2011 DODGE CHALLENGER towing

WARNING! (Continued)
2. GTW
3. GAWR
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 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 the
proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting and Operating” for the proper tire
replacement 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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 341

An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes, and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
•Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your brake
system and cause it to fail. You might not have
brakes when you need them and could have a
collision.
•Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing, you should allow for ad-
ditional space between your vehicle and the ve-
hicle in front of you. Failure to do so could result
in a collision.
342 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Requirements – Trailer Lights And Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a four- and seven-
pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer har-
ness and connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
Four-Pin Connector
1 — Female Pins 4 — Park
2 — Male Pin 5 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Ground 6 — Right Stop/Turn
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STARTING AND OPERATING 343

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing up the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. How-
ever, if frequent shifting occurs while in this range, use
the AutoStickmode to select a lower gear range.
NOTE: Using a lower gear range while operating the
vehicle under heavy operating conditions will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45 min-
utes of continuous operation, then change the automatic
transmission fluid and filter according to the interval
Seven-Pin Connector
1 — Battery 5 — Ground
2 — Backup Lamps 6 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Right Stop/Turn 7 — Running Lamps
4 — Electric Brakes
344 STARTING AND OPERATING

Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
RECREATIONAL TOWING
(BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle —
Automatic Transmission
Recreational towing (with all four wheels on the ground,
or using a tow dolly) is NOT ALLOWED. The only
acceptable method for towing this vehicle (behind an-
other vehicle) is on a vehicle trailer with all four wheels
OFF the ground
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission damage. Dam-
age from improper towing is not covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle —
Manual Transmission
Flat towing of vehicles equipped with a manual trans-
mission is permitted within the following limitations:
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions:
•The shift lever must be in NEUTRAL
•There is no limitation on the distance to be traveled
•The towing speed must not exceed 65 mph (104 km/h)
CAUTION!
Exceeding these towing limits may cause severe
transmission damage. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
346 STARTING AND OPERATING

Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................. 374
 Shift Lever Override ................... 375
▫ With Keyless Enter-N-Go — If Equipped . . . 376
 Towing A Disabled Vehicle ............... 376
▫ Without The Key FOB ................. 376
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground) — Automatic Transmissions ...... 377▫
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground) — Manual Transmissions ........ 378
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
With A Tow Dolly .................... 379
348 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position.
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
5. Using a screwdriver or similar tool, press and hold the
override tab through the access port on the center con-
sole.6. Move the shift lever into the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
8. Reinstall the shift lever override access cover.
With Keyless Enter-N-Go — If Equipped
If the engine is running, press the START/STOP button to
turn it off. Release the brake pedal and press the START/
STOP button once or twice to go to the ON/RUN
position. Do not start the engine. Then, follow the in-
structions shown above to activate the override.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Without The Key Fob
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the OFF position. The only approved
method of towing without the ignition key is with a
flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment is necessary to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
Shift Lever Override Access Cover
376 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle (Flat
Towing With All Four Wheels On The Ground) —
Automatic Transmissions
Flat towing of vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission is permitted within the following limita-
tions:
With The Key Fob
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions:
•The shift lever must be in NEUTRAL
•The distance to be traveled must not exceed 15 mi
(24 km)
•The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h)
CAUTION!
•If the transmission is not operative or if the
vehicle is to be towed more than 15 mi (24 km) or
faster than 30 mph (48 km/h), then the only ap-
proved method of towing is with a flatbed truck.
Otherwise, damage to the transmission may result.
•Exceeding these towing limits may cause severe
transmission damage. Such damage is not covered
by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the RUN
position, not the ACC position. Make certain the trans-
mission remains in NEUTRAL.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 377