weight CHRYSLER PACIFICA 2008 1.G Owners Manual

inflate, it signals the inflators on the crash side of the
vehicle. A quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the window bag. The inflating window bag
pushes the outside edge of the headliner out of the
way and covers the window. The airbag inflates in
about 30 milliseconds (about one quarter of the time it
takes to blink your eyes) with enough force to injure
you if you are not belted and seated properly, or if
items are positioned in the area where the window bag
inflates. This especially applies to children. The win-
dow bag is only about 3
1¤2inches (9 cm) thick when it
is inflated.
²When the ORC and the impact sensors detect a
collision requiring theDriver Inflatable Knee Blocker
Ð If Equipped,signals the inflator unit. A quantity of
nontoxic gas is generated to inflate the Driver Inflat-
able Knee Blocker. The Driver Inflatable Knee Blocker
inflates rearward towards the driver's knees to helpprotect the knees and position you for the best inter-
action with the front airbag. The Driver Inflatable
Knee Blocker fully inflates in about 50 milliseconds,
this is only about half of the time it takes you to blink
your eyes. It then quickly deflates while helping to
protect the driver's knees.
²TheKnee Impact Bolstershelp protect the knees, and
position everyone for the best interaction with the
front airbag.
²If your vehicle contains a Passenger Airbag Disable
indicator light, it will be equipped with theOccupant
Classification System (OCS).The OCS system will
classify an occupant into a size category based on
sensor readings from within the seat cushion. Occu-
pants should try to remain in a normally seated
position. If the occupant's weight is transferred to
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
2

front passenger airbag is allowed. If a fault is present,
the AIRBAG warning light is illuminated.
²ThePassenger Airbag Disabled (PAD) Indicator
Light Ð If Equippedindicates to the driver and
passenger when the airbag is turned OFF in the
presence of a properly seated occupant. When the PAD
indicator light is illuminated, the airbag is OFF. Also,
when the Occupant Classification System (OCS) de-
tects either an empty seat of a weight less than the
predetermined occupant threshold, the ORC will not
illuminate the PAD indicator light even though the
airbag is turned off. When the OCS detects an adult
the PAD indicator light will be off, and the airbag will
be enabled.
²TheBelt Tension Sensor (BTS) Ð If Equippedis
located at the outboard passenger lap belt anchor. The
BTS generates a signal based on outboard lap belt
tension. This signal is sent to the OCM to ensure thatthe resultant bladder pressure increase due to applied
lap belt tension does not cause a small occupant to be
classified as a larger occupant.
²TheBladder Assembly Ð If Equippedis located
beneath the seat cushion foam. The pressure sensor
sends a signal to the OCM.
The front passenger seat assembly contains critical com-
ponents that affect the front passenger airbag deploy-
ment. Correctly functioning front passenger seat compo-
nents are critical for the Occupant Classification System
(OCS) to properly classify the front passenger and calcu-
late the proper airbag deployment. Do not make any
modifications to the front passenger seat components,
assembly, or to the seat cover.
60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny baby,
can become a missile inside the vehicle. The force
required to hold even an infant on your lap could
become so great that you could not hold the child, no
matter how strong you are. The child and others could
be badly injured. Any child riding in your vehicle
should be in a proper restraint for the child's size.
Infants And Small Children
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat owner's manual to ensure you have the right seat for
your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your child.
²Safety experts recommend that children ride
rearward-facing in the vehicle until they are at least
one year old and weigh at least 20 lbs (9 kg). Two typesof child restraints can be used rearward-facing: infant
carriers and9convertible9child seats. Both types of
child restraints are held in the vehicle by the lap/
shoulder belt or the LATCH child restraint anchorage
system. Refer to ªLower Anchors and Tether for CHil-
dren (LATCH)º later in this section.
²The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children who weigh up
to about 20 lbs (9 kg).9Convertible9child seats can be
used either rearward-facing or forward-facing in the
vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a higher
weight limit in the rearward-facing direction than
infant carriers do, so they can be used rearward-facing
by children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) but are
less than one year old.
²Rearward-facing child seats mustNEVERbe used in
the front seat of a vehicle with a front passenger
airbag. An airbag deployment could cause severe
injury or death to infants in this position.
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
²Improper installation can lead to failure of an
infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer's directions ex-
actly when installing an infant or child restraint.
²A rearward facing child restraint should only be
used in a rear seat. A rearward facing child re-
straint in the front seat may be struck by a deploy-
ing passenger airbag which may cause severe or
fatal injury to the infant.
Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint:
²Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. We also recommend that you make surethat you can install the child restraint in the vehicle
where you will use it, before you buy it.
²The restraint must be appropriate for your child's
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
²Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
The passenger seat belts are equipped with cinching
latch plates, which are designed to keep the lap
portion tight around the child restraint so that it is not
necessary to use a locking clip. Pulling up on the
shoulder portion of the lap/shoulder belt will tighten
the belt. The cinching latch plate will keep the belt
tight, however, any seat belt system will loosen with
time, so check the belt occasionally and pull it tight if
necessary.
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

