instrument cluster DODGE NITRO 2008 1.G Owners Manual

the OCS has classified the occupant of the seat as an
adult. An adult occupant needs to sit in a normal position
(with their feet on or near the floor) in order to be
properly classified. Reclining the seat back too far may
change how an occupant is classified by the OCS.
Drivers and adult passengers should verify that the
ªPAD Indicator Lightº is not illuminated when an adult
is riding in the front passenger seat. If an adult occu-
pant's weight is transferred to another part of the vehicle
(like the door or instrument panel), the weight sensors in
the seat may not properly classify the occupant. Objects
lodged under the seat or between the seat and the center
console can prevent the occupant's weight from being
measured properly and may result in the occupant being
improperly classified. Ensure that the front passenger
seat back does not touch anything placed on the back seat
because this can also affect occupant classification. Also,
if you fold down the rear seat check to be sure it doesn't
touch the front passenger seat.If the front passenger seat is damaged in any way, it
should only be serviced by an authorized dealer. If the
seat is removed (or even if the seat attachment bolts are
loosened or tightened in any way), take the vehicle to an
authorized dealer.
If there is a fault present in the OCS, the ªAirbag Warning
Lightº (a red light located in the center of the instrument
cluster directly in front of the driver) will be turned on.
This indicates that you should take the vehicle to an
authorized dealer. The ªAirbag Warning Lightº is turned
on whenever there is a fault that can affect the operation
of the airbag system. If there is a fault present in the OCS,
both the ªPAD Indicator Lightº and the ªAirbag Warning
Lightº are illuminated to show that the passenger airbag
is turned off until the fault is cleared. If an object is
lodged under the seat and interferes with operation of
the weight sensors, a fault will occur which turns on both
the ªPAD Indicator Lightº and the ªAirbag Warning
Light.º Once the lodged object is removed, the fault will
be automatically cleared after a short period of time.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

a{,9you could press the ªVoice Recognitionº button and
say9Pair a Phone9to select that option without having to
listen to the rest of the voice prompt.
Turning Confirmation Prompts On/Off
Turning confirmation prompts off will stop the system
from confirming your choices (e.g., the UConnecttsys-
tem will not repeat a phone number before you dial it).
²Press the ªPhoneº button to begin.
²After the9Ready9prompt and the following beep, say
9Setup Confirmations.9The UConnecttsystem will
play the current confirmation prompt status and you
will be given the choice to change it.
Phone and Network Status Indicators
If available on the radio and/or on a premium display
such as the instrument panel cluster, and supported by
your cell phone, the UConnecttsystem will provide
notification to inform you of your phone and networkstatus when you are attempting to make a phone call
using UConnectt. The status is given for roaming, net-
work signal strength, phone battery strength, etc.
Dialing Using the Cellular Phone Keypad
You can dial a phone number with your cellular phone
keypad and still use the UConnecttsystem (while dial-
ing via the cell phone keypad, the user must exercise
caution and take precautionary safety measures). By
dialing a number with your paired BluetoothŸ cellular
phone, the audio will be played through your vehicle's
audio system. The UConnecttsystem will work the same
as if you dial the number using voice recognition.
NOTE:Certain brands of mobile phones do not send the
dial ring to the UConnecttsystem to play it on the
vehicle audio system, so you will not hear it. Under this
situation, after successfully dialing a number, the user
102 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Turn Signals
Move the multi-function control lever up or down and
the arrows on each side of the instrument cluster flash to
show proper operation of the front and rear turn signal
lights. You can signal a lane change by moving the lever
partially up or down without moving beyond the detent.
If either light remains on and does not flash, or there is a
very fast flash rate, check for a defective outside light
bulb. If an indicator fails to light when the lever is
moved, it would suggest that the indicator bulb is
defective.
NOTE:A tone will chime if the turn signals are left on
for more than 1 mile (2 km).
Daytime Running Lights Ð If Equipped
The headlights come on at a low intensity level after the
vehicle has been driven approximately 3 feet (1 meter).
They will turn off when the vehicle is turned off or when
the headlights are switched on.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
CAUTION!
In cold weather, always turn off the wiper switch and
allow the wipers to return to the park position before
turning off the engine. If the wiper switch is left on
and the wipers freeze to the windshield, damage to
the wiper motor may occur when the vehicle is
restarted.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 125
3

ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL Ð IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, this device takes over the accelerator
operation at speeds greater than 25 mph (40 km/h).
Electronic Speed Control Operation
The speed control lever is located on the right side of the
steering wheel.
To Activate
Push the ON/OFF button. The CRUISE indicator in the
instrument cluster will illuminate. To turn the system
OFF, push the ON/OFF button a second time. The
CRUISE indicator will turn off. The system should be
turned OFF when not in use.
WARNING!
Leaving the Speed Control system on when not in use is
dangerous. You could accidentally set the system or cause
it to go faster than you want. You could lose control and
have an accident. Always leave the system OFF when you
are not using it.
Speed Control Lever
128 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

²Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
²Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESP/TCS Indicator Light
The9ESP/TCS Indicator Light9located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. The9ESP/TCS Indicator Light9also
flashes when TCS is active. If the9ESP/TCS Indicator
Light9begins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the
accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure
to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
WARNING!
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing
road conditions. ESP cannot prevent accidents, in-
cluding those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ESP-
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the
user's safety or the safety of others.
The ESP system has 2 available operating modes in 2WD,
4WD Part Time, 4WD Full Time, and on 2WD vehicles.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 135
3

situation requiring ESP to be switched to the ªPartial Offº
mode is overcome, turn ESP back on by momentarily
depressing the ªESP OFFº switch. This may be done
while the vehicle is in motion.
ESP/BAS Warning Lamp
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP is
combined with BAS. The ªESP/BAS Warning
Lampº and the ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº in
the instrument cluster both come on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ªONº position. They
should go out with the engine running. If the ªESP/BAS
Warning Lampº comes on continuously with the engine
running, a malfunction has been detected in either the
ESP or the BAS system. If this light remains on after
several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been driven
several miles at speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h),
see your authorized dealer as soon as possible to have the
problem diagnosed and corrected.NOTE:
²9The9ESP/TCS Indicator Light9and the9ESP/BAS
Warning Lamp9come on momentarily each time the
ignition switch is turned ON.
²Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESP System
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
²The ESP Control System will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is active. This is normal; the sounds
will stop when ESP becomes inactive following the
maneuver that caused the ESP activation.
GARAGE DOOR OPENER Ð IF EQUIPPED
HomeLinktreplaces up to three remote controls (hand
held transmitters) that operate devices such as garage
door openers, motorized gates, lighting, or home security
systems. The HomeLinktunit operates off your vehicle's
battery.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 137
3

INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS
CONTENTS
mInstrument Panel And Controls.............166
mInstrument Cluster......................167
mInstrument Cluster Description.............168
mCompass And Trip Computer Ð If Equipped . . . 180
NControl Buttons......................181
NTrip Conditions.......................182
NCompass/Temperature Display...........182
mElectronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) Ð
If Equipped...........................184NElectronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Displays............................186
NOil Change Required...................187
NTrip Functions.......................188
NCompass Display.....................189
NTelephone Ð If Equipped...............191
NPersonal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features)...........................193
mRadio General Information................196
NRadio Broadcast Signals.................1964

INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS
1 Ð Air Outlet 6 Ð Glove Box 11 Ð Hazard Warning Flasher
2 Ð Instrument Cluster 7 Ð Climate Control 12 Ð * Electronic Stability Control /
Traction Control Switch
3 Ð Storage Tray8 Ð * Heated Seat Switch 13 Ð Cigar Lighter / Power Outlet
4 Ð Center Air Outlet9 Ð * Rear Park Assist Switch 14 Ð Storage Bin
5 Ð Radio 10 Ð Passenger Airbag Disable Light * Ð If Equipped 166 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 167
4

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows level of fuel in tank when
ignition switch is in the ON position.
2. Fuel Cap Indicator
This symbol indicates the side of the vehicle
where the fuel cap is located.
3. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge indicates engine coolant
temperature. Any reading within the normal
range indicates that the cooling system is operat-
ing satisfactorily. The gauge needle will likely indicate a
high temperature when driving in hot weather, up moun-
tain grades, in heavy traffic, or when towing a trailer. If
the needle rises to the ªHº mark, stop the vehicle, shiftinto N (Neutral) increase engine speed for 2-3 minutes. If
the temperature reading does not return to normal, seek
authorized service immediately.
CAUTION!
Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the en-
gine running as you would not be able to react to the
temperature indicator if the engine overheats.
The gauge pointer will remain near its last reading when
the engine is turned off. It will return to a true reading
when the engine is restarted.
4. Low Fuel Warning Light
This indicator lights when the fuel gauge reads 1/8
of a tank or less.
168 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS