tires DODGE JOURNEY 2020 User Guide

SAFETY 119
If you install the compact spare tire in place
of a road tire that has a pressure below the
low-pressure warning limit, upon the next
ignition switch cycle, the Tire Pressure Moni -
toring System Warning Light will remain on
a n

d a chime will sound. In addition, the
graphic in the instrument cluster will still
display a pressure value in a different color
and an "Inflate to XX" message.
After driving the vehicle for up to 20 minutes
ab
ove 15 mph (24 km/h), the Tire Pressure
M o

nitoring System Warning Light will flash on
and off for 75 seconds and then remain on
solid. In addition, the instrument cluster will
display a "SERVICE TPM SYSTEM" message
for a minimum of five seconds and then
display dashes (- -) in place of the pressure
value.
For each subsequent ignition switch cycle, a
chime will sound, the Tire Pressure Moni -
toring System Warning Light will flash on and
o f

f for 75 seconds and then remain on solid,
and the instrument cluster will display a
"SERVICE TPM SYSTEM" message for a
minimum of five seconds and then display
dashes (- -) in place of the pressure value.
Once you repair or replace the original road
tire and reinstall it on the vehicle in place of
the compact spare, the TPMS will update
automatically. In addition, the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System Warning Light will turn off
and the graphic in the instrument cluster will
display a new pressure value instead of
dashes (- -), as long as no tire pressure is
below the low-pressure warning limit in any of
the four active road tires. The vehicle may
need to be driven for up to 20 minutes above
1 5

mph (24 km/h) in order for the TPMS to
r e

ceive this information.
TPMS Deactivation — If Equipped
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
can be deactivated if replacing all four wheel
and tire assemblies (road tires) with wheel and
tire assemblies that do not have TPMS sensors,
such as when installing winter wheel and tire
assemblies on your vehicle.
To deactivate the TPMS, first replace all four
w h

eel and tire assemblies (road tires) with tires
not equipped with Tire Pressure Monitoring
(TPM) sensors. Then, drive the vehicle for
20 minutes above 15 mph (24 km/h). The
T P

MS will chime, the TPMS Warning Light will flash on and off for 75 seconds and then remain
on. The instrument cluster will display the
“Service Tire Pressure System” message and
then display dashes (--) in place of the pressure
values.
Beginning with the next ignition cycle, the TPMS
wi

ll no longer chime or display the “Service Tire
Pressure System” message in the instrument
cluster but dashes (--) will remain in place of the
pressure values.

To reactivate the TPMS, replace all four wheel
an
d tire assemblies (road tires) with tires
equipped with TPM sensors. Then, drive the
vehicle for up to 20 minutes above 15 mph
( 2

4 km/h). The TPMS will chime, the TPMS
W a

rning Light will flash on and off for 75 seconds
and then turn off. The instrument cluster will
display the “Service Tire Pressure System”
message and then display pressure values in
place of the dashes. On the next ignition cycle the
"Service Tire Pressure System" message will no
longer be displayed as long as no system fault
exists.

4

156 SAFETY
(Continued)
PERIODIC SAFETY CHECKS YOU SHOULD
M
AKE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and
uneven wear patterns. Check for stones, nails,
glass, or other objects lodged in the tread or
sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts and cracks.
Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the
tires (including spare) for proper cold inflation
pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake
lights and exterior lights while you work the
controls. Check turn signal and high beam
indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under the vehicle after overnight
parking for fuel, coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks.
Also, if gasoline fumes are detected or if fuel, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat on the
driver’s side floor area. To check for inter -
ference, with the vehicle properly parked
w i

th the engine off, fully depress the accel -
erator, the brake, and the clutch pedal
(if present) to check for interference. If your
f l

oor mat interferes with the operation of
any pedal, or is not secure to the floor,
remove the floor mat from the vehicle and
place the floor mat in your trunk.
ONLY use the passenger’s side floor mat on
the passenger’s side floor area.

ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall or
slide into the driver’s side floor area when
the vehicle is moving. Objects can become
trapped under accelerator, brake, or clutch
pedals and could cause a loss of vehicle
control.

WARNING! (Continued)
NEVER place any objects under the floor
mat (e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These objects
could change the position of the floor mat
and may cause interference with the accel -
erator, brake, or clutch pedals.
If the vehicle carpet has been removed and
re-installed, always properly attach carpet
to the floor and check the floor mat
fasteners are secure to the vehicle carpet.
Fully depress each pedal to check for inter -
ference with the accelerator, brake, or
c lu

tch pedals then re-install the floor mats.
It is recommended to only use mild soap
and water to clean your floor mats. After
cleaning, always check your floor mat has
been properly installed and is secured to
your vehicle using the floor mat fasteners
by lightly pulling mat.
WARNING! (Continued)

178 STARTING AND OPERATING
The bar code allows a computer scanner to read
the VIN.
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING
(GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your
vehicle. This includes driver, passengers, and
cargo. The total load must be limited so that you
do not exceed the GVWR.
GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front
and rear axles. Distribute the load over the front
and rear axles evenly. Make sure that you do
not exceed either front or rear GAWR.
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
v e

hicle 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
t h

e vehicle separately. It is important that you
distribute the load evenly over the front and rear
axles.
Overloading can cause potential safety hazards
a n

d 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.
S t
ore 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.

TRAILER TOWING

In this section you will find safety tips and
information on limits to the type of towing you can
reasonably do with your vehicle. Before towing a
trailer, carefully review this information to tow
your load as efficiently and safely as possible.

To maintain the New Vehicle Limited Warranty
c
o

verage, follow the requirements and
recommendations in this manual concerning
vehicles used for trailer towing.
COMMON TOWING DEFINITIONS
The following trailer towing related definitions
will assist you in understanding the following
information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your
vehicle. This includes driver, passengers, cargo
and tongue weight. The total load must be
limited so that you do not exceed the GVWR.
Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle Certification
Label” in “Starting And Operating” for further
information.
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 a collision.

STARTING AND OPERATING 181
TRAILER TOWING WEIGHTS (MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain:
NOTE:
The trailer Tongue Weight must be consid -
ered as part of the combined weight of occu -
pants and cargo, and should never exceed
t h

e weight referenced on the Tire and
Loading Information placard. Refer to “Tires”
in “Servicing And Maintenance” for further
information.
TRAILER AND TONGUE WEIGHT
Never exceed the maximum Tongue Weight
stamped on your bumper or trailer hitch.

Weight Distribution

Engine/Transmission GCWR (Gross Combined
Wt
. Rating) Frontal Area
Max. GTW (Gross Trailer Wt.) Max. Tongue Wt.
2.4L/Automatic6,000 lbs (2,721 kg)22 sq ft (2.0 sq m)1,000 lbs (453 kg) which includes up to
5
persons & Luggage 100 lbs (45 kg)
CAUTION!
Always load a trailer with 60% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% of the
GTW on the tow hitch of your vehicle. Loads
balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to sway severely
side to side which will cause loss of control of
the vehicle and trailer. Failure to load trailers
heavier in front is the cause of many trailer
collisions.
5

182 STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
Consider the following items when computing
the weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
The Tongue Weight of the trailer.
The weight of any other type of cargo or
equipment put in or on your vehicle.
The weight of the driver and all passengers.
NOTE:
Remember that everything put into or on
the trailer adds to the load on your vehicle.
Also, additional factory-installed options or
d e

aler-installed options must be considered as
part of the total load on your vehicle. Refer to
the “Tire And Loading Information” placard for
the maximum combined weight of occupants
and cargo for your vehicle.
TOWING REQUIREMENTS
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle
drivetrain components the following guidelines
are recommended:
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to a collision. 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 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. Over -
loading can cause a loss of control, poor
p e

rformance, or damage 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.
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.
Total weight must be distributed between
the tow vehicle and the trailer such that the
following four ratings are not exceeded:
GVWR
GCWR
GAWR
Tongue weight rating for the trailer
hitch utilized.
WARNING! (Continued)

STARTING AND OPERATING 183
Perform the maintenance listed in the
“Maintenance Plan”. Refer to “Scheduled
Servicing” in “Servicing And Maintenance” for
further information. When towing a trailer,
never exceed the GAWR, or GCWR, ratings.
Towing Requirements — Tires
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire.
Do not drive more than 50 mph (80 km/h)
wh
en towing while using a full size spare tire.

Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to
the safe and satisfactory operation of your
vehicle. Refer to “Tires” in “Servicing And Mainte -
nance” for proper tire inflation procedures.

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” in “Servicing And Maintenance” for
the proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires, refer to “Tires” in
“Servicing And Maintenance” 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
Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake
system or vacuum system of your vehicle
with that of the trailer. This could cause inad -
equate braking and possible personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake
controller is required when towing a trailer
with electronically actuated brakes. When
towing a trailer equipped with a hydraulic
surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers
over 1,000 lbs (453 kg) and required for
trailers in excess of 2,000 lbs (907 kg).
CAUTION!
Do not tow a trailer at all during the first
500 miles (805 km) the new vehicle is
d r

iven. The engine, axle or other parts could
be damaged.
Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km)
th
at a trailer is towed, do not drive over
50 mph (80 km/h) and do not make starts
a t

full throttle. This helps the engine and
other parts of the vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your
vehicle's hydraulic brake lines. It can over -
load your brake system and cause it to fail.
Y o

u might not have brakes when you need
them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stop -
ping distance. When towing, you should
a l

low for additional space between your
vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
Failure to do so could result in an accident.
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs
(453 kg) loaded, it should have its own
b r

akes and they should be of adequate
capacity. Failure to do this could lead to
accelerated brake lining wear, higher brake
pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
5

STARTING AND OPERATING 187
DRIVING TIPS
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or
other slippery 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.
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:
Slow down during rainstorms or when the
roads are slushy.
Slow down if the road has standing water or
puddles.
Replace the tires when tread wear indicators
first become visible.
Keep tires properly inflated.
Maintain sufficient distance between your
vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to avoid
a collision in a sudden stop.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Driving through water more than a few inches/
centimeters deep will require extra caution to
ensure safety and prevent damage to your
vehicle.
Flowing/Rising Water
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.).
WARNING!
Do not drive on or across a road or path
where water is flowing and/or rising (as in
storm run-off). Flowing water can wear away
the road or path's surface and cause your
vehicle to sink into deeper water.
Furthermore, flowing and/or rising water can
carry your vehicle away swiftly. Failure to
follow this warning may result in injuries that
are serious or fatal to you, your passengers,
and others around you.
5

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 199
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGINGJACK LOCATION
The jack and jack-handle are stowed
underneath a cover in the rear storage bin in the
cargo area, lift up on the handle to access the
storage bin.

Cargo Area

The jack will be located under the storage bin,
l i

ft up on the storage bin cover to access the
jack and tools.
Storage Bin
Jack/Tools Location

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.
Being under a jacked-up vehicle is
dangerous. The vehicle could slip off the
jack and fall on you. You could be crushed.
Never put any part of your body under a
vehicle that 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.
Never start or run the engine while the
vehicle is on a jack.
The jack is designed to be used 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.
6

202 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Jack Warning Label
Jacking Locations
1. R
emove the spare tire, jack, and
j
ack-handle from stowage.

2. Lo osen, but do not remove, the wheel nuts
o
n the wheel with the flat tire. Turn the
wheel nuts counterclockwise one turn while
the wheel is still on the ground.

3. Place the jack in the notches underneath the l
ift area that is closest to the flat tire. Center
the jack saddle between the drain flute
formations on the sill flange. Turn the jack
screw clockwise to firmly engage the jack
saddle with the lift area of the sill flange.
Front Lifting Point

Block the wheel diagonally opposite the
wheel to be raised.
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. If you need to get under a raised
vehicle, take it to a service center where it
can be raised on a lift.
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.
WARNING! (Continued)
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking
on locations other than those indicated in the
Jacking Instructions for this vehicle.

204 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
NOTE:
For vehicles so equipped, do not attempt to
install a center cap or wheel cover on the
compact spare.
Refer to “Compact Spare Tire” and to
“Limited Use Spare” under “Tires” in
“Servicing And Maintenance” for additional
warnings, cautions, and information about
the spare tire, its use, and operation.
7. I nstall the wheel nuts with the cone-shaped
e
nd of the nut toward the wheel. Lightly
tighten the wheel nuts.
8. Lo wer the vehicle by turning the jack screw
c
ounterclockwise with the jack handle.
9. F
inish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on
t
he wrench while at the end of the handle for
increased leverage. Tighten the lug nuts in
a star pattern until each nut has been
t i

ghtened twice. For the correct lug nut
torque, refer to “Wheel And Tire Torque
Specifications” in “Technical Specifications”.
If in doubt about the correct tightness, have
them checked with a torque wrench by an
authorized dealer or service station.

10. Lo wer the jack to its fully closed position.
1
1. P lace the deflated (flat) tire in the cargo
a
rea. Do not stow the deflated tire in the
spare tire stowage location. Have the
deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced as
soon as possible.

12. T o stow the winch cable and retainer, fit the
a
ssembled jack-handle over the winch drive
nut. Rotate the jack-handle assembly clockwise
until you hear the winch mechanism click three
times. It cannot be over tightened.
Stowing The Winch Cable And Retainer

13. S tow the jack-handle and jack. Remove the
w
heel blocks from the vehicle and release
the park brake.
14. C heck the tire pressure as soon as possible.
A
djust the tire pressure as required.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 serious injury.