2005 DODGE MAGNUM trailer

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
2. Trip Odometer Button
Standard Cluster
The wordTRIPwill appear when this button is pressed.
Push in and hold the button for two seconds when the
trip odometer is displayed to reset it to 0 miles or
kilometers. A second press of the button will display the
outside temperature in the odometer.
Premium Cluster
Press this button to change the display from odometer to
either of the two trip odometer settings. The letter“A”or
“B”will appear when in the trip odometer mode. Push in
and hold the button for two seconds to reset the trip
odometer to 0 miles or kilometers. The odometer must be
in trip mode to reset.
3. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
4. Tachometer
The red segments indicate the maximum permissible
engine revolutions-per-minute (r.p.m. x 1000) for each
gear range. Before reaching the red area, ease up on the
accelerator.
5. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
134 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Limited Use Spare—If Equipped.........232
▫Tire Spinning........................232
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................233
▫Replacement Tires.....................234
▫Alignment And Balance.................235

All Wheel Drive—If Equipped...........235

Self–Sealing Tires—If Equipped............236

Tire Pressure Monitor System—If Equipped. 236
▫Tire Pressure Monitoring—Base System.....236
▫Tire Pressure Monitoring—Premium System . 237
▫General Information...................240

Tire Chains...........................240

Snow Tires...........................241

Tire Rotation Recommendations...........242

Fuel Requirements.....................243
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................243▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............244
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................244
▫Sulfur In Gasoline.....................244
▫Materials Added To Fuel................245
▫Fuel System Cautions..................245
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............246

Adding Fuel..........................247
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............247

Vehicle Loading.......................249
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............249
▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......249
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........249
▫Overloading.........................250
▫Loading............................250

Trailer Towing........................251
▫Warranty Requirements.................251
198 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever out of P (Park), you
must turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so the shift
lever is released. Otherwise, damage to the shifter
could result.
R (Reverse)
For moving the vehicle rearward. Always stop before
moving the lever to R (Reverse), except when rocking
the vehicle.
N (Neutral)
Engine may be started in this range.
WARNING!
Do not coast in N (Neutral) and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle.
D (Overdrive)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides smoothest up shifts and down
shifts and best fuel economy. Select the“3”range
when frequent transmission shifting occurs when us-
ing the Overdrive range, such as when operating the
vehicle under heavy loading conditions (in hilly ter-
rain, traveling into strong head winds, or while tow-
ing heavy trailers.
NOTE:
If the vehicle is started in cold outside tempera-
tures, shifts into Overdrive may be delayed. Normal
Overdrive and shifting operation will resume when the
temperature of the transmission reaches the appropriate
temperature. Refer to the“Note”under“Torque Con-
verter Clutch”later in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets too hot, the
transmission may downshift out of Overdrive or en-
gage overdrive at higher vehicle speeds until the
transmission cools down. After cooldown, Overdrive
will resume normal operation.
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Neutral
No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive
axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle can be
moved freely (pushed or towed). Do not engage in
NEUTRAL position while driving except to coast when
the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g., on icy roads).
The engine may be started in this range. Use this range
for starting your vehicle if it is moving or being towed.
CAUTION!
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other reason
with selector lever in NEUTRAL can result in trans-
mission damage that is not covered by the Limited
Warranty.
Drive
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts and best fuel economy.The transmission automatically upshifts through fifth
gear. The DRIVE position provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs when using
the Overdrive range, such as when operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions (in hilly terrain, travel-
ing into strong head winds, or while towing heavy
trailers, use the AutoStick mode and select the“3”range.
AutoStickGear selection
The transmission gear can be selected by pressing the
selector lever to the right or the left with the selector lever
in the DRIVE position. The gear currently selected is
indicated in the instrument cluster display. Briefly press
selector lever in the“D-”direction. The transmission will
shift from the current gear to the next lower gear. Shifting
into another gear that allows for quicker acceleration or
to slow the vehicle down is possible. Downshifts can also
be performed.
Press and hold the selector lever in the“D-”direction.
The transmission will shift from the current gear directly
to the best gear for acceleration.
208 STARTING AND OPERATING

Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, control the vehicle speed by
gradually releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and
never abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
only slight acceleration. Rocking a vehicle free in this
manner may cause the ABS or traction system malfunc-
tion indicator light to come on. Turn off the engine and
restart the engine to clear the malfunction indication.
Brake Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a brake transmission shift
interlock system (BTSI) that holds the gearshift lever in
the P (Park) position when the ignition switch is in the
LOCK position. To move the gear selector lever out of the
P (Park) position, the ignition switch must be turned to
the ON position, and the brake pedal must be depressed.
Over Temperature Mode
The transmission electronics constantly monitor the
transmission oil temperature. If the transmission exceeds
normal operating temperature, the transmission will
change the way it shifts to help control the condition.This may result in a slightly different feeling or response
during normal operation in D (Drive) position. After the
transmission cools down, it will return to normal opera-
tion.
AUTOSTICK—If Equipped
Autostick is a driver-interactive transmission that offers
manual gear shifting capability to provide you with more
control. Autostick allows you to maximize engine brak-
ing, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and
improve overall vehicle performance. This system can
also provide you with more control during passing, city
driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations.
Autostick Operation
By placing the shift lever in the DRIVE position it can be
moved from side to side. This allows the driver to select
a higher or lower range of gear ratios. Moving the lever
to the left (-) triggers a downshift and to the right (+) an
upshift. The gear position will be shown in the transmis-
sion gear display, located in the instrument cluster.
STARTING AND OPERATING 213
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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“The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.”on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
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“The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds”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“XXX”
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 150) =
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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 225
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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 andnumber 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).
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

Front
AxleRear Axle
Empty Weight 2054 lbs
(932 kg)1805 lbs
(819 kg )
Load (Including driver, pass-
sengers and cargo)271 lbs
(123 kg)579 lbs
(263 kg)
Total 2325 lbs
(1055 kg)2384 lbs
(1081 kg)
GAWR 2546 lbs
(1155 kg)2708 lbs
(1228 kg)
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 re-
view this information to tow your load as efficiently and
safely as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.Perform maintenance services as prescribed in the main-
tenance schedules manual. When your vehicle is used for
trailer towing, never exceed the gross axle weight rating
(GAWR) by the addition of:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
•The 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 Passenger Vehicle Warranty will
apply to vehicles used to tow trailers for non-commercial
use. However the following conditions must be met:
•The maximum frontal area of the trailer cannot exceed
32 square feet (2.97 square meters).
•The trailer tongue load must be considered as part of
the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and
should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire
and Loading Information placard. Refer to the Tire–
Safety Information Section in this manual.
STARTING AND OPERATING 251
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