2009 DODGE JOURNEY power steering

•Turns on the interior lights, which remain on as long as
the battery has power or until the ignition key is
removed.
•Unlocks the doors automatically.
NOTE: The interior lights can only be deactivated if the
key is removed from the ignition switch or the vehicle is
driven.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper passenger’s side of the instrument panel.
Do not modify the front bumper, vehicle body
structure, or frame.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact bolster.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check Turn Signal and High
Beam Indicator Lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 81
2

▫Flash To Pass ........................150
▫ Interior Lights .......................151
 Windshield Wipers And Washers ............153
▫ Intermittent Wiper System ...............155
▫ Mist Feature .........................155
▫ Headlights With Wipers (Available With Auto
Headlights Only) .....................156
▫ Windshield Washers ...................156
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ..................157
 Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column —
If Equipped ...........................157
 Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped ......159
▫ Electronic Speed Control Operation ........159
▫ To Activate ..........................159 ▫
To Set At A Desired Speed ...............160
▫ To Deactivate ........................160
▫ To Resume Speed .....................160
▫ To Vary The Speed Setting ...............161
▫ To Accelerate For Passing ...............161
 Overhead Console ......................162
▫ Courtesy/Reading Lights ................162
▫ Sunglasses Storage ....................163
▫ Interior Observation Mirror ..............163
▫ Power Sunroof Switch — If Equipped .......163
 Garage Door Opener — If Equipped .........163
▫ Programming HomeLink ...............165
▫ Gate Operator/Canadian Programming .....167
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 85
3

seconds). Finally, drive the vehicle in one or more com-
plete circles, at speeds under 5 mph (8 km/h), in an area
free from power lines and large metallic objects, until the
“CAL” indicator turns off. The compass will now func-
tion normally.
ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC) — IF EQUIPPED
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display. It is located in the
instrument cluster below the fuel and temperature
gauges. Vehicles equipped with steering wheel-mounted
buttons (described in this section) are also equipped with
the EVIC. The EVIC consists of the following:
•Compass display,
•Outside temperature display,
•Trip computer functions,
EVIC
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 221
4

FM Reception
Because FM transmission is based on frequency varia-
tions, interference that consists of amplitude variations
can be filtered out, leaving the reception relatively clear,
which is the major feature of FM radio.
NOTE:
•For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the radio and steering
wheel radio controls (if equipped) will remain active
for 45 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the
LOCK position. Opening either front door will cancel
this feature.
•For vehicles equipped with the EVIC, the radio and
steering wheel radio controls (if equipped) will remain
active for up to 10 minutes after the ignition switch is
turned to the LOCK position. Opening either front
door will cancel this feature. The time is program-
mable. For details, refer to “Key-Off Power Delay,”under “Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features)” under “Electronic Vehicle Information Cen-
ter (EVIC)” in Section 4.
SALES CODE REN — MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM — IF
EQUIPPED
NOTE:
The sales code is located on the lower right side
of the unit’s faceplate.
The REN Multimedia system contains a radio, CD/DVD
player, USB port, a 30-gigabyte hard drive (HDD), and a
“JukeBox” (virtual CD changer). Sirius Satellite Radio is
optional. The 6.5 in (16.5 cm) touch screen allows for easy
menu selection.
A 30-gigabyte HDD allows uploads of music and photos
from CDs or through the USB port. The Gracenote
database finds the artist, track, and title for the music.
234 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Driving On Slippery Surfaces ..............320
▫ Acceleration .........................320
▫ Traction ............................320
 Driving Through Water ..................321
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................321
 Parking Brake .........................323
 Brake System ..........................326
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............327
 Electronic Brake Control System ............328
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............328
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............330
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............331
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ..........331▫
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) .........332
▫ ESP/BAS Warning Light And ESP/TCS
Indicator Light .......................334
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..............335
 Power Steering ........................336
 Tire Safety Information ...................337
▫ Tire Markings ........................337
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........341
 Tires — General Information ...............345
▫ Tire Pressure .........................345
 Tire Chains ...........................355
 Snow Tires ...........................355
304 STARTING AND OPERATING

Traction Control System (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS functions similar to a
limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is
spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the
brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine
torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning.
This feature remains active even if TCS and ESP are in the
“Partial Off” mode. Refer to “ESP (Electronic Stability
Program)” in this section for more information.
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)
This system anticipates the potential for wheel lift by
monitoring the driver ’s steering wheel input and the
speed of the vehicle. When ERM determines that the rate
of change of the steering wheel angle and vehicle’s speed
are sufficient to potentially cause wheel lift, it then
applies the appropriate brake and may also reduce
engine power to lessen the chance that wheel lift will
occur. ERM will only intervene during very severe or
evasive driving maneuvers. ERM can only reduce the
chance of wheel lift occurring during severe or evasive
driving maneuvers. It cannot prevent wheel lift due to
other factors, such as road conditions, leaving the road-
way, or striking objects or other vehicles.
STARTING AND OPERATING 331
5

WARNING!
Many factors, such as vehicle loading, road condi-
tions, and driving conditions, influence the chance
that wheel lift or rollover may occur. ERM cannot
prevent all wheel lift or rollovers, especially those
that involve leaving the roadway or striking objects
or other vehicles. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ERM-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner, which could jeopar-
dize the user’s safety or the safety of others.
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for over-steering and under-steering the vehicle byapplying the brake of the appropriate wheel. Engine
power may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain
the desired path.
The ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the path
that the driver intends to steer the vehicle and compares
it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path
does not match the intended path, the ESP applies the
brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting
the condition of over-steer or under-steer.
•Over-steer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Under-steer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESP/TCS Indicator Light
The ESP/TCS Indicator Light located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
332 STARTING AND OPERATING