trailer DODGE NITRO 2008 1.G Owner's Manual

WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle's hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Towing Requirements Ð Trailer Lights & Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may includea4and7pin
wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness
and connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
STARTING AND OPERATING 327
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The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
4 - Pin Connector
7- Pin Connector
328 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.
If using a manual transmission vehicle for trailer towing,
all starts must be in FIRST gear to avoid excessive clutch
slippage.
Towing Tips Ð Automatic Transmission
The ªDº range can be selected when towing. However, if
frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the ª3º range
should be selected.
NOTE:Using the ª3º (3.7L engine) or ª4º (4.0L engine)
range while operating the vehicle under heavy operating
conditions will improve performance and extend trans-
mission life by reducing excessive shifting and heat build
up. This action will also provide better engine braking.The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than
45 minutes of continuous operation. See Schedule ªBº in
section 8 of this manual for transmission fluid change
intervals.
Towing Tips Ð TOW/HAUL (If Equipped)
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, press the ªTOW HAULº button when driving in
hilly areas or shift the transmission to Drive position 2 on
more severe grades. Refer to ªTransmission Shiftingº in
this section.
Towing Tips Ð Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)
þ
Don't use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
þWhen using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
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þUse speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips Ð Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
þCity Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral and increase engine idle speed.
þHighway Driving
Reduce speed.
þAir Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
þrefer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing ± 2WD Models
Recreational towing (all four wheels on the
ground)
Recreational towing is allowedONLYif the driveshaft is
removed. Towing with the rear wheels on the ground
while the driveshaft is connected can result in severe
transmission damage.
NOTE:This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or
vehicle trailer provided all four wheels areOFFthe
ground.
330 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Ð 4WD or All-Wheel Drive Models
CAUTION!
Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used. Internal
damage to the transmission or transfer case will occur
if a front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational
towing.
Recreational towing (all four wheels on the
ground)
Recreational towing isNOTallowed. These models do
not have a N (Neutral) position in the transfer case.
NOTE:This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or
vehicle trailer provided all four wheels areOFFthe
ground.
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CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions as well as your kind of driving affect the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following to determine if any apply to you:
²Day or night temperatures are below 32ÉF (0ÉC)
²Stop and go driving
²Extensive engine idling
²Driving in dusty conditions
²Short trip driving of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
²More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90ÉF (32ÉC)
²Taxi, Police, or delivery service (commercial service)
²Trailer towing
²If equipped for and operating with E±85 (ethanol) fuel
IfANYof these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown in schedule ªBº of the ªMainte-
nance Schedulesº section of this manual.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown on schedule ªAº of the ªMain-
tenance Schedulesº section of this manual
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change in-
tervals exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 355
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Cavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
J18 20 Amp
YellowPowertrain Control
Module (PCM) Trans
Range
J19 60 Amp
YellowRadiator Fan
J20 30 Amp
PinkFront Wiper LO/HI
J21 20 Amp
YellowFront/Rear Washer
J22 25 Amp
NaturalSunroof Module
M1 15 Amp
BlueCenter High Mounted
Stop Light (CHMSL)/
Brake Switch
M2 20 Amp
YellowTrailer LightingCavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
M3 20 Amp
YellowFrt/Rear Axle Lockers
M4 10 Amp
RedTrailer Tow
M5 25 Amp
NaturalInverter
M6 20 Amp
YellowPower Outlet #1/Rain
Sensor
M7 20 Amp
YellowPower Outlet #2
(BATT/ACC SELECT)
M8 20 Amp
YellowFront Heated Seat
M9 20 Amp
YellowRear Heated Seat (If
Equipped)
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 383
7

Cavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
M10 20 Amp
YellowIgnition Off Draw Ð
Vehicle Entertainment
System (IOD-VES),
Satellite Digital Audio
Receiver (SDARS),
DVD, Hands Free
Module (HFM), RA-
DIO, Antenna (ANT),
Universal Garage
Door Opener
(UGDO), Vanity
Lamp (VANITY LP)
M11 10 Amp
Red(Ignition Off Draw)
IOD-HVAC/ATC,
MW SENSR, Under-
hood Lamp (UH
LMP)Cavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
M12 30 Amp
GreenAmplifier (AMP)
M13 20 Amp
YellowIgnition Off DrawÐ
Cabin Compartment
Node (IOD-CCN),
Wireless Control
Module (WCM), SI-
REN, Clock Module
(CLK MOD), Multi-
Function Control
Switch (MULTIFCTN
SW)
M14 20 Amp
YellowTrailer Tow (Export
Only)
384 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Required Maintenance Intervals
Perform Maintenance Every(Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items Miles Kilometers or Months
Change the engine oil and engine oil filter. 6,000 10 000 6
Rotate tires. 6,000 10 000 6
If using your vehicle for any of the following: Dusty
or off-road conditions. Inspect the engine air cleaner
filter, replace if necessary.12,000 20 000 12
Inspect the brake linings, replace if necessary. 12,000 20 000 12
Inspect the front & rear axle fluid, change if using
your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent
trailer towing.18,000 30 000 18
Inspect exhaust system. Perform the first inspection at
12,000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months.24,000 40 000 24
Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot
seals, replace if necessary.24,000 40 000 24
Replace the engine air cleaner filter.30,000 50 000 30
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 401
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Perform Maintenance Every(Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items Miles Kilometers or Months
Check the PCV valve, replace if necessary.30,000 50 000 30
Change the manual transmission fluid if using your
vehicle for any of the following: trailer towing, snow
plowing, heavy loading, taxi, police, delivery service
(commercial service), off-road, desert operation or
more then 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90ÉF (32ÉC).30,000 50 000 30
Inspect the transfer case fluid. 30,000 50 000 30
Replace the spark plugs (3.7L Only).30,000 50 000 30
Change the automatic transmission fluid & filter if
using your vehicle for any of the following: police,
taxi, fleet or frequent trailer towing.60,000 100 000 60
Change the transfer case fluid if using your vehicle for
any of the following: police, taxi, fleet, off-road or fre-
quent trailer towing.60,000 100 000 60
402 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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