2009 DODGE JOURNEY tow

▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............374
 Vehicle Loading ........................375
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............375
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) .......375
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) .........375
▫ Overloading .........................376
▫ Loading ............................376
 Trailer Towing .........................377
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............377▫
Trailer Hitch Classification ...............381
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ......................382
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............384
▫ Towing Requirements ..................385
▫ Towing Tips .........................390
 Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 392
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another
Vehicle (Flat Towing With All Four Wheels
On The Ground) ......................392
306 STARTING AND OPERATING

If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transaxle cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be dan-
gerous if done improperly. Refer to Section 6 for
proper jump-starting procedures and follow them
carefully.If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Then, turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor
will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. Once this
occurs, release the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the normal starting procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, wait 10 to 15
seconds before trying again.
310 STARTING AND OPERATING

Gear Ranges
PARK
PARK supplements the parking brake by locking the
transaxle. The engine can be started in this range. Never
attempt to use PARK while vehicle is in motion. Apply
parking brake when leaving vehicle in this range.
When parking on a flat surface, place the shift lever in the
PARK position first, and then apply the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise
the load on the transaxle locking mechanism may make it
difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.
WARNING!
Never use PARK position on an Automatic Transaxle
as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply
parking brake fully when parked to guard against
vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.
CAUTION!
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK
or NEUTRAL positions into another gear range as
this can damage the drivetrain.
REVERSE
Use REVERSE for moving the vehicle rearward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
314 STARTING AND OPERATING

NEUTRAL
The engine may be started in this range.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have an accident.
DRIVE — 6-Speed Transaxle
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts, downshifts,
and best fuel economy. However, use the AutoStick
mode and select the “5” range when frequent transaxle
shifting occurs while using the DRIVE range, such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, (i.e., in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds or while towing heavy trailers). Under these
conditions, using the “5” range will improve perfor-
mance and extend transaxle life by reducing excessive
shifting and heat build-up.
“D” (Overdrive) — 4-Speed Transaxle
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts, downshifts,
and best fuel economy. However, select the “3” range
when frequent transaxle shifting occurs while using the
“D” (Overdrive) range, such as when operating the
vehicle under heavy loading conditions, (i.e., in hilly
terrain, traveling into strong head winds or while towing
heavy trailers). Under these conditions, using the “3”
range will improve performance and extend transaxle life
by reducing excessive shifting and heat build-up.
STARTING AND OPERATING 315
5

PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue to oper-
ate. This Reset feature allows the vehicle to be driven to
an authorized dealer for service without damaging the
transaxle.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transaxle can
be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
4. Restart the engine.
5. Shift into the desired gear range and resume driving.
NOTE:Even if the transaxle can be reset, it is recom-
mended that you visit an authorized dealer at your earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
If the transaxle cannot be reset, authorized dealer service
is required.
AUTOSTICK
— IF EQUIPPED
AutoStickis a driver-interactive transaxle that offers six
manual ratio changes to provide you with more control
of the vehicle. AutoStick allows you to maximize engine
braking, 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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 317
5

As an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the
curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an
uphill grade.
The foot operated parking brake is positioned below the
lower left corner of the instrument panel. To apply the
parking brake, push the parking brake pedal down and
then remove your foot from the pedal. To release the
parking brake, push down on the parking brake pedal
and then release.The brake light in the instrument cluster will turn on
when the parking brake is applied and the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
Parking Brake
324 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
•The ESP/TCS Indicator Light and the ESP/BAS Mal-
function Indicator Light will turn on momentarily
each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESP System
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESP Control System will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is active. This is normal; the sounds
will stop when ESP becomes inactive following the
maneuver that caused the ESP activation.
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
TSC uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize an exces-
sively swaying trailer. TSC activates automatically once
the excessively swaying trailer is recognized. When TSC
is functioning, the ESP/TCS Indicator Light will flash,
the engine power will be reduced, and you will feel the
brake being applied to individual wheels in an attempt to
stop the trailer from swaying.NOTE:
The TSC is disabled when the ESP system is in
the “Partial Off” mode.
WARNING!
•TSC cannot stop all trailers from swaying. Always
use caution when towing a trailer and follow the
tongue weight recommendations. Refer to ”Ve-
hicle Loading” and “Trailer Towing” in this sec-
tion for more information before towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
•If TSC activates while towing a trailer, stop the
vehicle at the nearest safe location and adjust the
trailer load to eliminate the trailer sway.
•Failure to follow these warnings can result in an
accident or serious personal injury.
STARTING AND OPERATING 335
5

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 Tire and Loading
Information placard and in the “Vehicle Loading” section
of this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to
“Vehicle Loading” in this section.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The combined 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 “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs”
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 kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX”
amount equals 1,400 lbs (635 kg) and there will be five
150 lb (68 kg) passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
342 STARTING AND OPERATING