ECU DODGE JOURNEY 2009 1.G Owner's Guide

Retractable Cargo Area Cover (If Equipped) — Five
Passenger Models
NOTE:The purpose of this cover is for privacy, not to
secure loads. It will not prevent cargo from shifting or
protect passengers from loose cargo.
The removable retractable cargo area cover mounts in the
cargo area behind the top of the rear seats.
The cover, when extended, covers the cargo area to keep
items out of sight. Notches in the trim panels near the
liftgate opening secure the extended cover in place.
The cover rolls away neatly inside its housing when not
in use. You can also remove the cover from the vehicle to
make more room in the cargo area.
To install the cover, position it in the vehicle so that the
flat side of the housing faces upward. Then, insert either the left or the right spring-loaded post (located on the
ends of the cover housing) into the left attachment point
or the right attachment point (shown).
Then, insert the spring-loaded post on the opposite end
of the cover housing into the attachment point on the
opposite side of the vehicle.
Installing Retractable Cargo Area Cover
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 191
3

Next, grab the cover handle and pull the cover toward
you. As the cover nears the liftgate opening, guide the
rear attachment posts (on both ends of the cover) into the
notches in the trim panels. Then, lower the cover to
position the posts into the bottom of the notches and
release the handle.WARNING!
A cargo cover that is unsecured in the vehicle could
cause injury in an accident. It could become airborne
during a sudden stop and strike someone inside the
vehicle. Do not store the cargo cover on the cargo
floor or in the passenger compartment. Remove the
cover from the vehicle when taken from its mount-
ing. Do not store it in the vehicle.
Positioning Retractable Cargo Area Cover
192 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

2. Relocate the cross rails, aligning the cross rail stan-
chions (end pieces) with one of the vertical marks on the
outboard surface of the side rail for proper positioning.
There are four frontward marks for the front cross rail
and four rearward marks for the rear cross rail. Make
sure the cross rails remain equally spaced or parallel at
any position for proper function.
3. Tighten the knobs on each cross rail to lock it in
position. As you tighten the knob, make sure the clamp
tooth engages completely into the side rail slot.
4. Attempt to move the cross rail to ensure that it is
locked in position.NOTE:
•To help control wind noise when installing the cross
rails, make sure the arrows marked on the underside
of the cross rails face the front of the vehicle.
•To help reduce the amount of wind noise when the
cross rails are not in use, fasten the front cross rail in
the fourth position from the front and the rear cross
rail in the eighth position.
The tie down holes on the cross rail 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 197
3

CAUTION!
•Cross rails should remain equally spaced or parallel
at any luggage rack position for proper function.
Noncompliance could result in damage to the roof
rack, cargo, and vehicle.
• To avoid damage to the roof rack and vehicle, do not
exceed the maximum roof rack load capacity of 150
lbs (68 kg). Always distribute loads as evenly as
possible and secure the load appropriately.
• Long loads, which extend over the windshield, such
as wood panels or surfboards, or loads with large
frontal area should be secured to both the front and
rear of the vehicle.
• Place a blanket or other protection between the sur-
face of the roof and the load.
• Travel at reduced speeds and turn corners carefully
when carrying large or heavy loads on the roof rack.
Wind forces, due to natural causes or nearby truck
traffic, can add sudden upward lift to loads. This is
especially true on large flat loads and may result in
damage to the cargo or your vehicle.
WARNING!
Cargo must be securely tied before driving your
vehicle. Improperly secured loads can fly off the
vehicle, particularly at high speeds, resulting in per-
sonal injury or property damage. Follow the Roof
Rack Cautions when carrying cargo on your roof
rack.
198 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

10. Vehicle Security Alarm (VSA) Indicator Light — If
EquippedThis light will flash rapidly for approximately
16 seconds when the vehicle Security system is
arming and then flash slowly when the system
is armed. The light will also turn on for about
three seconds when the ignition switch is first turned
ON. (See page 18 for more information.)
11. All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Failure Indicator Light —
If Equipped This light monitors the All-Wheel-Drive
(AWD) system. The light will turn on for a bulb
check when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position and may stay on for as long as
three seconds.
When lit solid: There is an AWD system fault. AWD
performance will be at a reduced level. Service the AWD
system soon. When blinking:
The AWD system is temporarily dis-
abled due to overload condition.
12. Tachometer
This gauge measures engine revolutions per minute
(RPM x 1000). Before the pointer reaches the red area,
ease up on the accelerator to prevent engine damage.
13. Transaxle Range Indicator
This display indicator shows automatic transaxle gear
selection. (See page 311 for more information.)
14. Seat Belt Reminder Light This light will turn on for several seconds after the
ignition switch is turned ON as a reminder to
“buckle up.” This light will remain on as long as
the driver’s seat belt remains unbuckled. (See page 48 for
more information.)
208 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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

PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue to oper-
ate. This Reset feature allows the vehicle to be driven to
an authorized dealer for service without damaging the
transaxle.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transaxle can
be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
4. Restart the engine.
5. Shift into the desired gear range and resume driving.
NOTE:Even if the transaxle can be reset, it is recom-
mended that you visit an authorized dealer at your earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
If the transaxle cannot be reset, authorized dealer service
is required.
AUTOSTICK
— IF EQUIPPED
AutoStickis a driver-interactive transaxle that offers six
manual ratio changes to provide you with more control
of the vehicle. AutoStick allows you to maximize engine
braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts,
and improve overall vehicle performance. This system
can also provide you with more control during passing,
city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations.
STARTING AND OPERATING 317
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WARNING!
•Never have any smoking materials lit in or near
the vehicle when the gas cap is removed or the
tank filled.
•Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is
running.
•A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on
the ground while filling.
•Failure to follow this warning may result in seri-
ous injury or death.
NOTE:
•Tighten the gas cap until you hear a “clicking” sound.
This is an indication that the gas cap is tightened properly. The MIL in the instrument cluster may turn
on if the gas cap is not secured properly. Make sure
that the gas cap is tightened each time the vehicle is
refueled.
•When the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the fuel
tank is full.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap in loose, improperly installed, or damaged, the
word “gASCAP” will display in the odometer. If this
occurs, tighten the fuel filler cap until a “clicking” sound
is heard and press the TRIP ODOMETER button to turn
off the message. If the problem persists, the message will
appear the next time the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the MIL. Refer to “Onboard Diagnostic
System — OBD II” in Section 7.
374 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Because the front wheels steer the vehicle, it is
important that you do not exceed the maximum front
or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition can
result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose
control of the vehicle and have an accident.
Overloading
The load carrying components (axle, springs, tires,
wheels, etc.) of your vehicle will provide satisfactory
service as long as you do not exceed the GVWR and the
front and rear GAWR.
The best way to figure out the total weight of your
vehicle is to weigh it when it is fully loaded and ready for
operation. Weigh it on a commercial scale to ensure that
it is not over the GVWR.Figure out the weight on the front and rear of the vehicle
separately. It is important that you distribute the load
evenly over the front and rear axles.
Overloading can cause potential safety hazards and
shorten useful service life. Heavier axles or suspension
components do not necessarily increase the vehicle’s
GVWR.
Loading
To load your vehicle properly, first figure out its empty
weight, axle-by-axle and side-by-side. Store heavier items
down low and be sure you distribute their weight as
evenly as possible. Stow all loose items securely before
driving. If weighing the loaded vehicle shows that you
have exceeded either GAWR, but the total load is within
the specified GVWR, you must redistribute the weight.
Improper weight distribution can have an adverse effect
on the way your vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.
376 STARTING AND OPERATING

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