4WD CHRYSLER ASPEN 2007 2.G Owners Manual

CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system op-
eration or sensor damage may result when using
replacement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. After-market wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can, or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
25. Airbag Indicator
The indicator lights and remains lit for 6 to 8
seconds when the ignition is first turned ON. If
the light does not come on when the ignition isfirst turned on, or the light stays on or comes on while
driving, have the airbag system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
26. 4WD Indicator
Indicates when transfer case is in 4WD position.
27. SVC (Service) 4WD Indicator
The SVC 4WD lights will come on when the ignition key
is turned to the ON position and will stay on for 2
seconds. If the light stays on or comes on during driving,
it means that the 4WD system is not functioning properly
and that service is required.
28. Cruise Light (Speed Control)
This indicator lights when the electronic speed control
system is turned on.
196 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

Vehicle Loading........................321
▫Certification Label.....................321
▫Curb Weight.........................323
▫Loading............................323
Trailer Towing.........................325
▫Common Towing Definitions.............325
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............329
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................330
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............330▫Towing Requirements..................331
▫Towing Tips.........................336
Snowplow............................338
▫Dodge Durango Or Chrysler Aspen Models . . 338
Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 339
▫Recreational Towing 2WD Models.........339
▫Recreational Towing 4WD Models.........339
Equipment Identification Plate.............343
254 STARTING AND OPERATING

light throttle. It engages at higher speeds under heavier
acceleration. This may result in a slightly different feeling
or response during normal operation in high gear. When
the vehicle speed drops below a calibrated speed, or
during acceleration, the clutch automatically and
smoothly disengages. The feature is operational in Over-
drive and in Drive.
NOTE:The torque converter clutch will not engage
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm
[usually after 1-3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving]. Because
the engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission
is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal.
Pressing theTOW/HAULbutton will demonstrate that
the transmission is able to shift into and out of Overdrive.
NOTE:If the vehicle has not been driven in several
days, the first few seconds of operation after shifting the
transmission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due tothe fluid partially draining from the torque converter into
the transmission. This condition is normal and will not
cause damage to the transmission. The torque converter
will refill within five seconds of shifting from Park into
any other gear position.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
NV 144 Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions
The NV 144 is an electric shift transfer case and is
operated by the Four-Wheel-Drive (4WD) Control
Switch, which is located on the instrument panel.
The NV 144 transfer case provides 2 mode positions:
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) and 4-Wheel-Drive Lock (4WD
LOCK).
The NV 144 transfer case is designed to be driven in for
4WD for normal street and highway conditions (all road
surfaces roads).
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5

When additional traction is required, the transfer case
4WD LOCK position can be used to lock the front and
rear driveshafts together and force the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished
by rotating the 4WD Control Switch to the 4WD LOCK
position - see Shifting Procedure section for specific
shifting instructions. The 4WD LOCK position is de-
signed for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Driving in
the 4WD LOCK position on dry hard surfaced roads may
cause increased tire wear and damage to the driveline
components.
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
Transfer case position indicator lights are located on the
instrument cluster, and indicate the current and desired
transfer case selection. If there are no indicator lights on
or flashing the transfer case position is Four-Wheel Drive
(4WD).The “SVC 4WD” warning light monitors the electric shift
4WD system. If this light remains on after engine start up
or illuminates during driving, it means that the 4WD
system is not functioning properly and that service is
required.
WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if theService 4WDlight is
illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may
allow the vehicle to roll which may cause personal
injury.
NOTE:Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The NV 144 transfer
case is not equipped with a synchronizer and therefore
the front and rear driveshaft speeds must be equal for the
264 STARTING AND OPERATING

shift to take place. Shifting while only the front or rear
wheels are spinning can cause damage to the transfer
case.
Proper operation of four-wheel-drive vehicles depends
on tires of equal size, type and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the
transfer case.
Because four-wheel-drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping
speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit.
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position see the following informa-
tion:4WD
Normal Four-Wheel-Drive High Range - Employs inter-
axle differential. Allows front and rear wheels to rotate at
different speeds. All road surfaces.
4WD LOCK
Four-Wheel-Drive Lock (4WD LOCK)- Locks the front
and rear driveshafts together. Forces the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction
for loose, slippery road surfaces only.
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5

Shifting Procedure - NV 144 Transfer Case
4WD to 4WD LOCK or 4WD LOCK to 4WD
With the key ON and the engine either OFF or RUN-
NING, rotate the transfer case switch, located on the
instrument panel to the desired position.NOTE:Delayed shifting out of 4WD LOCK may be
experienced due to uneven tire wear, low tire pressure, or
excessive vehicle loading.
NOTE:If any of the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case
will not shift. The indicator light will flash and the
current transfer case position will be maintained. To retry
a selection, turn the control knob back to the current
position, wait five (5) seconds, and retry the shift.
NOTE:The 4x4 system will not allow shifts between
4WD/4WD LOCK if the rear wheels are spinning (no
traction). In this situation the position indicator light will
continue to flash. At this time, reduce speed and stop
spinning the wheels to complete the shift. There may be
a delay up to 13 seconds for the shift to complete after the
wheels have stopped spinning.
NOTE:The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take
place and for the position indicator lights to be operable.
266 STARTING AND OPERATING

If the key is not ON then the shift will not take place and
no position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
NV 244 Generation II Transfer Case Operating
Information / Precautions
The NV 244 Generation II is an electric shift transfer case
and is operated by the 4WD Control Switch, which is
located on the instrument panel.
The NV 244 Generation II transfer case provides 4 mode
positions - Normal four-wheel-drive (4WD) high range,
four-wheel-drive lock (4WD LOCK), four-wheel-drive
low (4WD LOW) range, and neutral (N).
This transfer case is equipped with an inter-axle differ-
ential that allows driving the vehicle in the normal
all-wheel-drive position (4WD) at all times on any given
road surface, including dry hard surfaced roads. The
4WD mode allows the front and rear wheels to rotate at
different speeds. This eliminates driveline binding and
component wear normally associated with driving thevehicle in the 4WD LOCK position on dry hard surfaced
roads. This feature provides the safety, security, and
convenience of operating in all-wheel drive at all times
regardless of road conditions.
When additional traction is required, the 4WD LOCK
and 4WD LOW positions can be used to lock the front
and rear driveshafts together through the transfer case
inter-axle differential and force the front and rear wheels
to rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished by
rotating the 4WD Control Switch to these positions. The
4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions are intended for
loose, slippery road surfaces only. Driving in the 4WD
LOCK and 4WD LOW positions on dry hard surfaced
roads may cause increased tire wear and damage to the
driveline components.
The transfer case Neutral (N) position is selected by
depressing the recessed button located on the lower left
hand corner of the 4WD Control Switch.
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5

NOTE:The transfer case Neutral (N) position is to be
used for recreational towing only. See Recreational Tow-
ing section for specific procedures on shifting into and
out of Neutral (N).
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
Transfer case position indicator lights are located on the
instrument cluster. If there are no indicator lights on or
flashing the transfer case position is Four-Wheel Drive
(4WD) and indicate the current and desired transfer case
selection (4WD⇔4WD LOCK).
The “SVC 4WD” warning light monitors the electric shift
4WD system. If this light remains on after engine start up
or illuminates during driving, it means that the 4WD
system is not functioning properly and that service is
required.
WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if theService 4WDlight is
illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may
allow the vehicle to roll which may cause personal
injury.
NOTE:Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The NV 244 Generation
II transfer case is not equipped with a synchronizer and
therefore the front and rear driveshaft speeds must be
equal for the shift to take place. Shifting while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning can cause damage to the
transfer case.
268 STARTING AND OPERATING

When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the 4WD or
4WD LOCK positions at a given road speed. Take care
not to overspeed the engine and do not exceed 40 km/h
(25 mph).
Proper operation of four-wheel-drive vehicles depends
on tires of equal size, type and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the
transfer case.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping
speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit.WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
Neutral (N) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case Neutral (N) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position see the following informa-
tion:
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5

4WD
Normal Four-Wheel-Drive High Range - Employs inter-
axle differential. Allows front and rear wheels to rotate at
different speeds. All road surfaces.
4WD LOCK
Four-Wheel-Drive Lock (4WD LOCK)- Locks the transfer
case inter-axle differential. Forces front and rear wheels
to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction for loose,
slippery road surfaces only.
4WD LOW
Four-Wheel-Drive Low Range (4WD LOW)- Low speed 4
wheel drive. Locks the transfer case inter-axle differen-
tial. Forces the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. Additional traction and maximum pulling power
for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do not exceed 25
mph (40 km/h).N
Neutral - Disengages both the front and rear driveshafts
from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing behind
another vehicle. See Recreational Towing for more infor-
mation.
270 STARTING AND OPERATING