engine CHRYSLER ASPEN 2008 2.G Manual Online

Frontal Area
The maximum height and maximum width of the front of
a trailer.
TSC (Trailer Sway Control) ± If Equipped
²
Trailer Sway Control ± Electronic
TSC uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize a swaying
trailer and will take the appropriate actions to attempt to
stop the sway. The system will reduce engine power and
apply individual brakes that will counteract the sway of
the trailer. TSC will become active automatically once the
swaying trailer is recognized. No driver action is re-
quired. TSC cannot stop all trailers from swaying. Al-
ways use caution when towing a trailer and follow the
tongue weight recommendations. Even if your vehicle is
equipped with electronic TSC, mechanical sway control
is recommended when appropriate for the size of your
trailer.
²Trailer Sway Control ± Mechanical
The trailer sway control is a telescoping link that can be
installed between the hitch receiver and the trailer tongue
that typically provides adjustable friction associated with
the telescoping motion to dampen any unwanted trailer
swaying motions while traveling.
Weight-Carrying Hitch
A weight-carrying hitch supports the trailer tongue
weight, just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or
some other connecting point of the vehicle. These kind of
hitches are the most popular on the market today and
they're commonly used to tow small- and medium-sized
trailers.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
A weight-distributing system works by applying lever-
age through spring (load) bars. They are typically used
for heavier loads, to distribute trailer tongue weight to
the tow vehicle's front axle and the trailer axle(s). When
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WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and 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 an accident.
²When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
²Safety 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.
²Vehicles 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. With a manual transmission, shift the transmis-
sion into REVERSE. And with 4-wheel drive vehicles,
make sure the transfer case is not in NEUTRAL.
Always, block or9chock9the trailer wheels.
²GCWR must not be exceeded.
²Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer so that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
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Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.If using a manual transmission vehicle for trailer towing,
all starts must be in 1stT gear to avoid excessive clutch
slippage.
Towing Tips Ð Automatic Transmission
The ªDº range can be selected when towing. However, if
frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the TOW/
HAUL feature should be selected.
NOTE:Using the TOW/HAUL feature while operating
the vehicle under heavy operating conditions will im-
prove performance and extend transmission life by re-
ducing excessive shifting and heat build up. This action
will also provide better engine braking.
The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than
45 minutes of continuous operation. For transmission
fluid change intervals, refer to ªMaintenance Scheduleº
in section 8.
7-Pin Connector
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NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
Towing Tips Ð Tow/Haul (If Equipped)
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, turn the TOW/HAUL feature ON when driving in
hilly areas or shift the transmission to Drive position 2 on
more severe grades.
Towing Tips Ð Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)
þ
Don't use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
þWhen using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can resume cruising speed.
þUse speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips Ð Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
þCity Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
þHighway Driving
Reduce speed.
þAir Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
þrefer to ªCooling System Operatingº under ªMainte-
nance Proceduresº in section 8.
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NOTE:The NV 244 Generation II transfer case must be
shifted into NEUTRAL for recreational towing. The NEU-
TRAL selection button is located on the lower left-hand
corner of the 4WD Control Switch. Shifts into and out of
transfer case NEUTRAL can take place with the selector
switch in any mode position.
Shifting into NEUTRAL
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL before recre-
ational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.
1. Bring vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shut engine OFF.3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position without
starting the engine.
4. Depress brake pedal.
5. Shift automatic transmission to NEUTRAL.
6. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object,
depress the recessed transfer case NEUTRAL button for
four seconds.
7. After shift is completed and the NEUTRAL light
comes on, release the NEUTRAL button.
8. Start the engine.
9. Shift the automatic transmission into REVERSE.
10. Release brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that
there is no vehicle movement.
11. Repeat steps 9 and 10 with the transmission in
DRIVE.
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12. Turn ignition key to the unlocked OFF position.
13. Shift the automatic transmission into PARK.
14. Attach vehicle to tow vehicle with tow bar.
NOTE:Items 1 through 5 are requirements that must be
met prior to depressing the NEUTRAL selection button,
and must continue to be met until the four seconds
elapses and the shift has been completed.
If any of these requirements (with the exception of Step 3
- Key ON) are not met prior to depressing the NEUTRAL
button or are no longer met during the four second timer,
then the NEUTRAL indicator light will flash continu-
ously until all requirements are met or until the NEU-
TRAL button is released.
NOTE:The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take
place and for the position indicator lights to be operable.
If the key is not ON, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the trans-
mission is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in
NEUTRAL and the engine RUNNING. With the
transfer case in NEUTRAL, ensure that the engine is
OFF prior to shifting the transmission into PARK.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Bring vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shut engine OFF.
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position without
starting the engine.
4. Depress brake pedal.
362 STARTING AND OPERATING

5. Shift the automatic transmission to NEUTRAL.
6. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object,
depress the recessed transfer case NEUTRAL button for
one second.
7. After the NEUTRAL indicator light turns off, release
the NEUTRAL button.
8. After the NEUTRAL button has been released, the
transfer case will shift to the position identified by the
selector switch.
9. Shift the automatic transmission into PARK.
10. Start the engine.
11. Shift the automatic transmission into DRIVE.NOTE:Steps 1 through 5 are requirements that must be
met prior to depressing the NEUTRAL selection button,
and must continue to be met until one second elapses and
the shift has been completed.
If any of these requirements are not met prior to depress-
ing the NEUTRAL button or are no longer met during the
one second time, then all of the position indicator lights
will flash continuously until all requirements are met or
until the NEUTRAL button is released.
NOTE:The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take
place and for the position indicator lights to be operable.
If the key is not ON, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
NOTE:A flashing NEUTRAL position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not been met.
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If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed and the vehicle locked.JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
²Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle 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.
²The 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.
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3. Turn the wrench counterclockwise to lower the spare
tire. Continue to turn the wrench until the spare tire can
be pulled out from under the vehicle.
It is recommended that you stow the flat tire or spare to
avoid tangling the loose cable.
CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed for use with the
jack extension tube only. Use of an air wrench or
other power tools is not recommended and can dam-
age the winch.
Tire Changing Procedure
WARNING!
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. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle 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.
Do not raise this vehicle using a bumper jack. The scissor
jack is designed as a tool for changing tires on this vehicle
only. It is not recommended that the jack be used for
service purposes or to lift more than one wheel at a time.
370 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help
prevent personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
²Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the
edge of the roadway as possible before raising the
vehicle.
²Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to
be raised.
²Apply the parking brake firmly before jacking.
²Never start the engine with the vehicle on a jack.
²Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
²Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
²Only use the jack in the positions indicated.
²If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
²To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
To Stow The Flat Or Spare
Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is down. Slide the
wheel retainer through the center of the wheel and
position it properly across the wheel opening.
For convenience in checking the spare tire inflation, stow
with the valve stem toward the rear of the vehicle.
Rotate the winch mechanism until the wheel is drawn
into place against the underside of the vehicle. Continue
to rotate until you feel the winch mechanism slip or click
two times. It cannot be overtightened. Push against the
tire several times to be sure it is firmly in place.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 375
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