automatic transmission DODGE NITRO 2011 1.G Owners Manual

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

Power Door Locks
A door lock switch is located on each of the front door
panels. Press this switch to lock or unlock the doors and
liftgate.If you press the power door LOCK switch while the key
is in the ignition and either of the front doors is open, the
power locks will not operate. This prevents you from
accidentally locking your keys in the vehicle. Removing
the key or closing the door will allow the locks to operate.
A chime will sound if the key is in the ignition switch and
a door is open as a reminder to remove the key.
Automatic Door Locks — If Equipped
The doors will lock automatically if all of the following
conditions are met:
1. The Automatic Door Locks feature is enabled
2. The transmission is in gear
3. All doors are closed
4. The throttle is pressed
5. The vehicle speed is above 15 mph (24 km/h)
Power Door Lock Switch
1 - Unlock
2 - Lock
30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit
The doors will unlock automatically on vehicles with
power door locks if:
1. The automatic unlock doors on exit feature is enabled.
2. The transmission was in gear and the vehicle speed
returned to 0 mph (0 km/h).
3. The transmission is in NEUTRAL or PARK.
4. The driver door is opened.
5. The doors were not previously unlocked.
6. The vehicle speed is 0 mph (0 km/h).
Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit Programming
The automatic unlock doors on exit feature can be
enabled or disabled as follows:
For vehicles equipped with an Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC), refer to “Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC)/Personal Settings (Customer-
Programmable Features)” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.
For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the
following procedure:
1. Close all doors and place the key in the ignition.
2. Cycle the ignition switch between LOCK and ON/
RUN and then back to LOCK four times, ending up in the
LOCK position.
3. Press the power door UNLOCK switch to unlock the
doors.
32 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

23. Tachometer
This gauge measures engine revolutions-per-minute
(RPM x 1000). When the engine RPM are kept within the
green area, you are driving the vehicle in a fuel efficient
manner. Before the pointer reaches the red area, ease up
on the accelerator to prevent engine damage.
24. Shift Lever Indicator
The Shift Lever Indicator is self-contained within the
instrument cluster. It displays the gear position of the
automatic transmission.
25. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale LightEach tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
206 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

ODOMETER button on the instrument cluster. To reset
the oil change indicator system (after performing the
scheduled maintenance), refer to the following proce-
dure:1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position.
Do not start the engine.
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three
times within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE: If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.
27. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is part of
an onboard diagnostic system, called OBD, that
monitors engine and automatic transmission con-
trol systems. The light will illuminate when the key is in the ON/RUN position, before engine start. If the bulb
does not come on when turning the key from OFF to
ON/RUN, have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing 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 of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and drivability. If the MIL is
flashing, severe catalytic converter damage and
power loss will soon occur. Immediate service is
required.
210 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

3. Press the SCROLL button until the “Compass Vari-
ance” message and the last variance zone number dis-
plays in the EVIC.
4. Press and release the FUNCTION SELECT button
until the proper variance zone is selected according to the
map.
5. Press and release the COMPASS button to exit.
Personal Settings
(Customer-Programmable Features)
Personal Settings allows the driver to set and recall
features when the transmission is in PARK.
Press and release the MENU button until Personal Set-
tings displays in the EVIC.Use the SCROLL button to display one of the following
choices:
Language
When in this display you may select one of five lan-
guages for all display nomenclature, including the trip
functions and the navigation system (if equipped). Press
the FUNCTION SELECT button while in this display to
select English, Espanol, or Francais. As you continue, the
information will display in the selected language.
Lock Doors Automatically at 15 mph (24 km/h)
When ON is selected, all doors will lock automatically
when the vehicle reaches a speed of 15 mph (24 km/h).
To make your selection, press and release the FUNC-
TION SELECT button until ON or OFF appears.
224 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Unlock Doors Automatically on Exit
When ON is selected, all doors will unlock when the
vehicle is stopped and the transmission is in the PARK or
NEUTRAL position and the driver’s door is opened. To
make your selection, press and release the FUNCTION
SELECT button until ON or OFF appears.
Remote Key Unlock
WhenDriver Door 1st Press is selected, only the driver’s
door will unlock on the first press of the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter UNLOCK button. When Driver
Door 1st Press is selected, you must press the RKE
transmitter UNLOCK button twice to unlock the passen-
gers’ doors. When All Doors 1st Press is selected, all of
the doors will unlock on the first press of the RKE
transmitter UNLOCK button. To make your selection,
press and release the FUNCTION SELECT button until
“Driver Door 1st Press” or “All Doors 1st Press” appears.
Sound Horn with Remote Key Lock
When ON is selected, a short horn sound will occur when
the RKE transmitter LOCK button is pressed. This feature
may be selected with or without the Flash Lights with
Remote Key Lock feature. To make your selection, press
and release the FUNCTION SELECT button until ON or
OFF appears.
Flash Lights with Remote Key Lock
When ON is selected, the front and rear turn signals will
flash when the doors are locked or unlocked with the
RKE transmitter. This feature may be selected with or
without the sound horn on lock feature selected. To make
your selection, press and release the FUNCTION SE-
LECT button until ON or OFF appears.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 225

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 291
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 291
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or –29°C) ................ 291
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 292
▫ After Starting ....................... 293
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 293
 Automatic Transmission ................. 294
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 295▫
Brake/Transmission Interlock System ...... 295
▫ Four–Speed Automatic Transmission –
3.7L Engine ........................ 295
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 296
▫ Five–Speed Automatic Transmission –
4.0L Engine ........................ 300
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 300
 Four-Wheel Drive Operation — If Equipped . . 304
▫ Single-Speed Part-Time Transfer Case ...... 304
5

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
WARNING!
•It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK
or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake
pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward
or in REVERSE. You could lose control of the
vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift
into gear when the engine is idling normally and
when your foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended in a vehicle is dangerous for a number
of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or
fatally injured. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls or move the vehicle.
294 STARTING AND OPERATING

Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the shift lever to be placed in PARK
prior to rotating the key to the LOCK position. The key
can only be removed from the ignition when the ignition
is in the LOCK position. Once the key is removed, the
shift lever is locked in PARK.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in the
PARK position when the ignition switch is in the LOCK
position. To move the shift lever out of the PARK
position, the ignition switch must be turned to the ON or
START position (engine running or not) and the brake
pedal must be pressed.
Four–Speed Automatic Transmission –
3.7L Engine
NOTE:Under extreme cold temperatures (-10°F (-23°C)
and when in DRIVE, transmission operation may be
briefly limited to only second gear operation. Normal
operation will resume once the transmission temperature
has risen to a suitable level.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 295