Page 284 of 395

Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle driv-
etrain components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
²Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles (805
km) of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage
your vehicle.
²During the first 500 miles (805 km) of trailer
towing, limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Perform the maintenance listed in Section 8 of this
manual. When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR,
or GCWR, ratings.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
²When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
284 STARTING AND OPERATING
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²Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the chains
under the trailer tongue and allow enough slack for
turning corners.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle in P (Park). Always, block
or9chock9the trailer wheels.
²GCWR must not be exceeded.
²Total 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. GAWR4. 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 Ð Tires
þ
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
ªTires±General Informationº for proper tire inflation
procedures.
þAlso, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
þCheck for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to ªTires±General Infor-
mationº for proper inspection procedure.
STARTING AND OPERATING 285
5
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þWhen replacing tires, refer to ªTires±General Informa-
tionº for proper tire replacement procedures. Replac-
ing tires with a higher load carrying capacity will not
increase the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements Ð Trailer Brakes
þ
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.
þAn electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
þTrailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000
lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000
lbs (907 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.
286 STARTING AND OPERATING
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Call Toll Free at:
²1±800±890±4038 (U.S.)
²1±800±387±1143 (Canada)
Or
Visit us on the World Wide Web at:
²www.techauthority.daimlerchrysler.com
²www.daimlerchrysler.ca/manuals
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire's
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 375
9
Page 376 of 395

on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. Thegrade C corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
376 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
Page 378 of 395

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............173,245
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).......... 320
Adding Fuel........................... 274
Adding Washer Fluid..................... 165
Additives, Fuel......................... 272
Adjustable Pedals....................... 126
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 313
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips............ 228
Air Conditioning Refrigerant............... 314
Air Pressure, Tires....................... 260
Airbag................................ 43
Airbag Deployment....................... 50
Airbag Light.......................52,66,173
Airbag Maintenance....................... 51
Alarm (Security Alarm).................18,174
Alarm System (Security Alarm)............... 18
Alignment and Balance................... 266
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 9
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 218Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)..............319,346
Disposal............................ 321
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............131,245
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 173
Anti-Theft System.....................18,174
Appearance Care........................ 329
Auto Down Power Windows................ 30
Automatic Dimming Mirror................. 74
Automatic Door Locks..................... 27
Automatic Headlights..................... 115
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)......... 222
Automatic Transmission.............239,327,328
Adding Fluid......................... 328
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 328
Fluid Change......................... 328
Fluid Level Check...................... 327
Autostick............................. 241
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet)...... 155
Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 155
378 INDEX
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Heated Mirrors.......................... 77
Heated Seats........................... 103
High Beam Indicator..................... 172
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 119
Hitches
Trailer Towing........................ 281
Holder, Cup........................... 157
HomeLinkt(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 145
Hood Release.......................... 112
Hoses.............................323,327
Ignition
Key ................................. 14
Illuminated Entry........................ 19
Infant Restraint.......................... 54
Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 260
Information Center, Vehicle................. 179
Instrument Cluster....................171,172
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 170Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 332
Integrated Power Module (Fuses)............ 338
Interior Appearance Care.................. 331
Interior Fuses.......................... 333
Interior Lighting........................ 119
Interior Lights....................... 117,119
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)........... 122
Introduction............................. 4
Jump Starting.......................... 293
Key, Programming........................ 17
Key, Replacement........................ 17
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer)................... 15
Key-In Reminder......................... 15
Keyless Entry System...................... 19
Keys................................. 14
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 35
384 INDEX
Page 385 of 395

LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren).....58,60
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 270
Leaks, Fluid............................ 67
Life of Tires............................ 264
Liftgate................................ 32
Liftgate Flipper Glass...................... 33
Liftgate Window Wiper/Washer............. 164
Lights..............................67,114
Airbag............................52,173
Alarm............................... 66
Anti-Lock........................... 173
Automatic Headlights................... 115
Back-Up............................. 344
Battery Saver......................... 114
Brake Assist Warning.................136,176
Brake Warning........................ 172
Bulb Replacement...................... 341
Cargo .............................. 158Center Mounted Stop................... 345
Cruise.............................. 177
Daytime Running...................... 117
Dimmer Switch, Headlight............. 114,119
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Indicator.......................136,174,176
Electronic Throttle Control Warning......... 178
Fog .......................... 118,178,343
Fuses............................... 333
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 292
Headlight Switch...................... 115
Headlights........................... 341
Headlights On With Wipers............... 115
High Beam Indicator.................... 172
Illuminated Entry....................... 19
Instrument Cluster................... 115,117
Interior........................... 117,119
Lights On Reminder.................... 118
Low Fuel............................ 178
INDEX 385
10