weight DODGE NITRO 2009 1.G Owner's Manual

Trailer Hitch Classification
Your vehicle is capable of towing trailers up to 2,000 lbs
(907 kg) without added equipment or alterations to the
standard equipment. Your vehicle may be factory
equipped for safe towing of trailers weighing over
2,000 lbs (907 kg) with the optional trailer tow prep
package. See your authorized dealer for package content.
The following chart provides the industry standard for
the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can
tow and should be used to assist you in selecting the
correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition.
Refer to the Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) chart for the Max. GTW towable for your
given drivetrain.Trailer Hitch Classification
Class Max. GTW (Gross Trailer
Wt.)
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Class II - Medium
Duty3,500 lbs (1 587 kg)
Refer to the “Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings)” chart for the Maximum
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) towable for your given
drivetrain.
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
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5

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/
TransmissionModel Frontal AreaMax GTW (Gross Trailer
Wt)Tongue Wt. (See Note)
3.7L/Automatic 4x2 32 sq ft (2.97 sq m) 2,000 lbs (907 kg) 200 lbs (91 kg)
3.7L/Automatic 4x4 32 sq ft (2.97 sq m) 2,000 lbs (907 kg) 200 lbs (91 kg)
3.7L/Automatic
w/ Cooler4x2 64 sq ft (5.94 sq m) 3,500 lbs (1 588 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
3.7L/Automatic
w/Cooler4x4 64 sq ft (5.94 sq m) 3,500 lbs (1 588 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
4.0L/Automatic 4x2 32 sq ft (2.97 sq m) 2,000 lbs (907 kg) 200 lbs (91 kg)
4.0L/Automatic 4x4 32 sq ft (2.97 sq m) 2,000 lbs (907 kg) 200 lbs (91 kg)
4.0L/Automatic
w/ Cooler4x2 64 sq ft (5.94 sq m) 3,500 lbs (1 588 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
4.0L/Automatic
w/ Cooler4x4 64 sq ft (5.94 sq m) 3,500 lbs (1 588 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
NOTE:The trailer tongue weight must be considered as
part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo, andshould never exceed the weight referenced on the tire
and loading information placard. Refer to the Tire Safety
Information section in this manual.
342 STARTING AND OPERATING

When Towing Trailers with Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) between 3,500 Lbs (1 588 kg) and 5,000 Lbs
(2 268 kg)
The following chart provides maximum trailer weight ratings towable for the following engine/transmission
combinations,ONLYif using a weight distributing hitch.
Engine/
TransmissionModel Frontal Area Max GTW (Gross Trailer
Wt)Tongue Wt. (See Note)
3.7L/Automatic
w/ Cooler4x2 64 sq ft (5.94 sq m) 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) 500 lbs (227 kg)
3.7L/Automatic
w/Cooler4x4 64 sq ft (5.94 sq m) 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) 500 lbs (227 kg)
4.0L/Automatic
w/ Cooler4x2 64 sq ft (5.94 sq m) 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) 500 lbs (227 kg)
4.0L/Automatic
w/ Cooler4x4 64 sq ft (5.94 sq m) 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) 500 lbs (227 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
NOTE:The trailer tongue weight must be considered as
part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo, andshould never exceed the weight referenced on the tire
and loading information placard. Refer to the Tire Safety
Information section in this manual.
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5

Trailer and Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your
vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to swayseverelyfrom side-to-
side which will cause loss of control of vehicle and trailer.
Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of
many trailer accidents.
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your bumper or trailer hitch.
Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
•The weight of the driver and all passengers.
344 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options or authorized dealer-installed
options must be considered as part of the total load on
your vehicle. Refer to the tire and loading information
placard in the Tire Safety Information section of this
manual for the maximum combined weight of occupants
and cargo for your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle driv-
etrain components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
•Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(805 km) of vehicle operation. Doing so may dam-
age your vehicle.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•During the first 500 miles (805 km) of trailer
towing, limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Perform the maintenance listed in Section 8 of this
manual. When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR,
or GCWR, ratings.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
(Continued)
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5

WARNING! (Continued)
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
•When 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.
•Safety 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.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle transmission in PARK.
Always, block orchockthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total 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).
346 STARTING AND OPERATING

Gasoline, Reformulated................... 327
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends................ 328
Gauges
Coolant Temperature................... 174
Fuel............................... 174
Odometer........................... 184
Speedometer......................... 176
Tachometer.......................... 181
Gear Ranges........................265,271
General Information.................17,115,326
Glass Cleaning.......................... 395
Gross Axle Weight Rating...............334,337
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.............334,336
GVWR............................... 334
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect) .............. 86
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 354
Head Restraints......................... 123
Head Rests............................ 123Headlights
Bulb Replacement...................... 403
Dimmer Switch....................... 130
Replacing........................... 403
Switch.............................. 130
Heated Seats........................... 124
Heater, Engine Block..................... 262
Hitches
Trailer Towing........................ 341
Holder, Coin........................... 159
Holder, Cup........................... 158
HomeLink(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 144
Hood Release.......................... 127
Ignition............................... 12
Key ................................ 12
Ignition Key Removal..................... 12
Illuminated Entry........................ 19
Immobilizer (Sentry Key)................... 14
444 INDEX

Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag........ 48
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 375
System, Remote Starting.................... 25
Tachometer............................ 181
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......... 174
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 69
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo................... 160
Tilt Steering Column..................... 134
Tip Start.............................. 259
Tire and Loading Information Placard......... 301
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 300
Tire Markings.......................... 296
Tire Safety Information.................... 296
Tires ............................77,305,435
Air Pressure.......................... 306
Chains.............................. 314
Changing............................ 356
Compact Spare........................ 308General Information.................... 305
High Speed.......................... 308
Inflation Pressures..................... 306
Jacking............................. 356
Life of Tires.......................... 311
Load Capacity........................ 301
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 316
Pressure Warning Light.................. 182
Quality Grading....................... 435
Radial.............................. 308
Replacement......................... 312
Rotation............................ 315
Safety............................77,296
Sizes............................... 298
Spare Tire........................... 356
Spinning............................ 310
Tread Wear Indicators................... 311
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 344
Torque Converter Clutch................270,274
452 INDEX

Towing............................... 336
24-Hour Towing Assistance............... 101
Disabled Vehicle....................... 364
Guide.............................. 342
Recreational.......................... 351
Weight.............................. 342
Towing Assistance....................... 101
Traction Control......................179,289
Trailer Towing.......................... 336
Cooling System Tips.................... 351
Hitches............................. 341
Minimum Requirements................. 345
Trailer and Tongue Weight............... 344
Wiring.............................. 348
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 342
Trailer Weight.......................... 342
Transaxle............................. 262
Automatic........................... 262
Operation........................... 262Transfer Case........................... 390
Fluid............................... 410
Maintenance......................... 390
Transmission........................265,270
Automatic........................265,270
Fluid............................... 410
Maintenance......................... 389
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 23
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) . . 144
Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 23
Tread Wear Indicators..................... 311
Trip Computer.......................... 187
Trip Odometer.......................... 184
Trip Odometer Reset Button................ 186
Turn Signals................131,176,404,405,406
UConnect(Hands-Free Phone).............. 86
INDEX 453
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