weight CHRYSLER PACIFICA 2005 1.G User Guide

VEHICLE LOADING
The load carrying capacity of your vehicle is shown in the
charts that follow. This information should be used for
passenger and luggage loading as indicated.
If the seatbacks are folded for carrying cargo, do not
exceed the specified GVWR and GAWR.
Vehicle Certification Label
Your vehicle has a certification label attached to the rear
of the driver’s door.
The label contains the following information:
•Name of manufacturer
•Month and year of manufacture
•Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
•Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) front
•Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) rear
•Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
•Type of Vehicle
•Month Day and Hour of Manufacture (MDH)
The bar code allows a computer scanner to read the
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, and cargo. The total
load must be limited so that you do not exceed the
GVWR.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear
axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles
evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or
rear GAWR.
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Because the front wheels drive and steer the vehicle,
it is important that you do not exceed the maximum
front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition
can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose
control of the vehicle and have an accident.
Overloading
The load carrying components (axle, springs, tires,
wheels, etc.) of your vehicle will provide satisfactory
service as long as you do not exceed the GVWR and front
and rear GAWR.
The best way to figure out the total weight of your
vehicle is to weigh it when it is fully loaded and ready for
operation. Weigh it on a commercial scale to insure that it
is not over the GVWR.Figure out the weight on the front and rear of the vehicle
separately. It is important that you distribute the load
evenly over the front and rear axles.
Overloading can cause potential safety hazards and
shorten useful service life. Heavier axles or suspension
components do not necessarily increase the vehicle’s
GVWR.
Loading
To load your vehicle properly, first figure out its empty
weight, axle by axle and side by side. Store heavier items
down low and be sure you distribute their weight as
evenly as possible. Stow all loose items securely before
driving. If weighing the loaded vehicle shows that you
have exceeded either GAWR, but the total load is within
the specified GVWR, you must redistribute the weight.
Improper weight distribution can have an adverse effect
on the way your vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.
STARTING AND OPERATING 293
5

A loaded vehicle is shown in the illustration. Note that
neither the GVWR or the GAWR capacities have been
exceeded.Example Only Front
AxleRear Axle
Empty Weight 2538 lbs
(1151 kg)2076 lbs
(942 kg )
Load (Including driver, pass-
sengers and cargo)223 lbs
(101 kg)890 lbs
(404 kg)
Total 2762 lbs
(1253 kg)2968 lbs
(1346 kg)
GAWR 2826 lbs
(1282 kg)3035 lbs
(1377 kg)
TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find safety tips and information
on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do
with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer carefully re-
view this information to tow your load as efficiently and
safely as possible.
294 STARTING AND OPERATING

To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.
Perform maintenance services as prescribed in the main-
tenance schedules manual. When your vehicle is used for
trailer towing, never exceed the gross axle weight rating
(GAWR) by the addition of:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
•Remember that everything put in or on the trailer adds
to the load on your vehicle.
Tongue weight must be equal to at least 10% of Gross
Trailer Weight (GTW), but no more than 15% of GTW.
Towing Requirements
•
The maximum frontal area of the trailer cannot exceed
40 square feet (3.72 square meters).
•The trailer tongue load must be considered as part of
the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and
should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire
and Loading Information placard. Refer to the Tire–
Safety Information Section in this manual.
•The“D”range can be selected when towing. However,
if frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the“3”
range must be selected.
NOTE:Using the“3”range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up.
STARTING AND OPERATING 295
5

MAXIMUM TRAILER
WEIGHT
TRAVEL CONDITION Trailer Frontal Area Not
To Exceed 40 Square
Feet (3.72 Square Meters)
3.5/3.8L ENGINES
MAX. COMBINED
WEIGHT OF VEHICLE
AND TRAILER NOT TO
EXCEED 8,600 lbs (3900
kg)
UP TO 2 PERSONS &
LUGGAGE3,500 lbs (1600 kg)
3 TO 4 PERSONS &
LUGGAGE3,000 lbs (1360 kg)
5 TO 6 PERSONS &
LUGGAGE1,000 lbs (454 kg)A load equalizing hitch is recommended for loaded
trailer weights above 1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for
weights above 2,000 lbs (907 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
STARTING AND OPERATING 297
5

Garage Door Opener..................... 138
GasCap ...........................290,323
Gasoline.............................. 287
Gasoline, Clean Air...................... 287
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 288
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 165
Fuel................................ 166
Speedometer......................... 166
Tachometer.......................... 169
Gearshift.............................. 253
General Information..................15,23,284
Glass Cleaning.......................... 357
Grocery Bag Retainer..................... 115
Gross Axle Weight Rating.................. 292
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating................ 292
Hands-Free Phone........................ 79
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 300Head Phones........................... 211
Head Restraints......................... 104
Headlights............................ 365
Bulb Replacement...................... 364
High Beam........................... 125
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 125
Passing............................. 125
Replacing............................ 364
Switch.............................. 122
Time Delay.......................... 124
Heated Seats........................... 105
Heater............................... 223
Heater, Engine Block..................... 250
Holder, Cup........................... 150
Homelink Transmitter.................... 138
Hood Release.......................... 119
Hoses.............................345,349
410 INDEX

Tread Wear Indicators................... 278
Towing............................... 294
Disabled Vehicle....................... 313
Recreational.......................298,314
Trailering............................ 294
Traction Control...................130,168,262
Traction Control Switch.................130,262
Trailer Towing.......................... 294
Minimum Requirements................. 295
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 295
Transaxle............................. 251
Automatic........................... 251
Autostick......................135,253,254
Operation........................... 251
Overdrive........................... 253
Selection of Lubricant................349,370
Transmission........................... 349
Automatic........................... 349
Filter............................... 351Fluid............................... 349
Transmitter Battery Service.................. 24
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener............ 138
Transmitter Programming................... 22
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry............ 20
Transporting Pets........................ 66
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 278
Trip Odometer.......................... 169
Trip Odometer Reset Button................ 169
Turn Signals...................125,166,366,367
Uniform Tire Quality Grades................ 401
Universal Joints......................... 337
Universal Transmitter..................... 138
Unleaded Gasoline....................... 287
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt.............. 39
Vanity Mirrors........................... 78
Variance, Compass....................... 181
INDEX 419
10