift.
STARTING AND OPERATING 261
5

Be sure the parking brake is firmly set when parked, and
the gear shift lever is in the P (Park) position (automatic
transmission) or R (Reverse) or 1st gear (manual trans-
mission). When parking on a hill, you should apply the
parking brake before placing the gear shift lever in P
(Park), otherwise the load on the transmission locking
mechanism may make it difficult to move the selector out
of P (Park).WARNING!
•Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-
ing your vehicle, or it may roll and cause damage
or injury. Also, be certain to leave an automatic
transmission in P (Park), a manual transmission in
R (Reverse) or 1st gear. Failure to do so may allow
the vehicle to roll and cause damage or injury.
•Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be injured. Don’t leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving, failure to do so can lead to brake
problems due to excessive heating of the rear
brakes.
264 STARTING AND OPERATING

system will automatically update and the “Tire Pressure
Monitoring Telltale Light” will extinguish once the up-
dated tire pressures have been received. The vehicle may
need to be driven for up to 10 minutes above 15 mph (24
km/h) to receive this information. A low spare tire will
not cause the “Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light” to
illuminate or the chime to sound.
The “Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light” will flash
on and off for 60 seconds, and an audible chime will
sound when a system fault is detected. The flash cycle
will repeat every ten minutes, without an audible chime,
until the fault condition no longer exists. If the ignition
key is cycled, this sequence will repeat, providing the
system fault still exists.
NOTE:Your vehicle is either equipped with the stan-
dard compact spare tire or an optional non-matching full
size spare tire. Both of these spare tires do not have a tire
pressure monitoring sensor. Therefore, they will not bemonitored by the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
In the event that the non-matching full size or compact
spare tire is swapped with a low pressure road tire, each
ignition key cycle will still show the “Tire Pressure
Monitoring Telltale Light” to be ON, and a chime to
sound. After the original road tire has been properly
repaired, and put back onto the vehicle in place of the
non-matching full size or compact spare tire, the TPMS
will update automatically, and the “Tire Pressure Moni-
toring Telltale Light” will be OFF as long as none of the
road tires are below the low pressure warning threshold.
The vehicle may need to be driven for up to 10 minutes
above 15 mph (24 km/h) to receive this information.
Premium System — If Equipped
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses wireless
technology with wheel rim mounted electronic sensors to
monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors, mounted to each
wheel as part of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure
readings to the Receiver Module.
STARTING AND OPERATING 291
5

by a graphic display, with “- -“ in place of the pressure
value(s) indicating which Tire Pressure Monitoring Sen-
sor(s) is not being received.
NOTE:Your system can be set to display pressure units
in PSI, kPA or BAR.If the ignition key is cycled, this sequence will repeat,
providing the system fault still exists. If the system fault
no longer exists, the “Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale
Light” will no longer flash, theCHECK TPM SYSTEM
text message will not be present, and a pressure value
will be displayed instead of dashes.
NOTE:Your vehicle is either equipped with the stan-
dard compact spare tire or an optional non-matching full
size spare tire. Both of these spare tires do not have a tire
pressure monitoring sensor. Therefore, they will not be
monitored by the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
In the event that the non-matching full size or compact
spare tire is swapped with a low pressure road tire, the
next ignition key cycle will still show the “Tire Pressure
Monitoring Telltale Light” to be ON, a chime to sound,
and the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) will
still show the low tire pressure value flashing on the
graphic display.
294 STARTING AND OPERATING

However, driving the vehicle for up to 10 minutes above
15 mph (24 km/h) will display a “CHECK TPM SYS-
TEM” text message on the EVIC. This text message will
then be followed by a graphic display, with “- -“ in place
of the flashing low pressure value. For every subsequent
key cycle, the “Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light”
will be ON, a chime will sound, a “CHECK TPM SYS-
TEM” text message will be displayed in the EVIC, and
the graphic display will have “- -“ in place of a pressure
value. After the original road tire has been properly
repaired, and put back onto the vehicle in place of the
non-matching full size or compact spare tire, the TPMS
will update the graphic display on the EVIC with a new
tire pressure value instead of “- -“, and the “Tire Pressure
Monitoring Telltale Light” will be OFF as long as none of
the road tires are below the low pressure warning thresh-
old. The vehicle may need to be driven for up to 10
minutes above 15 mph (24 km/h) to receive this infor-
mation.General Information
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules and
RSS 210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the
following conditions:
•This device may not cause harmful interference.
•This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired op-
eration.
The tire pressure sensors are covered under one of the
following licenses:
United States.....................KR5S120123
Canada........................2671-S120123
STARTING AND OPERATING 295
5

WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
1. Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting
out the battery vent;
2. Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
3. Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use of safety chains is recom-
mended.Attach towing device to main structural mem-
bers of the vehicle — not to bumpers or associated
brackets. State and local laws applying to vehicles
under tow must be observed.
Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Provided that the transmission is operable, tow with the
transmission in N (Neutral) and the ignition key in the
OFF position along with the front wheels raised and the
rear wheels on the ground. The speed must not exceed 30
mph (50 km/h) and the distance must not exceed 15
miles (25 km).
If the vehicle is to be towed more than 15 miles (25 km )
or faster than 30 mph, it must be towed on a flatbed, or
with the rear wheels raised and the front wheels on the
ground, or with the front end raised and the rear wheels
on a towing dolly.
NOTE:Towing the vehicle, with the rear wheels on the
ground, at more than 30 mph (50 km/h) or for more than
15 miles (25 km) can cause severe transmission damage.
Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of the vehicle raised
and the opposite end on a towing dolly.
334 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

cap until aclickingsound is heard. This is an indication
that the gas cap is properly tightened. Press the odometer
reset button to turn the message off. If the problem
persists, the message will appear the next time the
vehicle is started. This might indicate a damaged cap. If
the problem is detected twice in a row, the system will
turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). Resolving
the problem will turn the MIL light off.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states, which have an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance) requirement, this check verifies the
following: the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)is functioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the OBD (On Board Diagnostic) system is ready
for testing.
Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, if you recently had a dead battery, or a battery
replacement. If the OBD system should be determined
not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD system is ready, you must do
the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 341
7

4. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see your MIL symbol come on as part of a normal
bulb check.
5. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn off the
ignition key or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD system isnot readyand you shouldnot
proceed to the I/M station.
b. The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn off the ignition key or start
the engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD system
isreadyand you can proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD system isnot ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL symbol is illuminated
during normal vehicle operation, you should have your
vehicle serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M
station can fail your vehicle because the MIL symbol is on
with the engine running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine Moparparts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to in-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-Moparparts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.
342 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Autostick............................. 256
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet)...... 144
Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 144
AxleFluid ............................. 384
Battery............................... 351
Charging............................ 332
Emergency Starting..................... 332
Gas Caution.......................... 332
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)....... 24
Belts,Drive ............................ 347
Belts, Seat.............................. 38
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 353
B-Pillar Location........................ 274
Brake Assist System...................... 129
Brake Control System, Electronic............. 128
Brake Fluid............................ 384
Brake System........................... 361
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................128,265Hoses.............................. 361
Master Cylinder....................... 362
Parking............................. 263
Warning Light.....................167,169
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 249
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 74
Bulb Replacement....................... 379
Bulbs,Light ............................ 378
Calibration, Compass..................178,184
Capacities, Fluid........................ 382
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 300
Power Steering........................ 352
Car Washes............................ 367
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 74,299
Cargo Area Features...................... 150
Cargo Compartment...................... 150
Light ............................... 150
INDEX 421
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