trailer CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 2004 4.G Owners Manual

12. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. If the engine is critically hot, a continuous
chime will sound for 4 minutes. After the chime
turns off, the engine will still be critically hot until the
light turns off.
13. Vehicle Theft Alarm Light Ð If Equipped
This light will flash for approximately 15 sec-
onds when the vehicle theft alarm is arming.
14. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads (H),
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the ªHº, and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call for service.
164 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

mTire Rotation Recommendations............273
mFuel Requirements......................274
NReformulated Gasoline.................275
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............275
NMMT In Gasoline.....................276
NSulfur In Gasoline.....................277
NMaterials Added To Fuel................277
NFuel System Cautions..................278
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............278
mAdding Fuel..........................279NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............279
mVehicle Loading........................281
NVehicle Certification Label...............281
NGross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......282
NGross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........282
NOverloading.........................282
NLoading............................283
mTrailer Towing.........................284
NWarranty Requirements.................284
STARTING AND OPERATING 237
5

possible convenience. Your dealer has diagnostic equip-
ment to determine if the problem could recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, dealer service is
required.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL positions into another gear range.
²ªPº Park
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never
attempt to use PARK while vehicle is in motion.Apply parking brake when leaving vehicle in this range.
²ªRº Reverse
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
²ªNº Neutral
Engine may be started in this range.
²ªDº Overdrive
For most city and highway driving, it provides smoothest
upshifts and downshifts and best fuel economy. When
frequent transmission shifting occurs while using the
ªDº Overdrive position, such as when operating the
vehicle under heavy loading conditions, (i.e. in hilly
terrain, traveling into strong head winds or while towing
heavy trailers), using the ª3º position will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat build-up.
STARTING AND OPERATING 243
5

Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire's load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and the Vehicle Loading section of
this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR's) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR's, vehicle loading and trailer towing, see the
Vehicle Loading section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement ªThe combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.º on the Tire and Loading Information placard. Thecombined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement ªThe combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX poundsº on
your vehicle's placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if ªXXXº
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lb. (1400±750 (5 x 150) =
650 lb.)
STARTING AND OPERATING 257
5

5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:The following table shows examples on how to
calculate total load, cargo/luggage and towing capacitiesof your vehicle with varying seating configurations and
number and size of occupants. This table is for illustra-
tion purposes only and may not be accurate for the
seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:For the following example the combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs. (392
Kg).
258 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
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:
²The tongue weight of the trailer.
²The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
²Remember that everything put in or on the trailer adds
to the load on your vehicle.
Warranty Requirements
The Manufacturer's Passenger Vehicle Warranty will
apply to vehicles used to tow trailers for non-commercial
use. However the following conditions must be met:
²The maximum frontal area of the trailer cannot exceed
20 square feet (1.86 square meters).
²The 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.
²The ªDº range can be selected when towing. However,
if frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the ª3º
range must be selected.
284 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:Using the ª3º range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transaxle life by reducing excessive
shifting and heat build up.
WARNING!
Connecting trailer brakes to your vehicle's hydraulic
brake lines can overload your brake system and
cause it to fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have an accident.
²Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
²Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer
size, stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are
recommended for motoring safety.
²The automatic transaxle fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more
than 45 minutes of continuous operation. See Schedule
ªBº in section 8 of this manual for transaxle fluid
change intervals.
NOTE:Check the automatic transaxle fluid level before
towing. Fluid discoloration, or a burnt odor, shows the
need for a transmission fluid and filter change.
STARTING AND OPERATING 285
5

TRAVEL CONDI-
TIONMAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT (TRAILER FRONTAL AREA NOT TO EXCEED 32
SQ. FT.)
3.3L,& 3.8L EN-
GINES WITH
4-SPEED AUTO-
MATIC TRANS-
AXLE3.3L & 3.8L EN-
GINES WITH
HEAVY DUTY
TRAILER TOW
PACKAGE3.8L ENGINES
WITH 4-SPEED AU-
TOMATIC TRANS-
AXLE3.8L ENGINES
WITH HEAVY
DUTY TRAILER
TOW PACKAGE
MAX. COMBINED
WEIGHT OF VE-
HICLE AND
TRAILER NOT TO
EXCEED 6,600 lbs
(2993 kg)MAX. COMBINED
WEIGHT OF VE-
HICLE AND
TRAILER NOT TO
EXCEED 8,600 lbs
(3900 kg)MAX. COMBINED
WEIGHT OF VE-
HICLE AND
TRAILER NOT TO
EXCEED 6,600 lbs
(2993 kg)MAX. COMBINED
WEIGHT OF VE-
HICLE AND
TRAILER NOT TO
EXCEED 8,600 lbs
(3900 kg)
FWD FWD AWD AWD
UP TO 2 PERSONS
& LUGGAGE1,800 lbs(816 kg ) 3,800 lbs (1723 kg) 1,550 lbs (703 kg) 3,550 lbs (1610 kg)
3 TO 5 PERSONS &
LUGGAGE1,350 lbs (612 kg) 3,350 lbs (1519 kg) 1,100 lbs (498 kg) 3,100 lbs (1406 kg)
6 TO 7 PERSONS &
LUGGAGE1,000 lbs (454 kg) 3,000 lbs (1360 kg) 750 lbs (340 kg) 2,750 lbs (1247 kg)
286 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
WARNING!
Connecting trailer brakes to your vehicle's hydraulic
brake lines can overload your brake system and
cause it to fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have an accident.
STARTING AND OPERATING 287
5

Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to see if any apply to you.
²Day or night temperatures are below 32ÉF (0ÉC).
²Stop and Go driving.
²Extensive engine idling.
²Driving in dusty conditions.
²Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
²More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90ÉF (32ÉC).
²Trailer towing.
²Taxi, Police or delivery service (commercial service).
²Off-Road or desert operation.IfANYof these apply to you, then change your engine oil
every 3,000 miles (4 800 km) or 3 months, whichever
comes first.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
every 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months whichever
comes first.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change in-
tervals exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacture only
recommends engine oils that are API certified and meet
the requirements of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard
MS-6395. Use Mopar or an equivalent oil meeting the
specification MS-6395.
314 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE