weight DODGE AVENGER 2013 2.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 collisions.
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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 387

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” placard for
the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo
for your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drivetrain
components the following guidelines are recommended:
CAUTION!
• Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(805 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine, axle
or other parts could be damaged.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at full throttle. This helps
the engine and other parts of the vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to a collision. Follow these
guidelines to make your trailer towing as safe as
possible:
• Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and it 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 a collision.
(Continued)
388 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance, or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis 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 PARK. Always, block or chock
the trailer wheels.
• GCWR must not be exceeded.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. Max loading as defined on the “Tire and Loading
Information” placard.
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 389

Ethanol............................. .371
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .....................213
Filler Door (Gas Cap) ....................213
Gasoline ............................. .370
Gauge .............................. .213
Light ............................... .214
Materials Added ....................... .373
Methanol ............................ .371
Octane Rating ......................... .370
Requirements ......................... .370
Tank Capacity ......................... .474
Fuel, Flexible ........................... .375
Fueling ............................... .379
Fuel System Caution ...................... .380
Fuses ................................. .462
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) ............182
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...................379
Gasoline, Clean Air ....................... .371Gasoline, Reformulated
.....................371
Gauges Coolant Temperature .....................213
Fuel ................................ .213
Odometer ............................ .217
Tachometer ........................... .217
Gear Ranges ............................ .306
Gear Select Lever Override ..................418
General Information ........................19
Glass Cleaning .......................... .461
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...................382
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ..................381
GVWR ................................ .381
Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect®) ...............112
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ........................ .324
504 INDEX

Chains.............................. .360
Changing ............................ .400
Compact Spare ........................ .354
General Information .....................349
High Speed .......................... .352
Inflation Pressures ...................... .350
Jacking .............................. .400
Life of Tires .......................... .357
Load Capacity ........................ .345
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ............361
Pressure Warning Light ...................223
Quality Grading ....................... .493
Radial .............................. .352
Replacement .......................... .358
Rotation ............................. .360
Safety .............................. .339
Sizes ............................... .340
Snow Tires ........................... .353
Spare Tire ............................ .400Spinning
............................ .356
Trailer Towing ........................ .390
Tread Wear Indicators ....................357
Tire Safety Information .....................339
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight ................387
Towing ............................... .383
24-Hour Towing Assistance ................126
Disabled Vehicle ....................... .419
Guide .............................. .386
Recreational .......................... .395
Weight .............................. .386
Towing Assistance ........................ .126
Traction ............................... .323
Trailer Towing .......................... .383
Cooling System Tips .................... .394
Hitches ............................. .385
Minimum

Requirements ..................388
Tips................................ .393
10
INDEX 513

Trailer and Tongue Weight.................387
Wiring .............................. .391
Trailer Towing Guide ...................... .386
Trailer Weight ........................... .386
Transaxle Automatic .............................13
Autostick ............................ .321
Transmission ........................... .452
Automatic ........................... .303
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry) ....................27
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) ......................... .182
Transporting Pets ..........................95
Tread Wear Indicators ..................... .357
Trip Computer .......................... .227
Trip Odometer .......................... .217
Trip Odometer Reset Button ..................220
Trunk Release, Emergency ....................42 Trunk Release Remote Control
.................41
Turn Signals ............................ .168
UCI Connector .......................... .268
Uconnect® (Hands-Free Phone) ...............112
Understanding Your Instrument Panel ...........210
Uniform Tire Quality Grades .................493
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) Connector . . . .268
Universal Transmitter ..................... .182
Unleaded Gasoline ....................... .370
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt ................51
Upholstery Care ......................... .460
Vanity Mirrors ...........................111
Variance, Compass ....................... .235
Vehicle Certification Label ...................381
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) .............6
Vehicle Loading ......................... .346
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations ...............7
514 INDEX