brake DODGE JOURNEY 2009 1.G User Guide

Driving On Slippery Surfaces ..............320
▫ Acceleration .........................320
▫ Traction ............................320
 Driving Through Water ..................321
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................321
 Parking Brake .........................323
 Brake System ..........................326
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............327
 Electronic Brake Control System ............328
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............328
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............330
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............331
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ..........331▫
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) .........332
▫ ESP/BAS Warning Light And ESP/TCS
Indicator Light .......................334
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..............335
 Power Steering ........................336
 Tire Safety Information ...................337
▫ Tire Markings ........................337
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........341
 Tires — General Information ...............345
▫ Tire Pressure .........................345
 Tire Chains ...........................355
 Snow Tires ...........................355
304 STARTING AND OPERATING

Automatic Transaxle
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.CAUTION!
Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
308 STARTING AND OPERATING

After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is bundled under the hood
between the headlight assembly and the Totally Inte-
grated Power Module (Fuse Box) on the driver’s side of
the vehicle.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
CAUTION!
Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
STARTING AND OPERATING 311
5

NOTE:You MUST press and hold the brake pedal down
while shifting out of PARK.
WARNING!
• It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle speed.
If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could
lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something.
Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally
and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
• Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure those in
and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles, you should
never exit a vehicle while the engine is running. Before
exiting a vehicle, you should always shift the vehicle into
PARK, remove the key from the ignition, and apply the
parking brake. Once the key is removed from the igni-
tion, the shift lever is locked in the PARK position,
securing the vehicle against unwanted movement. Fur-
thermore, you should never leave unattended children
inside a vehicle.
Brake/Transaxle Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transaxle Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in the
PARK position when the ignition switch is in the LOCK
position. To move the shift lever out of the PARK
position, the ignition switch must be turned to the ON
position, and the brake pedal must be depressed.
BTSI Override
There is an override for the BTSI that allows you to move
the shift lever out of the PARK position if an electrical
system malfunction occurs (i.e., dead battery). To activate
the override system, perform the following steps:
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Insert the ignition key into the ignition switch and
rotate it to the ON position.
3. Remove the cubby bin liner located in the center
console behind the shift lever.
312 STARTING AND OPERATING

4. Insert a screwdriver or similar small tool into the hole
at the front of the cubby bin and push the manual
override release lever forward.
5. While holding the release lever forward, move the
shift lever from PARK to NEUTRAL.
6. Release the manual override.
Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the ON position and the brake
pedal is applied.
4-Speed or 6-Speed (AutoStick) Automatic
Transaxle
The electronically controlled transaxle provides a precise
shift schedule. The transaxle electronics are self-
calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal condition, and
precision shifts will develop within a few hundred miles
(kilometers).Shift Lever
STARTING AND OPERATING 313
5

Gear Ranges
PARK
PARK supplements the parking brake by locking the
transaxle. 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.
When parking on a flat surface, place the shift lever in the
PARK position first, and then apply the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise
the load on the transaxle locking mechanism may make it
difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.
WARNING!
Never use PARK position on an Automatic Transaxle
as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply
parking brake fully when parked to guard against
vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.
CAUTION!
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK
or NEUTRAL positions into another gear range as
this can damage the drivetrain.
REVERSE
Use REVERSE for moving the vehicle rearward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
314 STARTING AND OPERATING

“3” (Drive) — 4-Speed Transaxle
This range eliminates shifts into “D” (Overdrive). The
transaxle will operate normally in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd while
in this range. The “3” (Drive) range should also be used
when descending steep grades to prevent brake system
distress.
NOTE:Using the “3” (Drive) range while operating the
vehicle under heavy operating conditions will improve
performance and extend transaxle life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up.
“L” (Low) — 4-Speed Transaxle
This range should be used for engine braking when
descending very steep grades. In this range, upshifts will
occur only to prevent engine overspeed while downshifts
occur earlier than other gear range selections.CAUTION!
If the transaxle operating temperature exceeds ac-
ceptable limits, the vehicle computer will override
“D” (Overdrive) and “5” range (for 6-speed
AutoStick transaxle) and “3” range (for 4-speed auto
transaxle) by changing shift points. This is done to
prevent transaxle damage due to overheating.
Reset Mode - Electronic Transaxle
The transaxle is monitored electronically for abnormal
conditions. If a condition is detected that could cause
damage, the transaxle automatically shifts into 2nd gear
(3rd gear for 6-speed). The transaxle remains in 2nd gear
(3rd gear for 6-speed) despite the forward gear selected.
316 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8
km/h) when driving through standing water.
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and leave you
stranded.
•Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
PARKING BRAKE
The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
Never use PARK position on an automatic transaxle
as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply
parking brake fully when parked to guard against
vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.
When parking on a flat surface, place the shift lever in the
PARK position first, and then apply the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, it is important to apply the
parking brake before placing the shift lever in PARK,
otherwise the load on the transaxle locking mechanism
may make it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK.
STARTING AND OPERATING 323
5

As an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the
curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an
uphill grade.
The foot operated parking brake is positioned below the
lower left corner of the instrument panel. To apply the
parking brake, push the parking brake pedal down and
then remove your foot from the pedal. To release the
parking brake, push down on the parking brake pedal
and then release.The brake light in the instrument cluster will turn on
when the parking brake is applied and the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
Parking Brake
324 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:This light only shows that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
The Brake System Warning Light in the instru-
ment cluster will turn on when the parking
brake is applied and the ignition switch is on.
NOTE: This light only shows that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
CAUTION!
If the Brake System Warning Light remains on with
the parking brake released, a brake system malfunc-
tion is indicated. Have the brake system serviced by
an authorized dealer immediately.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Don’t leave the keys in
the ignition. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving: failure to do so can lead to brake
failure, and an accident.
STARTING AND OPERATING 325
5