DODGE NITRO 2011 1.G Owners Manual

Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO),
follow these safety tips:
Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in or
out of the area.
If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine
running, adjust your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed. If you are required to drive with the trunk/liftgate open,
make sure that all windows are closed and the climate
control BLOWER switch is set at high speed. DO NOT
use the recirculation mode.
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open
seams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes
to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,
inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
88 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt
or retractor condition, replace the belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for four to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see your
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit the footwell of your
vehicle. Use only floor mats that leave the pedal area
unobstructed and that are firmly secured so that they
cannot slip out of position and interfere with the pedals
or impair safe operation of your vehicle in other ways.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 89

WARNING!
Pedals that cannot move freely can cause loss of
vehicle control and increase the risk of serious per-
sonal injury.
•Always make sure that floor mats are properly
attached to the floor mat fasteners.
•Never place or install floor mats or other floor
coverings in the vehicle that cannot be properly
secured to prevent them from moving and inter-
fering with the pedals or the ability to control the
vehicle.
•Never put floor mats or other floor coverings on
top of already installed floor mats. Additional
floor mats and other coverings will reduce the size
of the pedal area and interfere with the pedals.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Check mounting of mats on a regular basis. Al-
ways properly reinstall and secure floor mats that
have been removed for cleaning.
•Always make sure that objects cannot fall into the
driver footwell while the vehicle is moving. Ob-
jects can become trapped under the brake pedal
and accelerator pedal causing a loss of vehicle
control.
•If required, mounting posts must be properly
installed, if not equipped from the factory.
Failure to properly follow floor mat installation or
mounting can cause interference with the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal operation causing loss
of control of the vehicle.
90 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 91

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Mirrors .............................. 97
▫ Inside Day/Night Mirror ................ 97
▫ Automatic Dimming Mirror — If Equipped . . . 98
▫ Outside Mirrors ...................... 99
▫ Power Mirrors ....................... 99
▫ Illuminated Vanity Mirrors — If Equipped . . 100
▫ Sun Visor “Slide-On-Rod” Feature ........ 100
 Uconnect™ Phone — If Equipped .......... 100
▫ Operation ......................... 102 ▫
Phone Call Features .................. 110
▫ Uconnect™ Phone Features ............. 113
▫ Advanced Phone Connectivity ........... 117
▫ Things You Should Know About Your
Uconnect™ Phone .................... 119
▫ General Information .................. 130
 Voice Command — If Equipped ........... 130
▫ Voice Command System Operation ........ 130
▫ Commands ........................ 131
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▫Voice Training ...................... 135
 Seats .............................. 135
▫ Driver’s Power Seat — If Equipped ....... 136
▫ Heated Seats — If Equipped ............ 137
▫ Front Manual Seat Adjustment ........... 139
▫ Front Seat — Manual Recline ............ 140
▫ Fold-Flat Front Passenger Seat ........... 140
▫ Head Restraints ..................... 141
▫ 60/40 Split Folding Rear Seat With Fold-Flat
Feature ........................... 146
 To Open And Close The Hood ............ 149
 Lights ............................. 151
▫ Multifunction Lever .................. 151 ▫
Headlights And Parking Lights .......... 151
▫ Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped .... 152
▫ Lights-On Reminder .................. 152
▫ High/Low Beam Switch ............... 152
▫ Flash-To-Pass ....................... 152
▫ Front Fog Lights — If Equipped .......... 152
▫ Turn Signals ........................ 153
▫ Instrument Panel Dimmer .............. 154
▫ Interior Lights ...................... 155
 Windshield Wipers And Washers .......... 156
▫ Windshield Wiper Operation ............ 156
▫ Intermittent Wiper System .............. 158
▫ Windshield Washers .................. 158
94 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

▫Mist Feature ........................ 159
 Tilt Steering Column ................... 159
 Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped ..... 160
▫ To Activate ......................... 161
▫ To Set A Desired Speed ................ 162
▫ To Deactivate ....................... 162
▫ To Resume Speed .................... 162
▫ To Vary The Speed Setting .............. 162
▫ To Accelerate For Passing .............. 163
 Parksense Rear Park Assist — If Equipped . . . 163
▫ System Usage Precautions .............. 163
▫ Enabling And Disabling Parksense ....... 166
▫ Parksense Operation................. 166 ▫
Service Parksense Rear Park Assist....... 168
 Garage Door Opener — If Equipped ........ 169
▫ Programming HomeLink .............. 170
▫ Gate Operator/Canadian Programming .... 173
▫ Using HomeLink ................... 173
▫ Reprogramming A Single
HomeLink Button................... 173
▫ Security ........................... 174
▫ Troubleshooting Tips .................. 174
▫ General Information .................. 174
 Power Sunroof — If Equipped ............ 175
▫ Opening Sunroof — Express ............ 176
▫ Opening Sunroof — Manual Mode ........ 176
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 95

▫Closing Sunroof — Express ............. 177
▫ Closing Sunroof — Manual Mode ........ 177
▫ Pinch Protect Feature ................. 177
▫ Pinch Protect Override ................ 177
▫ Venting Sunroof — Express ............. 177
▫ Sunshade Operation .................. 178
▫ Wind Buffeting ...................... 178
▫ Sunroof Maintenance ................. 178
▫ Ignition Off Operation ................. 178
 Electrical Power Outlet ................. 179
 Cupholders .......................... 182 
Storage ............................. 183
▫ Glove Box Storage Compartment ......... 183
▫ Front Storage Compartment ............. 183
▫ Console Storage Compartment ........... 184
 Cargo Area Features ................... 185
▫ Cargo Light ........................ 185
▫ Cargo Tie-Down Hooks ................ 185
▫ Cargo Load Floor — If Equipped ......... 187
 Rear Window Features .................. 188
▫ Rear Window Wiper/Washer ............ 188
▫ Rear Window Defroster ................ 189
 Roof Trim Applique — Non Functional ...... 190
96 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

MIRRORS
Inside Day/Night Mirror
A two-point pivot system allows for horizontal and
vertical adjustment of the mirror. The mirror should be
adjusted to center on the view through the rear window.
Headlight glare can be reduced by moving the small
control under the mirror to the night position (toward the
rear of the vehicle). The mirror should be adjusted while
set in the day position (toward the windshield).
Adjusting Rearview Mirror
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 97