tires DODGE JOURNEY 2009 1.G Owner's Guide

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

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle
close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to
avoid the danger of being hit when operating the jack or
changing the wheel.
• Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You could
be crushed. Never get any part of your body under a
vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run the engine
while the vehicle is on a jack. If you need to get under a
raised vehicle, take it to a service center where it can be
raised on a lift.
• The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing tires
only. The jack should not be used to lift the vehicle for
service purposes. The vehicle should be jacked on a firm
level surface only. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
• A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or hard
stop could endanger the occupants of the vehicle. Always
stow the jack parts and the spare tire in the places
provided.
Jack Location
The jack and jack-handle are stowed underneath a cover
in the rear storage bin in the cargo area.
Jack Storage Location
396 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help prevent
personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
•Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the edge of
the roadway as possible before raising the vehicle.
• Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be raised.
• Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic transaxle
in PARK; a manual transaxle in REVERSE.
• Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a jack.
• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a jack.
• Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
• Only use the jack in the positions indicated and for lifting
this vehicle during a tire change.
• If working on or near a roadway, be extremely careful of
motor traffic.
• To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated are securely stowed,
spares must be stowed with the valve stem facing the
ground.
• Turn on the Hazard warning flasher.
1. Remove the spare tire, jack, and jack-handle from
stowage.
2. Loosen, but do not remove, the wheel nuts on the
wheel with the flat tire. Turn the wheel nuts counter-
clockwise one turn while the wheel is still on the ground.
3. Place the jack underneath the lift area that is closest to
the flat tire. Turn the jack screw clockwise to firmly
engage the jack saddle with the lift area of the sill flange.
402 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

•Refer to “Compact Spare Tire” and to “Limited-Use
Spare” under “Tires — General Information” in Sec-
tion 5 for additional warnings, cautions, and informa-
tion about the spare tire, its use, and operation.
7. Install the wheel nuts with the cone shaped end of the
nut toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the wheel nuts.
WARNING!
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack,
do not tighten the wheel nuts fully until the vehicle
has been lowered. Failure to follow this warning may
result in personal injury or death.
8. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw counter-
clockwise with the jack handle. 9. Finish tightening the wheel nuts. Push down on the
wrench while tightening for increased leverage. Alternate
wheel nuts until each nut has been tightened twice.
Correct wheel nut tightness is 95 ft lbs (130 N·m). If in
doubt about the correct tightness, have them checked
with a torque wrench by your authorized dealer or at a
service station.
10. Lower the jack to its fully closed position.WARNING!
A loose tire or jack, thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided. Have the deflated (flat) tire
repaired or replaced immediately.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 405
6

WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause axle and
tire damage or failure. A tire could explode and
injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels
faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30
seconds continuously without stopping when you
are stuck, and don’t let anyone near a spinning
wheel, no matter what the speed.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transaxle overheating and failure. It can
also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h). Do not spin the wheels continu-
ously for more than 30 seconds.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 411
6

Required Maintenance Intervals
Perform Maintenance Every(Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items MilesKilometers or Months
Change the engine oil and engine oil filter. 6,00010 000 6
Rotate the tires. 6,00010 000 6
If using your vehicle in dusty or off-road conditions,
inspect the engine air cleaner filter, and replace if nec-
essary. 12,000
20 000 12
Inspect the brake linings, and replace if necessary. 12,00020 000 12
Replace the air conditioning filter (if equipped). 12,00020 000 12
Inspect the CV Joints. Perform the first inspection at
12,000 mi (20 000 km) or 12 months. 24,000
40 000 24
Inspect the exhaust system. Perform the first inspec-
tion at 12,000 mi (20 000 km) or 12 months. 24,000
40 000 24
Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot
seals, and replace if necessary. 24,000
40 000 24
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. 30,00050 000 30
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 481
8
M
A I
N T
E
N A
N CE
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
S

Call toll free at:
•1–800–890–4038 (U.S.)
•1–800–387–1143 (Canada)
Or
Visit us on the Worldwide Web at:
•www.techauthority.com
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 493
9

WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal MotorVehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
494 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

About Your Brakes.................... 323,326
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) .........215,327,328
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 442
Adding Fuel ........................... 372
Adding Rear Washer Fluid ................. 194
Adding Washer Fluid ...............157,194,438
Additives, Fuel ......................... 371
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 429
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 433
Air Conditioning ..................... 288,289
Air Conditioning Controls ...............288,289
Air Conditioning Filter .................301,434
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 302
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............433,434
Air Conditioning System ..........288,289,293,433
Air Pressure, Tires .................... 213,346
Airbag ................................ 50
Airbag Deployment ..................... 56,60
Airbag Light ..................... 57,63,80,218Airbag Maintenance
....................... 62
Airbag, Side .......................... 52,58
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) .............52,58
Alarm, Panic ............................ 24
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................18,208
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............... 18
Alignment and Balance ................... 354
All Wheel Drive (AWD) ................... 319
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 272
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........441,442,472
Disposal ............................ 443
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............327,328
Anti-Lock Warning Light .............215,328,329
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 18
Anti-Theft System ....................... 208
Appearance Care ........................ 452
Arming Theft System (Security Alarm) ......... 18
Assistance Towing ....................... 106
496 INDEX