heater DODGE NITRO 2008 1.G Owners Manual

Fold Flat Front Passenger Seat
The front passenger seat can be folded flat to allow for
extended cargo space. Pull up on the lever to fold down
the seat back.
Head Restraints
Head restraints can reduce the risk of whiplash injury in
the event of impact from the rear. Adjustable head
restraints should be adjusted so that the upper edge is as
high as practical. The head restraints have a locking
button that must be pushed inward to lower the head
restraint. The head restraints may be raised without
pushing in the button.
Heated Seats Ð If Equipped
Heated seats provide comfort and warmth on cold days
and can help soothe sore muscles and backs. The heaters
provide the same heat level for both cushion and back.
The front driver and passenger seats are heated. The
controls for each heater are located near the bottom
center of the instrument panel. After turning on the
ignition, you can choose from High, Low, or Off heat
settings. Amber LEDs in the top portion of each switch
Fold Flat Passenger Seat
116 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

indicate the level of heat in use. Two LEDs are illumi-
nated for high, one for low, and none for off. Pressing the
switch once will select high-level heating.Pressing the switch a second time will select low-level
heating. Pressing the switch a third time will shut the
heating elements off.
When high-temperature heating is selected, the heaters
provide a boosted heat level during the first four minutes
of operation after heating is activated. The heat output
then drops to the normal high-temperature level. If
high-level heating is selected, the system will automati-
cally switch to the low level after 30 minutes of continu-
ous operation. At that time, the number of illuminated
LEDs changes from two to one, indicating the change.
Operation on the low setting also turns off automatically
after 30 minutes.
NOTE:Once a heat setting is selected, heat will be felt
within two to five minutes.
Heated Seat Switches
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 117
3

WARNING!
Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin
because of advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes,
spinal cord injury, medication, alcohol use, exhaus-
tion or other physical condition must exercise care
when using the seat heater. It may cause burns even
at low temperatures, especially if used for long
periods of time.
Do not place anything on the seat that insulates
against heat, such as a blanket or cushion. This may
cause the seat heater to overheat.
60/40 Split Folding Rear Seat with Fold Flat
Feature
To provide additional storage area, each rear seat can be
folded flat to allow for extended cargo space and still
maintain some rear seating room.
The rear seatback also reclines for additional passenger
comfort. Pull the release strap while sitting in the rear
seat to recline the seatback.
118 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

For UConnectŸ ªVoice Recognition System (VR) Ð If
Equipped º refer to ªHands-Free Communication (UCon-
nectŸ)º in section 3 of this manual for detailed operating
instructions.
Operating Instructions - Hands Free Phone
(UConnectŸ) (If Equipped)
Refer to ªHands-Free Communication (UConnectŸ)º in
Section 3 of this manual.
Operating Instructions - Satellite Radio Mode (If
Equipped)
Refer to ªSatellite Radioº in this section.
Operating Instructions - Video Entertainment
System (VESt) (If Equipped)
Refer to separate ªVideo Entertainment System (VESt)
Guide.ºDolby
Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories.
9Dolby9and the double-D symbol are trademarks of
Dolby Laboratories.
Macrovision
This product incorporates copyright protection technol-
ogy that is protected by U.S. patents and other intellec-
tual property rights. Use of this copyright protection
technology must be authorized by Macrovision, and is
intended for home and other limited viewing uses only
unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision. Reverse
engineering or disassembly is prohibited
DTS
9DTS9and9DTS 2.09are trademarks of Digital Theater
Systems, Inc.
212 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................245
NManual Transmission..................245
NAutomatic Transmission................245
NNormal Starting......................245
NExtreme Cold Weather (Below ±20ÉF Or
±29ÉC).............................246
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................246
NAfter Starting........................248
mEngine Block Heater Ð If Equipped.........248mManual Transmission Ð If Equipped.........249
N6-Speed Manual Transmission............249
mAutomatic Transmission..................252
NShift Lock Manual Override Ð If Equipped . . . 253
NBrake/Transmission Interlock System.......254
N4±Speed Automatic Transmission (3.7L
Engine)............................255
N5±Speed Automatic Transmission (4.0L
Engine)............................260
NGear Ranges.........................260
5

Tip Start Feature Ð Automatic Transmission Only
Do notpress the accelerator. Turn the ignition key briefly
to START position, and release it. The starter motor will
continue to run, but will automatically disengage itself
when the engine is running.
Extreme Cold Weather (below ±20ÉF or ±29ÉC)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
ªNormal Startingº or ªExtreme Cold Weatherº proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all
the way to the floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
Ignition Key Positions
246 STARTING AND OPERATING

released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the ªNormal Startingº or ªExtreme Cold
Weatherº procedures should be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER Ð IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded three-wire extension cord.
²The engine block heater cord is found under the hood
clipped to the heater line on the left side of the engine.
248 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt AC electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
Use the heater when temperatures below 0ÉF (-18ÉC) are
expected to last for several days.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION Ð IF EQUIPPED
6-Speed Manual Transmission
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.Follow the shift pattern on the gearshift knob.
NOTE:The backup lights will come on when your
vehicle is in R (Reverse) gear and the ignition is in the ON
position.
Manual Shift Controls
STARTING AND OPERATING 249
5

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways Ð Slow down.
²In city traffic Ð While stopped, put transmission in N
(Neutral), but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
Control to maximum heat, the Mode Control to floor, and
the Fan Control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads ªH,º
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the ªH,º and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call for service.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 335
6

1. Wear eye protection and remove all metal jewelry such
as watch bands or bracelets which might make an
unintended electrical contact.
2. Park the booster vehicle within cable reach but with-
out letting the vehicles touch. Set the parking brake, place
the automatic transmission in PARK and turn the ignition
OFF on both vehicles.
3. Turn OFF heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the booster battery. Connect the other end of
the same cable to the positive terminal of the discharged
battery.WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery and then to the engine of the
vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure you have
a good contact on the engine.
342 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES