weight DODGE NITRO 2009 1.G Owners Manual

•Occupant Classification System (OCS) — Front Pas-
senger Seat Only
Occupant Classification Module
Passenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator Light
Weight Sensors
How The Airbag System Works
•
TheOccupant Restraint Control (ORC) modulede-
termines if a frontal, side, or rollover collision is severe
enough to require the airbags to inflate. The front
airbag inflators are designed to provide different rates
of airbag inflation from direction provided by the
ORC. The ORC may also modify the rate of inflation
based on the occupant size provided by the Occupant
Classification module. The ORC will detect roll over,
but not rear impacts.The ORC also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or ON positions. These include all of the
items listed above except the instrument panel, and
the steering wheel and column. If the key is in the
LOCK position, in the ACC position, or not in the
ignition, the airbags are not on and will not inflate.
•Also, the ORC turns on the “Airbag Warn-
ing Light” and “PAD Indicator Light” for six
to eight seconds for a self-check when the
ignition is first turned ON. After the self-
check, the “Airbag Warning Light” will turn off. The
“PAD Indicator Light” will function normally (Refer to
Passenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator Lightin
this section). If the ORC detects a malfunction in any
part of the system, it turns on the “Airbag Warning
Light” either momentarily or continuously. A single
chime will sound if the light comes on again after
initial start up.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

NOTE:Even though this vehicle is equipped with an
Occupant Classification System, children 12 years and
younger should always ride buckled up in a rear seat in
an appropriate child restraint.
Front Passenger
Seat OccupantPassenger Air-
bag Disable
(PAD) Indicator
LightAirbag Status
Adult OFF ON
Grocery Bags,
Heavy Briefcases
and Other Rela-
tively Light Ob-
jectsON OFF
Empty or Very
Small ObjectsOFF* OFF
* Since the system senses weight, some small objects
will turn the PAD Indicator Light on.
The OCS classifies an occupant using weight sensors
mounted in the base of the front passenger seat. Any
weight on the seat will be sensed by the system. Objects
hanging on the seat or other passengers pushing down on
the seat will also be sensed. The weight of an adult will
cause the system to turn the airbag on. In this case, the
OCS has classified the occupant of the seat as an adult. An
adult occupant needs to sit in a normal position (with their
feet on or near the floor) in order to be properly classified.
Reclining the seat back too far may change how an
occupant is classified by the OCS.
Drivers and adult passengers should verify that the
“PAD Indicator Light” is not illuminated when an adult
is riding in the front passenger seat. If an adult occu-
pant’s weight is transferred to another part of the vehicle
(like the door or instrument panel), the weight sensors in
the seat may not properly classify the occupant. Objects
lodged under the seat or between the seat and the center
console can prevent the occupant’s weight from being
measured properly and may result in the occupant being
56 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

