air conditioning DODGE NITRO 2009 1.G Owners Manual

When you press the VR hard-key, you will hear a beep.
The beep is your signal to give a command.
NOTE:If you do not say a command within a few
seconds, the system will present you with a list of
options.
If you ever wish to interrupt the system while it lists
options, press the VR hard-key, listen for the beep, and
say your command.
Pressing the VR hard-key while the system is speaking is
known as “barging in.” The system will be interrupted
and after the beep you can add or change commands.
This will become helpful once you start to learn the
options.
NOTE:At any time, you can say the words “Cancel”,
“Help”, or “Main Menu”.These commands are universal and can be used from any
menu. All other commands can be used depending upon
the active application.
For example, if you are in the disc menu and you are
listening to FM radio, you can speak commands from the
disc menu or from the FM radio menu.
When using this system, you should speak clearly and at
a normal speaking volume.
The system will best recognize your speech if the win-
dows are closed, and the heater/air-conditioning fan is
set to low.
At any point, if the system does not recognize one of your
commands, you will be prompted to repeat it.
To hear the first available Menu, press the VR hard-key
and say “Help” or “Main Menu”.
116 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

▫Operation Instructions — CD Mode For CD
And MP3 Audio Play.................. 233
▫Notes On Playing MP3 Files............. 235
▫List Button (CD Mode For MP3 Play)...... 238
▫Info Button (CD Mode For MP3 Play)...... 238
Satellite Radio — If Equipped
(REN/REQ/RER/RES/REU Radios Only)..... 240
▫System Activation.................... 240
▫Electronic Serial Number/Sirius
Identification Number (ESN/SID)......... 240
▫Selecting Satellite Mode................ 241
▫Satellite Antenna..................... 241
▫Reception Quality.................... 242
▫Operating Instructions — Satellite Mode.... 242▫Operating Instructions — Hands-Free Phone
(If Equipped)........................ 245
▫
Operating Instructions — Video Entertainment
System (VES)™ (If Equipped)
............ 245
Video Entertainment System™ (Sales Code
XRV) — If Equipped.................... 245
Remote Sound System Controls —
If Equipped........................... 246
▫Radio Operation..................... 247
▫CD Player.......................... 247
CD/DVD Maintenance.................. 247
Climate Controls...................... 248
▫Manual Air Conditioning And Heating
System............................ 248
▫Operating Tips...................... 252
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 171
4

5. Store the disc in its case after playing.
6. Do not expose the disc to direct sunlight.
7. Do not store the disc where temperatures may become
too high.
NOTE:If you experience difficulty in playing a particu-
lar disc, it may be damaged (i.e. scratched, reflective
coating removed, a hair, moisture or dew on the disc)
oversized, or have theft protection encoding. Try a
known good disc before considering disc player service.
CLIMATE CONTROLS
Manual Air Conditioning and Heating System
The controls for the heating/air conditioning and venti-
lation system in this vehicle consist of a series of rotary
knobs. These comfort controls can be set to obtain desired
interior conditions.The instrument panel features four airflow registers. Two
registers are located on the outer ends of the instrument
panel and two are located in the center of the instrument
panel. These registers can be fully closed to partially
block airflow, and they can be adjusted to direct airflow
where you desire.
248 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Blower Control
Use this control to regulate the
amount of air forced through the sys-
tem in any mode you select. The fan
speed increases as you turn the outer
control ring to the right from the OFF
position.
NOTE:For vehicles equipped with Remote Start, the
climate controls will not function during Remote Start
operation if the blower control is left in the “O” (Off)
position.
Temperature Control
Use this control to regulate the tem-
perature of the air inside the passenger
compartment. The blue area of the
scale indicates cooler temperatures
while the red area indicates warmer
temperatures.
NOTE:If your air conditioning performance seems
lower than expected, check the front of the A/C con-
denser located in front of the radiator, for an accumula-
tion of dirt or insects. Clean with a gentle water spray
from behind the radiator and through the condenser.
Fabric front fascia protectors may reduce air flow to the
condenser, reducing air conditioning performance.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 249
4

