wheel DODGE JOURNEY 2012 1.G Owner's Manual

9. AUTO Operation Button — If Equipped
Automatically controls the interior cabin temperature by
adjusting airflow distribution and amount. Performing
this function will cause the ATC to switch between
manual mode and automatic modes. Refer to “Automatic
Operation” for more information.
10. Driver Temperature Control Down Button
Provides the driver with independent temperature con-
trol. Push the button for cooler temperature settings.
NOTE:In Sync mode, this button will also automati-
cally adjust the passenger and rear temperature setting at
the same time.
11. Driver Temperature Control Up Button
Provides the driver with independent temperature con-
trol. Push the button for warmer temperature settings. NOTE:
In Sync mode, this button will also automati-
cally adjust the passenger and rear temperature setting at
the same time.
12. Modes
The airflow distribution mode can be adjusted so air
comes from the instrument panel outlets, floor outlets,
demist outlets and defrost outlets. The Mode settings are
as follows:
•Panel Mode Air comes from the outlets in the instrument panel.
Each of these outlets can be individually adjusted to
direct the flow of air. The air vanes of the center outlets
and outboard outlets can be moved up and down or
side-to-side to regulate airflow direction. There is a shut
off wheel, located below the air vanes, to shut off or
adjust the amount of airflow from these outlets.
350 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

AutoStick — If Equipped ............... 390
▫ Operation ......................... 390
▫ General Information .................. 390
 All Wheel Drive (AWD) — If Equipped ...... 391
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 392
▫ Acceleration ........................ 392
▫ Traction ........................... 392
 Driving Through Water ................. 393
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 393
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 393
 Power Steering ....................... 395
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 395
 Parking Brake ........................ 396 
Brake System ........................ 399
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 400
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 400
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 400
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 403
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 403
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ......... 404
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 405
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 406
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ............. 407
 Tire Safety Information ................. 408
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 408
364 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 412
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 413
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 414
 Tires — General Information ............. 418
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 418
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 419
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 421
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 422
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 422
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 423
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 423
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 424 ▫
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 425
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 425
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 426
 Tire Chains .......................... 427
 Snow Tires .......................... 429
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 430
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 431
▫ Base System ........................ 433
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 435
▫ General Information .................. 438
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 439
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 439
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 440
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STARTING AND OPERATING 365

Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
PARK
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving vehicle in this
range.
When parking on a level surface, you may place the shift
lever in the PARK position first, and then apply the
parking brake.
When parking on a hill, 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. As an added precau-
tion, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
Shift Lever
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STARTING AND OPERATING 375

Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
PARK
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving vehicle in this
range.
When parking on a level surface, you may place the shift
lever in the PARK position first, and then apply the
parking brake.
When parking on a hill, 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. As an added precau-
tion, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
Shift Lever
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STARTING AND OPERATING 383

•Avoid using speed control when AutoStickis 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.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) — IF EQUIPPED
This feature provides on-demand All-Wheel Drive
(AWD). The system is automatic with no driver inputs or
additional driving skills required. Under normal driving
conditions, the front wheels provide most of the traction.
If the front wheels begin to lose traction, power is shifted
automatically to the rear wheels. The greater the front
wheel traction loss, the greater the power transfer to the
rear wheels.
Additionally, on dry pavement under heavy throttle
input (where one may have no wheel spin), torque will be
sent to the rear in a pre-emptive effort to improve vehicle
launch and performance characteristics.
CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire
size may cause failure of the power transfer unit.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 391

DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull
erratically to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs
when there is a difference in the surface traction under
the front (driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the
front wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle
and possibly have a collision. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace the tires when tread wear indicators first
become visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.
392 STARTING AND OPERATING

POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
•Increased noise levels at the end of the steering wheel
travel are considered normal and do not indicate that
there is a problem with the power steering system.
•Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steer-
ing pump may make noise for a short amount of time.
This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steeringsystem. This noise should be considered normal, and it
does not in any way damage the steering system.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and it should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
Power Steering Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
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STARTING AND OPERATING 395

When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch ON, the “Brake Warning Light” in the instrument
cluster will illuminate.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.
Parking Brake
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STARTING AND OPERATING 397

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lock-up to help
avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking. Refer
to “Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)” under “Electronic
Brake Control System” in this section for more information.
WARNING!
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded by prevailing road conditions. ABS
cannot prevent collisions, including those resulting
from excessive speed in turns, driving on very slip-
pery surfaces, or hydroplaning. The capabilities of an
ABS-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner, which could jeopar-
dize the user’s safety or the safety of others.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system commonly referred to as ESC. This
system includes Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Brake
Assist System (BAS), Traction Control System (TCS),
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM), Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), and Trailer Sway Control (TSC). These
systems work together to enhance both vehicle stability
and control in various driving conditions.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) provides increased
vehicle stability and brake performance under most
braking conditions. The system automatically “pumps”
the brakes during severe braking conditions to prevent
wheel lock-up.
When the vehicle is driven over 7 mph (11 km/h), you
may also hear a slight clicking sound as well as some
400 STARTING AND OPERATING