spare tire DODGE NITRO 2011 1.G User Guide

24-HOUR TOWING ASSISTANCE
• Dial toll-free 1-800-521-2779 or 1-800-363-4869 for Canadian residents.
• Provide your name, vehicle identification number and license plate number.
• Provide your location, including telephone number, from which you are calling.
• Briefly describe the nature of the problem and answer a few simple questions.
• You will be given the name of the service provider and an estimated time of arrival.If you feel you are in an “unsafe situation”, please let us know. With your consent,
we will contact local police or safety authorities.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING LIGHTS
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Indicator Light
• If this indicator light flashes during acceleration, apply as little throttle aspossible. While driving, ease up on the accelerator. Adapt your speed and driving
to the prevailing road conditions. To improve the vehicle's traction when starting
off in deep snow, sand or gravel, it may be desirable to switch the ESC system off.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Light
• Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly, when coldand 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 illuminates, 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.
• IF THE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING INDICATING A LOW TIRE PRESSURE, ADJUST THE AIR
PRESSURE IN THE LOW TIRE TO THE AIR PRESSURE SHOWN ON THE VEHICLE PLACARD
OR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE LABEL LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. NOTE: AFTER
INFLATION, THE VEHICLE MAY NEED TO BE DRIVEN FOR 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE
FLASHING LIGHT WILL TURN OFF.
• 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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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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

• Lower the spare tire by turning the winch drive nut, located in the rear cargo areainside the vehicle, counterclockwise with the jack-handle assembly until the spare
tire is on the ground with enough cable slack to allow you to pull the spare tire out
from underneath the vehicle.
• When the spare is clear, tilt the retainer at the end of the cable and pull it through the center of the wheel.
Preparations For Jacking
• Park on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
• Set the parking brake and shift the automatic transmission into PARK.
• Turn the ignition to LOCK and turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
• Block both the front and rear of thewheel diagonally opposite of the
jacking position. For example, if
changing the right front tire, block the
left rear wheel.
NOTE: Passengers should not remain in the
vehicle when the vehicle is being jacked.
Jacking And Tire Changing Instructions
• Remove the spare tire, jack and tools from the stored location.
• Loosen (but do not remove) the wheel lug nuts by turning them counterclockwise one turn while the wheel is still on the ground.
• Assemble the jack and jacking tools. Connect the jack handle driver to the extension, then to the lug wrench.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
54

• Locate the jack:• For the front tires, place it (rearward) of the notch on the body weld seambehind the wheel to be changed.
• For the rear tires, place it under the axle by the wheel to be changed.
• Raise the vehicle by turning the jack screw clockwise. Raise the vehicle only until the tire just clears the surface and enough clearance is obtained to install the
spare tire.
• Remove the lug nuts, wheel cover (if equipped) and the wheel.
• Position the spare wheel/tire on the vehicle and install the lug nuts with the cone-shaped end toward the wheel. Do NOT attempt to install a center cap or
wheel cover on the compact spare. Lightly tighten the lug nuts clockwise. To avoid
the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not tighten the nuts fully until the
vehicle has been lowered.
• Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw counterclockwise, and remove the jack and wheel blocks.
• Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the wrench while tightening for increased leverage. Alternate nuts until each one has been tightened twice. The
correct wheel nut tightness is 95 ft lbs (130 N•m). If in doubt about the correct
tightness, have them checked with a torque wrench by your authorized dealer or at
a service station.
• Secure the tire, jack, and tools in their proper locations.
WARNING!
• Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
• Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You could be crushed. Never get any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get under a raised vehicle,
take it to a service center where it can be raised on a lift.
• The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should be
jacked on a firm, level surface only. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
• If it is necessary to retrieve the spare tire from under the vehicle on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic, pull far enough off the road to avoid the
danger of being hit.
• Carefully follow these tire changing procedures to help prevent personal injury or damage to your vehicle: Always park on a firm, level surface as far
from the edge of the roadway as possible before raising the vehicle.
• Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make the vehicle less stable and could cause it to slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the
vehicle only enough to remove the tire.
(Continued)
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
55

