Dodge Nitro: Vehicle security alarm

The Vehicle Security Alarm monitors the vehicle doors, liftgate, and ignition for unauthorized operation. When the Vehicle Security Alarm is activated, the alarm provides both audible and visual signals. The horn will sound repeatedly for three minutes, while the headlights, park lamps and/or turn signals will flash for an additional 15 minutes.

NOTE: The Panic and Security alarms are quite different. Please take a moment to activate the Panic and Security modes to hear the differences in the horn. In case one should go off in the future, you will need to know which mode has been activated in order to deactivate it.

To Arm the System

Remove the keys from the ignition switch and exit the vehicle. Lock the doors and liftgate by pressing the power door LOCK switch or the LOCK button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. Close all the doors. The Vehicle Security Light (located in the instrument cluster) will flash rapidly for about 16 seconds to signal that the Vehicle Security Alarm is arming. During this 16 second pre-arm period, opening any door or the liftgate will cancel the arming process. If the Vehicle Security Alarm arms successfully, the Vehicle Security Light will flash at a slower rate to indicate the alarm is set. Manually locking the doors with the door lock plunger (located on the inside of the doors) or the driver’s door key lock cylinder will not arm the Vehicle Security Alarm.

To Disarm the System

Either press the UNLOCK button on the RKE transmitter or insert a valid Sentry Key into the ignition lock cylinder and turn the key to the ON position. The Vehicle Security Alarm is designed to protect your vehicle; however, you can create conditions where the Vehicle Security Alarm will give you a false alarm. If the previously described arming sequence has occurred, the Vehicle Security Alarm will arm regardless of whether you are inside or outside the vehicle. If you remain inside the vehicle and open a door, the alarm will sound. If this occurs, disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm. Manually unlocking the doors with the door lock plunger (located on the inside of the doors) or the driver’s door key lock cylinder will not disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm.

Tamper Alert

If something has triggered the Vehicle Security Alarm in your absence, the horn will sound three times when you unlock the doors. Check the vehicle for tampering.

Illuminated entry

The interior lights come on when you open any door or use the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to unlock any door. They will remain on for approximately 30 seconds after all doors are closed then fade to off. The lights also will fade to off if you turn on the ignition after you close all the doors. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/Personal Settings (Customer- Programmable Features)” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further information.

NOTE: None of the courtesy lights will operate if the dimmer control is in the “defeat” position (extreme downward position), unless the overhead map/reading lights are turned on manually.

Sentry key

Remote keyless entry (RKE)