2004 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY Owners Manual

CAUTION!
²Many accessories that can be plugged in 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 engine starting.
²Accessories that draw higher power (i.e. coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.), will degrade the
battery even more quickly. Only use these inter-
mittently and with greater caution.
²After the use of high power draw accessories, or
long periods of the vehicle not being started (with
accessories still plugged in), the vehicle must be
driven a sufficient length of time to allow the
generator to recharge the vehicle's battery.
Rear Compartment Storage Bins
Your vehicle may be equipped with open storage bins
located in each rear trim panel or your vehicle may be
equipped with storage bins located under the armrest in
each rear trim panel.
Cargo Area Storage
The seats in your vehicle are in-line which enables you to
stow long objects, such as lumber or skis, on the floor
without moving the seats.
NOTE:With all rear seat backs folded, a 4x8 foot sheet
of building material may be stored in the long-wheelbase
body style on top of the folded seats with the liftgate
closed. The front seats must be moved slightly forward of
the rearmost position. If the rear seats are removed no
front seat adjustment is needed and more than one 4x8
sheet of building material may be stored.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 145
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The liftgate sill plate has a raised line with the statement
ªLoad To This Lineº. This line indicates how far rearward
cargo can be placed without interfering with liftgate
closing.Cargo Organizer Ð If Equipped
Long wheel base vehicle with rear air conditioning may
be equipped with a cargo organizer that mounts on the
floor behind the rear seat. Items may be placed on the flat
surface or stored in the three storage compartments.
WARNING!
²To avoid tipping, lock the shelf securely in all
positions.
²Do not drive this vehicle with the liftgate open, or
use the shelf as a seat.
²Failure to follow these warnings could result in
serious or fatal injury.
146 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

1. To raise the cargo organizer pull up on the handle and
pull towards the rear of the vehicle.
2. Place the rear corners of the cargo organizer into the
supports located on the rear trim panel. Press down on
the back of the cargo organizer to lock it into place.
WARNING!
Do not load objects over 20 lbs (9 kg) in the upper
position. Failure to follow this warning could cause
the cargo organizer to collapse resulting in personal
injury.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 147
3

CAUTION!
Do not load objects over 100 lbs (45 kg) in the lower
position. Failure to follow this could cause damage
to the cargo organizer.
To Open Storage Compartments
1. Pull up on the center opening of the cargo organizer.
2. Lift up on the storage compartment dividers and lock
into place.
148 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Cargo Organizer removal
Unscrew the two plastic fasteners located on the floor of
the rear of the cargo area and remove the cargo organizer
from the vehicle.
NOTE:The cargo organizer must be removed to take
out the third row seat.
ROOF LUGGAGE RACK Ð IF EQUIPPED
The crossbars and siderails are designed to carry the
weight on vehicles equipped with a luggage rack. The
load must not exceed 150 lbs (68 kg), and should be
uniformly distributed over the luggage rack crossbars.
Distribute cargo weight evenly on the roof rack crossbars.
The roof rack does not increase the total load carrying
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 149
3

capacity of the vehicle. Be sure the total load of cargo
inside the vehicle plus that on the external rack does not
exceed the maximum vehicle load capacity.
To move the cross bars, press the upper edge of each
cross bar button pass the detent, then move the cross bar
to the desired position. Once the cross bar is in place,
press the lower edge of the cross bar button to lock it into
position.
Attempt to move the crossbar again to ensure that it has
properly locked into position.NOTE:To help control wind noise when installing the
cross bars make sure that the arrows marked on the front
side of the cross bars are facing the front of the vehicle.
Also, when the cross bars are not in use the notch on the
cross bars should be aligned with the arrows on the side
rails. This will help reduce the amount of wind noise
when the crossbars are not in use.
The tie down holes on the cross bar ends should always
be used to tie down the load. Check the straps frequently
to be sure that the load remains securely attached.
150 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
²To avoid damage to the roof rack and vehicle, do
not exceed the maximum roof rack load capacity
of 150 lbs (68 kg). Always distribute heavy loads
as evenly as possible and secure the load appro-
priately.
²Long loads which extend over the windshield,
such as wood panels or surfboards, or loads with
large frontal area should be secured to both the
front and rear of the vehicle.
²Travel at reduced speeds and turn corners care-
fully when carrying large or heavy loads on the
roof rack. Wind forces, due to natural causes or
nearby truck traffic, can add sudden upward
loads. This is especially true on large flat loads
and may result in damage to the cargo or your
vehicle.
WARNING!
Cargo must be securely tied before driving your
vehicle. Improperly secured loads can fly off the
vehicle, particularly at high speeds, resulting in
personal injury or property damage. Follow the Roof
Rack Cautions when carrying cargo on your roof
rack.
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3

LOAD LEVELING SYSTEM
The automatic load leveling system will provide a level
riding vehicle under most passenger and cargo loading
conditions.
A hydraulic pump contained within the shock absorbers
raises the rear of the vehicle to the correct height. It takes
approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) of driving for the leveling
to complete depending on road surface conditions.
If the leveled vehicle is not moved for approximately 15
hours, the leveling system will bleed itself down. The
vehicle must be driven to reset the system.WARNING!
Do not install the load leveling system on vehicles
that are not equipped with Anti-Lock Brakes. Ve-
hicles without Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) have a
height-sensing proportioning valve. Installing a lev-
eling system will render this system ineffective,
inappropriately reducing rear brake pressure, result-
ing in increased stopping distances. You could have
an accident.
152 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE