tire pressure DODGE NITRO 2011 1.G Owners Manual

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

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

Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check theTPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 207

•Tire Pressure Monitor System (if equipped)
•Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable Features)
•Compass Display
•Outside Temperature Display
•Trip Computer Functions
•Uconnect™ gps system screens (if equipped)
•Audio Mode Display
The system allows the driver to select information by
pressing the following buttons mounted on the steering
wheel:
MENU Button Press and release the MENU button and the
mode displayed will change between Trip
Functions, Uconnect™ gps (if equipped), Sys-
tem Status, and Personal Settings. Press the FUNCTION SELECT button to accept
a selection. Also, the FUNCTION SELECT but-
ton changes the current CD track being played
(if equipped) when the EVIC is in the
Compass/Temp/Audio screen.
Press the SCROLL button to scroll through
Navigation (if equipped), System Status Mes-
sages, and Personal Settings (Customer-
Programmable Features).Press and release the COMPASS/TEMPERA-
TURE button to display one of eight compass
readings and the outside temperature.
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Displays
When the appropriate conditions exist, the EVIC displays
the following messages:
•Turn signal on (with a continuous warning chime)
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 217

•Left front turn signal light out (with a single chime)
•Left rear turn signal light out (with a single chime)
•Right front turn signal light out (with a single chime)
•Right rear turn signal light out (with a single chime)
•RKE Battery Low (with a single chime)
•Personal Settings not available – vehicle not in PARK
•Left/right front door ajar (one or more doors open,
with a single chime if speed is above 1 mph/1.6 km/h)
•Left/right rear door ajar (one or more doors open,
with a single chime if speed is above 1 mph/1.6 km/h)
•Door(s) ajar (with a single chime if vehicle is in
motion)
•Liftgate ajar (with a single chime)
•Left front low pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System” in “Starting And
Operating”.
•Left rear low pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System” in “Starting And
Operating”.
•Right front low pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System” in “Starting And
Operating”.
•Right rear low pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System” in “Starting And
Operating”.
•Check TPM System (with a single chime). Refer to
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System” in “Starting And
Operating”.
•Check Gascap (refer to “Adding Fuel” in “Starting
And Operating”).
218 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Shifting Procedure – Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case ....................... 306
 On-Road Driving Tips .................. 307
 Power Steering ....................... 307
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 308
 Parking Brake ........................ 309
 Anti-Lock Brake System ................. 311
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 313
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 314
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 314
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 315
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ......... 316
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 316▫
ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 319
 Tire Safety Information ................. 320
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 320
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 323
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 324
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 325
 Tires — General Information ............. 329
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 329
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 330
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 332
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... 332
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 332
288 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 333
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 334
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 334
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 335
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 336
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 336
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 337
 Tire Chains .......................... 338
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 340
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 341
▫ Base System ........................ 343
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 346
▫ General Information .................. 351 
Fuel Requirements ..................... 351
▫ 3.7L Engine ........................ 351
▫ 4.0L Engine ........................ 351
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 352
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 352
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 353
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 354
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 354
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 354
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 355
 Adding Fuel ......................... 356
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 356
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 358
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 289

Shifting Procedure – Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case
NOTE:If any of the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case
will not shift. The “4WD Indicator Light” (located in the
display under the tachometer) will flash until all the
requirements for the selected position have been met. To
retry a shift, return the control knob back to the original
position, make certain all shift requirements have been
met, wait five seconds and try the shift again.
2WD⇔ 4WD LOCK
Rotate the transfer case switch to the desired position.
Shifts between 2WD and 4WD LOCK can be done with
the vehicle stopped or in motion. With the vehicle in
motion, the transfer case will engage/disengage faster if you momentarily release the accelerator pedal after turn-
ing the switch. If the vehicle is stopped, the ignition key
must be in the ON position with the engine either
RUNNING or OFF. This shift cannot be completed if the
key is in the ACC position.
NOTE:
•The four-wheel drive system will not allow shifts
between 2WD/4WD LOCK if the front and/or rear
wheels are spinning (no traction). In this situation, the
“4WD Indicator Light” (located in the display under
the tachometer) will flash. At this time, reduce speed
and stop spinning the wheels to complete the shift.
•Delayed shifting out of 4WD LOCK may be experi-
enced due to uneven tire wear, low tire pressure, or
excessive loading.
306 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)
•Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-
ing your vehicle or it may roll and cause damage or
injury. Also, be certain to leave the transmission in
PARK. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
roll and cause damage or injury.
CAUTION!
If the “Brake Warning Light” remains on with the
parking brake released, a brake system malfunction
is indicated. Have the brake system serviced by an
authorized dealer immediately.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) is designed to aid the
driver in maintaining vehicle control under adverse
braking conditions. The system operates with a separatecomputer to modulate hydraulic pressure, to prevent
wheel lock-up and help avoid skidding on slippery
surfaces.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type, and tires must be properly inflated, to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
WARNING!
Significant over or under-inflation of tires or mixing
sizes of tires or wheels on the vehicle can lead to loss
of braking effectiveness.
The ABS conducts a low-speed self-test at about 12 mph
(20 km/h). If you have your foot lightly on the brake
while this test is occurring, you may feel slight pedal
movement. The movement can be more apparent on ice
and snow. This is normal.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 311

TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire MarkingsNOTE:
•P (Passenger) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P”
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: P215/65R15 95H.
•European-Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letterPis absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H.
•LT (Light Truck) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
•Temporary spare tires are high-pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
1 — U.S. DOT Safety
Standards Code (TIN) 4 — Maximum Load
2 — Size Designation 5 — Maximum Pressure
3 — Service Description 6 — Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
320 STARTING AND OPERATING