weight CHRYSLER PACIFICA 2007 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 accidents.
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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 335
5

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 plac-
ard in the Tire Safety Information Section of this manual
for the maximum combined weight of occupants and
cargo for your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle driv-
etrain components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
•Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles (805
km) of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage
your vehicle.
•During the first 500 miles (805 km) of trailer
towing, limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Perform the maintenance listed in Section 8 of this
manual. When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR,
or GCWR, ratings.
336 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
•When 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.
•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
P for Park. Always, block orchockthe trailer wheels.
•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. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
STARTING AND OPERATING 337
5

4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).
Towing Requirements — Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
Tires–General Information section of this manual on
Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the Tires–General
Information section of this manual on Tread Wear
Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires refer to the Tires–General Infor-
mation section of this manual on Replacement Tires for
proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires
with a higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes

Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
338 STARTING AND OPERATING

Filler Cap (Gas Cap).................... 321
Gasoline............................ 318
Gauge.............................. 181
Hoses.............................. 391
Octane Rating......................318,412
Requirements......................318,411
Tank Capacity........................ 411
Fuel, Flexible.............See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fuel System Caution..................... 320
Fueling............................... 321
Fuses................................ 402
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 154
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)............321,323,366
Gasoline, Clean Air...................... 318
Gasoline (Fuel)......................... 318
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 319
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 180Fuel................................ 181
Speedometer......................... 181
Tachometer.......................... 184
Gearshift.............................. 272
General Information..................18,26,317
Glass Cleaning.......................... 400
Grocery Bag Retainer..................... 126
Gross Axle Weight Rating...............327,330
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.............327,330
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect™).............. 91
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 344
Head Phones........................... 230
Head Restraints......................... 115
Headlights............................ 407
Bulb Replacement...................... 406
High Beam........................... 138
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 138
Passing............................. 138
452 INDEX

Compact Spare........................ 301
General Information.................... 297
High Speed.......................... 299
Inflation Pressures..................... 298
Jacking............................. 346
Life of Tires.......................... 304
Load Capacity.....................293,294
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 308
Quality Grading....................... 443
Radial.............................. 300
Replacement......................... 304
Rotation............................. 307
Safety...........................288,297
Sizes............................... 290
Snow Tires........................... 307
Spare Tire........................... 348
Spinning............................ 302
Tread Wear Indicators................... 303
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 335Towing............................... 329
Disabled Vehicle....................... 357
Guide.............................. 334
Recreational.......................342,358
Weight.............................. 334
Traction Control...................141,183,285
Traction Control Switch.................141,285
Trailer Towing.......................... 329
Cooling System Tips.................... 341
Hitches............................. 333
Minimum Requirements................. 336
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 335
Wiring.............................. 339
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 334
Trailer Weight.......................... 334
Transaxle............................. 270
Automatic.........................12,270
Autostick.........................151,274
Operation........................... 270
INDEX 461
10