The driver front airbag gas is vented through the vent
holes in the sides of the airbag. The passenger front
airbag gas is vented through the vent holes in the sides
of the airbag. In this way, the airbags do not interfere
with your control of the vehicle.
•TheOccupant Classification Module (OCM)is lo-
cated beneath the front passenger seat. The OCM
classifies the occupant into categories based on the
measurements made by the seat weight sensors. The
OCM communicates with the Occupant Restraint Con-
trol (ORC) module. The ORC uses the occupant cat-
egory to determine whether the front passenger airbag
should be turned off. It also determines the rate of
airbag inflation during a collision.
•Your vehicle has fourweight sensorslocated between
the seat and the floor pan. The weight sensors measure
applied weight and transfers that information to the
OCM.
•TheSide Impact SRS Side Curtain Airbagsare de-
signed to activate only in certain side collisions and
rollover events. When the ORC detects a collision
requiring the side curtain airbag to inflate, it signals
the inflators on the crash side of the vehicle. A quantity
of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate the side curtain
airbag. The inflating side curtain airbag pushes the
outside edge of the headliner out of the way and
covers the window. The airbag inflates in about 30
milliseconds (about one quarter of the time it takes to
blink your eyes) with enough force to injure you if you
are not belted and seated properly, or if items are
positioned in the area where the side curtain airbag
inflates. This especially applies to children. The side
curtain airbag is only about 3
12inches (9 cm) thick
when it is inflated.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your ad-
vanced airbag system. The airbag may inflate
accidentally or may not function properly if modi-
fications are made. Take your vehicle to an autho-
rized dealer for any advanced airbag system ser-
vice. If your seat including your trim cover and
cushion needs to be serviced in any way (includ-
ing removal or loosening/tightening of seat attach-
ment bolts), take the vehicle to your authorized
dealer. Only manufacturer approved seat accesso-
ries may be used. If it is necessary to modify an
advanced airbag system for persons with disabili-
ties, contact your authorized dealer.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not place or hang any items such as add-on
video players on the right front passenger seat-
back. The additional weight may cause the Occu-
pant Classification System to be unable to cor-
rectly classify the right front occupant. This could
allow the passenger frontal airbag to inflate when
it is not desired.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an airbag system.
NOTE:
Perchlorate Material – special handling may apply.
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Infants and Child Restraints
•
Safety experts recommend that children ride
rearward-facing in the vehicle until they are at least
one year oldandweigh at least 20 lbs (9 kg). Two types
of child restraints can be used: rearward-facing infant
carriers and “convertible” child seats.
•The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children who weigh up
to about 20 lbs (9 kg). “Convertible” child seats often
have a higher weight limit in the rearward-facing
direction than infant carriers do, so they can be used
rearward-facing by children who weigh more than
20 lbs (9 kg) but are less than one year old. Both types
of child restraints are held in the vehicle by the
lap/shoulder belt or the LATCH child restraint an-
chorage system (Refer to LATCH — Child Seat An-
chorage System in this section.)
•Rearward-facing child seats mustNEVERbe used in
the front seat of a vehicle with the front passenger
airbag unless the airbag is turned off. An airbag
deployment could cause severe injury or death to
infants in this position.
WARNING!
•Improper installation can lead to failure of an
infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions ex-
actly when installing an infant or child restraint.
•A rearward-facing infant restraint should only be
used in a rear seat. A rearward-facing infant re-
straint in the front seat may be struck by a deploy-
ing passenger airbag which may cause severe or
fatal injury to the infant.
66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Here are some tips for getting the most out of your child
restraint:
•Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable safety
standards. The manufacturer also recommends that
you try a child restraint in the vehicle seats where you
will use it before you buy it.
•The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
•Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
•Except for the second row center seating position, all
passenger seat belts are equipped with “automatic
locking retractors identified by a distinctive label.”
The second row center position has a cinching latchplate identified by a distinctive label. Both types of
seat belts are designed to keep the lap portion tight
around the child restraint so that it is not necessary to
use a locking clip. If the seat belt has a cinching latch
plate, pulling up on the shoulder portion of the
lap/shoulder belt will tighten the belt (the cinching
latch plate will keep the belt tight). However, any seat
belt system may loosen with time, so check the belt
occasionally and pull it tight if necessary. For the
second row seat belts with the automatic locking
retractors, pull the belt from the retractor until there is
enough to allow it to pass through the child restraint
and slide the latch plate into the buckle. Then, pull the
belt until it is fully extracted from the retractor. Allow
the belt to return to the retractor, pulling on the excess
webbing to tighten the lap portion about the child
restraint. For additional information, refer toAuto-
matic Locking Modeearlier in this section.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
2

WARNING!
The weight and position of cargo and passengers can
change the vehicle center of gravity and vehicle
handling. To avoid loss of control resulting in per-
sonal injury, follow these guidelines for loading your
vehicle:
•Do not carry loads which exceed the load limits
described on the label attached to the left door or
left door center pillar.
•Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor. Put
heavier objects as low and as far forward as
possible.
•Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear
axle. Too much weight or improperly placed
weight over or behind the rear axle can cause the
vehicle to sway.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of
the seatback. This could impair visibility or be-
come a dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or
collision.
•To help protect against personal injury, passengers
should not be seated in the rear cargo area. The
rear cargo space is intended for load carrying
purposes only, not for passengers, who should sit
in seats and use seat belts.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 161
3

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 engine, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.
Trip Functions
Press and release the MENU button until one of the
following trip functions displays in the EVIC:
•Average fuel economy
•Distance to empty
•Elapsed time
•Display units of measure inPress the SCROLL button to cycle through all the trip
computer functions.
The Trip Functions mode displays the following informa-
tion:
•Average Fuel Economy
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset.
When the fuel economy is reset, the display will read
“RESET” or show dashes for two seconds. Then, the
history information will be erased, and the averaging will
continue from the last fuel average reading before the
reset.
•Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be traveled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by a weighted average of the instantaneous
and average fuel economy, according to the current fuel
tank level. DTE cannot be reset through the FUNCTION
SELECT button.
194 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings............. 330
Adding Fuel......................... 331
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)............... 331
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message........... 333
Vehicle Loading....................... 334
▫Certification Label.................... 334
Trailer Towing........................ 336
▫Common Towing Definitions............ 336
▫Trailer Hitch Classification.............. 341▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)...................... 342
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight.............. 344
▫Towing Requirements................. 345
▫Towing Tips........................ 350
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.)................. 351
▫Towing — 2WD Models................ 351
▫Towing — 4WD Or All-Wheel
Drive Models....................... 352
258 STARTING AND OPERATING