weight DODGE NITRO 2010 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 DefinitionsClass Max. Trailer Hitch Industry Standards
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Class II - Medium
Duty 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Class IV - Extra
Heavy Duty 10,000 lbs (4 540 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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 373

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/
Transmission Model Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross Trailer
Wt)Max. 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)
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)
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
(ie. the GVWR), and the GVWR should never exceed the weight referenced on the tire and loading informa-
tion placard. Refer to “Tire Safety Information” in “Starting and Operating” for further information.
374 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/Transmission Model Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross
Trailer Wt)Max. Tongue Wt.
(See Note)
3.7L/Automatic w/Trailer Tow Package 4x2 64 sq ft (5.94 sq m) 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) 500 lbs (227 kg)
3.7L/Automatic w/Trailer Tow Package 4x4 64 sq ft (5.94 sq m) 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) 500 lbs (227 kg)
4.0L/Automatic w/Trailer Tow Package 4x2 64 sq ft (5.94 sq m) 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) 500 lbs (227 kg)
4.0L/Automatic w/Trailer Tow Package 4x4 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
(ie. the GVWR), and the GVWR should never exceed the weight referenced on the tire and loading informa-
tion placard. Refer to “Tire Safety Information” in “Starting and Operating” for further information.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 375

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.
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.
376 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 “Tire Safety Information/Tire and
Loading Information Placard” in “Starting and Operat-
ing” for the maximum combined weight of occupants
and cargo for your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drive-
train components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
•Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(805 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and do not make starts at full throttle.
This helps the engine and other parts of the
vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible: (Continued)5
STARTING AND OPERATING 377

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
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis 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.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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 or\bchock\bthe 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 uti-
lized. (This requirement may limit the ability to
always achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue
weight as a percentage of total trailer weight).
378 STARTING AND OPERATING

Gasoline, Reformulated................... 359
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ................ 360
Gauges Coolant Temperature ................... 192
Fuel ............................... 192
Odometer ........................... 202
Speedometer ......................... 194
Tachometer .......................... 200
Gear Ranges ........................... 304
General Information ................. 17,129,358
Glass Cleaning .......................... 431
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............366,369
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............366,368
GVWR ............................... 366
Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect™) ............. 100
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 386
Head Restraints ......................... 138
Head Rests ............................ 138 Headlights
Bulb Replacement ...................... 440
Dimmer Switch ....................... 149
Replacing ........................... 440
Switch .............................. 148
Heated Seats ........................... 141
Heater ............................... 275
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 296
Hitches Trailer Towing ........................ 373
Holder, Coin ........................... 179
Holder, Cup ........................... 177
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 165
Hood Release .......................... 145
Ignition ............................... 12
Key ................................ 12
Ignition Key Removal ..................... 12
Illuminated Entry ........................ 19
486 INDEX

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

Torque Converter Clutch................303,307
Towing ............................... 368
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............... 115
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 397
Guide .............................. 374
Recreational .......................... 383
Weight .............................. 374
Towing Assistance ....................... 115
Traction Control ...................... 198,323
Trailer Towing .......................... 368
Cooling System Tips .................... 383
Hitches ............................. 373
Minimum Requirements ................. 377
Trailer and Tongue Weight ............... 376
Wiring .............................. 380
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 374
Trailer Weight .......................... 374
Transaxle ............................. 296
Automatic ........................... 296 Operation
........................... 296
Transfer Case ........................... 426
Fluid ............................ 426,447
Maintenance ......................... 426
Transmission ........................ 299,303
Automatic ........................ 299,303
Fluid ............................... 447
Maintenance ......................... 425
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 24
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) . . 165
Tread Wear Indicators .................... 343
Trip Computer .......................... 207
Trip Odometer .......................... 202
Trip Odometer Reset Button ................ 206
Turn Signals ................ 150,195,441,442,443
Uconnect™ (Hands-Free Phone) ............. 100
Uniform Tire Quality Grades ................ 477
10
INDEX 495