instrument cluster DODGE NITRO 2008 1.G User Guide

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 a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7 of this manual. Follow
the warnings under the Cooling System Pressure Cap
paragraph.
7. Speedometer
Shows the vehicles speed.
8. High Beam Indicator Light
Indicates that headlights are on high beam.9. Security Alarm System Indicator Light Ð If
Equipped
This light will flash rapidly for approximately 15 seconds
when the vehicle theft alarm is arming. The light will
flash at a slower speed continuously after the alarm is set.
The security light will also come on for about three
seconds when the ignition is first turned on.
10. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Warning
Light/Brake Assist System (BAS) Warning Light ± If
Equipped
The malfunction lamp for the ESP is combined
with BAS. The yellow ªESP/BAS Warning
Lampº and the yellow ªESP/TCS Indicator
Lightº in the instrument cluster both come on
when the ignition switch is turned to the ªONº position.
They should go out with the engine running. If the
ªESP/BAS Warning Lampº comes on continuously with
the engine running, a malfunction has been detected in
either the ESP or the BAS system. If this light remains on
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24. Transmission Range Indicator
The electronic gear selector display is self-contained
within the instrument cluster. It displays the position of
the automatic transmission shift lever, and the relation of
each position to all other positions. For a good signal the
display will place a box around the selected transmission
range (PRND21). If the PRNDL displays only the char-
acters PRND21 (no boxes) have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
25. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light Ð If
Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on thevehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver 's responsibility to
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26. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
The trip odometer shows individual trip mileage. To
toggle between the odometer and the trip odometer,
press the Odometer/Trip Odometer Button. To reset the
Trip Odometer, press and hold the button while in trip
mode, until the Trip Odometer resets.
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged,
GASCAP will be displayed in the instrument cluster.
Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the odom-
eter reset button to turn the GASCAP message off. If the
problem continues, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser thecorrect mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
Change Oil Message
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The ªChange Oilº message will flash in
the instrument cluster odometer for approximately 12
seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate the
next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style. Unless reset, this message
will continue to display each time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON/RUN position. To turn off the message
temporarily, press and release the Trip Odometer button
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 177
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on the instrument cluster. To reset the oil change indica-
tor system (after performing the scheduled maintenance)
refer to the following procedure.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (Do not
start the engine).
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three
times within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary repeat this procedure.27. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
which monitors the emissions and engine control
system. If the vehicle is ready for emissions
testing the light will come on when the ignition is first
turned on and remain on, as a bulb check, until the
engine is started. If the vehicle is not ready for emissions
testing the light will come on when the ignition is first
turned on and remain on for 15 seconds, then blink for 10
seconds, and remain on until the vehicle is started. If the
bulb does not come on during starting, have the condi-
tion investigated promptly.
If this light comes on and remains on while driving, it
suggests a potential engine control problem and the need
for system service.
Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
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CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and driveability.
If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic converter
damage and power loss will soon occur. Immediate
service is required.
28. Cruise Indicator Light Ð If Equipped
This indicator lights when the electronic speed control
system is turned on.
29. Odometer/Trip Odometer Reset Button
Press this button to change the display from odometer to
either of the two trip odometer settings. When the trip
odometer is displayed, press once for Trip A, and press
again for Trip B. If the instrument cluster is a base cluster(no separate compass/temperature display), press the
button a third time for outside Ambient Temperature on
the odometer display. Press and hold the button for two
seconds to reset the trip odometer to 0 miles or kilome-
ters. The odometer must be in trip mode to reset.
Press this button to view the compass display (if
equipped). Refer to ªCompass/Trip Computerº in this
section.
30. Compass/Trip Computer or Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) DisplayÐIf Equipped
When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Compass/Trip Computer or Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) messages.
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COMPASS AND TRIP COMPUTER Ð IF
EQUIPPED
The Compass/Trip Computer features a driver-
interactive display (displays information on outside tem-
perature, compass direction, and trip information). It is
located on the lower left part of the cluster below the fuel
and engine temperature gauge, and the tachometer.
The compass/trip computer, when the appropriate con-
ditions exist, will show the following messages in the
odometer display:
²Door Ajar (door)
²Lift Gate Ajar (gATE)
Compass/Trip Computer Display
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²Loose Fuel Cap (gASCAP)
These messages can be manually turned off by pressing
the right button (on the instrument cluster).
Control Buttons
Press and release the odometer/trip odometer reset but-
ton (right side of the instrument cluster) to access the
compass/trip computer displays.
Display Button
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Trip Conditions
Trip Odometer (ODO)
This display shows the distance traveled since the last
reset. Press and release the right button (on the instru-
ment cluster) to switch from odometer, to trip A or trip B.
Press and hold the right button while the odometer/trip
odometer is displayed to reset.
Trip A
Shows the total distance traveled for trip A since the last
reset.
Trip B
Shows the total distance traveled for trip B since the last
reset.
Compass/Temperature Display
Compass Variance
Compass Variance is the difference between magnetic
North and Geographic North. In some areas of the
country, the difference between magnetic and geographic
North is great enough to cause the compass to give false
readings. In order to ensure compass accuracy, the com-
pass variance should be properly set according to the
compass variance map zone that the vehicle is in.
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To Manually Calibrate the Compass
Start the engine, and leave the transmission in the P
(Park) position. Press and hold (approximately 10 sec-
onds) the odometer/trip odometer reset button until the
current variance zone number is displayed. Release the
odometer/trip odometer reset button, then press and
hold again (approximately 10 seconds), until the direc-
tion is displayed with the ªCALº indicator on continu-
ously in the display. To complete the compass calibration,
drive the vehicle in one or more complete 360 degree
circles under 5 mph (8 km/h) in an area free from power
lines, large metallic objects, until the ªCALº indicator
turns off. The compass will now function normally.ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC) Ð IF EQUIPPED
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display. It is located on the
instrument cluster in the lower half of the fuel/coolant
temperature gauge.
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The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to Drive
if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at vehicle
speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
When To Use ªTOW/HAULº Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the ªTOW/HAULº button. This will improve
performance and reduce the potential for transmission
overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When
operating in ªTOW/HAULº mode, the transmission will
shift to 3rd gear and 4th will be enabled under steady
cruise conditions.
The ªTOW/HAUL Indicator Lightº will illuminate in the
instrument cluster to indicate when the switch has been
activated. Pressing the switch a second time restores
normal operation. If the ªTOW/HAULº mode is desired,
the switch must be pressed each time the engine is
started.
Tow/Haul Button
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