DODGE NITRO 2011 1.G User Guide

NOTE:It is illegal to remove or alter the VIN.
VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS/ALTERATIONS
WARNING!
Any modifications or alterations to this vehicle could
seriously affect its roadworthiness and safety and
may lead to a accident resulting in serious injury or
death.
Stamped VIN Location
8 INTRODUCTION

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
A Word About Your Keys ................. 12
▫ Ignition Key Removal .................. 12
▫ Key-In-Ignition Reminder ............... 14
 Sentry Key .......................... 14
▫ Replacement Keys ..................... 15
▫ Customer Key Programming ............. 16
▫ General Information ................... 17
 Vehicle Security Alarm — If Equipped ........ 17
▫ To Arm The System ................... 18 ▫
To Disarm The System ................. 18
 Illuminated Entry ...................... 19
 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) .............. 20
▫ To Unlock The Doors And Liftgate ......... 20
▫ To Lock The Doors And Liftgate .......... 21
▫ Remote Open Window Feature — If
Equipped ........................... 23
▫ Using The Panic Alarm ................. 24
▫ Programming Additional Transmitters ...... 24
2

▫Battery Replacement ................... 24
▫ General Information ................... 25
 Remote Starting System — If Equipped ....... 26
▫ How To Use Remote Start ............... 26
 Door Locks ........................... 28
▫ Manual Door Locks ................... 28
▫ Power Door Locks .................... 30
▫ Child-Protection Door Lock System —
Rear Doors .......................... 33
 Windows ............................ 34
▫ Power Windows ...................... 34
▫ Wind Buffeting ....................... 38
 Liftgate ............................. 38 
Occupant Restraints ..................... 39
▫ Lap/Shoulder Belts .................... 43
▫ Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions .... 44
▫ Lap/Shoulder Belt Untwisting Procedure .... 47
▫ Seat Belt Pretensioner .................. 48
▫ Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage . . . 48
▫ Seat Belts In Passenger Seating Positions ..... 49
▫ Automatic Locking Retractor Mode (ALR) —
If Equipped ......................... 50
▫ Supplemental Active Head Restraints (AHR) . . 51
▫ Energy Management Feature ............. 55
▫ Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert) ......................... 55
▫ Seat Belt Lock Out .................... 57
10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Seat Belts And Pregnant Women .......... 57
▫ Seat Belt Extender ..................... 57
▫ Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) — Air Bags ..................... 58
▫ Air Bag Deployment Sensors And Controls . . . 64
▫ Event Data Recorder (EDR) .............. 75
▫ Child Restraints ...................... 76
 Engine Break-In Recommendations .......... 86
Safety Tips ........................... 87
▫ Transporting Passengers ................ 87
▫ Exhaust Gas ......................... 88
▫ Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle ............................. 89
▫ Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle ................... 91
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
The keys for your vehicle are double-sided. You can
insert the keys into the locks with either side up.The keys for your new vehicle are enclosed in a plastic
bag with the key code number on it. If you received your
keys without the bag, ask your authorized dealer to give
you the number. The key code can also be obtained by an
authorized dealer from your vehicle invoice.
Ignition Key Removal
Automatic Transmission
•
Place the shift lever in PARK.
•Push the key and cylinder inward slightly and rotate
the key to the LOCK position.
•Remove the key.
Vehicle Key
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Don’t leave the keys in
the ignition. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION!
An unlocked vehicle is an invitation to thieves.
Always remove the key from the ignition and lock all
doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Ignition Switch Positions
1 — Lock3 — On
2 — Acc 4 — Start
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13

Key-In-Ignition Reminder
If you open the driver’s door and the key is in the
ignition, a chime will sound to remind you to remove the
key.
NOTE:The Key-In-Ignition reminder only sounds
when the ignition key is placed in the LOCK or ACC
position.
SENTRY KEY
The Sentry Key Immobilizer System prevents unauthor-
ized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
The system uses ignition keys that have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder) to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro-
grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operate the vehicle. The system will shut the engine off in two
seconds if someone uses an invalid key to try to start the
engine.
NOTE:
A key that has not been programmed is also
considered an invalid key, even if it is cut to fit the
ignition switch lock cylinder for that vehicle.
During normal operation, after turning on the ignition
switch, the Vehicle Security Light will turn on for three
seconds for a bulb check. If the light remains on after the
bulb check, it indicates that there is a problem with the
electronics. In addition, if the Vehicle Security Light
begins to flash after the bulb check, it indicates that
someone used an invalid key to try to start the engine.
Either of these conditions will result in the engine being
shut off after two seconds.
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

If the Vehicle Security Light turns on during normal
vehicle operation (vehicle running for longer than 10 sec-
onds), it indicates that there is a fault in the electronics.
Should this occur, have the vehicle serviced as soon as
possible by an authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
The Sentry KeyImmobilizer system is not compat-
ible with some after-market remote starting systems.
Use of these systems may result in vehicle starting
problems and loss of security protection.
All of the keys provided with your new vehicle have
been programmed to the vehicle electronics.
Replacement Keys
NOTE: Only keys that are programmed to the vehicle
electronics can be used to start and operate the vehicle.
Once a Sentry Key is programmed to a vehicle, it cannot
be programmed to any other vehicle.
CAUTION!
Always remove the Sentry Keys from the vehicle
and lock all doors when leaving the vehicle unat-
tended.
At the time of purchase, the original owner is provided
with a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Keep the PIN in a secure location. This number is
required for authorized dealer replacement of keys. Du-
plication of keys may be performed at an authorized
dealer or by following the customer key programming
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15

procedure. This procedure consists of programming a
blank key to the vehicle electronics. A blank key is one
that has never been programmed.
NOTE:When having the Sentry Key Immobilizer
System serviced, bring all vehicle keys with you to an
authorized dealer.
Customer Key Programming
If you have two valid Sentry Keys, you can program
new Sentry Keys to the system by performing the
following procedure:
1. Cut the additional Sentry Key Transponder blank(s)
to match the ignition switch lock cylinder key code.
2. Insert the first valid key into the ignition switch. Turn
the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position for at least
three seconds, but no longer than 15 seconds. Then, turn
the ignition switch to the LOCK position and remove the
first key. 3. Insert the second valid key into the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position within
15 seconds. After 10 seconds, a chime will sound. In
addition, the Vehicle Security Light will begin to flash.
Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position and
remove the second key.
4. Insert a blank Sentry Key
into the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position within
60 seconds. After 10 seconds, a single chime will sound.
In addition, the Vehicle Security Light will stop flashing.
To indicate that programming is complete, the Vehicle
Security Light will turn on again for three seconds and
then turn off.
The new Sentry Key is programmed.The Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter will also be pro-
grammed during this procedure.
16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Repeat this procedure to program up to eight keys. If you
do not have a programmed Sentry Key, contact your
authorized dealer for details.
NOTE:
If a programmed key is lost, see your authorized
dealer to have all remaining keys erased from the sys-
tem’s memory. This will prevent the lost key from starting
your vehicle. The remaining keys must then be repro-
grammed. All vehicle keys must be taken to an authorized
dealer at the time of service to be reprogrammed.
General Information
The Sentry Key system complies with FCC rules Part 15
and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following conditions:
•This device may not cause harmful interference.
•This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause unde-
sired operation.
VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM — IF EQUIPPED
The Vehicle Security Alarm monitors the vehicle doors,
liftgate, and ignition for unauthorized operation. When
the Vehicle Security Alarm is activated, interior switches
for door locks are disabled. The alarm provides both
audible and visual signals, the horn will sound repeat-
edly for three minutes, while the headlights, park lamps
and/or turn signals will flash for an additional 15 min-
utes.
NOTE: The Panic and Security alarms are quite differ-
ent. Please take a moment to activate the Panic and
Security modes to hear the differences in the horn. In case
one should go off in the future, you will need to know
which mode has been activated in order to deactivate it.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17