DODGE NITRO 2008 1.G Owners Manual

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IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 411
9

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire's
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, andmay depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
412 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 413
9

INDEX
10

About Your Brakes....................... 272
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............173,274
Adding Fuel........................... 310
Adding Washer Fluid..................... 159
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 361
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 362
Air Conditioning.....................235,238
Air Conditioning Controls................. 238
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips............ 239
Air Conditioning Refrigerant............... 363
Air Conditioning System.................. 238
Air Filter.............................. 361
Air Pressure, Tires....................... 288
Airbag.............................49,174
Airbag Deployment....................... 61
Airbag Light..........................63,77
Airbag Maintenance....................... 63
Alarm, Panic............................ 23
Alarm (Security Alarm).................18,170Alarm System (Security Alarm)............... 18
Alignment and Balance................... 293
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 8
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 228
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)................ 394
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............131,274
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 173
Anti-Theft System.....................18,170
Appearance Care........................ 377
Auto Down Power Windows................ 34
Automatic Dimming Mirror................. 84
Automatic Transaxle...................... 252
Automatic Transmission.............255,260,374
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 374
Fluid Level Check...................374,375
Fluid Type........................374,396
Gear Ranges.......................... 255
Special Additives...................... 375
Torque Converter...................259,264
416 INDEX

Autostick............................. 262
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet)...... 147
Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 147
Axle Fluid............................. 396
Battery............................... 362
Charging............................ 341
Emergency Starting..................... 341
Gas Caution.......................... 341
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)....... 24
Belts, Drive............................ 358
Belts, Seat.............................. 40
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 364
B-Pillar Location........................ 283
Brake Assist System...................... 132
Brake Control System, Electronic............. 131
Brake Fluid............................ 396
Brake, Parking.......................... 272
Brake System........................... 372Anti-Lock (ABS)....................131,274
Hoses.............................. 372
Master Cylinder....................... 373
Parking............................. 272
Warning Light.....................171,173
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 254
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 76
Bulb Replacement....................... 389
Bulbs, Light............................ 389
Calibration, Compass..................183,190
Capacities, Fluid........................ 394
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 310
Power Steering........................ 363
Car Washes............................ 378
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............76,309
Cargo Area Features...................... 153
Cargo Compartment...................... 153
INDEX 417
10

Light............................... 153
Cargo Light............................ 153
Cargo Load Floor........................ 154
Cargo Slide Out System
LoadNGo ........................... 156
Cargo Tie-Downs........................ 153
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 313
Catalytic Converter...................... 359
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance........ 234
Cellular Phone.......................... 87
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 393
Certification Label....................... 313
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 336
Charging.............................. 341
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 280
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)................................ 351
Checks, Safety.........................77,78
Child Restraint....................66,67,71,73Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............70,71
Child Safety Locks........................ 32
Climate Control......................... 235
Clock...........................199,215,226
Coin Holder........................... 152
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 234
Compass........................180,183,189
Compass Calibration..................183,190
Compass Variance....................182,190
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 188
Console.............................. 152
Console, Floor.......................... 152
Contract, Service........................ 408
Converter, Catalytic...................... 359
Cooling System......................... 366
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 368
Coolant Capacity...................... 394
Coolant Level......................... 370
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 369
418 INDEX

Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 367
Inspection........................... 366
Points to Remember.................... 370
Pressure Cap......................... 369
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......367,394,395
Temperature Gauge..................... 168
Corrosion Protection..................... 377
Crankcase Emission Control System.......... 361
Cup Holder............................ 151
Customer Assistance..................... 406
Data Recorder, Event...................... 64
Daytime Running Lights................... 125
Dealer Service.......................... 353
Defroster, Rear Window................... 159
Defroster, Windshield...................78,237
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 126
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 350
Dimmer Switch, Headlight..............124,170Dipsticks
Oil (Engine).......................... 354
Disposal
Engine Oil........................... 357
Used Coolant (Antifreeze)................ 369
Door Locks............................. 27
Door Opener, Garage..................... 137
Drive Belts............................ 358
Driving............................... 268
Off-Pavement......................... 268
Off-Road............................ 268
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System)...... 231
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 85
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary (Power Outlet)...... 147
Electrical Power Outlets................... 147
Electronic Brake Control System............. 131
Anti-Lock Brake System................. 131
Brake Assist System.................... 132
INDEX 419
10

Electronic Roll Mitigation................ 133
Electronic Stability Program............... 134
Traction Control System................. 132
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)............. 133
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 128
Electronic Stability Program (ESP).........134,170
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 184
Emergency, In Case of
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 334
Jacking............................. 336
Overheating.......................... 335
Towing............................. 343
Emission Control System Maintenance......351,398
Engine
Air Cleaner.......................... 361
Block Heater......................... 248
Break-In Recommendations................ 76
Compartment......................348,349
Compartment Identification............348,349Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 395
Exhaust Gas Caution..................76,309
Fails to Start.......................... 246
Flooded, Starting...................... 246
Fuel Requirements..................306,394
Jump Starting......................... 341
Oil ...........................354,394,395
Oil Disposal.......................... 357
Oil Filter............................ 357
Oil Selection.......................... 394
Overheating.......................... 335
Starting............................. 245
Temperature Gauge..................... 168
Engine Oil Viscosity...................... 356
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart................. 356
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 62
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 19
Event Data Recorder...................... 64
Exhaust Gas Caution...................76,309
420 INDEX