instrument cluster DODGE NITRO 2009 1.G User Guide
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21. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates low engine oil pressure. The
light should turn on momentarily when the engine
is started. If the light turns on while driving, stop the
vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A
chime will sound for four minutes when this light turns
on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
22. Airbag Warning Light
This light turns on and remains on for seven
seconds as a bulb check, when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the light is not on
during starting, stays on, or turns on while
driving, have the system inspected by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.23. Tachometer
This gauge measures engine revolutions-per-minute
(RPM x 1000).
24. Shift Lever Indicator
The electronic shift lever display is self-contained within
the instrument cluster. It displays the position of the
automatic transmission shift lever and the relation of
each position to all other positions. The display will place
a box around the selected transmission range (PRND21).
If the PRNDL displays only the characters PRND21 (no
boxes) have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
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26. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
The TRIP ODOMETER shows individual trip mileage. To
toggle between the odometer and the trip odometer,
press the ODOMETER/TRIP ODOMETER button. To
reset the TRIP ODOMETER, press and hold the button
while in trip mode, until the TRIP ODOMETER resets.
When the appropriate conditions exist, the following
odometer messages will display:
door.............................Door Ajar
gATE...........................Liftgate Ajar
LoWASH.................... LowWasher Fluid
ESPOFF...................... ESPDeactivated
gASCAP.......................Fuel Cap Fault
noFUSE..........................Fuse Fault
LoW tirE..................... LowTirePressureNOTE:Some of the above warnings will be displayed in
the Compass Mini-Trip Computer / Electronic Vehicle
Information Center Display Area located in the instru-
ment cluster.
Refer to ”Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display — If Equipped” in this section, for more infor-
mation.
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged,
GASCAP will be displayed in the instrument cluster.
Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the odom-
eter reset button to turn the GASCAP message off. If the
problem continues, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started.
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U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
LoW tirE
When the appropriate condition exists the odometer
display will toggle between Lo and tirE for three cycles.
Change Oil Message
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “Change Oil” message will flash in
the instrument cluster odometer for approximately
12 seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate
the next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil
change indicator system is duty cycle based, which
means the engine oil change interval may fluctuatedependent upon your personal driving style. Unless
reset, this message will continue to display each time you
turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position. To turn
off the message temporarily, press and release the TRIP
ODOMETER button on the instrument cluster. To reset
the oil change indicator system (after performing the
scheduled maintenance), refer to the following proce-
dure.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.Do not
start the engine.
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three
times within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.
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27. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is part of
an onboard diagnostic system, called OBD, that
monitors engine and automatic transmission con-
trol systems. The light will illuminate when the key is in
the ON position, before engine start. If the bulb does not
come on when turning the key from OFF to ON, have the
condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc., may illuminate the MIL after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
If the MIL flashes when the engine is running, serious
conditions may exist that could lead to immediate loss of
power or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle
should be serviced as soon as possible if this occurs.28. Cruise Indicator — If Equipped
This indicator lights when the electronic speed control
system is turned on.
29. Odometer/Trip Odometer Reset Button
Press this button to change the display from odometer to
either of the two trip odometer settings. When the trip
odometer is displayed, press once for Trip A, and press
again for Trip B. If the instrument cluster is a base cluster
(no separate compass/temperature display), press the
button a third time for outside ambient temperature on
the odometer display. Press and hold the button for two
seconds to reset the trip odometer to 0 miles (0 km). The
odometer must be in trip mode to reset.
Press this button to view the compass display (if
equipped). Refer to “Compass/Trip Computer” in this
section.
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30. Compass/Trip Computer or Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) Display — If Equipped
When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Compass/Trip Computer or Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) messages.
COMPASS AND TRIP COMPUTER — IF
EQUIPPED
The Compass/Trip Computer features a driver-
interactive display (displays information on outside tem-
perature, compass direction, and trip information). It is
located on the lower left part of the cluster below the fuel
and engine temperature gauge, and the tachometer.
The compass/trip computer, when the appropriate con-
ditions exist, will show the following messages in the
odometer display:
•Door Ajar (door)
•Lift Gate Ajar (gATE)
•Loose Fuel Cap (gASCAP)
Compass/Trip Computer Display
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These messages can be manually turned off by pressing
the right button (on the instrument cluster).
Control Buttons
Press and release the odometer/trip odometer reset but-
ton (right side of the instrument cluster) to access the
compass/trip computer displays.
Trip Conditions
Trip Odometer (ODO)
This display shows the distance traveled since the last
reset. Press and release the right button (on the instru-
ment cluster) to switch from odometer to trip A or trip B.
Press and hold the right button while the odometer/trip
odometer is displayed to reset.
Trip A
Shows the total distance traveled for trip A since the last
reset.
Trip B
Shows the total distance traveled for trip B since the last
reset.
Display Button
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ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC) — IF EQUIPPED
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display that is located in the
instrument cluster.This system conveniently allows the driver to select a
variety of useful information by pressing the switches
mounted on the steering wheel. The EVIC consists of the
following:
•System Status
•Vehicle information warning message displays
•Tire Pressure Monitor System (if equipped)
•Personal Settings (Customer Programmable Features)
•Compass display
•Outside temperature display
•Trip computer functions
•Navigation system screens (if equipped)
•Audio mode displayElectronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
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NOTE:TOW/HAUL mode locks out Overdrive.
The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument cluster to indicate when the switch has been
activated. Pressing the switch a second time restores
normal operation. If the TOW/HAUL mode is desired, the
switch must be pressed each time the engine is started.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored for abnormal condi-
tions. If a condition is detected that could result in
transmission damage, the Transmission Limp Home
Mode will be engaged. In this mode, the transmission
will remain in 2nd gear in any forward driving range.
To reset the transmission, use the following procedure:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Move the shift lever to the PARK position.
3. Turn OFF the engine and be sure to turn the key to the
LOCK position.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds, then restart the en-
gine.
5. Move the shift lever to the desired gear range.
Tow/Haul Button
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PARKING BRAKE
To set the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as
possible. When the parking brake is applied with the
ignition ON, the “Brake Warning Light” in the instru-
ment cluster will light. To release the parking brake, pull
up slightly, press the center button, then lower the lever
completely.
NOTE:The instrument cluster “Brake Warning Light”
indicates only that the parking brake is applied. You must
be sure the parking brake is fully applied before leaving
the vehicle.
Be sure the parking brake is firmly set when parked, and
the shift lever is in the PARK position. When parking on
a hill, you should apply the parking brake before placing
the shift lever in PARK. Otherwise, the load on the
transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to
move the shift lever out of PARK.
Parking Brake
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Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for over/under steering of the vehicle by applying
the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counter-
acting the over/under steer condition. Engine power
may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the
desired path.
ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESP applies the brake of the appropri-
ate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESP/TCS Indicator Light
TheESP/TCS Indicator Lightlocated in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. TheESP/TCS Indicator Lightalso
flashes when TCS is active. If theESP/TCS Indicator
Lightbegins 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.
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