weight DODGE JOURNEY 2009 1.G Owner's Manual

NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options or authorized 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 driv-
etrain components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
•Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 mi (805 km)
of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage your
vehicle.
•During the first 500 mi (805 km) of trailer towing,
limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Perform the maintenance listed in Section 8. When tow-
ing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR, or GCWR, ratings.
STARTING AND OPERATING 385
5

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 that it will not shift during travel. When traile-
ring 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, transaxle, 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 transaxle in
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
386 STARTING AND OPERATING

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
“Tires–General Information” in this section for infor-
mation on tire pressures and 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 “Tires–General Infor-
mation” in this section for information on tread wear
indicators and for the proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires, refer to “Tires–General Informa-
tion” in this section for information on replacement
tires and for the 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

Donot interconnect 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
STARTING AND OPERATING 387
5

Additives............................ 371
Clean Air ............................ 369
Conserving .......................... 226
Ethanol ............................. 369
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................... 372
Gasoline ............................ 368
Gauge .............................. 205
Hoses .............................. 446
Materials Added ....................... 371
Methanol ............................ 369
Octane Rating ...................... 368,474
Requirements ......................... 368
Saver Mode .......................... 226
Specifications ......................... 474
Tank Capacity ........................ 472
Fuel, Flexible ............. See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fuel System Caution ..................... 373
Fueling ............................... 372
Fuses ................................ 457 Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 163
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)
...............372,421
Gas Gauge (Fuel Gauge) ................... 205
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 369
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 368
Conserving .......................... 226
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 369
Gauges Coolant Temperature .................... 205
Fuel ................................ 205
Odometer ........................... 209
Speedometer ......................... 207
Tachometer .......................... 208
Gear Ranges ........................... 314
Gearshift .............................. 314
General Information ............18,26,120,318,363
General Maintenance ..................... 424
Glass Cleaning .......................... 456
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............375,378
504 INDEX

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.............375,377
GVWR ............................... 375
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect) ......... 93,266,267
Hard Drive (HDD) .................... 234,266
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ........................ 321
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 394
Head Restraints ......................... 130
Head Rests ............................ 130
Headlights ............................ 146
Automatic ........................... 147
Bulb Replacement ...................... 466
Cleaning ............................ 456
Delay .............................. 147
High Beam ........................... 466
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ........ 150
Lights On Reminder .................... 148 On With Wipers
.................... 147,156
Passing ............................. 150
Switch .............................. 146
Time Delay .......................... 147
Heated Mirrors .......................... 91
Heated Seats ........................... 132
Heater ............................. 288,289
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 311
High Beam Indicator ..................... 207
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 150
Hitches Trailer Towing ........................ 381
Holder, Coin ........................... 183
Holder, Cup ........................... 178
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 163
Hood Release .......................... 144
Hoses ............................. 445,446
Ignition ............................... 14
INDEX 505
10

Tire and Loading Information Placard......... 341
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 340
Tire Markings .......................... 337
Tire Safety Information .................... 337
Tires ............................ 81,345,493
Aging (Life of Tires) .................... 352
Air Pressure .......................... 345
Alignment ........................... 354
Chains .............................. 355
Changing ............................ 396
Compact Spare ........................ 349
General Information .................... 345
High Speed .......................... 348
Inflation Pressures ..................... 346
Jacking ............................. 396
Life of Tires .......................... 352
Load Capacity ..................... 341,342
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ........... 355
Quality Grading ....................... 493 Radial
.............................. 349
Replacement ......................... 352
Safety ........................... 337,345
Sizes ............................... 338
Snow Tires ........................... 355
Spare Tire ........................... 397
Spinning ............................ 351
Trailer Towing ........................ 387
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 351
To Open Hood .......................... 144
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 384
Towing ............................... 377
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............... 106
Behind a Motor Home .................. 392
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 412
Guide .............................. 382
Recreational .......................... 392
Weight .............................. 382
Towing Assistance ....................... 106
516 INDEX

Towing Vehicle Behind a Motor Home......... 392
Traction .............................. 320
Traction Control ...................... 215,331
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ................. 335
Trailer Towing .......................... 377
Cooling System Tips .................... 392
Hitches ............................. 381
Minimum Requirements ................. 385
Tips ................................ 390
Trailer and Tongue Weight ................ 384
Wiring .............................. 388
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 382
Trailer Weight .......................... 382
Transaxle Additives ............................ 451
Automatic ........................ 31 1,449
Autostick ............................ 317
Filter ............................... 451
Maintenance .......................... 449 Operation
............................ 311
Overdrive ........................... 315
Selection of Lubricant ................... 476
Transmission ..................... See Transaxle
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 25
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener
(HomeLink) ........................... 163
Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 20
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ........ 20
Transporting Pets ........................ 77
Tread Wear Indicators .................... 351
Trip Odometer .......................... 209
Trip Odometer Reset Button .............212,218
Turn Signals ................... 146,149,207,468
UCI Connector ......................... 278
UConnect (Hands-Free Phone) ............93,266
INDEX 517
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