2009 CHRYSLER 300 wheel

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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 385
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•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
STARTING AND OPERATING 387
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RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Two-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive
Recreational towing for this vehicle is not recommended.
NOTE:If the vehicle requires towing, make sure all four
wheels are off the ground.
STARTING AND OPERATING 393
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 396
If Your Engine Overheats................ 396
Jacking And Tire Changing............... 397
▫Jack Location/Spare Tire Stowage........ 398
▫Preparations For Jacking............... 400
▫Jacking And Changing a Tire............ 400
▫Compact Spare Tire................... 405
▫Wheel Cover Or Center Cap Installation
(If Equipped)....................... 406Jump-Starting Procedures................ 408
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................. 411
Towing A Disabled Vehicle............... 412
▫Without The Ignition Key.............. 412
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another
Vehicle............................ 412
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
With A Tow Dolly.................... 414
6

the fan control to high. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H,”
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H,” turn the engine off immediately and call for
service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to Section 7 and follow the
warnings under the “Cooling System Pressure Cap”
paragraph.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
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 the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
(Continued)
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 397
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Preparations For Jacking
1. Park the vehicle on a firm level surface as far from the
edge of the roadway as possible. Avoid icy or slippery
areas.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. Place the shift lever into PARK.
4. Turn OFF the ignition.
5. Turn on the Hazard Warning flashers.
6. Block the front and rear of the
wheel diagonally opposite of the jack-
ing position. For example, if changing
the right front tire, block the left rear
wheel.NOTE:Passengers should not remain in the vehicle
when the vehicle is being jacked.
Jacking and Changing a Tire
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
•Always park on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible before raising
the vehicle.
•Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to
be raised.
•Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic
transmission in PARK; a manual transmission in
REVERSE.
(Continued)
400 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING! (Continued)
•Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
•Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
•Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
•Only use the jack in the positions indicated and
for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
•If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
•To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
•Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.1. Remove the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench.
2. If equipped with steel wheels, do not remove the
wheel cover at this time. If equipped with aluminum
wheels where the center cap covers the lug nuts, use the
lug wrench to pry the center cap off carefully before
raising the vehicle.
Jack Warning Label
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 401
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