2009 DODGE JOURNEY engine

WARNING!
•Never have any smoking materials lit in or near
the vehicle when the gas cap is removed or the
tank filled.
•Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is
running.
•A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on
the ground while filling.
•Failure to follow this warning may result in seri-
ous injury or death.
NOTE:
•Tighten the gas cap until you hear a “clicking” sound.
This is an indication that the gas cap is tightened properly. The MIL in the instrument cluster may turn
on if the gas cap is not secured properly. Make sure
that the gas cap is tightened each time the vehicle is
refueled.
•When the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the fuel
tank is full.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap in loose, improperly installed, or damaged, the
word “gASCAP” will display in the odometer. If this
occurs, tighten the fuel filler cap until a “clicking” sound
is heard and press the TRIP ODOMETER button to turn
off the message. If the problem persists, the message will
appear the next time the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the MIL. Refer to “Onboard Diagnostic
System — OBD II” in Section 7.
374 STARTING AND OPERATING

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/
Transaxle GCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating) Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross Trailer Wt.) Max. Tongue
Wt.
2.4L Automatic 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg) 22 sq ft (2.0 sq m) 1,000 lbs (454 kg) which includes
up to 5 persons & Luggage100 lbs (45 kg)
2.7L/3.5L (with
out Trailer Tow Prep Package (AHT) 7,300 lbs (3,311 kg) 32 sq ft (3.0 sq m)
2,000 lbs (907 kg) which includes
1 to 2 persons & Luggage200 lbs (91 kg)
7,300 lbs (3,311 kg) 32 sq ft (3.0 sq m) 1,500 lbs (680 kg) which includes
3 to 4 persons & Luggage150 lbs (68 kg)
7,300 lbs (3,311 kg) 32 sq ft (3.0 sq m) 1,000 lbs (454 kg) which includes
5 to 7 persons & Luggage100 lbs (45 kg)
*Except for
AWD models.
2.7L (with
Trailer Tow
Prep Package (AHT) 8,300 lbs (3,765 kg) 40 sq ft (3.7 sq m)
3,000 lbs (1,361 kg) which in-
cludes up to 5 persons & Lug-
gage300 lbs (136 kg)
8,300 lbs (3,765 kg) 40 sq ft (3.7 sq m) 1,000 lbs (454 kg) which includes
6 to 7 persons & Luggage100 lbs (91 kg)
382 STARTING AND OPERATING

Engine/
Transaxle GCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating) Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross Trailer Wt.) Max. Tongue
Wt.
3.5L (with
Trailer Tow
Prep Package (AHT) 8,300 lbs (3,765 kg) 40 sq ft (3.7 sq m)
3,500 lbs (1,588 kg) which in-
cludes 1 to 2 persons & Luggage350 lbs (159 kg)
8,300 lbs (3,765 kg) 40 sq ft (3.7 sq m) 3,000 lbs (1,361 kg) which in-
cludes 3 to 4 persons & Luggage300 lbs (136 kg)
8,300 lbs (3,765 kg) 40 sq ft (3.7 sq m) 2,500 lbs (1,134 kg) which in-
cludes 5 to 6 persons & Luggage250 lbs (113 kg)
*Except for
AWD models.
8,300 lbs (3,765 kg) 40 sq ft (3.7 sq m) 2,500 lbs (1,134 kg) which in-
cludes 7 persons & Luggage100 lbs (113 kg)
*Except for
AWD models.
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.
NOTE: * For All Wheel Drive (AWD) models carrying 5 to 7 persons and luggage will exceed the rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) and therefore should not be attempted.
STARTING AND OPERATING 383
5

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 that it will not shift during travel. When traile-
ring 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, transaxle, steering, suspension,
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 transaxle 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. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
386 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing up the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Towing Tips — Automatic Transaxle
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. How-
ever, if frequent shifting occurs while in this range, select
the “3” range for 4-speed automatic or the “5” range for
6-speed automatic.
NOTE:Using the “3” or “5” range while operating the
vehicle under heavy operating conditions will improve
performance and extend transaxle life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45
minutes of continuous operation, then change the auto-
matic transaxle fluid and filter according to the interval
specified for “police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer tow-
ing” in the Maintenance Schedule.
7-Pin Connector
390 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips — Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transaxle overheating,
take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods, put transaxle in NEU-
TRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
Refer to “Cooling System” under “Maintenance Pro-
cedures” in Section 7.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE (Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On
The Ground)
Recreational towing for this vehicle is not recommended.
NOTE: If the vehicle requires towing, make sure all four
wheels are off the ground.
392 STARTING AND OPERATING

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................394
 If Your Engine Overheats .................394
▫ Engine Oil Overheating — 2.4L Gas And 2.0L
Diesel Engines Only (If Equipped) .........395
 Jacking And Tire Changing ................396
▫ Jack Location ........................396
▫ Spare Tire Location ....................397
▫ Preparations For Jacking ................397
▫ Spare Tire Removal ....................397
▫ Spare Tire Stowage ....................399 ▫
Jacking Instructions ....................401
 Jump-Starting Procedures .................407
 Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ..................410
 Towing A Disabled Vehicle ................412
▫ Without The Ignition Key ...............412
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With The Key In The Ignition
And All Four Wheels On The Ground) ......412
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
With A Tow Dolly .....................413
6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The HAZARD switch is located in the instrument panel
switch bank above the climate controls.Push and release the switch to turn on the hazard
warning flashers. When the hazard warning is
activated, all directional turn signals will flash on
and off to warn oncoming traffic of an emergency. Push
and release the switch a second time to turn off the
flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
hazard warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition switch is in the LOCK position. NOTE:
With extended use, the hazard warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
•On the highways — Slow down.
•In city traffic — While stopped, put the transaxle in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your Air Condition-
ing A/C system is on, turn it off. The A/C system adds
heat to the engine cooling system and turning off the
A/C system removes this heat. You can also turn the
Temperature control to maximum heat, the Mode control
to floor, and the Blower 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.
394 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES