ECU DODGE NITRO 2007 1.G Owners Manual

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

A Word About Your Keys..................14
▫Ignition Key Removal...................14
▫Key-In-Ignition Reminder................16

Steering Wheel Lock — If Equipped..........16
▫To Manually Lock The Steering Wheel.......16
▫To Release The Steering Wheel Lock.........16

Sentry Key — If Equipped.................16
▫Replacement Keys......................17
▫Customer Key Programming..............18▫General Information....................19

Security Alarm System — If Equipped.........19
▫ToSetTheAlarm ......................19
▫To Disarm The System...................20

Illuminated Entry........................20

Remote Keyless Entry.....................21
▫To Unlock The Doors And Liftgate..........21
▫To Lock The Doors And Liftgate............22
▫Using The Panic Alarm..................23
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the vehicle. The system will shut the engine off in two (2)
seconds if someone uses an invalid key to start the
engine.
NOTE:A key that has not been programmed is consid-
ered an invalid key even if it is cut to fit the ignition lock
cylinder for that vehicle.
During normal operation, after turning on the ignition
switch, the “Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator Light” will
turn on for three (3) seconds for a bulb check. If the light
remains on after the bulb check, it indicates that there is
a problem with the electronics. In addition, if the light
begins to flash after the bulb check, it indicates that
someone used an invalid key to start the engine. Either of
these conditions will result in the engine being shut off
after two (2) seconds.
If the “Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator Light” turns on
during normal vehicle operation (vehicle running forlonger than 10 seconds), it indicates that there is a fault in
the electronics. Should this occur, have the vehicle ser-
viced as soon as possible.
Replacement Keys
NOTE:Only keys that have been programmed to the
vehicle electronics can be used to start the vehicle. Once
a Sentry Key has been programmed to a vehicle, it cannot
be programmed to any other vehicle.
At the time of purchase, the original owner is provided
with a four digit PIN. This number is required for dealer
replacement of keys. Duplication of keys may be per-
formed at an authorized dealer or by using the Customer
Key Programming procedure. This procedure consists of
programming a blank key to the vehicle electronics. A
blank key is one which has never been programmed and
needs to be cut.
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General Information
The Sentry Key system complies with FCC rules part 15
and with 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 that may be
received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
This system monitors the vehicle doors, liftgate, and
ignition for unauthorized operation. When the alarm is
activated, the system provides both audible and visual
signals. The horn will sound repeatedly for three minutes
and the headlights and taillights will flash for an addi-
tional 15 minutes.
NOTE:The “Panic” and “Security” alarms are quite
different. Please take a moment to activate the “Panic”and the “Security” modes to hear the differences in the
horn. In case one should go off in the future, you will
need to know which mode has been activated in order to
deactivate it.
To Set the Alarm
The alarm will set when you use the remote keyless entry
transmitter to lock the doors and liftgate or when you use
the power door lock switch while the door is open. After
all the doors are locked and closed, the “Vehicle Security
Alarm Indicator Light” (located in the instrument cluster)
will flash rapidly for about 16 seconds to signal that the
system is arming. During this 16 second pre-arm period,
opening any door or the liftgate will cancel the arming. If
the system successfully arms, the “Vehicle Security
Alarm Indicator Light” will flash at a slower rate to
indicate the alarm is set. A manual lock of the doors,
either with the door lock plunger located on the inside of
the doors or with the driver’s door key lock cylinder, will
not set the alarm.
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To Disarm the System
To disarm the system, use the remote keyless entry
transmitter. Also, using a valid sentry key and moving
the ignition switch to the ON/START position will
disarm the system. If something has triggered the system
in your absence, the horn will sound three times when
you unlock the doors. Check the vehicle for tampering.
The Security Alarm System is designed to protect your
vehicle; however, you can create conditions where the
system will arm unexpectedly. If you remain in the
vehicle and lock the doors with the transmitter, once the
system is armed (after 16 seconds), when you pull thedoor handle to exit the alarm will sound. If this occurs,
press the “Unlock” button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter to disarm the system. The Security Alarm
System will not disarm with a manual unlock, either
through the lock plunger located on the inside of the
door, or through a key in the driver’s door key cylinder.
ILLUMINATED ENTRY
The interior lights come on when you open any door.
They will remain on for about 30 seconds after all doors
are closed then fade to off.
20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

