2011 Dodge Nitro Owner Manual - Page 304

STARTING AND OPERATING 301 WARNING! • Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply the parking brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle movement and possible injury or damage. • 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 right foot is firmly on the brake pedal. NEUTRAL This range is used when vehicle is standing for prolonged periods with engine running. Engine may be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you must leave the vehicle. NOTE: Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other reason with the shift lever in NEUTRAL can result in severe transmission damage. Refer to "Recreational Towing" in "Starting and Operating" and "Towing a Disabled Vehicle" in "What To Do In Emergencies" for further information. DRIVE This range is used for most city and highway driving. 5 Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation REVERSE The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control allows This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Use this you to move the shift lever left (-) or right (+) when the range only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. shift lever is in the DRIVE position, allowing the selection of the desired top gear. For example, if the driver shifts