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AUTOSTICK
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission that offers
manual gear shifting capability to provide you with more
control. AutoStick allows you to maximize engine brak-
ing, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and
improve overall vehicle performance. This system can
also provide you with more control during passing, city
driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations.
AutoStickTOperation
By placing the selector lever one shift-level below the9D9
position, it can be moved from side to side. This allows
the driver to select a higher or lower range of gears.
Moving the selector lever to the Left (-) triggers a
downshift and to the Right (+) an upshift. The gear
position will display in the instrument cluster on the
transaxle range indicator.NOTE:In Autosticktmode, the transaxle will only shift
up or down when the driver moves the selector lever to
the Right (+) for shifting up or to the Left (-) when
shifting down.
AutoStickTGeneral Information
²
You can start out in first or second gear. The system
will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle
speed.
²If a ratio other than 1st is selected, and the vehicle is
brought to a stop, the transaxle control logic will
automatically select the 1st gear ratio.
²Starting out in second gear is helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
²Avoid using speed control when Autosticktis engaged.
²The transaxle will automatically shift up when maxi-
mum engine speed is reached while Autosticktis
engaged.
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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 ªTire and Loading
Informationº placard and in the ªVehicle Loadingº sec-
tion of this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR's) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR's, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to the
ªVehicle Loadingº section of this manual.
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 poundsº 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 kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if ªXXXº
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (since 5 x 150 = 750,
and 1400 ± 750 = 650 lbs.)
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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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5
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Example Only Front Axle Rear Axle
Empty Weight 2538 lbs
(1151 kg)2076 lbs
(942 kg )
Load (Including driver,
passengers and cargo)223 lbs
(101 kg)890 lbs (404
kg)
Total 2762 lbs
(1253 kg)2968 lbs
(1346 kg)
GAWR 2826 lbs
(1282 kg)3035 lbs
(1377 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.
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
9loaded and ready for operation9condition. 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.
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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.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
A weight-distributing system works by applying lever-
age through spring (load) bars. They are typically used
for heavier loads, to distribute trailer tongue weight to
the tow vehicle's front axle and the trailer axle(s). When
used in accordance with the manufacturers' directions, it
provides for a more level ride, offering more consistent
steering and brake control thereby enhancing towing
safety. The addition of a friction / hydraulic sway control
also dampens sway caused by traffic and crosswinds and
contributes positively to tow vehicle and trailer stability.
Trailer sway control and a weight distributing (loadequalizing) hitch are recommended for heavier Tongue
Weights (TW) and may be required depending on Vehicle
and Trailer configuration / loading to comply with gross
axle weight rating (GAWR) requirements.
WARNING!
An improperly adjusted Weight Distributing Hitch
system may reduce handling, stability, braking per-
formance, and could result in an accident.
Weight Distributing Systems may not be compatible
with Surge Brake Couplers. Consult with your hitch
and trailer manufacturer or a reputable Recreational
Vehicle dealer for additional information.
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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.)
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.
Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer
weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
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3.8L & 4.0L Automatic with Engine Oil Cooler
Engine/TransmissionGCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating)Frontal AreaMax. GTW (Gross
Trailer Wt.)Max. Tongue Wt.
3.8L & 4.0L Auto-
matic with Engine
Oil Cooler8,600 lbs (3 900 kg) 40 SQ. FT.Up to 2 persons &
Luggage 3,500 lbs
(1 600 kg)350 lbs (158 kg)
8,600 lbs (3 900 kg) 40 SQ. FT.3 to 4 persons &
Luggage 3,000 lbs
(1 360 kg)300 lbs (136 kg)
8,600 lbs (3 900 kg) 40 SQ. FT.5 to 6 persons &
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 Tire
and Loading Information placard. Refer to the Tire±
Safety Information Section in this manual.
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3.8L & 4.0L Automatic WITHOUT Engine Oil Cooler
Engine/TransmissionGCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating)Frontal AreaMax. GTW (Gross
Trailer Wt.)Max. Tongue Wt.
3.8L & 4.0L Auto-
matic WITHOUT
Engine Oil Cooler7,700 lbs (3 492 kg) 40 SQ. FT.Up to 2 persons &
Luggage 2,600 lbs
(1 179 kg)260 lbs (117 kg)
7,700 lbs (3 492 kg) 40 SQ. FT.3 to 4 persons &
Luggage 2,100 lbs
(952 kg)210 lbs (95 kg)
N/A N/A5 to 6 persons &
Luggage NOT Rec-
ommendedN/A
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
NOTE:Your vehicle must be equipped with a trailer
tow package (trailer hitch and engine oil cooler) in order
to tow a gross trailer weight of 3,500 lbs (1 600 kg).
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