Trailer Hitch Classification
Your vehicle may be factory equipped for safe towing of
trailers weighing over 2,000 lbs (907 kg) with the optional
Trailer Tow Prep Package. See your dealer for package
content.
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.)
Clas s I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Class II - Medium
Duty 3,500 lbs (1587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2268 kg)
Class IV - Extra
Heavy Duty 10,000 lbs (4540 kg)
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer
weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
STARTING AND OPERATING 357
5
Engine/Transmission GCWR (Gross Com- bined Wt. Rating) Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross
Trailer Wt.) Max. Tongue Wt.
3.3L & 3.8L Auto-
matic with trailer
tow package 8,600 lbs (3900 kg) 40 SQ. FT. (3.72
square meters) Up to 2 persons &
Luggage 3,800 lbs (1723 kg)* 380 lbs (172 kg)
8,600 lbs (3900 kg) 40 SQ. FT. (3.72 square meters) 3 to 5 persons &
Luggage 3,350 lbs (1519 kg)* 335 lbs (152 kg)
8,600 lbs (3900 kg) 40 SQ. FT. (3.72 square meters) 6 to 7 persons &
Luggage 3,000 lbs (1360 kg)* 300 lbs (136 kg)
* For vehicles equipped with Fold-in-Floor seating, the Gross Trailer Weight must be reduced by 100 lbs (45 kg).
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
NOTE: 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.
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 sway severelyside to side
STARTING AND OPERATING 359
5
which will cause loss of control of the 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.
360 STARTING AND OPERATING
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
•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. Always, block or chockthe 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.
362 STARTING AND OPERATING
Octane Rating...................... 346,445
Requirements ...................... 346,444
Tank Capacity ........................ 444
Fuel System Caution ..................... 348
Fueling ............................... 350
Fuses ................................ 434
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink ) ........... 173
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) .................. 350
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 346
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 346
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 347
Gauges Coolant Temperature .................... 213
Fuel ................................ 209
Speedometer ......................... 210
Tachometer .......................... 212
Gearshift .............................. 315
General Information .................. 16,25,343 Glass Cleaning
.......................... 432
Grocery Bag Retainer ..................... 138
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............352,355
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............352,355
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect™) .............. 96
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 368
Head Phones ........................... 270
Head Restraints ......................... 121
Headlights ............................ 149
Bulb Replacement ...................... 439
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ........ 154
Lights On Reminder .................... 151
Replacing ............................ 439
Time Delay .......................... 152
Heated Seats ........................... 121
Heater ............................... 280
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 312
482 INDEX
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......213,369
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............... 74
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ................ 27
Theft System Arming ...................... 27
Theft System Disarming .................... 27
Theft System (Security Alarm) ............... 27
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 156
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 328
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 327
Tire Markings .......................... 324
Tire Safety Information .................... 324
Tires ............................ 85,332,473
Aging (Life of Tires) .................... 339
Air Pressure .......................... 332
Alignment ........................... 340
Chains .............................. 343
Changing ............................ 370
Compact Spare ........................ 336
Flat Changing ........................ 379 General Information
.................... 332
High Speed .......................... 334
Inflation Pressures ..................... 333
Jacking ........................ 370,371,383
Life of Tires .......................... 339
Load Capacity ..................... 328,329
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ........... 341
Quality Grading ....................... 473
Radial .............................. 335
Replacement ......................... 339
Rotation ............................. 345
Safety ........................... 324,332
Sizes ............................... 325
Snow Tires ........................... 344
Spare Tire ......................... 373,384
Spinning ............................ 337
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 338
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 359
Towing ............................... 354
INDEX 491
10
Disabled Vehicle....................... 393
Guide .............................. 357
Recreational ....................... 366,394
Weight .............................. 357
Traction Control ................... 156,215,322
Traction Control Switch .................156,322
Trailer Towing .......................... 354
Cooling System Tips .................... 366
Hitches ............................. 357
Minimum Requirements ................. 361
Trailer and Tongue Weight ................ 359
Wiring .............................. 364
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 357
Trailer Weight .......................... 357
Transaxle ............................. 313
Automatic ........................... 313
Operation ........................... 313
Overdrive ........................... 316
Selection of Lubricant ................425,446 Transmission
........................... 425
Automatic ........................... 425
Filter ............................... 427
Fluid ............................ 425,446
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry) . 26
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink ) . . 173
Transmitter Programming (Remote Keyless Entry) . 23
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ........ 20
Transporting Pets ........................ 78
Tread Wear Indicators .................... 338
Trip Odometer .......................... 216
Trip Odometer Reset Button ................ 217
Turn Signals ................... 153,210,440,442
Uniform Tire Quality Grades ................ 473
Universal Joints ......................... 413
Universal Transmitter ..................... 173
Unleaded Gasoline ....................... 346
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt .............. 49
492 INDEX