2006 DODGE CHARGER weight

Overloading
The load carrying components (axle, springs, tires,
wheels, etc.) of your vehicle will provide satisfactory
service as long as you do not exceed the GVWR and front
and rear GAWR.
The best way to figure out the total weight of your
vehicle is to weigh it when it is fully loaded and ready for
operation. Weigh it on a commercial scale to insure that it
is not over the GVWR.
Figure out the weight on the front and rear of the vehicle
separately. It is important that you distribute the load
evenly over the front and rear axles.
Overloading can cause potential safety hazards and
shorten useful service life. Heavier axles or suspension
components do not necessarily increase the vehicle’s
GVWR.
Loading
To load your vehicle properly, first figure out its empty
weight, axle by axle and side by side. Store heavier items
down low and be sure you distribute their weight as
evenly as possible. Stow all loose items securely before
driving. If weighing the loaded vehicle shows that you
have exceeded either GAWR, but the total load is within
the specified GVWR, you must redistribute the weight.
Improper weight distribution can have an adverse effect
on the way your vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.
A loaded vehicle is shown in the illustration. Note that
neither the GVWR or the GAWR capacities have been
exceeded.
248 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.
Common Towing Definitions
The following trailer towing related definitions will assist
you in understanding the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, cargo and tongue
weight. The total load must be limited so that you do not
exceed the GVWR.
STARTING AND OPERATING 249
5

Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The gross trailer weight (GTW) is the weight of the trailer
plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and equipment
(permanent or temporary) loaded in or on the trailer in its
loaded and ready for operationcondition. The recom-
mended 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.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear
axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles
evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or
rear GAWR.
WARNING!
It is important that you do not exceed the maximum
front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition
can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose
control of the vehicle and have an accident.
Tongue Weight (TW)
The downward force exerted on the hitch ball by the
trailer. In most cases it should not be less than 10% or
more than 15% of the trailer load. You must consider this
as part of the load on your vehicle.
Frontal Area
The maximum height and maximum width of the front of
a trailer.
Trailer Sway Control
The trailer sway control is a telescoping link that can be
installed between the hitch receiver and the trailer tongue
that typically provides adjustable friction associated with
the telescoping motion to dampen any unwanted trailer
swaying motions while traveling.
Weight-Carrying Hitch
A weight-carrying hitch supports the trailer tongue
weight, just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or
some other connecting point of the vehicle. These kind of
hitches are the most popular on the market today and
they’re commonly used to tow small- and medium-sized
trailers. See your authorized dealer for a trailer hitch
engineered specifically for your vehicle.
250 STARTING AND OPERATING

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. See your authorized dealer for a trailer
hitch engineered specifically for your vehicle.
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 authorized dealer for
package content and for a trailer hitch engineered spe-
cifically for your vehicle.
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. See your authorized dealer for a trailer
hitch engineered specifically for 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 251
5

Engine/Transmission Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross Trailer
Wt.)Max. Tongue Wt.
2.7L Automatic22 SQ. FT. (2.04 square
meters)Up to 2 persons & Lug-
gage 1,000 lbs (454 kg)100 lbs (45 kg)
22 SQ. FT. (2.04 square
meters)Up to 3 persons & Lug-
gage 1,000 lbs (454 kg)100 lbs (45 kg)
22 SQ. FT. (2.04 square
meters)Up to 4 persons & Lug-
gage 1,000 lbs (454 kg)100 lbs (45 kg)
22 SQ. FT. (2.04 square
meters)Up to 5 persons & NO
Luggage 1,000 lbs (454 kg)100 lbs (45 kg)
3.5L & 5.7L Automatic32 SQ. FT. (2.97 square
meters)Up to 2 persons & Lug-
gage 2,000 lbs (907 kg)200 lbs (91 kg)
32 SQ. FT. (2.97 square
meters)Up to 3 persons & Lug-
gage 2,000 lbs (907 kg)200 lbs (91 kg)
32 SQ. FT. (2.97 square
meters)Up to 4 persons & Lug-
gage 1,500 lbs (680 kg)150 lbs (68 kg)
32 SQ. FT. (2.97 square
meters)Up to 5 persons & NO
Luggage 1,000 lbs (454 kg)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 Tireand Loading Information placard. Refer to the Tire–
Safety Information Section in this manual.
252 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 253
5

•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 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
Ti re s–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.
Towing Requirements—Trailer Brakes

Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
STARTING AND OPERATING 255
5

Cooling System....................... 299
Engine Oil.......................285,286
Power Steering....................... 295
Fluids............................... 324
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts........ 324
Fog Lights.........................103,138
Folding Rear Seat....................... 94
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 273
Fuel................................. 241
Adding............................. 244
Additives........................... 243
Clean Air........................... 241
Filler Cap (Gas Cap)................... 244
Filter.............................. 291
Gasoline............................ 241
Gauge............................. 135
Hoses.............................. 305
Octane Rating.....................241,324
Requirements.....................241,323
Tank Capacity........................ 323
Fueling.............................. 244
Fuses................................ 311Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) .......... 115
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)................. 244
Gasoline, Clean Air..................... 241
Gasoline (Fuel)........................ 241
Gasoline, Reformulated.................. 242
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................. 135
Fuel............................... 135
Speedometer......................... 135
Tachometer.......................... 135
Gear Ranges.......................... 199
General Information.................15,24,238
Glass Cleaning......................... 309
Gross Axle Weight Rating..............247,250
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating............247,249
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect™) ............ 70
Hazard Warning Flasher.................. 262
Head Restraints......................... 94
Headlights
High Beam.......................... 103
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch...... 103
On With Wipers...................... 102
356 INDEX