Page 250 of 368
The following chart provides the industry standard for
the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can
tow and should be used to assist you in selecting the
correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition.
Refer to the Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) chart for the Max. GTW towable for your
given drivetrain.TRAILER HITCH CLASSIFICATIONSClass Max.
GTW (Gross Trailer Wt.)
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Class II - Medium Duty 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Class IV - Extra Heavy
Duty 10,000 lbs (4 540 kg)
Refer to the “Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings)” chart for the Maximum
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) towable for your given
drivetrain.
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
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Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Trailer Towing Weights
Engine/Transmission Frontal Area Max. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.) Max. Tongue Wt.
(See Note)
2.4L/Automatic 20 sq ft (1.9 sq m) 1,000 lbs (454 kg) 110 lbs (50 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 should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire and Loading Information placard. Refer to
“Tire Safety Information” in “Starting and Operating” for further information.
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 sway severelyside 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 trailer tongue weight
stamped on your bumper or trailer hitch.
250 STARTING AND OPERATING
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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 “Tire Safety Information/Tire and Load-
ing Information Placard” in “Starting and Operating” for
the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo
for your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drive-
train components, the following guidelines are recom-
mended.
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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. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. TW (Trailer Tongue Weight rating for the trailer
hitch utilized. This requirement may limit the ability to always achieve the 10% to 15% range of trailer 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
“Tires-General Information” in “Starting and Operat-
ing” for proper tire inflation procedures.
•Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.
•Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires-General Infor-
mation” in “Starting and Operating” for the proper
inspection procedure.
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Gross Axle Weight Rating.................. 246
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............244,246
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ........................ 203
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 260
Head Restraints .......................... 89
Headlights Bulb Replacement ...................... 312
Cleaning ............................ 306
Dimmer Switch ....................... 103
On With Wipers ....................... 110
Switch .............................. 101
Heated Seats ............................ 90
Hitches Trailer Towing ........................ 248
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 115
Hood Release ........................... 99 Ignition
............................... 12
Key ................................ 12
Ignition Key Removal ..................... 12
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) .................15,19
Infant Restraint .......................... 64
Information Center, Vehicle ................. 159
Inside Rearview Mirror .................... 82
Instrument Cluster .................... 141,143
Instrument Panel and Controls .............. 140
Instrument Panel Cover ................304,307
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ............. 307
Integrated Power Module (Fuses) ............ 308
Interior Appearance Care .................. 305
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) ........... 108
Introduction ............................. 4
Jack Location ........................... 262
Jack Operation ....................... 262,265
Jacking Instructions ...................... 265
356 INDEX
Page 365 of 368

Quality Grading....................... 346
Radial .............................. 226
Replacement ......................... 229
Rotation ............................ 231
Safety ........................... 214,223
Sizes ............................... 215
Snow Tires ........................... 231
Spare Tire ........................... 263
Spinning ............................ 227
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 228
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 250
Towing ............................... 246
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 273
Guide .............................. 250
Recreational .......................... 258
Weight .............................. 250
Traction .............................. 202
Traction Control ......................... 212
Traction Control Switch ................... 212 Trailer Towing
.......................... 246
Cooling System Tips .................... 258
Hitches ............................. 248
Minimum Requirements ................. 251
Trailer and Tongue Weight ............... 250
Wiring .............................. 255
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 250
Trailer Weight .......................... 250
Transaxle ............................. 194
Additives ............................ 301
Automatic .................... 12,192,194,299
Autostick ............................ 200
Filter ............................... 301
Maintenance ......................... 299
Operation ........................... 194
Overdrive ........................... 199
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 25
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink )..115
364 INDEX
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