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Weight-Distributing Hitch
A weight-distributing hitch includes a receiver attached
to the tow vehicle, plus a removable hitch head and
spring bar assembly that fits into the receiver opening
and hook up brackets that connect the spring bars to the
trailer frame.
Trailer Hitch Classification
The following chart provides the industry standard for
the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can
tow and should be used to assist you in selecting the
correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition.
Refer to the Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) chart for the Max. GTW towable for your
given drivetrain.
Trailer Hitch Classification
Class Max. GTW (Gross Trailer
Wt.)
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Class II - Medium
Duty3,500 lbs (1587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2268 kg)
Class IV - Extra
Heavy Duty10,000 lbs (4540 kg)
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
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Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer
weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/Transmission Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross Trailer Wt.) Max. Tongue Wt. (See Note
1)
2.4L Automatic/
Manual20 Sq. Ft 1000 lbs (454 kg) 110 lbs (50 kg)
2.7L Automatic/
Manual20 Sq. Ft. 1000 lbs (454 kg) 110 lbs (50 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
Note 1 – The trailer tongue weight 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.
188 STARTING AND OPERATING
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Trailer and Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your
vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to swayseverelyside to side
which will cause loss of control of vehicle and trailer.
Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of
many trailer accidents.
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your bumper or trailer hitch.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 dealer-installed options,
must be considered as part of the total load on your
vehicle. Refer to the Tire and Loading Information plac-
ard in the Tire Safety Information Section of this manual
for the maximum combined weight of occupants and
cargo for your vehicle.
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•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
P for Park. With a manual transmission, shift the
transmission into reverse. Always, block orchockthe
trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).Towing Requirements — Tires
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
Tires–General Information section of this manual on
Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
Also, 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 the Tires–General
Information section of this manual on Tread Wear
Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires refer to the Tires–General Infor-
mation section of this manual on Replacement Tires for
proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires
with a higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
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4. Reinstall the light housing and reconnect the wiring
connector. Push the trunk liner back into place.
License Plate Bulb Replacement
1. Locate both small slots on the outboard side of the
license lamp. Using a small screwdriver, remove the
entire housing.
2. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it
from the housing. Pull the bulb out of the socket. Replace
the bulb and snap it back into place on the housing of the
chrome appliqué.
Headlight Aiming
The headlights on your new vehicle were aimed at the
factory. The factory setting was made at a no load setting.
A great increase in weight will change the aiming and it
may be necessary to readjust the headlights if carrying an
excessive amount of weight in the trunk, rear seats or
pulling a trailer. To readjust the headlights first mark the
position of the headlights on a wall prior to loading the
vehicle. Load the vehicle and then readjust the headlights
to the original position. If any further adjustments are
necessary contact your manufacturer’s dealer. A detailed
service procedure is contained in the manufacturer’s
Service Manual. Information on purchasing a Service
Manual can be found at the back of this Owner’s Manual.
254 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 291 of 300

Fuel................................. 178
Adding............................. 183
Additives........................... 179
Clean Air........................... 178
Filler Cap (Gas Cap)................... 183
Filter.............................. 223
Gasoline............................ 178
Gauge.............................. 88
Hoses.............................. 238
Light............................... 93
Octane Rating........................ 256
Requirements.....................178,255
Tank Capacity........................ 255
Fuel, Flexible............See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fueling.............................. 183
Fuses................................ 245
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) .......... 73
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)................. 183
Gasoline, Clean Air..................... 178
Gasoline (Fuel)........................ 178
Gasoline, Reformulated.................. 178
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............... 179Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................90,91
Fuel................................ 88
Speedometer......................... 89
Tachometer.......................... 89
Gearshift............................. 151
General Information...................13,20
Glass Cleaning......................... 244
Gross Axle Weight Rating................. 186
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating............... 185
Hazard Warning Flasher.................. 198
Head Restraints......................... 60
Headlights............................ 249
Aiming............................. 254
Automatic........................... 65
Bulb Replacement..................... 249
Cleaning............................ 244
High Beam.........................66,89
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch....... 66
Passing............................. 66
Switch.............................. 65
Time Delay........................65,66
INDEX 291
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Tire and Loading Information Placard....... 163
Tire Identification Number (TIN)........... 162
Tire Markings......................... 158
Tire Safety Information................... 158
Tires ...........................47,167,283
Aging (Life of Tires)................... 173
Air Pressure......................... 167
Alignment.......................... 174
Chains............................. 175
Changing........................... 200
Compact Spare....................... 170
Flat Changing........................ 200
General Information................... 167
High Speed......................... 169
Inflation Pressures.................... 168
Jacking............................. 200
Life of Tires......................... 173
Load Capacity....................163,164
Quality Grading...................... 283
Radial............................. 170
Replacement......................... 173
Rotation............................ 175
Safety...........................158,167Sizes............................... 160
Snow Tires.......................... 175
Spinning............................ 172
Tread Wear Indicators.................. 172
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight............. 189
Towing.........................185,209,210
Disabled Vehicle...................... 209
Guide.............................. 188
Weight............................. 188
Traction Control....................69,88,157
Traction Control Switch................69,157
Trailer Towing......................... 185
Cooling System Tips................... 195
Hitches............................. 187
Minimum Requirements................ 190
Trailer and Tongue Weight.............. 189
Wiring............................. 193
Trailer Towing Guide.................... 188
Trailer Weight......................... 188
Transaxle............................. 238
Additives........................... 240
Automatic.....................149,151,238
Filter.............................. 240
298 INDEX