flat tire DODGE NITRO 2011 1.G Owner's Manual

Should this occur, you should stop as soon as possible
and inflate the tires with low pressure (those flashing in
the EVIC graphic) to the vehicle’s recommended cold
placard pressure value. Once the system receives the
updated tire pressures, the system will automatically
update, the graphic display in the EVIC will stop flash-
ing, and the “Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light”
will turn off. The vehicle may need to be driven for up to
20 minutes above 15 mph (24 km/h) in order for the
TPMS to receive this information.
Check TPMS Warning
When a system fault is detected, the “Tire Pressure
Monitoring Telltale Light” will flash on and off for
75 seconds and then remain on solid. The system fault
will also sound a chime. In addition, the EVIC will
display aCHECK TPM SYSTEM message for threeseconds and then display dashes (- -) in place of the
pressure value to indicate which sensor is not being
received.
348 STARTING AND OPERATING

value. The EVIC will also display a “SPARE LOW
PRESSURE” message to remind you to service the flat
tire.
Vehicles With Compact Spare
1. The compact spare tire does not have a tire pressure
monitoring sensor. Therefore, the TPMS will not monitor
the pressure in the compact spare tire.
2. If you install the compact spare tire in place of a road
tire that has a pressure below the low-pressure warning
limit, upon the next ignition key cycle, the “TPMS Telltale
Light” will remain on and a chime will sound. In
addition, the graphic in the EVIC will still display a
flashing pressure value.
3. After driving the vehicle for up to 20 minutes above
15 mph (24 km/h), the “TPMS Telltale Light” will flash
on and off for 75 seconds and then remain on solid. Inaddition, the EVIC will display a
CHECK TPM SYS-
TEM message for three seconds and then display dashes
(- -) in place of the pressure value.
4. For each subsequent ignition key cycle, a chime will
sound, the “TPMS Telltale Light” will flash on and off for
75 seconds and then remain on solid, and the EVIC will
display a CHECK TPM SYSTEM message for three
seconds and then display dashes (- -) in place of the
pressure value.
5. Once you repair or replace the original road tire and
reinstall it on the vehicle in place of the compact spare,
the TPMS will update automatically. In addition, the
“TPMS Telltale Light” will turn off and the graphic in the
EVIC will display a new pressure value instead of dashes
(- -), as long as no tire pressure is below the low-pressure
warning limit in any of the four active road tires. The
350 STARTING AND OPERATING

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
including driver, passengers, vehicle, options, trailer
tongue weight, and cargo. The label also specifies maxi-
mum capacities of front and rear axle systems (GAWR).
Total load must be limited, so GVWR, and front and rear
GAWR are not exceeded.
Payload
The payload of a vehicle is defined as the allowable load
weight a truck or any given vehicle can carry, including
the weight of the driver, all passengers, options and
cargo.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible load on the front
and rear axles. The load must be distributed in the cargo
area so that the GAWR of each axle is not exceeded.Each axle’s GAWR is determined by the components in
the system with the lowest load carrying capacity (axle,
springs, tires, or wheels). Heavier axles or suspension
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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 359

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).
372 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 ensure the spare tires, flat or inflated, are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing up.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on
locations other than those indicated in the Jacking
Instructions for this vehicle.
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.
Jack Warning Label
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 385

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.
472 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Cargo Compartment...................... 185
Light ............................. 185
Cargo Light ............................ 185
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 187
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 185
Cellular Phone ....................... 100,273
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 442
Certification Label ....................... 358
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 381
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 321
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............210,404
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 87
Checks, Safety ........................... 87
Child Restraint .................... 76,77,82,84
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............81,82
Child Safety Locks ........................ 33
Climate Control ......................... 273
Clock ........................... 229,248,257Coin Holder
........................... 184
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 273
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 333
Compass ........................ 212,215,221
Compass Calibration .................. 215,222
Compass Variance .................... 214,223
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 219
Console .............................. 184
Console, Floor .......................... 184
Contract, Service ........................ 467
Cooling System ......................... 417
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 419
Coolant Capacity ..................... 443
Coolant Level ....................... 421
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 420
Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 418
Inspection .......................... 417
Points to Remember .................. 421
Pressure Cap ........................ 420
476 INDEX

Storage, Vehicle......................... 283
Stuck, Freeing .......................... 392
Sun Roof .............................. 175
Sun Visor Extension ...................... 100
Sunroof Maintenance ..................... 178
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag ........ 58
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 409
System, Remote Starting .................... 26
Tachometer ............................ 206
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ........ 278
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......... 198
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............... 81
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo ................... 185
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 159
Tip Start .............................. 291
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 325
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 323
Tire Markings .......................... 320 Tire Safety Information
.................... 320
Tires ............................ 91,329,471
Aging (Life of Tires) .................. 336
Air Pressure ........................ 329
Chains ............................ 338
Changing .......................... 381
Compact Spare ...................... 333
General Information .................. 329
High Speed ......................... 332
Inflation Pressures .................... 330
Jacking ............................ 381
Life of Tires ........................ 336
Load Capacity .................... 325,326
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ......... 341
Pressure Warning Light ................ 206
Quality Grading ..................... 471
Radial ............................ 332
Replacement ........................ 337
Rotation ........................... 340
488 INDEX