Tire Loading and Tire Pressure
Tire Placard Location
NOTE:
The tire placard is located on the lower driver's
side instrument panel.
Tire and Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about
the,
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) the total weight your vehicle can carry3) the tire size designed for your vehicle
4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear
and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire's load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and the Vehicle Loading section of
this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR's) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR's, vehicle loading and trailer towing, see the
Vehicle Loading section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement ªThe combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.º on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
188 STARTING AND OPERATING
combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement ªThe combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX poundsº on
your vehicle's placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if ªXXXº
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lb. (1400±750 (5 x 15) =
650 lb.)5. determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:The following table shows examples on how to
calculate total load, cargo/luggage and towing capacities
of your vehicle with varying seating configurations and
number and size of occupants. This table is for illustra-
tion purposes only and may not be accurate for the
seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:For the following example the combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs. (392
Kg).
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5
WARNING!
Overloading of your tire is dangerous. Overloading
can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and
increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the
recommended load capacity for your vehicle-never
overload them.
TIRES Ð GENERAL INFORMATION
Tire Pressure
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure:
1. SafetyÐ
WARNING!
Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can
cause accidents.
²Under inflation increases tire flexing and can
result in tire failure.
²Over inflation reduces a tire's ability to cushion
shock. Objects on the road and chuck holes can cause
damage that results in tire failure.
²Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob-
lems. You could lose control of your vehicle.
²Over inflated or under inflated tires can affect
vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom-
mended pressure.
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5
High Speed Operation
WARNING!
High speed driving with your vehicle under load is
dangerous. The added strain on your tires could
cause them to fail. You could have a serious accident.
Don't drive a vehicle loaded to maximum capacity at
continuous speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h).
The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds
within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or condi-
tions are such that the vehicle can be driven at high
speeds, correct tire inflation pressure is very important.
Radial-Ply Tires
WARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires
on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle
poorly. The instability could cause an accident. Al-
ways use radial tires in sets of four. Never combine
them with other types of tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
dealer for radial tire repairs.
Tire Spinning
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not
spin your vehicle's wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h).
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5
WARNING!
²Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than that
specified for your vehicle. Some combinations of
unapproved tires and wheels may change suspen-
sion dimensions and performance characteristics,
resulting in changes to steering, handling, and brak-
ing of your vehicle. This can cause unpredictable
handling and stress to steering and suspension com-
ponents. You could lose control and have an accident
resulting in serious injury or death. Use only the tire
and wheel sizes with load ratings approved for your
vehicle.
²Never use a tire smaller than the minimum tire size
listed on your vehicle's tire label. Using a smaller tire
could result in tire overloading and failure. You
could lose control and have an accident.
²Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
²Overloading your tires is dangerous. Overloading
can cause tire failure. Use tires of the recommended
load capacity for your vehicle - never overload them.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings. Check with your dealer before replacing tires
with a different size.
Alignment And Balance
Tire suspension components of your vehicle should be
inspected and aligned when needed, to obtain maximum
tire tread life.
Poor suspension alignment may result in:
²reduced tread life;
²uneven tire wear, such as feathering and one-sided
wear,
²vehicle pull to the right or to the left.
Tires may also cause your vehicle to pull to the left or
right. Alignment won't correct this condition. See your
dealer for proper diagnosis.
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5
²The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
Remember that everything put in or on the trailer adds to
the load on your vehicle.
Warranty Requirements
The manufacturer's warranty will apply to vehicles used
to tow trailers for noncommercial use, however the
following conditions must be met:
²The ªDº Overdrive range can be selected when tow-
ing. However, if frequent shifting occurs move the
shift lever to the next lower position to eliminate
excessive automatic transmission shifting. This action
will also reduce the possibility of transmission over-
heating and provide better engine braking. Refer to
ªTransmission Shiftingº in this section for additional
information.
²A load equalizing hitch is recommended for loaded
trailer weights above 1,000 lbs (454 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes 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.
WARNING!
Connecting trailer brakes to your vehicle's hydraulic
brake lines can overload your brake system and
cause it to fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have an accident.
²Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer
size, stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are
mandatory for motoring safety.
²Follow the maintenance intervals in schedule ªBº for
changing the automatic transmission fluid and filter, if
you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45
minutes of continuous operation.
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5
Mopar Parts........................227,284
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 56
New Vehicle Break-In Period............... 39
Occupant Restraints...................... 16
Octane Rating, Gasoline.................. 197
Odometer............................. 119
Trip ............................... 119
Off-Pavement Driving................... 181
Off-Road Driving....................... 181
Oil, Engine........................... 228
Capacity............................ 258
Dipstick............................ 228
Filter.............................. 231
Identification Logo.................... 230
Materials Added to.................... 231
Recommendation..................230,258
Viscosity............................ 258
Onboard Diagnostic System............225,226
Outside Rearview Mirrors................. 49
Overheating, Engine..................... 210
Owner's Manual....................... 285Paint Care............................ 248
Paint Damage......................... 248
Parking Brake......................... 175
Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch............ 26
Passing Light........................... 57
PCV Valve............................ 234
Pets.................................. 39
Pets, Transporting....................... 39
Placard, Tire and Loading Information....... 188
Polishing and Waxing................... 249
Power
Distribution Center.................... 256
Steering............................ 236
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts............. 21
Preparation for Jacking................... 213
Pressure Gauge, Oil..................... 117
Radial Ply Tires........................ 193
Radio.......................122,130,135,140
Radio Broadcast Signals.................. 121
Radio Operation..................130,135,149
Radio, Satellite......................... 145
Rear Axle............................. 248
INDEX 295
10
Tire and Loading Information Placard....... 188
Tire Identification Number (TIN)........... 187
Tire Markings......................... 184
Tire Safety Information................... 184
Tires ................................ 191
Air Pressure......................... 192
Alignment.......................... 195
Alignment and Balance................. 195
Balancing........................... 195
Chains............................. 196
Changing........................ 211,213
General Information................... 191
High Speed......................... 193
Inflation Pressures.................... 192
Jacking............................. 214
Load Capacity....................... 188
Pressure Label....................... 192
Radial............................. 193
Replacement......................... 194
Rotation............................ 196
Sizes............................... 185
Spare Tire........................... 213
Spinning............................ 193Tread Wear Indicators.................. 194
Wheel Nut Torque.................... 215
To Open Hood.......................... 55
Torque Converter Clutch................. 170
Towing...........................202,219
Disabled Vehicle...................... 219
Recreational......................... 205
Trailering........................... 202
Trac-Lok Rear Axle...................... 173
Trailer Towing......................... 202
Hitches............................. 197
Transfer Case.......................... 247
Four-Wheel-Drive Operation............. 170
Maintenance......................... 247
Transmission
Automatic.......................... 165
Maintenance......................245,246
Manual............................. 163
Shifting............................ 163
Transporting Pets........................ 39
Tread Wear Indicators................... 194
Trip Odometer......................... 119
Trip Odometer Reset Button............... 119
298 INDEX