2009 CHRYSLER 300 weight

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.
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 Maximum GTW towable
for your given drivetrain.Trailer Hitch Classification Definitions
Class Max. Trailer Hitch Industry
Standards
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Refer to the “Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings)” chart for the Maximum
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) towable for your given
drivetrain.
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
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Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/Transmission Frontal Area Max. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.)Max. Tongue Wt.
( see note)
2.7L & 3.5L Rear Wheel
Drive (RWD) Automatic22 sq ft (2.04 sq m) 1,000 lbs (454 kg) 100 lbs (45 kg)
3.5L All Wheel Drive
(AWD) & 5.7L Automatic32 sq ft (2.97 sq m) 2,000 lbs (907 kg) 200 lbs (91 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 it should never exceed the weight referenced on the “Tire and Loading Information” placard. Refer to “Tire–
Safety Information” in this section.
384 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.
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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” placard 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 dam-
age 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. When tow-
ing 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 it 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.
386 STARTING AND OPERATING

•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, suspen-
sion, chassis 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
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. Max loading as defined on the “Tire and Loading
Information” placard.
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
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Ethanol............................. 371
Filler Cap (Gas Cap).................... 375
Gasoline............................ 370
Gauge.............................. 216
Materials Added....................... 373
Methanol............................ 371
Octane Rating......................370,470
Requirements......................... 370
Specifications......................... 470
Tank Capacity........................ 468
Fuel System Caution..................... 376
Fueling............................... 375
Fuses................................ 449
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 181
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)...............375,420
Gasoline, Clean Air...................... 371
Gasoline (Fuel)......................... 370
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 371Gauges
Coolant Temperature................... 214
Fuel............................... 216
Odometer........................... 208
Speedometer......................... 208
Tachometer.......................... 211
Gear Ranges........................317,322
General Information............18,26,118,174,370
General Maintenance..................... 423
Glass Cleaning.......................... 447
Gross Axle Weight Rating...............378,380
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.............378,380
GVWR............................... 378
Hands-Free Phone (uconnect)................ 90
Hazard
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water........................ 328
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 396
INDEX 509
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Aging (Life of Tires).................... 356
Air Pressure.......................... 350
Chains.............................. 358
Changing.........................397,400
Compact Spare........................ 353
Flat Changing........................ 397
General Information.................... 350
High Speed.......................... 353
Inflation Pressures..................... 351
Jacking............................. 400
Life of Tires.......................... 356
Load Capacity........................ 346
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 361
Quality Grading....................... 498
Radial.............................. 353
Replacement......................... 357
Rotation............................ 360
Safety...........................342,350
Self-Sealing.......................... 358Sizes............................... 343
Snow Tires........................... 360
Spare Tire........................... 398
Spinning............................ 355
Trailer Towing........................ 387
Tread Wear Indicators................... 355
To Open Hood.......................... 135
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 385
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 320
Towing............................... 380
24-Hour Towing Assistance............... 104
Behind a Motor Home.................. 393
Disabled Vehicle....................... 412
Guide.............................. 384
Recreational.......................... 393
Weight.............................. 384
Towing Assistance....................... 104
Towing Vehicle Behind a Motor Home......... 393
Traction Control......................... 337
520 INDEX

Trailer Towing.......................... 380
Cooling System Tips.................... 392
Hitches............................. 383
Minimum Requirements................. 386
Tips ................................ 391
Trailer and Tongue Weight............... 385
Wiring.............................. 390
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 384
Trailer Weight.......................... 384
Transfer Case........................... 443
Fluid............................443,471
Maintenance......................... 444
Transmission........................... 442
Automatic...................312,316,321,442
Fluid............................... 471
Range Indicator....................317,322
Shifting............................. 312
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 25Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) . . 181
Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 20
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)........ 20
Transporting Pets........................ 75
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 355
Trip Odometer.......................208,215
Trunk Lid (Deck Lid)....................39,40
Trunk Release, Emergency.................. 40
Trunk Release Remote Control............... 39
Turn Signals.........................141,208
UCI Connector......................... 276
uconnect (Hands-Free Phone)................ 90
Uniform Tire Quality Grades................ 498
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) Connector . . . 276
Universal Transmitter..................... 181
Unleaded Gasoline....................... 370
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt.............. 47
INDEX 521
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