2009 DODGE CHARGER weight

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.
Tire Placard Location
STARTING AND OPERATING 347
5

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.
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: (Continued)
348 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)
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.
•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.)
STARTING AND OPERATING 349
5

Gauge.............................. 172
Materials Added ....................... 335
Methanol ............................ 333
Octane Rating ...................... 332,429
Requirements ......................... 332
Specifications ......................... 429
Tank Capacity ........................ 427
Fuel System Caution ..................... 338
Fueling ............................... 337
Fuses ................................ 411
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 146
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...............337,382
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 333
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 333
Gauges Coolant Temperature ................... 173
Fuel ............................... 172
Odometer ........................... 177 Speedometer
......................... 172
Tachometer .......................... 172
Gear Ranges ........................ 277,282
General Information ...............18,26,117,332
General Maintenance ..................... 385
Glass Cleaning .......................... 409
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............340,343
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............340,342
GVWR ............................... 340
Hands-Free Phone (uconnect) ................ 89
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ........................ 288
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 356
Head Restraints ......................... 126
Headlight Washers ....................... 393
Headlights ............................ 422
Automatic ........................... 132
INDEX 467
10

Trailer Towing........................ 350
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 316
To Open Hood .......................... 129
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 347
Torque Converter Clutch .................. 280
Towing ............................... 342
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............... 103
Behind a Motor Home .................. 354
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 374
Guide .............................. 346
Recreational .......................... 354
Weight .............................. 346
Towing Assistance ....................... 103
Towing Vehicle Behind a Motor Home ......... 354
Traction Control ......................... 297
Trailer Towing .......................... 342
Cooling System Tips .................... 354
Hitches ............................. 344
Minimum Requirements ................. 348 Tips ................................ 353
Trailer and Tongue Weight
............... 347
Wiring .............................. 351
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 346
Trailer Weight .......................... 346
Transfer Case ........................... 405
Fluid ............................ 405,430
Maintenance ......................... 406
Transmission ........................... 404
Automatic ................... 273,276,282,404
Fluid ............................... 430
Range Indicator .................... 277,282
Shifting ............................. 273
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 25
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) . . 146
Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 20
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ........ 20
478 INDEX