DODGE NITRO 2009 1.G User Guide

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
A Word About Your Keys................. 12
▫Ignition Key Removal.................. 12
▫Key-In-Ignition Reminder................ 13
Sentry Key........................... 14
▫Replacement Keys..................... 15
▫Customer Key Programming............. 16
▫General Information.................... 17
Vehicle Security Alarm — If Equipped........ 17
▫To Arm The System.................... 18▫To Disarm The System.................. 18
Illuminated Entry....................... 19
Remote Keyless Entry.................... 19
▫To Unlock The Doors And Liftgate......... 20
▫To Lock The Doors And Liftgate........... 21
▫Express Down Window Feature —
If Equipped.......................... 22
▫Using The Panic Alarm................. 23
▫Programming Additional Transmitters....... 23
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▫Battery Replacement................... 23
▫General Information.................... 24
Remote Starting System — If Equipped....... 25
Door Locks........................... 26
▫Manual Door Locks.................... 27
▫Power Door Locks..................... 28
▫Automatic Door Locks.................. 29
▫Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit.......... 30
▫Child-Protection Door Lock System (Rear
Doors)............................. 31
Windows............................. 32
▫Power Windows...................... 32
▫Wind Buffeting....................... 36Liftgate.............................. 36
Occupant Restraints..................... 37
▫Lap/Shoulder Belts.................... 38
▫Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions.... 39
▫Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage . . . 43
▫Automatic Locking Mode — If Equipped..... 44
▫Energy Management Feature............. 44
▫Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert).......................... 45
▫Seat Belts And Pregnant Women........... 47
▫Seat Belt Extender..................... 47
▫Driver And Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint Systems (SRS)................. 48
▫Child Restraint....................... 65
10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Engine Break-In Recommendations.......... 75
Safety Tips............................ 76
▫Exhaust Gas......................... 76▫Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle............................. 76
▫Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle............................. 77
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11
2

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
The keys for your vehicle are double-sided. You can
insert the keys into the locks with either side up.The keys for your new vehicle are enclosed in a plastic
bag with the key code number on it. If you received your
keys without the bag, ask your authorized dealer to give
you the number. The key code can also be obtained by an
authorized dealer from your vehicle invoice.
Ignition Key Removal
Automatic Transmission
•
Place the shift lever in PARK.
•Push the key and cylinder inward slightly and rotate
the key to the LOCK position.
•Remove the key.
Vehicle Key
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don’t leave the key in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
An unlocked vehicle is an invitation to thieves.
Always remove the key from the ignition and lock all
doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Key-In-Ignition Reminder
If you open the driver’s door and the key is in the
ignition, a chime will sound to remind you to remove the
key.
Ignition Switch Positions
1 — Lock 3 — On
2 — Acc 4 — StartTHINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
2