NOTE:The air conditioning compressor operates in
both MIX and DEFROST or a blend of these modes even
if the fan switch is not in the A/C position. This dehu-
midifies the air to help dry the windshield. To improve
fuel economy, use these modes only when necessary.
Recirculation Control
Press the mode control knob to activate the
recirculation mode. A lamp in the knob will
illuminate when you are in recirculate mode.
Press the knob again to deactivate the system.
Only use the recirculation mode to temporarily block out
any outside odors, smoke, or dust and to cool the interior
rapidly upon initial start up in very hot or humid
weather.
NOTE:Continuous use of the recirculation mode may
make the inside air stuffy and window fogging may
occur. Extended use of this mode is not recommended.In cold or damp weather, the use of the recirculation
mode will cause windows to fog on the inside because of
moisture build up inside the vehicle. For maximum
defogging, select the Outside Air position.
NOTE:Recirculation mode will not operate in FLOOR,
MIX or DEFROST modes.Air Conditioning Operation
Press the temperature control knob to activate the
air conditioning mode. A lamp will illuminate
when the air conditioning system is engaged.
Press the knob again to deactivate the system.
NOTE:The air conditioning compressor will not engage
until the engine has been running for about 10 seconds.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 251
4

Operating Tips
Window Fogging
Windows will fog on the inside when the humidity inside
the vehicle is high. This often occurs in mild or cool
temperatures when it’s rainy or humid. In most cases,
turning on the air conditioning (pressing the “Snow-
flake” button) will clear the fog. Adjust the temperature
control, air direction, and blower speed to maintain
comfort.
As the temperature gets colder, it may be necessary to
direct air onto the windshield. Adjust the temperature
control and blower speed to maintain comfort. Higher
blower speeds will reduce fogging. Interior fogging on
the windshield can be quickly removed by selecting the
DEFROST mode.
Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminants (cigarettesmoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows.
Contaminants increase the rate of window fogging.Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality antifreeze coolant during summer to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50%
concentration is recommended. Refer to Fluids and
Genuine Parts in Section 7 for the proper coolant type.
When using the air conditioner in extremely heavy traffic
in hot weather especially when towing a trailer, addi-
tional engine cooling may be required. If this situation is
encountered, operate the transmission in a lower gear to
increase engine RPM, coolant flow and fan speed. When
stopped in heavy traffic, it may be necessary to shift into
NEUTRAL and depress the accelerator slightly for fast
idle operation to increase coolant flow and fan speed.
252 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Your air conditioning system is also equipped with an
automatic recirculation system. When the system senses
a heavy load or high heat conditions, it may use partial
recirculation A/C mode to provide additional comfort.
Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other
obstructions.
Vacation Storage
Any time you store your vehicle or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in the
fresh air and high blower setting. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 253
4

Towing Tips — Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put the trans-
mission in NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
Refer to “Cooling System Operating” information in
the Maintenance section of this manual for more
information.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing — 2WD Models
Recreational towing (all four wheels on the
ground)
Recreational towing is allowedONLYif the driveshaft is
removed. Towing with the rear wheels on the ground
while the driveshaft is connected can result in severe
transmission damage.
NOTE:This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or
vehicle trailer provided all four wheels areOFFthe
ground.
STARTING AND OPERATING 351
5

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating your engine by taking the
appropriate action.
•On the highways — slow down.
•In city traffic — while stopped, put transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the temperature
control to maximum heat, the mode control to floor, and
the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H,”
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately and call for service.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 355
6

Air Conditioner Maintenance
For best possible performance, your air conditioner
should be checked and serviced by an authorized dealer
at the start of each warm season. This service should
include cleaning of the condenser fins and a performance
test. Drive belt tension should also be checked at this
time.
WARNING!
•Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer to
Section 3 of the Warranty Information Book for
additional warranty information.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced repairman.
Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
R-134a air conditioning refrigerant is a hydrofluoro-
carbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental
Protection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by authorized dealers or other
service facilities using recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE:Use only manufacturer approved A/C system
sealers, stop leak products, seal conditioners, compressor
oil, and refrigerants.
378 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE