wheel DODGE NITRO 2008 1.G Workshop Manual

²When 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.
²Safety 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.
²Vehicles 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 or9chock9the
trailer wheels.
²GCWR must not be exceeded.
²Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
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 Ð Tires
þ
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
þProper 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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 325
5

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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 331
5

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mHazard Warning Flashers.................334
mIf Your Engine Overheats.................335
mJacking And Tire Changing................336
NJack Location........................336
NSpare Tire Stowage....................337
NSpare Tire Removal....................337NPreparations For Jacking................338
NJacking Instructions....................339
mJump Starting.........................341
mTowing A Disabled Vehicle................343
NTwo-Wheel Drive Vehicles...............344
NFour-Wheel Drive Vehicles...............344
6

CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed for use with the
jack extension tube only. Use of an air wrench or
other power tools is not recommended and they can
damage the winch.
When the spare is clear, tilt the retainer at the end of the
cable, and pull it through the center of the wheel.
Preparations For Jacking
²
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface as far from the
edge of the roadway as possible. Avoid icy or slippery
areas.
²Set the parking brakeand place the gear selector in
PARK (automatic transmission) or REVERSE (manual
transmission).
²Turn the ignition to the LOCK position.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid being hit when operating the jack
or changing the wheel.
²Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.
²Block both the front and rear
of the wheel diagonally oppo-
site of the jacking position.
For example, if changing the
right front tire, block the left
rear wheel.
²Passengers should not remain in the vehicle when the
vehicle is being jacked.
338 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Jacking Instructions
1. Remove spare tire.
2. Loosen (but do not remove) the wheel lug nuts by
turning them to the left one turn while the wheel is still
on the ground.
3. Remove jack and tools from mounting bracket. As-
semble the tools by connecting the driver to the exten-
sion, and then to the lug wrench.
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.
Front Jacking Location
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 339
6

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.
WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle less stable and cause an accident. It could
slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the
vehicle only enough to remove the tire.
6. Remove the lug nuts and wheel.
7. Position the spare wheel/tire on the vehicle and install
lug nuts with cone-shaped end toward wheel. Lightly
tighten the nuts. To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle
off the jack, do not tighten the nuts fully until the vehicle
has been lowered.
8. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the left,
and remove the jack and wheel blocks.
Rear Jacking Location
340 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

9. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the
wrench while tightening for increased leverage. Alternate
nuts until each nut has been tightened twice. Correct
wheel nut tightness is 130 N´m (95 ft. lbs). If in doubt
about the correct tightness, have them checked with a
torque wrench by your authorized dealer or at a service
station.
10. Lower the jack to it's fully closed position.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack, thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
11. Secure the tire, jack, and tools in their proper loca-
tions.
JUMP STARTING
WARNING!
²Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or cloth-
ing. Don't lean over battery when attaching
clamps or allow the clamps to touch each other. If
acid splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the contami-
nated area immediately with large quantities of
water.
²A battery generates hydrogen gas which is flam-
mable and explosive. Keep flame or spark away
from the vent holes. Do not use a booster battery
or any other booster source with an output that
exceeds 12 volts.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 341
6

NOTE:Transmission must be in ªNº (Neutral) under
any towing configuration.
Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Front Wheels Raised
The speed mustnotexceed 30 mph (50 km/h) and the
distance mustnotexceed 15 miles (25 km).
This vehicle may be towed with the transmission in ªNº,
the ignition key in the LOCK position, the front wheels
raised, and the rear wheels on the ground.
NOTE:Towing the vehicle, with the rear wheels on the
ground, at more than 30 mph (50 km/h) or for more than
15 miles (25 km) can cause severe transmission damage.
If the vehicle is to be towed more than 15 miles (25 km )
or faster than 30 mph, it must be towed on a flatbed.
Rear Wheels Raised
The speed mustnotexceed 30 mph (50 km/h) and the
distance mustnotexceed 15 miles (25 km).
This vehicle may be towed with the transmission in ªNº,
the ignition key in the LOCK position, the rear wheels
raised, and the front wheels on the ground.
If the vehicle is to be towed more than 15 miles (25 km )
or faster than 30 mph, it must be towed on a flatbed.
Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
The manufacturer recommends flatbed towing with all
wheelsOFFthe ground.
344 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

²If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint,
touch them up immediately. The cost of such repairs is
considered the responsibility of the owner.
²If your vehicle is damaged due to an accident or
similar cause which destroys the paint and protective
coating have your vehicle repaired as soon as possible.
The cost of such repairs is considered the responsibil-
ity of the owner.
²If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers,
de-icer salt, etc., assure that such materials are well
packaged and sealed.
²If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider
mud or stone shields behind each wheel.
²Use MopartTouch Up Paint on scratches or chips as
soon as possible. Your authorized dealer has touch up
paint to match the color of your vehicle.
Wheel and Wheel Trim Care
All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and
chrome plated wheels should be cleaned regularly with a
mild soap and water to prevent corrosion. To remove
heavy soil, use MopartWheel Cleaner or select a non-
abrasive, non-acidic cleaner. Do not use scouring pads,
steel wool, a bristle brush or metal polishes. Only Mo-
partcleaners are recommended. Do not use oven cleaner.
Avoid automatic car washes that use acidic solutions or
harsh brushes that may damage the wheels' protective
finish.
YES EssentialstFabric Cleaning Procedure ± If
Equipped
YES Essentialstseats may be cleaned in the following
manner:
²Remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting
with a clean, dry towel.
²Blot any remaining stain with a clean, damp towel.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 379
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