Page 287 of 417
Trailer Hitch Classification
Class Max. GTW (Gross Trailer
Wt.)
ClassI-LightDuty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Class II - Medium
Duty3,500 lbs (1 587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Class IV - Extra
Heavy Duty10,000 lbs (4 540 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 287
5
Page 289 of 417

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 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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 289
5
Page 290 of 417
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.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle driv-
etrain components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
•Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles (805
km) of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage
your vehicle.
•During 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.
290 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 291 of 417

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.
•When 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.
•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. With a manual transmission, shift the
transmission into reverse. And with four-wheel-drive
vehicles, make sure the transfer case is not in neutral.
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
STARTING AND OPERATING 291
5
Page 292 of 417

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.
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.
An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
292 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 305 of 417
Spare Tire Stowage
To remove the spare tire from the carrier, remove the tire
cover, if equipped, and remove the lug nuts with the lug
wrench turning them counterclockwise.NOTE:If you have added aftermarket accessories to the
spare tire mounted carrier, it cannot exceed a gross
weight of 50 lbs (23 kg) including the weight of the spare
tire.
Preparations For Jacking
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoid ice or
slippery areas,set the parking brakeand place auto-
matic transmission in P (Park), or manual transmission in
R (Reverse). Turn OFF the ignition.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid being hit when operating the jack
or changing the wheel.
•Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.
Spare Tire Mounting
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 305
6
Page 406 of 417

Fuses................................ 353
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 143
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)............277,279,317
Gasoline (Fuel)......................... 273
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 274
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends................ 274
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 169
Fuel................................ 173
Odometer........................... 170
Speedometer......................... 166
Tachometer.......................... 166
Gear Ranges........................218,221
General Information...................... 272
Glass Cleaning.......................... 351
Gross Axle Weight Rating.................. 283
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating................ 282
GVWR ............................... 280Hands-Free Phone (UConnect™).............. 85
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 302
Head Restraints......................... 111
Head Rests............................ 111
Headlights............................ 117
Bulb Replacement...................... 362
Cleaning............................ 351
High Beam........................... 166
Passing............................. 119
Replacing............................ 362
Heated Mirrors.......................... 84
Heated Seats........................... 112
Heater, Engine Block..................... 215
Hitches
TrailerTowing ........................ 286
Holder,Cup ........................... 152
HomeLink(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 143
Hood Release.......................... 115
Hoses................................ 338
406 INDEX
Page 415 of 417

System, Navigation...................... 191
Tachometer............................ 166
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......... 169
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 68
Theft System Arming...................... 20
Theft System Disarming.................... 20
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo................... 155
Tilt Steering Column..................... 122
Tire and Loading Information Placard......249,250
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 248
Tire Markings.......................... 245
Tire Safety Information.................... 245
Tires ..............................253,397
Air Pressure.......................... 254
Alignment and Balance.................. 260
Chains.............................. 260
Changing............................ 304
General Information.................... 253High Speed.......................... 256
Inflation Pressures..................... 254
Jacking............................. 304
LifeofTires .......................... 258
Load Capacity.....................249,250
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 262
Pressure Warning Light.................. 166
Quality Grading....................... 397
Radial.............................. 256
Replacement......................... 259
Rotation............................. 261
Safety............................ 76,245
Sizes ............................... 246
Spare Tire........................... 305
Spinning ............................ 257
Tread Wear Indicators................... 257
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 289
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 225
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 311
INDEX 415
10