3. Pull on the load floor strap and lift the panel from the
driver's second row seatback over the center console and
onto the passenger second row seat.
NOTE:Be sure to reattach the strap to secure the load
floor panel when not in use.Plastic Grocery Bag Retainer
Retainer hooks which will hold plastic grocery bag
handles are built into the seatbacks of all front seats. The
floor supports the partial weight of the bagged goods.
Load Floor Panel
Grocery Bag Holders
128 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

4. Grasp the center portion of the cover flap. Pull it over
the cargo area.
5. Insert the pins on the ends of the cover flap into the
slots on the rear trim panel.
6. The liftgate may be opened or closed with the cargo
cover in place.
Cargo Tie-Down Hooks
The tie-downs located on cargo area floor and on the rear
trim panels should be used to safely secure loads when
vehicle is moving.
WARNING!
²Cargo tie-down hooks are not safe anchors for a
child seat tether strap. In a sudden stop or collision
a hook could pull loose and allow the child seat to
come loose. A child could be badly injured. Use
only the anchors provided for child seat tethers.
²The weight and position of cargo and passengers
can change the vehicle center of gravity and ve-
hicle handling. To avoid loss of control resulting
in personal injury, follow these guidelines for
loading your vehicle:
²Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor. Put
heavier objects as low and as far forward as possible.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 177
3

²Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear
axle. Too much weight or improperly placed weight
over or behind the rear axle can cause the rear of the
vehicle to sway.
²Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of the
seatback. This could impair visibility or become a
dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or collision.
WARNING!
To help protect against personal injury, passengers
should not be seated in the rear cargo area. The rear
cargo space is intended for load carrying purposes
only, not for passengers, who should sit in seats and
use seat belts.
ROOF LUGGAGE RACK Ð IF EQUIPPED
The crossbars and siderails are designed to carry the
weight on vehicles equipped with a luggage rack. The
load must not exceed 150 lbs (68 kg), and should be
uniformly distributed over the luggage rack crossbars.
Roof Rack
178 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Distribute cargo weight evenly on the roof rack crossbars.
The roof rack does not increase the total load carrying
capacity of the vehicle. Be sure the total load of cargo
inside the vehicle plus that on the external rack does not
exceed the maximum vehicle load capacity.
To move the cross bars, press the upper edge of each
cross bar button, then move the cross bar to the desired
position, keeping the crossbars parallel to the rack frame.
This is can be done with one person standing on each
side of the vehicle, moving the cross bar at the same time.
Once the cross bar is in place, press the lower edge of the
cross bar button to lock it into position.Attempt to move the crossbar again to ensure that it has
properly locked into position.
NOTE:To reduce the amount of wind noise when the
cross bars are not in use, move both cross bars next to
each other towards the rear of the vehicle in the rear most
position.
The tie down holes on the cross bar ends should always
be used to tie down the load. Check the straps frequently
to be sure that the load remains securely attached.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 179
3

mSnow Tires...........................313
mTire Rotation..........................313
mTire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........314
NBasic TPMS Without EVIC Ð If Equipped....317
NBasic TPMS With EVIC Ð If Equipped......319
NPremium TPMS ± If Equipped............320
NTire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure
Warnings...........................321
NService Tire System Soon................322
NGeneral Information...................324
mFuel Requirements......................325
N3.8L Gasoline Engines..................325
N4.0L Gasoline Engines..................325NReformulated Gasoline.................326
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............326
NMMT In Gasoline.....................327
NMaterials Added To Fuel................327
NFuel System Cautions..................327
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............328
mAdding Fuel..........................329
NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............329
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message............330
mVehicle Loading........................331
NVehicle Certification Label...............331
NGross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......332
NGross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........332
STARTING AND OPERATING 273
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NOverloading.........................332
NLoading............................333
mTrailer Towing.........................334
NCommon Towing Definitions.............334
NTrailer Hitch Classification...............338
NTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................338NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............341
NTowing Requirements..................342
NTowing Tips.........................347
mRecreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 348
NTowing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................348
274 STARTING AND OPERATING