brake fluid DODGE NITRO 2011 1.G Owners Manual

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 91

WARNING!
If the Transmission Temperature Warning Light is
illuminated and you continue operating the vehicle,
in some circumstances you could cause the fluid to
boil over, come in contact with hot engine or exhaust
components and cause a fire.
14. Brake Warning Light This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system reservoir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been
disengaged, and the fluid level is at the full mark on the
master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction or that a problem with the Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) / Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.
In this case, the light will remain on until the condition
has been corrected. If the problem is related to the brake
booster, the ABS pump will run when applying the brake
and a brake pedal pulsation may be felt during each stop.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. A leak in either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:
The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
202 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Shifting Procedure – Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case ....................... 306
 On-Road Driving Tips .................. 307
 Power Steering ....................... 307
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 308
 Parking Brake ........................ 309
 Anti-Lock Brake System ................. 311
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 313
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 314
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 314
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 315
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ......... 316
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 316▫
ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 319
 Tire Safety Information ................. 320
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 320
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 323
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 324
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 325
 Tires — General Information ............. 329
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 329
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 330
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 332
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... 332
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 332
288 STARTING AND OPERATING

If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to leave the
transmission in PARK.
The parking brake lever is located in the center console.
To apply the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as
possible. To release the parking brake, pull the lever up
slightly, press the center button, then lower the lever
completely.When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch ON, the “Brake Warning Light” in the instrument
cluster will illuminate.
Parking Brake
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 309

Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the total weight
of the vehicle with all fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full
capacity conditions, and with no occupants or cargo
loaded into the vehicle. The front and rear curb weight
values are determined by weighing your vehicle on a
commercial scale before any occupants or cargo are
added.
Loading
The actual total weight and the weight of the front and
rear of your vehicle at the ground can best be determined
by weighing it when it is loaded and ready for operation.
The entire vehicle should first be weighed on a commer-
cial scale to ensure that the GVWR has not been ex-
ceeded. The weight on the front and rear of the vehicle
should then be determined separately to be sure that the
load is properly distributed over front and rear axle.
Weighing the vehicle may show that the GAWR of eitherthe front or rear axles has been exceeded, but the total
load is within the specified GVWR. If so, weight must be
shifted from front to rear, or rear to front, as appropriate
until the specified weight limitations are met. Store the
heavier items down low and be sure that the weight is
distributed equally. Stow all loose items securely before
driving.
Improper weight distributions can have an adverse affect
on the way your vehicle steers and handles, and the way
the brakes operate.
CAUTION!
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR
or the maximum front and rear GAWR. If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, or it can change the
way your vehicle handles. This could cause you to
lose control. Also, overloading can shorten the life of
your vehicle.
360 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Exhaust System ..................... 415
▫ Cooling System ..................... 417
▫ Brake System ....................... 422
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 424
▫ Transfer Case ....................... 426
▫ Front/Rear Axle Fluid ................. 427
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 427
 Fuses .............................. 432
▫ Totally Integrated Power Module ......... 432
 Replacement Bulbs .................... 438
 Bulb Replacement ..................... 438
▫ Headlamp ......................... 438 ▫
Left Front Turn Signal ................. 439
▫ Right Front Turn Signal ................ 440
▫ Front Side Marker .................... 440
▫ Front Fog Lamp (Front Fascia Mounted) .... 440
▫ Rear Tail, Stop, Turn Signal, And Backup
Lamp ............................. 441
▫ Center High Mounted Stop Lamp
(CHMSL) .......................... 442
 Fluid Capacities ...................... 443
 Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ....... 444
▫ Engine ............................ 444
▫ Chassis ........................... 445
400 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.7L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
2 — Engine Oil Dipstick 7 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 8 — Engine Oil Fill
4 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 9 — Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Battery
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 401

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 4.0L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter6 — Engine Oil Fill
2 — Engine Oil Dipstick 7 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 8 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
4 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 9 — Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Battery
402 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under hood services or immediately if
the BRAKE warning light is illuminated.
Be sure to clean the top of the master cylinder area before
removing the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the
fluid level up to the requirements described on the brake
fluid reservoir. With disc brakes, fluid level can be
expected to fall as the brake pads wear. Brake fluid level
should be checked when pads are replaced. However,
low fluid level may be caused by a leak and a checkup
may be needed.
Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid. Re-
fer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further information.WARNING!
•Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information. Using the wrong type of brake fluid
can severely damage your brake system and/or
impair its performance. The proper type of brake
fluid for your vehicle is also identified on the
original factory installed hydraulic master cylin-
der reservoir.(Continued)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 423

WARNING! (Continued)
•To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that
has been in a tightly closed container. Keep the
master cylinder reservoir cap secured at all times.
Brake fluid in a open container absorbs moisture
from the air resulting in a lower boiling point.
This may cause it to boil unexpectedly during hard
or prolonged braking, resulting in sudden brake
failure. This could result in a collision.
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contami-
nate the brake fluid. Brake seal components could
be damaged, causing partial or complete brake
failure. This could result in a collision.
Automatic Transmission
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transmission to assure optimum transmission perfor-
mance. Use only manufacturer’s recommended transmis-
sion fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion. It is important that the transmission fluid be main-
tained at the prescribed level using the recommended
fluid.
424 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE