2010 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.
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.
340 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 drive-
train components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
•Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(805 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and do not make starts at full throttle.
This helps the engine and other parts of the
vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible: (Continued)5
STARTING AND OPERATING 341

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
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance, or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, 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.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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 or \bchock\b
the 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 Load-
ing Information” placard.
2. GTW
3. GAWR
(Continued)
342 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)
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.)
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 Oper-
ating” for information on tire pressures and 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
Information” in “Starting and Operating” for informa-
tion on tread wear indicators and for the proper
inspection procedure.
When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting and Operating” for information
on replacement tires and for the proper tire replace-
ment procedures. Replacing tires with a higher load
carrying capacity will not increase the vehicle’s GVWR
and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements – Trailer Brakes

Donot interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 343

Methanol............................ 327
Octane Rating ...................... 326,428
Requirements ......................... 326
Saver Mode .......................... 190
Specifications ......................... 428
Tank Capacity ........................ 426
Fuel System Caution ..................... 331
Fueling ............................... 330
Fuses ................................ 409
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 149
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...............330,376
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 327
Gasoline (Fuel) Conserving .......................... 190
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 327
Gauges Coolant Temperature ................... 174
Fuel ............................... 173 Odometer
........................... 178
Speedometer ......................... 173
Tachometer .......................... 173
Gear Ranges ........................ 271,276
General Information ...............17,26,119,325
General Maintenance ..................... 379
Glass Cleaning .......................... 408
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............334,336
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............334,335
GVWR ............................... 334
Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect™) .............. 91
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ........................ 283
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 350
Head Restraints ......................... 128
Headlight Washers ....................... 390
Headlights ............................ 421
10
INDEX 469

Safety........................... 297,306
Self-Sealing .......................... 314
Sizes ............................... 298
Snow Tires ........................... 314
Spare Tire ........................... 352
Spinning ............................ 311
Trailer Towing ........................ 343
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 312
To Open Hood .......................... 132
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 340
Torque Converter Clutch .................. 274
Towing ............................... 335
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............... 105
Behind a Motor Home .................. 348
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 367
Guide .............................. 339
Recreational .......................... 348
Weight .............................. 339
Towing Assistance ....................... 105 Towing Vehicle Behind a Motor Home
......... 348
Traction Control ......................... 292
Trailer Towing .......................... 335
Cooling System Tips .................... 347
Hitches ............................. 338
Minimum Requirements ................. 341
Tips ................................ 346
Trailer and Tongue Weight ............... 340
Wiring .............................. 344
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 339
Trailer Weight .......................... 339
Transfer Case ........................... 403
Fluid ............................ 403,429
Maintenance ......................... 403
Transmission ........................... 401
Automatic ................... 266,270,276,401
Fluid ............................... 429
Range Indicator .................... 271,276
Shifting ............................. 266
480 INDEX