steering DODGE NITRO 2008 1.G Owners Manual

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mA Word About Your Keys..................12
NIgnition Key Removal...................12
NKey-In-Ignition Reminder................14
mSentry Key............................14
NReplacement Keys......................15
NCustomer Key Programming..............16
NGeneral Information....................17
mSteering Wheel Lock Ð If Equipped..........17
NTo Manually Lock The Steering Wheel.......17NTo Release The Steering Wheel Lock.........18
mSecurity Alarm System Ð If Equipped.........18
NTo Arm The System.....................18
NTo Disarm The System...................19
mIlluminated Entry........................19
mRemote Keyless Entry.....................20
NTo Unlock The Doors And Liftgate..........20
NTo Lock The Doors And Liftgate............21
NUsing The Panic Alarm..................23
2

The new Sentry Key is programmed.The Keyless Entry
Transmitter will also be programmed during this pro-
cedure.
Repeat this procedure to program up to 8 keys. If you do
not have a programmed sentry key, contact your dealer
for details.
NOTE:If a programmed key is lost, see your dealer to
have all remaining keys erased from the systems
memory. This will prevent the lost key from starting your
vehicle. The remaining keys must then be repro-
grammed. All vehicle keys must be taken to the dealer at
the time of service to be reprogrammed.
General Information
The Sentry Key system complies with FCC rules part 15
and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following conditions:
²This device may not cause harmful interference.
²This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.
STEERING WHEEL LOCK Ð IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passive steering
wheel lock (manual transmission only). This lock pre-
vents steering the vehicle without the ignition key. If the
steering wheel is moved a half turn in either direction
and the key is not in the ignition, the steering wheel will
lock.
To Manually Lock the Steering Wheel
With the engine running, rotate the steering wheel 1/2
revolution from straight ahead position, turn off the
engine, and remove the key. Rotate the steering wheel
slightly in both directions until the lock engages.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17
2

To Release the Steering Wheel Lock
Insert the key in the ignition and turn the wheel slightly
to the right or left to disengage the lock.
NOTE:If you turned the wheel to the right to engage
the lock, you must turn the wheel slightly to the right to
disengage it. If you turned the wheel to the left to engage
the lock, turn the wheel slightly to the left to disengage it.
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
This system monitors the vehicle doors, liftgate, and
ignition for unauthorized operation. When the alarm is
activated, the system provides both audible and visual
signals. The horn will sound repeatedly for three minutes
and the headlights and taillights will flash for an addi-
tional 15 minutes.
NOTE:The ªPanicº and ªSecurityº alarms are quite
different. Please take a moment to activate the ªPanicº
and the ªSecurityº modes to hear the differences in thehorn. In case one should go off in the future, you will
need to know which mode has been activated in order to
deactivate it.
To Arm the System:
Remove the keys from the ignition switch and exit the
vehicle. Lock the doors and liftgate by pressing the
power door lock switch or the Lock button on the remote
keyless entry transmitter. Close all doors. The ªVehicle
Security Alarm Indicator Lightº (located in the instru-
ment cluster) will flash rapidly for about 16 seconds to
signal that the system is arming. During this 16-second
pre-arm period, opening any door or the liftgate will
cancel the arming process. If the system arms success-
fully, the ªVehicle Security Alarm Indicator Lightº will
flash at a slower rate to indicate the alarm is set.
Manually locking the doors with the door lock plunger
(located on the inside of the doors) or the driver's door
key lock cylinder will not arm the system.
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Driver And Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint Systems (SRS)This vehicle has airbags for both the driver and right
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver's front airbag is mounted in the
steering wheel. The passenger side airbag is mounted in
the instrument panel, above the glove compartment. The
words SRS/AIRBAG are embossed on the airbag covers.
NOTE:The front airbags are certified to the Federal
regulations that allow less forceful deployment.
The front airbags have a multistage inflator design. This
may allow the airbag to have different rates of inflation
that are based on collision severity and occupant size.
Also, the front passenger airbag is certified to the Federal
regulations that define Occupant Classification (Refer to
9Occupant Classification System9in this section).
Front Airbag Components
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
2

WARNING!
²Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won't deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you have
airbags.
²Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel during airbag deployment could cause seri-
ous injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back,
comfortably extending your arms to reach the
steering wheel or instrument panel.
²The side curtain airbags need room to inflate. Do
not lean against the door or window. Sit upright in
the center of the seat.
Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
²Occupant Restraint Control Module
²Airbag Warning Light
²Driver Airbag
²Passenger Airbag
²Side Curtain Airbags above Side Windows
²Side Remote Acceleration Sensors
²Steering Wheel and Column
²Instrument Panel
²Interconnecting Wiring
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

²Front Remote Acceleration Sensors
²Seat Track Position Sensors (STPS) Ð If Present
²Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioner
²Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Retractors
²Occupant Classification System (OCS) Ð Front Pas-
senger Seat Only
þOccupant Classification Module
þPassenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator Light
þWeight Sensors
How The Airbag System Works
²
TheOccupant Restraint Control (ORC) Modulede-
termines if a frontal, side, or rollover collision is severe
enough to require the airbags to inflate. The front
airbag inflators are designed to provide different rates
of airbag inflation from direction provided by the
ORC. The ORC may also modify the rate of inflation
based on the occupant size provided by the Occupant
Classification Module. The ORC will detect roll over,
but not rear impacts.
The ORC also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or ON positions. These include all of the
items listed above except the instrument panel, and
the steering wheel and column. If the key is in the
LOCK position, in the ACC position, or not in the
ignition, the airbags are not on and will not inflate.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

²TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Unitsare
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel. When the ORC detects a
collision requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator
units. A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the front airbags. Different airbag inflation rates
are possible, based on collision severity and occupant
size. The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper
right side of the instrument panel separate and fold
out of the way as the bags inflate to their full size. The
bags fully inflate in about 50±70 milliseconds. This is
about half of the time it takes to blink your eyes. The
bags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain the
driver and front passenger.
The driver front airbag gas is vented through the vent
holes in the sides of the airbag. The passenger front
airbag gas is vented through the vent holes in the sides
of the airbag. In this way, the airbags do not interfere
with your control of the vehicle.²TheOccupant Classification Module (OCM)is lo-
cated beneath the front passenger seat. The OCM
classifies the occupant into categories based on the
measurements made by the seat weight sensors. The
OCM communicates with the Occupant Restraint Con-
trol (ORC) Module. The ORC uses the occupant cat-
egory to determine whether the front passenger airbag
should be turned off. It also determines the rate of
airbag inflation during a collision.
²Your vehicle has fourWeight Sensorslocated between
the seat and the floor pan. The weight sensors measure
applied weight and transfers that information to the
OCM.
²TheSide Impact SRS Side Curtain Airbagsare de-
signed to activate only in certain side collisions and
rollover events. When the ORC detects a collision
requiring the side curtain airbag to inflate, it signals
the inflators on the crash side of the vehicle. A quantity
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59
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Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system could cause it to fail
when you need it. You could be injured if the airbag system is not
there to protect you. Do not modify the components or wiring,
including adding any kind of badges or stickers to the steering wheel
hub trim cover or the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper or vehicle body structure.
²Do not attempt to modify any part of your advanced airbag system.
The airbag may inflate accidentally or may not function properly if
modifications are made. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for
any advanced airbag system service. If your seat including your trim
cover and cushion needs to be serviced in any way (including removal
or loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle to
your authorized dealer. Only manufacturer approved seat accessories
may be used. If it is necessary to modify an advanced airbag system
for persons with disabilities, contact your authorized dealer.
²Do not place or hang any items such as add-on video players on the
right front passenger seat back. The additional weight may cause the
Occupant Classification System to be unable to correctly classify the
right front occupant. This could allow the passenger frontal airbag to
inflate when it is not desired.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the airbag system yourself.
Be sure to tell anyone who works on your vehicle that it has an airbag
system.
NOTE:Perchlorate Material ± special handling may
apply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate
Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbag system ready to inflate
for your protection in an impact. The airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free. If any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
promptly:
²Does not come on during the 6 to 8 seconds after the
ignition switch is first turned on.
²Remains on after the 6 to 8 second interval.
²Comes on for any period of time while driving.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 63
2

NFront Seat Adjustment Ð Recline..........114
N6±Way Driver's Power Seat With Manual
Recliner............................115
NFold Flat Front Passenger Seat............116
NHead Restraints......................116
NHeated Seats Ð If Equipped.............116
N60/40 Split Folding Rear Seat With Fold Flat
Feature............................118
mTo Open And Close The Hood.............121
mLights...............................122
NInterior Lights.......................122
NMulti-Function Control Lever.............123
NParking Lights, Instrument Panel Lights,
And Headlights......................123NLights-On Reminder...................124
NHeadlight Dimmer Switch...............124
NPassing Light........................124
NFront Fog Lights Ð If Equipped...........124
NTurn Signals.........................125
NDaytime Running Lights Ð If Equipped.....125
mWindshield Wipers And Washers............125
NIntermittent Wiper System...............126
NWindshield Wiper Operation.............126
NWindshield Washers...................126
NMist Feature.........................127
mTilt Steering Column....................127
mElectronic Speed Control Ð If Equipped......128
80 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

that enables different electronic devices to connect to
each other without wires or a docking station, so UCon-
necttworks no matter where you stow your cellular
phone (be it your purse, pocket, or briefcase), as long as
your phone is turned on and has been paired to the
vehicle's UConnecttsystem. The UConnecttsystem
allows up to seven cellular phones to be linked to system.
Only one linked (or paired) cellular phone can be used
with the system at a time. The system is available in
English, Spanish, or French languages (as equipped).
Phone Button
The rearview mirror contains the microphone
for the system (depending on the type of
mirror and radio equipped), and either the
radio or the mirror has the two control buttons
(Phone Button and Voice Recognition Button) that will
enable you to access the system.Voice Recognition Button
Actual button location may vary with radio.
The individual buttons are described in the
ªOperationº section.
The UConnecttsystem can be used with any Hands-Free
Profile certified BluetoothŸ cellular phone. See UCon-
necttwebsite for supported phones. If your cellular
phone supports a different profile (e.g., Headset Profile)
you may not be able to use any UConnecttfeatures.
Refer to your cellular service provider or the phone
manufacturer for details.
The UConnecttsystem is fully integrated with the vehi-
cle's audio system. The volume of the UConnecttsystem
can be adjusted either from the radio volume control
knob or from the steering wheel radio control (right
switch), if so equipped.
88 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE