weight CHRYSLER 200 2013 1.G Owner's Manual

Trailer And Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your
vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to swayseverelyside to side
which will cause loss of control of the vehicle and trailer.
Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of
many trailer collisions.
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your bumper or trailer hitch.
Consider the following items when computing the weight
on the rear axle of the vehicle:
• The tongue weight of the trailer.
• The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
• The weight of the driver and all passengers.
386 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options or dealer-installed options must
be considered as part of the total load on your vehicle.
Refer to the “Tire and Loading Information” placard for
the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo
for your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drive-
train components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
• Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(805 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine, axle
or other parts could be damaged.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at full throttle. This helps
the engine and other parts of the vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to a collision. Follow these
guidelines to make your trailer towing as safe as pos-
sible:
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer and
it will not shift during travel. When trailering cargo
that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts can occur
that may be difficult for the driver to control. You
could lose control of your vehicle and have a collision.
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 387

WARNING!(Continued)
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance, or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis structure, or tires.
• Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to
the frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch.
Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and allow
enough slack for turning corners.
• Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. When parking, apply the parking brake on
the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic
transmission in PARK. Always, block or chock
the trailer wheels.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
• Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. Max loading as defined on the “Tire and Loading
Information” placard.
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized.
388 STARTING AND OPERATING

Filler Door (Gas Cap)....................210
Gasoline ............................. .369
Gauge .............................. .210
Light ................................211
Materials Added ....................... .371
Methanol ............................ .370
Octane Rating ......................... .369
Requirements ......................... .369
Tank Capacity ......................... .471
Fuel, Flexible ........................... .373
Fueling ............................... .377
Fuel System Caution ...................... .378
Fuses ................................. .460
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...................377
Gasoline, Clean Air ....................... .369
Gasoline, Reformulated .....................369 Gauges
Coolant Temperature .....................210
Fuel ................................ .210
Odometer ............................ .214
Tachometer ........................... .214
Gear Ranges ............................ .304
Gear Select Lever Override ..................416
General Information ........................18
Glass Cleaning .......................... .458
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...................380
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ..................380
GVWR ................................ .380
Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect®) ...............111
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ........................ .321
502 INDEX

Theft System (Security Alarm).................19
Tilt Steering Column ...................... .176
Time Delay, Headlight ..................... .167
Tire and Loading Information Placard ...........343
Tire Markings ........................... .336
Tires ................................. .101
Aging (Life of Tires) .....................356
Air Pressure .......................... .347
Chains .............................. .358
Changing ............................ .398
Compact Spare ........................ .352
General Information .....................347
High Speed .......................... .350
Inflation Pressures ...................... .348
Jacking .............................. .398
Life of Tires .......................... .356
Load Capacity ........................ .343
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ............360
Pressure Warning Light ...................220 Quality Grading
....................... .491
Radial .............................. .350
Replacement .......................... .357
Rotation ............................. .359
Safety .............................. .336
Sizes ............................... .337
Snow Tires ........................... .351
Spare Tire ............................ .398
Spinning ............................ .354
Trailer Towing ........................ .389
Tread Wear Indicators ....................355
Tire Safety Information .....................336
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight ................386
Towing ............................... .381
24-Hour Towing Assistance ................126
Disabled Vehicle ....................... .417
Guide .............................. .385
Recr

eational .......................... .392
Weight .............................. .385
10
INDEX 511

Towing Assistance........................ .126
Traction ............................... .320
Trailer Towing .......................... .381
Cooling System Tips .....................392
Hitches ............................. .384
Minimum Requirements ..................387
Tips................................ .390
Trailer and Tongue Weight .................386
Trailer Towing Guide ...................... .385
Trailer Weight ........................... .385
Transaxle Automatic .............................12
Autostick ............................ .318
Transmission ........................... .450
Automatic ........................... .301
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry) . .27
Transporting Pets ..........................96
Tread Wear Indicators ..................... .355
Trip Computer .......................... .224Trip Odometer
.......................... .214
Trip Odometer Reset Button ..................217
Trunk Lid (Deck Lid) .......................40
Trunk Release, Emergency ....................42
Trunk Release Remote Control .................40
Turn Signals ............................ .167
UCI Connector .......................... .267
Uconnect® (Hands-Free Phone) ...............111
Understanding Your Instrument Panel ...........208
Uniform Tire Quality Grades .................491
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) Connector . . . .267
Unleaded Gasoline ....................... .369
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt ................51
Upholstery Care ......................... .457
Vanity Mirrors ...........................111
Variance, Compass ....................... .233
Vehicle Certification Label ...................380
512 INDEX