flat tire DODGE NITRO 2010 1.G Owner's Manual

components, sometimes specified by purchasers for in-
creased durability, does not necessarily increase the ve-
hicle’s GVWR.
Tire Size
The tire size on the label represents the actual tire size on
your vehicle. Replacement tires must be equal to the load
capacity of this tire size.
Rim Size
This is the rim size that is appropriate for the tire size
listed.
Inflation Pressure
This is the cold tire inflation pressure for your vehicle for
all loading conditions up to full GAWR.
Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the total weight
of the vehicle with all fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full
capacity conditions, and with no occupants or cargoloaded into the vehicle. The front and rear curb weight
values are determined by weighing your vehicle on a
commercial scale before any occupants or cargo are
added.
Loading
The actual total weight and the weight of the front and
rear of your vehicle at the ground can best be determined
by weighing it when it is loaded and ready for operation.
The entire vehicle should first be weighed on a commer-
cial scale to ensure that the GVWR has not been ex-
ceeded. The weight on the front and rear of the vehicle
should then be determined separately to be sure that the
load is properly distributed over front and rear axle.
Weighing the vehicle may show that the GAWR of either
the front or rear axles has been exceeded, but the total
load is within the specified GVWR. If so, weight must be
shifted from front to rear, or rear to front, as appropriate
until the specified weight limitations are met. Store the
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 367

Towing Requirements – Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires – General Information” in “Starting and Oper-
ating” for proper tire inflation procedures.
Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Starting and Operating” for the
proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting and Operating” for proper tirereplacement procedures. Replacing tires with a higher
load carrying capacity will not increase the vehicle’s
GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements – Trailer Brakes

Do
not interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 379

WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
•Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
•Only use the jack in the positions indicated and
for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
•If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
•To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
•Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.1. Remove spare tire.
2. Remove jack and tools from mounting bracket. As-
semble the tools by connecting the driver to the exten-
sion, and then to the lug wrench.
3. Loosen (but do not remove) the wheel lug nuts by
turning them to the left one turn while the wheel is still
on the ground.
4. Locate the jack as shown. For the front tires, place it
(rearward) of the notch on the body weld seam behind
wheel to be changed. For the rear tires, place it under the
Jack Warning Label
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 391

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
478 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Cargo Load Floor........................ 182
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 180
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 366
Cellular Phone ....................... 100,275
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 444
Certification Label ....................... 366
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 388
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 330
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............205,404
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 86
Checks, Safety ........................... 86
Child Restraint .................... 76,77,81,83
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............80,81
Child Safety Locks ........................ 31
Climate Control ......................... 275
Clock ..................... 223,238,240,243,253
Coin Holder ........................... 179
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 274Compact Spare Tire
...................... 341
Compass ........................ 207,210,216
Compass Calibration .................. 210,217
Compass Variance .................... 209,218
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 215
Console .............................. 179
Console, Floor .......................... 179
Contract, Service ........................ 473
Cooling System ......................... 417
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 419
Coolant Capacity ...................... 445
Coolant Level ......................... 421
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 421
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 418
Inspection ........................... 417
Points to Remember .................... 422
Pressure Cap ......................... 420
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......418,445,446
Corrosion Protection ..................... 428
482 INDEX

Immobilizer (Sentry Key)................... 14
Infant Restraint ........................ 76,77
Inflation Pressure Tires .................... 339
Information Center, Vehicle ................. 211
Inside Rearview Mirror .................... 97
Instrument Cluster .................... 191,192
Instrument Panel and Controls .............. 190
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ............. 432
Integrated Power Module (Fuses) ............ 432
Interior Appearance Care .................. 431
Interior Lights .......................... 151
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) ........... 154
Introduction ............................. 4
Jack Location ........................... 388
Jack Operation ....................... 388,390
Jacking Instructions ...................... 390
Jump Starting .......................... 393 Key, Programming
........................ 16
Key, Replacement ........................ 15
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer) ................... 14
Key-In Reminder ......................... 14
Keyless Entry System ...................... 19
Keys ................................. 12
Lane Change Assist ...................... 151
Lap/Shoulder Belts ....................... 39
LATCH (Lower Anchors and
Tether for CHildren) .................... 80,81
Latches ................................ 91
Lead Free Gasoline ...................... 358
Leaks, Fluid ............................ 91
Life of Tires ............................ 344
Liftgate ................................ 37
Light Bulbs ............................. 90
10
INDEX 487

Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag........ 54
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 409
System, Remote Starting .................... 25
Tachometer ............................ 200
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ........ 279
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......... 192
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............... 80
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo ................... 180
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 155
Tip Start .............................. 293
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 334
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 332
Tire Markings .......................... 329
Tire Safety Information .................... 329
Tires ............................ 90,338,477
Air Pressure .......................... 339
Chains .............................. 346
Changing ............................ 388 Compact Spare
........................ 341
General Information .................... 338
High Speed .......................... 341
Inflation Pressures ..................... 339
Jacking ............................. 388
Life of Tires .......................... 344
Load Capacity ..................... 334,335
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ........... 348
Pressure Warning Light .................. 200
Quality Grading ....................... 477
Radial .............................. 341
Replacement ......................... 345
Rotation ............................ 347
Safety .............................. 329
Sizes ............................... 330
Spare Tire ........................... 388
Spinning ............................ 342
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 343
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 376
494 INDEX