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

CAUTION!(Continued)
• When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to use only a fuse having thecorrect amperage rating. The use of a fuse with a rating other than indicated
may result in a dangerous electrical system overload. If a properly rated fuse
continues to blow, it indicates a problem in the circuit that must be
corrected.
TIRE PRESSURES
• Check the inflation pressure of each tire, including the spare tire, at least monthly
and inflate to the recommended pressure for your vehicle.
• The tire pressures recommended for your vehicle are found on the “Tire and Loading Information” label located on the driver’s side door opening.
NOTE: Refer to the Owner's Manual on the DVD for more information regarding tire
warnings and instructions.
WARNING!
• Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the
recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never overload them.
• Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can cause collisions. Under-inflation is the leading cause of tire failure and may result in severe
cracking, component separation, or “blow out”. Over-inflation reduces a tire’s
ability to cushion shock. Objects on the road and chuck holes can cause
damage that results in tire failure. Unequal tire pressures can cause steering
problems. You could lose control of your vehicle. Over-inflated or
under-inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail suddenly,
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
WHEEL AND WHEEL TRIM CARE
• All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and chrome plated wheels, shouldbe cleaned regularly with a mild soap and water to prevent corrosion.
• To remove heavy soil and/or excessive brake dust, use MOPAR
®Wheel Cleaner or
equivalent or select a non-abrasive, non-acidic cleaner.
CAUTION!
Do not use scouring pads, steel wool, a bristle brush, or metal polishes. Do not
use oven cleaner. These products may damage the wheel's protective finish.
Avoid automatic car washes that use acidic solutions or harsh brushes that may
damage the wheel's protective finish. Only MOPAR
®Wheel Cleaner or
equivalent is recommended.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
73

Instrument Cluster Warning
Lights ................. 6,49
Integrated Power Module (Fuses) . . . 70
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) . . 18
Introduction............... 2
Jack Location .............. 53
Jump Starting .............. 56
KeyFob .................. 8
Key Fob Programmable Features . . . 40
Lane Change Assist .......... 18
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren) ................ 11
Lights Four-Wheel Drive Indicator ..... 52
Headlights .............. 17
Park .................. 17
Transmission Warning ........ 52
TurnSignal .............. 18
Warning (Instrument Cluster
Description) .............. 6
Maintenance Record .......... 68
MaintenanceSchedule ........ 66
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check
Engine) ................. 51
MOPAR
®Accessories ......... 77
Navigation .............. 32,34
OilChangeIndicator .......... 52
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ...... 52
Oil Pressure Light ........... 51
Oil, Engine Capacity ............... 65
Overheating, Engine .......... 52
Panic Alarm ............... 8
Park Sense System, Rear ....... 21
Phone (Pairing) ............. 36
Phone (Uconnect) ........... 36
Power Glass Sunroof ............ 21
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical
Outlet) ................ 44 Seats
................. 13
Steering ................ 65
Preparation for Jacking ........ 54
Programmable Electronic Features . . 40
Radio Operation .......... 26,29
Rain Sensitive Wiper System ..... 18
Rear Park Sense System ........ 21
Rear Seat, Folding ........... 14
Recreational Towing .......... 48
Remote Starting System ........ 8
ReplacementBulbs .......... 74
Restraints, Child ............ 11
RollOverWarning ............ 3
Seat Belts ................. 9
Seats ................... 13
Adjustment .............. 13
Folding Front Passenger ...... 13
Heated ................ 15
Power ................. 13
RearFolding ............. 14
Setting the Clock .......... 28,31
Shift Lever Override .......... 58
Signals, Turn .............. 18
SIRIUS Travel Link ........... 35
SpareTire ................ 53
SparkPlugs ............... 65
Speed Control (Cruise Control) .... 19
Starting Remote ................. 8
Steering TiltColumn .............. 16
Steering Wheel Audio Controls .... 36
Store Radio Presets ........ 28,31
Stuck, Freeing ............. 60
SunRoof ................ 21
Supplemental Restraint System -
Airbag .................. 10
Temperature Control, Automatic
(ATC) ................... 20
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ...... 9
Theft System Arming .......... 9
Theft System Disarming ......... 9
Tilt Steering Column .......... 16
Tires Air Pressure ............. 73
INDEX
79