tires DODGE NITRO 2007 1.G Owner's Guide

WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
P (Park). With a manual transmission, shift the trans-
mission into R (Reverse). Always, block orchockthe
trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
316 STARTING AND OPERATING

3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).
Towing Requirements — Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
Tires–General Information section of this manual on
Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the Tires–GeneralInformation section of this manual on Tread Wear
Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires refer to the Tires–General Infor-
mation section of this manual on Replacement Tires for
proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires
with a higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes

Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
STARTING AND OPERATING 317
5

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never get any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
center where it can be raised on a lift.
•The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
Jack Location
The scissor-type jack and tire changing tools are located
in the left rear trim panel behind the second row seat.
Jack Storage Location
326 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

4. Locate the jack as shown. For the front tires, place it in
the notch on the body weld seam behind wheel to be
changed. For the rear tires, place it under the axle by the
wheel to be changed. Position the jack handle on the jack.
Do not raise the vehicle until you are sure the jack is
fully engaged.
5. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the right.
Raise the vehicle only until the tire just clears the surface
and enough clearance is obtained to install the spare tire.
Minimum tire lift provides maximum stability.
Front Jacking Location
Rear Jacking Location
330 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Miles 3,000 6,000 9,000 12,000 15,000
(Kilometers) (5 000) (10 000) (15 000) (20 000) (25 000)
Change the engine oil and engine oil filter, if not
replaced at 3 months.X X XXX
Rotate the tires. X X
Inspect the engine air filter element, replace if
necessary.X
Inspect the brake linings. X
Drain and refill the front and rear axle fluid. X
Inspect the transfer case fluid, add if necessary. X
390 SCHEDULE “B”
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Miles 18,000 21,000 24,000 27,000 30,000
(Kilometers) (30 000) (35 000) (40 000) (45 000) (50 000)
Change the engine oil and engine oil filter, if not
replaced at 3 months.X X XXX
Rotate the tires. X X X
Inspect the engine air filter element, replace if
necessary.X
Inspect the PCV Valve, and replace if necessary. X
Replace the spark plugs (3.7L Only).X
Inspect the brake linings. X
Drain and refill the front and rear axle fluid. X
Inspect the manual transmission fluid, add as nec-
essary (3.7L Only).X
Inspect the transfer case fluid, add if necessary. X
SCHEDULE “B” 391
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Miles 33,000 36,000 39,000 42,000 45,000
(Kilometers) (55 000) (60 000) (65 000) (70 000) (75 000)
Change the engine oil and engine oil filter, if not
replaced at 3 months.X X XXX
Rotate the tires. X X
Inspect the engine air filter element, replace if
necessary.X
Inspect the brake linings. X
Drain and refill the front and rear axle fluid. X
Inspect the transfer case fluid, add if necessary. X
Inspect the drive belt, and replace as needed. X
392 SCHEDULE “B”
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Miles 48,000 51,000 54,000 57,000 60,000
(Kilometers) (80 000) (85 000) (90 000) (95 000) (100 000)
Change the engine oil and engine oil filter, if not
replaced at 3 months.X X XXX
Rotate the tires. X X X
Inspect the engine air filter element, replace if
necessary.X
Inspect the PCV Valve, and replace if necessary. X
Replace the spark plugs (3.7L Only).X
Inspect the brake linings. X X
Drain and refill the front and rear axle fluid. X
Inspect manual transmission fluid, add as neces-
sary (3.7L Only).X
Drain and refill the automatic transmission fluid.
Replace main sump filter and spin-on cooler return
filter (if equipped).‡X
Inspect the drive belt, and replace as needed. Not
required if belt was previously.X
SCHEDULE “B” 393
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Miles 63,000 66,000 69,000 72,000 75,000
(Kilometers) (105 000) (110 000) (115 000) (120 000) (125 000)
Change the engine oil and engine oil filter, if not
replaced at 3 months.X X XXX
Rotate the tires. X X
Inspect the engine air filter element, replace if
necessary.X
Inspect the brake linings. X
Inspect the transfer case fluid, add if necessary. X
Drain and refill the front and rear axle fluid. X
Inspect the drive belt, and replace as needed. Not
required if belt was previously replaced.X
SCHEDULE “B” 395
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Miles 78,000 81,000 84,000 87,000 90,000
(Kilometers) (130 000) (135 000) (140 000) (145 000) (150 000)
Change the engine oil and engine oil filter, if not
replaced at 3 months.X X XXX
Rotate the tires. X X X
Inspect the engine air filter element, replace if
necessary.X
Inspect the PCV Valve, and replace if necessary. X
Replace the spark plugs (3.7L Only).X
Inspect the brake linings. X
Drain and refill the front and rear axle fluid. X
Inspect the drive belt, and replace as needed. Not
required if belt was previously replaced.X
Inspect the manual transmission fluid, add as nec-
essary (3.7L Only).X
Inspect the transfer case fluid, add if necessary. X
396 SCHEDULE “B”
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