instrument cluster DODGE NITRO 2009 1.G Owners Manual

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

improperly classified. Ensure that the front passenger
seatback does not touch anything placed on the back seat
because this can also affect occupant classification. Also,
if you fold down the rear seat, check to be sure it doesn’t
touch the front passenger seat.
If the front passenger seat is damaged in any way, it
should only be serviced by an authorized dealer. If the
seat is removed (or even if the seat attachment bolts are
loosened or tightened in any way), take the vehicle to an
authorized dealer.
If there is a fault present in the OCS, the “Airbag Warning
Light” (a red light located in the center of the instrument
cluster directly in front of the driver) will be turned on. This
indicates that you should take the vehicle to an authorized
dealer. The “Airbag Warning Light” is turned on whenever
there is a fault that can affect the operation of the airbag
system. If there is a fault present in the OCS, both the “PAD
Indicator Light” and the “Airbag Warning Light” are illumi-
nated to show that the passenger airbag is turned off untilthe fault is cleared. If an object is lodged under the seat and
interferes with operation of the weight sensors, a fault will
occur which turns on both the “PAD Indicator Light” and
the “Airbag Warning Light.” Once the lodged object is
removed, the fault will be automatically cleared after a short
period of time.
•TheDriver 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 steer-
ing 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 to 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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
2

NOTE:
•You may not hear all of the tones due to cellular phone
network configurations. This is normal.
•Some paging and voice mail systems have system time
out settings that are too short and may not allow the
use of this feature.
Barge In - Overriding Prompts
The “Voice Recognition” button can be used when you
wish to skip part of a prompt and issue your voice
recognition command immediately. For example, if a
prompt is askingWould you like to pair a phone, clear
a...,you could press the VOICE RECOGNITION button
and say,Pair a Phoneto select that option without
having to listen to the rest of the voice prompt.
Turning Confirmation Prompts ON/OFF
Turning confirmation prompts off will stop the system
from confirming your choices (e.g., the UConnectsys-
tem will not repeat a phone number before you dial it).
•Press the PHONE button to begin.
•After theReadyprompt and the following beep, say
Setup Confirmations.The UConnectsystem will
play the current confirmation prompt status and you
will be given the choice to change it.
Phone and Network Status Indicators
If available on the radio and/or on a premium display
such as the instrument panel cluster, and supported by
your cellular phone, the UConnectsystem will provide
notification to inform you of your phone and network
status when you are attempting to make a phone call
using UConnect. The status is given for roaming, net-
work signal strength, phone battery strength, etc.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 103
3

Flash-to-Pass
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the multifunction lever toward the steer-
ing wheel. This will cause the headlights to turn on at
high beam and remain on until the lever is released.
Front Fog Lights — If Equipped
The front fog light switch is in the multifunction
lever. To activate the front fog lights, turn on the
parking or Low beam headlights and pull out the
end of the lever.
NOTE:The fog lights will only operate with the parking
lights or the headlights on Low beam. Selecting High
beam headlights will turn off the fog lights.
Turn Signals
Move the multifunction lever up or down and the arrows
on each side of the instrument cluster flash to show
proper operation of the front and rear turn signal lights.You can signal a lane change by moving the lever
partially up or down without moving beyond the detent.
If either light remains on and does not flash, or there is a
very fast flash rate, check for a defective outside light
bulb. If an indicator fails to light when the lever is
moved, it would suggest that the indicator bulb is
defective.
NOTE:A tone will chime if the turn signals are left on
for more than 1 mile (2 km).
Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped
The headlights come on at a low intensity level after the
vehicle has been driven approximately 3 ft (1 m). They
will turn off when the vehicle is turned off or when the
headlights are switched on.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 131
3

ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, the Electronic Speed Control takes over
the accelerator operation at speeds greater than 25 mph
(40 km/h).
The Electronic Speed Control lever is located on the right
side of the steering wheel.
To Activate
Push the ON/OFF button. The CRUISE indicator in the
instrument cluster will illuminate. To turn the system off,
push the ON/OFF button a second time. The CRUISE
indicator will turn off. The system should be turned off
when not in use.
WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system on
when not in use is dangerous. You could accidentally
set the system or cause it to go faster than you want.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the system off when you are not using it.
To Set At A Desired Speed
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed, press
down on the lever and release. Release the accelerator
and the vehicle will operate at the selected speed.
Electronic Speed Control Lever
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 135
3

System Usage Precautions
NOTE:
•Ensure that the rear bumper is free of dirt and debris
to keep the Rear Park Assist System operating prop-
erly.
•Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibrations could
affect the performance of the Rear Park Assist System.
•When you turn off the Rear Park Assist System, the
instrument cluster will display “PARK ASSIST DIS-
ABLED.” Furthermore, once you turn off the Rear
Park Assist System, it remains off until you turn it on
again, even if you cycle the ignition key.
•When you move the shift lever to the REVERSE
position and the Rear Park Assist System is turned off,
a single chime will sound once per ignition cycle and
the instrument cluster will display “PARK ASSIST
DISABLED.”
•The Rear Park Assist System, when on, will MUTE the
radio when it is sounding a tone.
•If a Rear Park Assist System malfunction occurs, a
single chime will sound once per ignition cycle. In
addition, the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) will display “SERVICE PARK ASSIST SYS-
TEM” and the LED in the Rear Park Assist switch will
illuminate. If this occurs, see your authorized dealer
for service.
CAUTION!
•The Rear Park Assist System is only a parking aid
and it is unable to recognize every obstacle, in-
cluding small obstacles. Parking curbs might be
temporarily detected or not detected at all. Ob-
stacles located above or below the sensors will not
be detected when they are in close proximity.
(Continued)
138 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
CONTENTS
Instrument Panel Features................ 172
Instrument Cluster..................... 173
Instrument Cluster Description............ 174
Compass And Trip Computer — If Equipped . . 187
▫Control Buttons...................... 188
▫Trip Conditions...................... 188
▫Compass/Temperature Display........... 189Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) —
If Equipped........................... 191
▫Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Displays........................... 192
▫Oil Change Required.................. 193
▫Trip Functions....................... 194
▫Compass Display..................... 195
▫Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable
Features)........................... 1984

INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES
1 - Air Outlet 6 - Glove Compartment 11 - Hazard Warning Flasher
2 - Instrument Cluster 7 - Climate Control 12 - Electronic Stability Control / Traction
Control Switch *
3 - Storage Tray 8 - Heated Seat Switch * 13 - Cigar Lighter / Power Outlet
4 - Center Air Outlet 9 - Rear Park Assist Switch * 14 - Storage Bin
5 - Radio 10 - Passenger Airbag Disable Light * If Equipped 172 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 173
4

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows level of fuel in tank when ignition
switch is in the ON position.
2. Fuel Door Reminder
This symbol indicates the side of the vehicle
where the fuel cap is located.
3. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If 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 an authorized deal-
ership for service.
174 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL