engine DODGE NITRO 2011 1.G Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: DODGE, Model Year: 2011, Model line: NITRO, Model: DODGE NITRO 2011 1.GPages: 84, PDF Size: 3.74 MB
Page 55 of 84

NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down an impending overheat
condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C system adds heat to the engine cooling system and turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the Temperature Control to maximum heat, the Mode Control to floor and the Fan Control to high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement
to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the engine cooling system.
• If the temperature reading does not return to normal, turn the engine off immediately.
• We recommend that you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage your vehicle. If the temperature
gauge reads HOT (H), pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the
air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops back into the normal range. If
the pointer remains on HOT (H), and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately and call for service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam
from your radiator. If you see or hear steam coming from under the hood, do not
open the hood until the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to open a
cooling system pressure cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
Jack Location
• The scissor-type jack and tire changingtools are located in the left rear trim
panel behind the second row seat.
Spare Tire Stowage
• To remove the spare tire, remove thejack-handle components from the
storage bin in the left rear trim panel
and assemble them.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
53
Page 58 of 84

WARNING!(Continued)
• A loose tire or jack, thrown forward in a collision or hard stop, could endangerthe occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
JUMP-STARTING
• If your vehicle has a discharged battery it can be jumpstarted using a set of jumper
cables and a battery in another vehicle or by using a portable battery booster pack.
• Jump-starting can be dangerous if done improperly so please follow the procedures in this section carefully.
NOTE: When using a portable battery booster pack follow the manufacturer’s operating
instructions and precautions.
Preparations for Jump-Start
• The battery in your vehicle is located in the front of the engine compartment, behind the left headlight assembly.
NOTE: The positive battery post is covered with a protective cap. Lift up on the cap to
gain access to the positive battery post.
• Set the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission into PARK and turn theignition to LOCK.
• Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electrical accessories.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
56
Page 59 of 84

• If using another vehicle to jump-start the battery, park the vehicle within thejumper cables reach, set the parking brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.
Jump-Starting Procedure
• Connect the positive (+) end of the jumper cable to the positive (+) post of thedischarged vehicle.
• Connect the opposite end of the positive (+) jumper cable to the positive (+) post of the booster battery.
• Connect the negative end (-) of the jumper cable to the negative (-) post of the booster battery.
• Connect the opposite end of the negative (-) jumper cable to a good engine ground (exposed metal part of the discharged vehicle’s engine) away from the battery and
the fuel injection system.
• Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then start the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in the reverse sequence:
• Disconnect the negative (-) jumper cable from the engine ground of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
• Disconnect the negative end (-) of the jumper cable from the negative (-) post of the booster battery.
• Disconnect the opposite end of the positive (+) jumper cable from the positive (+) post of the booster battery.
• Disconnect the positive (+) end of the jumper cable from the positive (+) post of the discharged vehicle.
• If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle you should have the battery and charging system inspected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
• Do not use a portable battery booster pack or any other booster source with asystem voltage greater than 12 Volts or damage to the battery, starter motor,
alternator or electrical system may occur.
• Failure to follow these procedures could result in damage to the charging system of the booster vehicle or the discharged vehicle.
• Accessories that can be plugged into the vehicle power outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.).
Eventually, if plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s battery will discharge
sufficiently to degrade battery life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
57
Page 60 of 84

WARNING!
• When temperatures are below the freezing point, electrolyte in a dischargedbattery may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting because the battery could
rupture or explode and cause personal injury. Battery temperature must be
brought above the freezing point before attempting a jump-start.
• Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the ignition switch is on. You can be injured by moving fan
blades.
• Remove any metal jewelry, such as watch bands or bracelets, that might make an inadvertent electrical contact. You could be severely injured.
• Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or sparks
away from the battery.
• Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this could establish a ground connection and personal injury could result.
• Failure to follow this procedure could result in personal injury or property damage due to battery explosion.
• Do not connect the cable to the negative post (-) of the discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark could cause the battery to explode and could
result in personal injury.
SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE
• If a malfunction occurs and the shiftlever cannot be moved out of the PARK
position, you can use the following
procedure to temporarily move the shift
lever:
• To access the shift lever override,
remove the override cover located on
the PRNDL bezel, next to the shift
lever.
• Firmly set the parking brake.
• Turn the ignition switch to the ACC or ON position without starting the
engine.
• Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
• Using a screwdriver or similar tool, press and hold the override tab through the access port on the center console.
• Move the shift lever into the NEUTRAL position.
• The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
• Reinstall the override cover.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
58
Page 62 of 84

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
• If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it can often be moved by arocking motion. Turn your steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between REVERSE and DRIVE. Using
minimal accelerator pedal pressure to maintain the rocking motion, without
spinning the wheels, is most effective.
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control or Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), turn the system OFF before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.
CAUTION!
• Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to transmission overheating and failure. Allow the engine to idle with the shift lever in
NEUTRAL for at least one minute after every five rocking-motion cycles. This
will minimize overheating and reduce the risk of transmission failure during
prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving between REVERSE and DRIVE, do not spin the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no transmission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated by excessive wheel
speeds may cause damage, or even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster than
30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30 seconds continuously without stopping
when you are stuck and do not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter
what the speed.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
60
Page 65 of 84

ENGINE COMPARTMENT3.7L Engine
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
63
Page 66 of 84

4.0L Engine
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
64
Page 67 of 84

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part Capacities
Engine Coolant 3.7L,
4.0L MOPAR®Antifreeze/Coolant Five
Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT
(Hybrid Organic Additive
Technology) or equivalent. 14 Quarts
(13.3 Liters) Includes
heater and coolant
recovery bottle filled
to MAX level.
Engine Oil with Filter
3.7L API certified 5W-20 engine oil,
meeting the requirements of
Chrysler Material Standard
MS-6395. Refer to your oil filler cap
for correct SAE grade. 5 Quarts (4.7L Liters)
Engine Oil with Filter
4.0L API certified 10W-30 engine oil,
meeting the requirements of
Chrysler Material Standard
MS-6395. Refer to your oil filler cap
for correct SAE grade. 5.5 Quarts (5.2 Liters)
Fuel Selection 3.7L,
4.0L 87 Octane acceptable. 89 octane
Recommended for 4.0L. 19.5 Gallons
(73.8 Liters)
Engine Oil Filter 3.7L,
4.0L MOPAR
®Engine Oil Filter or
equivalent. —
Spark Plug 3.7L ZFR6F–11G (Gap 0.043 in [1.09 mm]) —
Spark Plug 4.0L ZFR5LP-13G (Gap 0.050 in [1.27 mm]) —
Automatic
Transmission MOPAR
®ATF+4®Automatic
Transmission Fluid or equivalent
licensed ATF+4
®product. —
Transfer Case MOPAR®ATF+4®Automatic
Transmission Fluid or equivalent
licensed ATF+4
®product. —
Front Axle SAE80W-90 Multi–Purpose Type
GL-5 Gear Lube or equivalent. —
Rear Axle MOPAR
®Synthetic Gear & Axle
Lubricant SAE 75W–90 or
equivalent. —
Brake Master Cylinder MOPAR
®DOT 3 and SAE J1703
should be used or equivalent. If
DOT 3 is not available, then DOT 4
is acceptable. Use Only
recommended Brake Fluids. —
Power Steering
Reservoir MOPAR
®Power Steering Fluid +4 or
MOPAR®ATF+4®Automatic
Transmission Fluid or equivalent
licensed ATF+4
®product. —
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
65
Page 68 of 84

MAINTENANCE CHART
Miles:
8,000 16,000 24,000 32,000 40,000 48,000 56,000 64,000 72,000 80,000 88,000 96,000 104,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78
Or Kilometers:
13,000 26,000 39,000 52,000 65,000 78,000 91,000 104,000 117,000 130,000 143,000 156,000 169,000
Change the engine oil and engine oil filter. XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rotate the tires, rotate at the first sign of irregular
wear, even if it occurs before scheduled mainte-
nance. XXXXXXXXXXXXX
If using your vehicle for any of the following: dusty or
off-road conditions. Inspect the engine air cleaner
filter; replace if necessary. XXX
Inspect the brake linings; replace if necessary. X X XXXX
Inspect the CV joints. XXXX
Inspect the exhaust system. X XXXX
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. X X X
Inspect the front and rear axle fluid, change if using
your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent
trailer towing. XXXX
Inspect the transfer case fluid. X X
Change the transfer case fluid if using your vehicle
for the following: police, taxi, fleet or frequent trailer
towing. X
Adjust the parking brake on vehicles equipped with
four wheel disc brakes. XX
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter if
using your vehicle for any of the following: police,
taxi, fleet or frequent trailer towing. X
Inspect front suspension, tie rod ends, and boot seals
for cracks or leaks and all parts for damage, wear,
improper looseness or end play; replace if necessary. XXXXXX
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
66
Page 69 of 84

Miles:
8,000 16,000 24,000 32,000 40,000 48,000 56,000 64,000 72,000 80,000 88,000 96,000 104,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78
Or Kilometers:
13,000 26,000 39,000 52,000 65,000 78,000 91,000 104,000 117,000 130,000 143,000 156,000 169,000
Flush and replace the engine coolant at 60 months
or 104,000 miles (169,000 km) whichever comes
first. X
Flush and replace the engine coolant at
104,000 miles (169,000 km) or 60 months
whichever comes first. X
Replace the timing belt (4.0L engine). X
Replace the spark plugs (4.0L engine). X
Replace the spark plugs (3.7L engine). X X X
Replace the ignition cables (3.7L engine). X
Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary. X• Refer to the Owner's Manual on the DVD for the complete maintenance schedule.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
67