1. Perform this operation while standing outside the
vehicle.
2. Press and hold the “Lock” button on a programmed
(i.e. functional) key fob.
3. Continue to hold the “Lock” button, wait at least 4
seconds, but no longer than 10 seconds, then press and
hold the PANIC button. Release both buttons at the same
time.
4. To reactivate this feature, repeat the above steps.
Flash Lights With Lock
The Flash Lights With Lock feature can be turned on or
off.
•On electronic vehicle information center (EVIC)
equipped vehicles refer toPersonal Settingsin the
EVIC section (Section 4) of this manual.
•On non EVIC - equipped vehicles perform the follow-
ing steps:
1. Perform this operation while standing outside the
vehicle.
2. Press and hold the “Unlock” button on a programmed
(i.e. functional) key fob.
3. Continue to hold the “Unlock” button, wait at least 4
seconds, but no longer than 10 seconds, then press and
hold the “Lock” button. Release both buttons at the same
time.
4. To reactivate this feature, repeat the above steps.
Using the Panic Alarm
NOTE:The “Panic” and “Security” alarms are quite
different. Please take a moment to activate the “Panic”
and the “Security” modes to hear the differences in the
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 23
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horn. In case one should go off in the future, you will
need to know which mode has been activated in order to
deactivate it.
To activate the Panic mode while the ignition is OFF,
press and release the PANIC button on the transmitter
once. When the Panic mode is activated, the interior
lights will illuminate, the headlamps and parking lights
will flash, and the horn will sound.
To cancel the Panic mode, press and release the PANIC
button on the transmitter a second time. Panic mode will
automatically cancel after 3 minutes or if the vehicle is
started or exceeds 5 mph (8 km/h). During the Panic
Mode, the door locks and remote keyless entry systems
will function normally. Panic mode will not disarm the
security system on vehicles so equipped.Programming Additional Transmitters
Refer to SENTRY KEY “Customer Key Programming.”
in this section.
NOTE:If you do not have a programmed transmitter,
contact your dealer for details.
Battery Replacement
The recommended replacement battery is CR2032.
24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•For personal security and safety in the event of an
accident, lock the vehicle doors when you drive as
well as when you park and leave the vehicle.
•When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the ignition lock, and lock your vehicle. Do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment may cause severe per-
sonal injuries and death.
Power Door Locks
A door lock switch is on each front door panel. Press this
switch to lock or unlock the doors.
If you press the power door lock switch while the key is
in the ignition, and any front door is open, the power
Power Door Lock Switch
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The front airbags have a multi stage inflator design. This
allows the airbag to have different rates of inflation that
are based on collision severity. Along with the seat belts,
front airbags work with the instrument panel knee bol-
sters to provide improved protection for the driver and
front passenger. Window bags also work with seat belts
to improve occupant protection.
The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types
of collisions. The front airbags deploy in moderate to
severe frontal collisions.
NOTE:The passenger front airbag may not deploy even
when the driver front airbag has if the Occupant Classi-
fication System (refer toOccupant Classification System
in this section) has determined the passenger seat is
empty or is occupied by someone that is classified in the
childsize category. This could be a child, teenager, or
even a adult.The window bag on the crash side of the vehicle is
triggered in moderate to severe side collisions. In certain
types of collisions, both the front and side airbags may be
triggered. But even in collisions where the airbags de-
ploy, you need the seat belts to keep you in the right
position for the airbags to protect you properly.
Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the
risk of harm from a deploying airbag.
1. Children 12 years and under should always ride
buckled up in a rear seat.
Infants in rear facing child restraints shouldNEVERride
in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger airbag. An
airbag deployment could cause severe injury or death to
infants in that position.
Children that are not big enough to properly wear the
vehicle seat belt should be secured in the rear seat, in a
child restraint or belt-positioning booster seat. Older
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Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time — babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat Owner’s Manual to ensure you have the right seat
for your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your
child:WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny
baby, can become a missile inside the vehicle. The
force required to hold even an infant on your lap can
become so great that you could not hold the child, no
matter how strong you are. The child and others
could be badly injured. Any child riding in your
vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child’s
size.
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

•In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the
lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint because the
buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt path
opening on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate
from the buckle and twist the short buckle-end belt
several times to shorten it. Insert the latch plate into
the buckle with the release button facing out.
•If the belt still cannot be tightened, or if pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, disconnect
the latch plate from the buckle, turn the buckle
around, and insert the latch plate into the buckle
again. If you still cannot make the child restraint
secure, try a different seating position.
•Buckle the child into the restraint exactly as the
manufacturer’s instructions tell you.
•When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the
vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle.Do not leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
collision, it could strike the occupants or seat backs
and cause serious personal injury.
NOTE:For additional information refer to
www.seatcheck.org or call 1-866-SEATCHECK.
Older Children and Child Restraints
Children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) and who are
older than one year can ride forward-facing in the
vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and convertible child
seats used in the forward-facing direction, are for chil-
dren who weigh 20 to 40 lbs (9 to 18 kg), and who are
older than one year. These child seats are also held in the
vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt or the LATCH child
restraint anchorage system (Refer to LATCH — Child
Seat Anchorage System in this section.)
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