automatic transmission DODGE JOURNEY 2011 1.G User Guide

NOTE:In AutoStick mode, the transmission will only
shift up or down when the driver moves the shift lever to
the right (+) or left (-), except as noted below. AutoStick 
is deactivated when the shift lever is moved out of the
AutoStick (+/-) position.
General Information
•
You can launch the vehicle from a stop in any gear
except top gear. The system will ignore attempts to
upshift into top gear at too low of a vehicle speed.
•If a ratio other than first is selected, and the vehicle is
brought to a stop, the transmission control logic will
automatically select the first gear ratio.
•Starting out in second gear is helpful in snow or icy
conditions. To select second gear after the vehicle is
brought to a stop, tap the shift lever to the right (+)
once.
•Avoid using speed control when AutoStick is en-
gaged.
•Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
AutoStick is engaged.
•If a downshift would cause the engine to over-speed,
that shift will not occur until it is safe for the engine.
•The transmission will automatically upshift when nec-
essary to prevent engine over-speed.
•Mostly the transmission will stay in the manually
selected ratio, however:
If the system detects powertrain overheating, the
transmission will revert to the automatic shift mode
and remain in that mode until the powertrain cools off.
If the system detects a problem, it will disable the
AutoStick mode and the transmission will return to
the automatic mode until the problem is corrected.
344 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
•When the parking brake is applied and the transmis-
sion is placed in gear, the “Brake Warning Light” will
flash. If vehicle speed is detected, a chime will sound
to alert the driver. Fully release the parking brake
before attempting to move the vehicle.
•This light only shows that the parking brake is ap-
plied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front
wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away
from the curb on an uphill grade. For vehicles equipped
with an automatic transmission, apply the parking brake
before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise the load
on the transmission locking mechanism may make it
difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. The parking
brake should always be applied whenever the driver is
not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for
the parking brake. Always apply the parking
brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle
movement and possible injury or damage.
•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. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake
pedal or the shift lever. Do not leave the key fob in
the vehicle. A child could operate power windows,
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 a collision. (Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 351

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/
Transmission GCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating) Frontal Area Max. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.) Max. Tongue Wt.
2.4L/
Automatic 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 22 sq ft (2.0 sq m) 1,000 lbs (454 kg) which
includes up to 5 persons & Luggage 100 lbs (45 kg)
3.6L/
Automatic 7,300 lbs (3 311 kg) 32 sq ft (3.0 sq m)
2,500 lbs (1 134 kg) which in-
cludes 1 to 2 persons & Luggage 200 lbs (91 kg)
7,300 lbs (3 311 kg) 32 sq ft (3.0 sq m) 2,000 lbs (907 kg) which in-
cludes 3 to 4 persons & Luggage 150 lbs (68 kg)
7,300 lbs (3 311 kg) 32 sq ft (3.0 sq m) 1,500 lbs (680 kg) which in-
cludes 5 to 7 persons & Luggage 100 lbs (45 kg)
NOTE:
The trailer tongue weight must be considered as part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and should
never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire and Loading Information placard. Refer to “Tire Safety Information”
in “Starting and Operating” for further information.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 411

WARNING! (Continued)
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and that it will not shift during travel. When
trailering 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 a collision.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance, or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, 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.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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
transmission in PARK. Always, block or chock
the 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
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized. (This requirement may limit the ability to
always achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue
weight as a percentage of total trailer weight.)
414 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing up the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. How-
ever, if frequent shifting occurs while in this range, use
the Autostickfeature to select a lower gear.
NOTE: Using a lower gear range while operating the
vehicle under heavy operating conditions will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45 min-
utes of continuous operation, then change the transmis-
sion fluid and automatic transmission filter according to the interval specified for “police, taxi, fleet, or frequent
trailer towing.” Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for
the proper maintenance intervals.
NOTE:
Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing. The six-speed transmission is sealed and
the fluid level cannot be checked. See your authorized
dealer for assistance.
Electronic Speed Control – If Equipped

Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
418 STARTING AND OPERATING

Spare Tire Stowage
NOTE:Refer to “Spare Tire Removal” for information
on assembling the winch tools.
1. 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 facing away from
the rear of the vehicle.
2. Tilt the retainer at the end of the winch cable and drop
it through the center of the wheel. Then place the spare
tire with the cable and retainer underneath the vehicle.
3. Fit the assembled jack-handle over the winch drive
nut. Rotate the jack-handle assembly clockwise to raise
the spare tire into the storage area. Continue to rotate the
jack-handle assembly until you hear the winch mecha-
nism click three times. It cannot be over tightened. Push
against the tire several times to be sure it is held securely
in place.
Jacking Instructions
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.
•Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
•Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to
be raised.
•Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic
transmission in PARK.
•Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
(Continued)
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 429

WARNING!
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-
ever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is ON. You can be injured by
moving fan blades.
•Remove any metal jewelry such as watch bands or
bracelets that might make an inadvertent electrical
contact. You could be seriously injured.
•Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your
skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is
flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or
sparks away from the battery.
1. Set the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission
into PARK and turn the ignition to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal accessories. 3. Remove the protective cover over the remote positive
(+)
battery post. To remove the cover, press the locking
tab and pull upward on the cover.
4. If using another vehicle to jump-start the battery, park
the vehicle within the jumper cables reach, set the
parking brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 439

Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for the purpose, following equip-
ment manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains is
mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to
main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers
or associated brackets. State and local laws applying to
vehicles under tow must be observed.
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position.
If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, see “Shift Lever
Override” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for instruc-
tions on shifting the automatic transmission out of the
PARK position for towing.CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to use sling type equipment when
towing. When securing the vehicle to a flat bed
truck, do not attach to front or rear suspension
components. Damage to your vehicle may result
from improper towing.
•Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
mission may result.
•If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position,
not the LOCK/OFF or ACC positions.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
The manufacturer requires towing with all four wheels
OFF the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed, or with one end of vehicle raised and
the opposite end on a towing dolly.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 445

▫Adding Washer Fluid ................. 469
▫ Exhaust System ..................... 469
▫ Cooling System ..................... 472
▫ Brake System ....................... 478
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 480
▫ Rear Drive Assembly (RDA) – AWD Models
Only ............................. 483
▫ Power Transfer Unit (PTU) – AWD Models
Only ............................. 483
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 484
▫ Cleaning The Cupholders .............. 489
 Fuses .............................. 489
▫ Interior Fuses ....................... 489 ▫
Underhood Fuses
(Power Distribution Center) ............. 492
 Vehicle Storage ....................... 495
 Replacement Bulbs .................... 495
 Bulb Replacement ..................... 497
▫ Front Low/High Beam Headlamp, Turn
Signal/Park Lamp, And Side Marker Lamp . . 497
▫ Front Fog Lamp ..................... 498
▫ Rear Turn Signal And Backup Lamp ....... 499
▫ License Plate Lamp ................... 501
 Fluid Capacities ...................... 503
 Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts ....... 504
▫ Engine ............................ 504
▫ Chassis ........................... 505
450 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir7 — Totally Integrated Power Module (Fuses)
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 8 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick
3 — Engine Oil Fill 9 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Remote Jump Start (Positive Battery Post) 11 — Engine Oil Dipstick
6 — Remote Jump Start (Negative Battery Post)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 451