charging DODGE NITRO 2010 1.G User Guide

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
Warning Lights
- Low Fuel Warning Light
- Charging System Light**
- Oil Pressure Warning Light**
- Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light**
- Airbag Warning Light**
- Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Light
- Engine Temperature Warning Light
- Transmission Temperature Warning Light
- Seat Belt Reminder Light
- Brake Warning Light**
- Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)**
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator Light / Brake Assist System
(BAS) Warning Light**
- SERV (Service) 4WD Indicator Light
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CONTROLS AT A GLANCE

WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or others could be badly burned by
steam or boiling coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealership for service if
your vehicle overheats.
- Brake Warning Light
• The Brake Warning light illuminates when there is either a system malfunction or the
parking brake is applied. If the light is on and the parking brake is not applied, it
indicates a possible brake hydraulic malfunction, brake booster problem or an
Anti-Lock Brake System problem.
• We recommend you do not operate the vehicle. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is dangerous. Part of the brake system
may have failed. It will take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an accident.
Have the vehicle checked immediately.
- Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
• Certain conditions, such as a loose or m issing gas cap,poor fuel quality, etc., may
illuminate the MIL after engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays
on through several typical driving cycles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive
normally and not require towing.
• If the MIL flashes when the engine is running, serious conditions may exist that could lead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic converter damage. We recommend
you do not operate the vehicle. Hav e the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Electronic StabilityProgram (ESP) Indicator Light/Brake Assist
System (BAS) Warning Light
• If the ESP/BAS warning light comes on continuously with the engine running, a
malfunction has been detected.
• If this light remains on after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several miles (kilometers) at speeds g reater than 30 mph (48 km/h), we recommend
you do not operate the vehicle. Hav e the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Charging System Light
• This light shows the status of the electrical ch arging system. If the charging system
light remains on, it means that the vehicle is experiencing a problem with the charging
system.
• We recommend you do not continue driving if the charging system light is on. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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Preparations for Jump-Start
• The battery in your vehicle is located in the front of the engine compartment, behind
the left headlight assembly.
NOTE: The positive battery post is covered with a protective cap. Lift up on the cap to
gain access to the positive battery post.
WARNING!
• Take care to avoid the radiator coolin g fan whenever the hood is raised. It can start
anytime the ignition switch is on. You can be injured by moving fan blades.
• Remove any metal jewelry, such as watch bands or bracelets, that might make an inadvertent electrical contact. You could be seriously injured.
• Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or sparks away
from the battery.
• Set the parking brake, shift the autom atic transmission into PARK and turn the ignition
to LOCK.
• Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electrical accessories.
• If using a another vehicle to jump-start the battery, park the vehicle within the jumper
cables reach, set the parking brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this could establish a ground connection
and personal injury could result.
Jump-Starting Procedure
WARNING!
Failure to follow this procedure could result in personal injury or property damage due
to battery explosion.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these procedures could result in damage to the charging system of
the booster vehicle or the discharged vehicle.
• Connect the positive (+) end of the jumper cable to the positive (+) post of the discharged vehicle.
• Connect the opposite end of the positive (+) jumper cable to the positive (+) post of
the booster battery.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

• Connect the negative end (-) of the jumper cable to the negative (-) post of the boosterbattery.
• Connect the opposite end of the negativ e (-) jumper cable to a good engine ground
(exposed metal part of the discharged vehicle’s engine) away from the battery and the
fuel injection system.
WARNING!
Do not connect the cable to the negative post (-) of the discharged battery. The
resulting electrical spark could cause the battery to explode and could result in
personal injury.
• Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then start the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in the reverse sequence:
• Disconnect the negative (-) jumper cable from the engine ground of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
• Disconnect the negative end (-) of the jumper cable from the negative (-) post of the booster battery.
• Disconnect the opposite end of the positive (+) jumper cable from the positive (+) post of the booster battery.
• Disconnect the positive (+) end of the jumper cable from the positive (+) post of the discharged vehicle.
• If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle you should have the battery and charging system inspected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories that can be plugged into the vehicle power outlets draw power from the
vehicle’s battery, even when not in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough, the vehi cle’s battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade
battery life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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