eco DODGE JOURNEY 2010 1.G Owners Manual

Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods, shift the transmission
into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE (Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On
The Ground)
Recreational towing for this vehicle is not recommended.
NOTE: If the vehicle requires towing, make sure all four
wheels are off the ground.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 377

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located in the
instrument panel switch bank, above the climate controls.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flasher.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flasher will continue to operate even
though the ignition switch is in the LOCK position.
NOTE: With extended use, the Hazard Warning flasher
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — Slow down.
•In city traffic — While stopped, put the transaxle in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H,”
safely pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the A/C turned off until the pointer drops back
into the normal range. If the pointer remains on the
“H,” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the en-
gine OFF immediately, and call for service.
380 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

1. Remove the jack-handle components 1, 2 and 3 from
storage and assemble them.
NOTE:Assemble components 2 and 3 by seating the
small ball at the end of component 2 in the small hole at
the end of component 3. This will lock these components
together. Assemble components 1 and 2 so that the wheel nut socket at the end of component 1 faces upward when
seated on component 2. This will make it easier to rotate
the assembly when operating the winch mechanism.
2. Fit the assembled jack-handle over the winch drive
nut located in the jack storage area. Rotate the jack-
handle assembly counterclockwise until the spare tire is
on the ground with enough cable slack to allow you to
pull the spare tire out from underneath the vehicle.
CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed for use with the
jack-handle only. Use of an air wrench or other power
tools is not recommended and it can damage the
winch.
3. Pull the spare tire out from underneath the vehicle and
raise it upright so the tire’s tread is on the ground.
Lowering/Raising Spare Tire
384 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NOTE:Assemble components 2 and 3 by seating the
small ball at the end of component 2 in the small hole at
the end of component 3. This will lock these components
together. Assemble components 1 and 2 so that the wheel
nut socket at the end of component 1 faces upward when seated on component 2. This will make it easier to rotate
the assembly when operating the winch mechanism.
2. Fit the assembled jack-handle over the winch drive
nut located in the jack storage area. Rotate the jack-
handle assembly counterclockwise until there is enough
cable slack to allow you to pull the cable and retainer out
from underneath the vehicle.
CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed for use with the
jack-handle only. Use of an air wrench or other power
tools is not recommended and it can damage the
winch.
3. Place the spare tire near to the winch cable. Hold the
spare upright so that the tire’s tread is on the ground and
the valve stem is at the top of the wheel and facing away
from the rear of the vehicle.
Lowering/Raising Spare Tire
386 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

14. Check the tire pressure as soon as possible. Adjust the
tire pressure as required.
Wheel Nuts
Tighten all wheel nuts occasionally to eliminate the
possibility of wheel studs being sheared or the bolt holes
in the wheels becoming elongated. This is especially
important during the first few hundred miles (kilome-
ters) of operation and after changing a tire. This allows
the wheel nuts to seat properly. All wheel nuts should
first be firmly seated against the wheel. The wheel nuts
should then be tightened to recommended torque.
Tighten the wheel nuts to the final torque in increments.
Progress around the bolt circle, tightening the nut oppo-
site of the one you previously tightened until the final
torque is achieved. Recommended torque is 95 ft lbs
(130 N·m).
JUMP-STARTING
If your vehicle has a discharged battery it can be jump-
started using a set of jumper cables and a battery in
another vehicle or by using a portable battery booster
pack. Jump-starting can be dangerous if done improperly
so please follow the procedures in this section carefully.
NOTE:When using a portable battery booster pack
follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and
precautions.
CAUTION!
Do not use a portable battery booster pack or any
other booster source with a system voltage greater
than 12 Volts or damage to the battery, starter motor,
alternator or electrical system may occur.
392 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then start
the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in
the reverse sequence:
6. Disconnect the negative(-)jumper cable from the
remote negative (-)post of the vehicle with the dis-
charged battery.
7. Disconnect the negative end (-)of the jumper cable
from the negative (-)post of the booster battery.
8. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive (+)jumper
cable from the positive (+)post of the booster battery.
9. Disconnect the positive (+)end of the jumper cable
from the remote positive (+)post of the discharged
vehicle. 10. Reinstall the protective cover over the remote posi-
tive
(+)battery post of the discharged vehicle.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories that can be plugged into the vehicle
power outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery,
even when not in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.).
Eventually, if plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s
battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
396 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

front wheels. Then shift back and forth between RE-
VERSE and 1st gear. Using the least accelerator pedal
pressure to maintain the rocking motion without spin-
ning the wheels is most effective.
NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Con-
trol, turn the system OFF before attempting to
“rock” the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Stability
Program (ESP)” in “Starting and Operating”
for further information.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween 1st and REVERSE, do not spin the wheels
faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage
may result.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 397

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Without The Ignition Key
Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. Flatbed towing is
the preferred towing method. However, if a flatbed
towing vehicle is not available, a wheel lift towing
vehicle may be used. Furthermore, rear towing is not
recommended with the front wheels on the ground, as
transaxle damage can result. If rear towing is the only
alternative, a front end dolly must be used. Proper
towing equipment is necessary to prevent damage to the
vehicle.
All Wheel Drive (AWD)
The manufacturer requires towing your vehicle with all
four wheelsOFFthe ground using a flatbed.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle using any other method could
result in extensive damage to the transfer case and/or
transmission. Such damage is not covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle (Flat
Towing With The Key In The Ignition And All Four
Wheels On The Ground)
CAUTION!
•If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the ON position, not in
the LOCK or ACC position.
(Continued)
398 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

•The distance to be traveled must not exceed 15 miles
(25 km).
•The towing speed must not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h),
and both front and rear wheels must be on the ground.
CAUTION!
Exceeding these towing limits may cause a transaxle
failure. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. If the transaxle is not
operative, or if the vehicle is to be towed more than
15 miles (25 km), the vehicle must be transported on
a flatbed truck.
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle With
A Tow Dolly
Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
Rear towing is not recommendedwith the front wheels
on the ground, as transaxle damage can result. If rear towing is the only alternative,
a front end dolly must be
used. Proper towing equipment is necessary to prevent
damage to the vehicle.
All Wheel Drive (AWD)
The manufacturer requires towing your vehicle with all
four wheels OFFthe ground using a flatbed.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle using any other method could
result in extensive damage to the transfer case and/or
transmission. Such damage is not covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
400 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated Onboard
Diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).” It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emissions control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability.
The vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
•If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is 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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 405