NOTE:The Key-In-Ignition reminder only sounds
when the ignition key is placed in the LOCK or ACC
position.
SENTRY KEY
The Sentry KeyImmobilizer System prevents unautho-
rized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
The system uses ignition keys that have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder) to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro-
grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operate
the vehicle. The system will shut the engine off in two
seconds if someone uses an invalid key to try to start the
engine.NOTE:A key that has not been programmed is also
considered an invalid key, even if it is cut to fit the
ignition switch lock cylinder for that vehicle.
During normal operation, after turning on the ignition
switch, the Vehicle Security Light will turn on for three
seconds for a bulb check. If the light remains on after the
bulb check, it indicates that there is a problem with the
electronics. In addition, if the Vehicle Security Light
begins to flash after the bulb check, it indicates that
someone used an invalid key to try to start the engine.
Either of these conditions will result in the engine being
shut off after two seconds.
If the Vehicle Security Light turns on during normal
vehicle operation (vehicle running for longer than 10 sec-
onds), it indicates that there is a fault in the electronics.
Should this occur, have the vehicle serviced as soon as
possible.
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:
•The Sentry KeyImmobilizer System is not compat-
ible with some aftermarket remote starting systems.
Use of these systems may result in vehicle starting
problems and loss of security protection.
•Exxon/Mobil Speedpass™, additional Sentry Keys,
or any other transponder-equipped components on
the same key chain willnotcause a key-related
(transponder) fault unless the additional part isphysi-
cally held against the ignition keybeing used when
starting the vehicle. Cell phones, pagers, or other
Radio Frequency (RF) electronics will not cause inter-
ference with this system.
All of the keys provided with your new vehicle have
been programmed to the vehicle electronics.
Replacement Keys
NOTE:Only keys that are programmed to the vehicle
electronics can be used to start and operate the vehicle.
Once a Sentry Keyis programmed to a vehicle, it cannot
be programmed to any other vehicle.
CAUTION!
Always remove the Sentry Keysfrom the vehicle
and lock all doors when leaving the vehicle unat-
tended.
At the time of purchase, the original owner is provided
with a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Keep the PIN in a secure location. This number is
required for authorized dealer replacement of keys. Du-
plication of keys may be performed at an authorized
dealer or by following the customer key programming
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
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procedure. This procedure consists of programming a
blank key to the vehicle electronics. A blank key is one
that has never been programmed.
NOTE:When having the Sentry KeyImmobilizer
System serviced, bring all vehicle keys with you to an
authorized dealer.
Customer Key Programming
If you have two valid Sentry Keys, you can program
new Sentry Keysto the system by performing the
following procedure:
1. Cut the additional Sentry KeyTransponder blank(s)
to match the ignition switch lock cylinder key code.
2. Insert the first valid key into the ignition switch. Turn
the ignition switch to the ON position for at least three
seconds, but no longer than 15 seconds. Then, turn the
ignition switch to the LOCK position and remove the first
key.3. Insert the second valid key into the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position within
15 seconds. After 10 seconds, a chime will sound. In
addition, the Vehicle Security Light will begin to flash.
Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position and
remove the second key.
4. Insert a blank Sentry Keyinto the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position within
60 seconds. After 10 seconds, a single chime will sound.
In addition, the Vehicle Security Light will stop flashing.
To indicate that programming is complete, the Vehicle
Security Light will turn on again for three seconds and
then turn off.
The new Sentry Keyis programmed.The Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter will also be pro-
grammed during this procedure.
16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Repeat this procedure to program up to eight keys. If you
do not have a programmed Sentry Key, contact your
authorized dealer for details.
NOTE:If a programmed key is lost, see your authorized
dealer to have all remaining keys erased from the sys-
tem’s memory. This will prevent the lost key from
starting your vehicle. The remaining keys must then be
reprogrammed. All vehicle keys must be taken to an
authorized dealer at the time of service to be
reprogrammed.
General Information
The Sentry Keysystem complies with FCC rules Part 15
and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following conditions:
•This device may not cause harmful interference.
•This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.
VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM — IF EQUIPPED
The Vehicle Security Alarm system monitors the vehicle
doors, liftgate, and ignition for unauthorized operation.
When the Vehicle Security Alarm is activated, the system
provides both audible and visual signals. The horn will
sound repeatedly for three minutes, while the headlights
and taillights will flash for an additional 15 minutes.
NOTE:The Panic and Security alarms are quite differ-
ent. Please take a moment to activate the Panic and
Security modes to hear the differences in the horn. In case
one should go off in the future, you will need to know
which mode has been activated in order to deactivate it.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17
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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 (RKE) transmitter. Close all the
doors.
The Vehicle Security Light (located in the instrument
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 successfully, the
Vehicle Security Light 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.
To Disarm the System:
Either press the UNLOCK button on the RKE transmitter
or insert a valid Sentry Keyinto the ignition lock
cylinder and turn the key to the ON position.
The Vehicle Security Alarm system is designed to protect
your vehicle; however, you can create conditions where
the system will give you a false alarm. If the previously
described arming sequence has occurred, the system will
arm regardless of whether you are inside or outside the
vehicle. If you remain inside the vehicle and open a door,
the alarm will sound. If this occurs, disarm the system.
Manually unlocking the doors with the door lock plunger
(located on the inside of the doors) or the driver’s door
key lock cylinder will not disarm the system.
Tamper Alert
If something has triggered the Vehicle Security Alarm in
your absence, the horn will sound three times when you
unlock the doors. Check the vehicle for tampering.
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE