Page 228 of 344

²It is recommended thatanyhitches installed on your
vehicle be factory installed, or installed by a dealer
using factory approved parts. Factory approved parts
are specifically engineered with your vehicle's perfor-
mance in mind, including the possibility that it will be
involved in an accident. Other hitches may not have
been so engineered. Vehicle performance, including
vehicle damage in an accident situation, may therefore
be different.
²If trailer towing is required and your vehicle is not
equipped with a trailer tow package, the Mopart
accessory towing harnesses are the only approved
method to provide for trailer lights. These harnesses
are designed to provide current to the trailer lights but
bypass the module designed to monitor tail lights.
Refer to the package instructions for details.
Trailer and Tongue Weight
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) means the weight of the
trailer plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and
equipment loaded on the trailer when in actual underway
towing condition. The best way to measure GTW is to put
your fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. The entire
weight of the trailer must be supported by the scale.
228 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 229 of 344

Always load a trailer with 60% of the cargo weight in the
front of the trailer. This places approximately 10% to 15%
of the GTW on the tow hitch of your vehicle. This portion
of the GTW becomes the tongue weight.
Trailer sway control and equalizing hitch are required for
tongue weights above 350 lbs (159 kg)., i.e., trailer
weights heavier than 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg).
Cooling System TipsÐTrailer Towing
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating in high ambient conditions, take the following
actions:
²City Traffic
When stopped, put transmission in N (Neutral) and
increase engine idle speed.
²Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
²Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
To reduce the potential for transmission overheating,
turn the ªOverdriveº off when pulling any trailer or shift
the transmission to Drive position 2 on more severe
grades. Move the shift lever to the next lower position to
eliminate excessive transmission shifting. This action will
also reduce the possibility of transmission overheating
and provide better engine braking.
STARTING AND OPERATING 229
5
Page 231 of 344

NOTE:If you tow a trailer frequently, especially in hilly
country or when the outdoor temperature is high, we
recommend that you change the transmission fluid at
30,000 mile (48 000 km) intervals.
CAUTION!
When pulling a heavy load or driving a fully loaded
vehicle use a premium unleaded fuel to help prevent
spark knock. If spark knock persists, lighten the
load. Otherwise, engine piston damage may result.
Other restrictions apply concerning trailer type, trailer
frontal area and tongue weight. Carefully review the
ªMinimum Vehicle Requirementsº chart in this section
before towing a trailer.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
CAUTION!
Internal damage to the transfer case will occur if a
front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational
towing.
NOTE:The transfer case must be in the N (Neutral)
position, and the transmission must be in the P (Park)
position for recreational towing.(Recreational towing is
not available on Quadra-Trac I equipped vehicles.)
STARTING AND OPERATING 231
5
Page 343 of 344

Wheel Nut Torque..................... 245
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 228
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 185
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 248
Towing............................226,248
Disabled Vehicle....................... 248
Recreational.......................... 231
Trailer Towing.......................... 226
Cooling System Tips.................... 229
Minimum Requirements................. 230
Tips ................................ 229
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 228
Warnings............................ 227
Transfer Case........................... 280
Maintenance.......................... 280
Transmission
Automatic........................179,277
Maintenance.......................... 277
Shifting............................. 181Warning Light........................ 131
Transmitter Battery Service.................. 22
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener............ 106
Transmitter Programming................... 22
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 215
Trip Odometer.......................... 132
Trip Odometer Reset Button................ 132
Turn Signals.........................79,129
Underhood Fuses........................ 288
Universal Transmitter..................... 106
Upholstery Care........................ 284
Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses................. 274
Vanity Mirrors........................... 62
Variance, Compass....................... 105
Vehicle Identification Number................ 7
Vehicle Loading......................... 208
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations.............. 8
INDEX 343
10