2008 CHRYSLER ASPEN towing

NFuel Requirements....................340
NSelection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.......340
NStarting............................341
NCruising Range.......................341
NReplacement Parts.....................341
mVehicle Loading........................342
NCertification Label.....................342
NCurb Weight.........................343
NLoading............................343
mTrailer Towing.........................345
NCommon Towing Definitions.............345NTrailer Hitch Classification...............350
NTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................351
NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............351
NTowing Requirements..................352
NTowing Tips.........................357
mSnowplow............................359
mRecreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 360
NRecreational Towing 2WD Models.........360
NRecreational Towing 4WD Models.........360
mEquipment Identification Plate.............364
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WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the gear shift lever out of
PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly
forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the
vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift
into gear when the engine is idling normally and
when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
ªRº REVERSE
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.ªNº NEUTRAL
Shift to NEUTRAL when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine
may be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you
must leave the vehicle.
NOTE:Towing the vehicle (except as specified under
Towing A Disabled Vehicle), coasting, or otherwise driv-
ing the vehicle while in NEUTRAL can cause severe
transmission damage
ªDº DRIVE
For most city and highway driving.
ª2º 2nd
For driving slowly in heavy city traffic or on mountain
roads where more precise speed control is desirable. Use
it also when climbing long grades, and for engine brak-
ing when descending moderately steep grades. To pre-
vent excessive engine speed, do not exceed 45 mph (72
km/h) in this range.
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The transmission will downshift from OVERDRIVE to
DRIVE if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at
vehicle speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
When To Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the TOW/HAUL button. This will improve
performance and reduce the potential for transmission
overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When
operating in TOW/HAUL mode, 5th gear (if equipped) is
disabled and 2-3 and 3-4 shift patterns are modified.
Shifts into OVERDRIVE (4th gear) are allowed during
steady cruise (for improved fuel economy) and automatic
closed-throttle downshifts to 3rd gear (for improved
braking) will occur during steady braking.
The TOW/HAUL light will illuminate in the instrument
cluster to indicate when the switch has been activated.
Pressing the switch a second time restores normal opera-
tion. If the TOW/HAUL mode is desired, the button
must be pressed each time the engine is started.
TOW/HAUL Button
278 STARTING AND OPERATING

different speeds. This eliminates driveline binding and
component wear normally associated with driving the
vehicle in the 4WD LOCK position on dry, hard-surfaced
roads. This feature provides the safety, security, and
convenience of operating in all-wheel drive at all times
regardless of road conditions.
When additional traction is required, the 4WD LOCK
and 4WD LOW positions can be used to lock the front
and rear driveshafts together, through the transfer case
inter-axle differential, and force the front and rear wheels
to rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished by
rotating the 4WD Control Switch to these positions. The
4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions are intended for
loose, slippery road surfaces only. Driving in the 4WD
LOCK and 4WD LOW positions on dry, hard-surfaced
roads may cause increased tire wear and damage to the
driveline components.The transfer case NEUTRAL position is selected by
depressing the recessed button located on the lower left
hand corner of the 4WD Control Switch.
NOTE:The transfer case NEUTRAL position is to be
used for recreational towing only. Refer to ªRecreational
Towingº under Section 5 for specific procedures on
shifting into and out of NEUTRAL.
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
Transfer case position indicator lights are located on the
instrument cluster. If there are no indicator lights on or
flashing, the transfer case position is 4-wheel drive
(4WD) and indicates the current and desired transfer case
selection (4WD,4WD LOCK).
The ªSVC 4WDº warning light monitors the electric shift
4WD system. If this light remains on after engine start up
or illuminates during driving, it means that the 4WD
system is not functioning properly and that service is
required. See your authorized dealer for service.
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5

4WD LOW
The 4-Wheel Drive Low (4WD LOW) Range provides
low speed 4-wheel drive. It locks the front and rear
driveshafts together, forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. This range provides additional
traction and maximum pulling power for loose or slip-
pery road surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40
km/h).
N
The NEUTRAL ranged disengages both the front and
rear driveshafts from the powertrain. NEUTRAL is used
for flat towing behind another vehicle. Refer to ªRecre-
ational Towingº in Section 5.Shifting Procedure - NV 244 Generation II
Transfer Case
NOTE:The 4x4 system will not allow shifts between
4WD/4WD LOCK if the rear wheels are spinning (no
traction). In this situation, a position indicator light will
flash and the original position indicator light will remain
on. At this time, reduce speed and stop spinning the
284 STARTING AND OPERATING

stop the sway. The system will reduce engine power and
apply individual brakes that will counter act the sway of
the trailer. TSC will become active automatically once the
swaying trailer is recognized. No driver action is re-
quired. TSC cannot stop all trailers from swaying. Al-
ways use caution when towing a trailer and follow the
tongue weight recommendations. For additional infor-
mation on towing a trailer with your vehicle, refer to
9Trailer Towing9in Section 5.
MULTI-DISPLACEMENT SYSTEM (MDS) Ð 5.7L
ENGINE ONLY
This feature offers improved fuel economy by shutting
off four of the engine's eight cylinders during light load
and cruise conditions. The system is automatic with no
driver inputs or additional driving skills required.
NOTE:The MDS system may take some time to return
to full functionality after a battery disconnect.
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
²P (Passenger)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards. P-Metric tires have the letter ªPº molded
into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: P215/65R15 95H.
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5

Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire's load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and in the ªVehicle Loadingº section
of this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to
ªVehicle Loadingº in this section.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement ªThe combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.º on the Tire and Loading Information placard. Thecombined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement ªThe combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or XXX kgº
on your vehicle's placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if ªXXXº
amount equals 1,400 lbs (635 kg) and there will be five
150 lb (68 kg) passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
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5

available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs (295
kg) {(since 5 x 150 = 750, and 1400 ± 750 = 650 lbs (295
kg)}.
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.NOTE:The following table shows examples on how to
calculate total load, cargo/luggage, and towing capaci-
ties of your vehicle with varying seating configurations
and number and size of occupants. This table is for
illustration purposes only and may not be accurate for
the seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:For the following example, the combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs (392
kg).
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