2011 DODGE JOURNEY brakes

Figure out the weight on the front and rear of the vehicle
separately. It is important that you distribute the load
evenly over the front and rear axles.
Overloading can cause potential safety hazards and
shorten useful service life. Heavier axles or suspension
components do not necessarily increase the vehicle’s
GVWR.
Loading
To load your vehicle properly, first figure out its empty
weight, axle-by-axle and side-by-side. Store heavier items
down low and be sure you distribute their weight as
evenly as possible. Stow all loose items securely before
driving. If weighing the loaded vehicle shows that you
have exceeded either GAWR, but the total load is within
the specified GVWR, you must redistribute the weight.
Improper weight distribution can have an adverse effect
on the way your vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.
TRAILER TOWING
In this section, you will find safety tips and information
on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do
with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer, carefully
review this information to tow your load as efficiently
and safely as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.
Common Towing Definitions
The following trailer towing related definitions will assist
you in understanding the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, cargo, and tongue
weight. The total load must be limited so that you do not
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 405

WARNING! (Continued)
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and that 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 a collision.
•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 chock
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. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized. (This requirement may limit the ability to
always achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue
weight as a percentage of total trailer weight.)
414 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 informationon 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

Do
not 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.
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).
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 415

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.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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.
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.
416 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 Pins4 — Park
2 — Male Pin 5 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Ground 6 — Right Stop/Turn
Seven-Pin Connector
1 — Battery5 — Ground
2 — Backup Lamps 6 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Right Stop/Turn 7 — Running Lamps
4 — Electric Brakes
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 417

Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting or
riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Master Cylinder – Brake Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder immediately
if the “Brake Warning Light” indicates system failure.Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when per-
forming underhood services.
Clean the top of the master cylinder area before removing
the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the fluid level up
to the requirements described on the brake fluid reser-
voir.
Overfilling of fluid is not recommended because it may
cause leaking in the system.
Fluid level can be expected to fall as the brake pads wear.
Brake fluid level should be checked when pads are
replaced. However, low fluid level may be caused by a
leak and a checkup may be needed.
Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid. Re-
fer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further information.
478 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

About Your Brakes.................... 350,352
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) ............353,354
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 474
Adding Fuel ........................... 401
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... 469
Additives, Fuel ......................... 395
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 460
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 463
Air Conditioning Filter .................326,464
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............463,464
Air Conditioning System ................319,463
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 327
Air Conditioning, Rear Zone ................ 321
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 372
Airbag .............................. 61,70
Airbag Deployment ....................... 71
Airbag Light ..................... 68,74,91,259
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 73
Airbag, Side ........................ 64,67,70Airbag, Window (Side Curtain)
...........65,67,70
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................... 17
Alarm Light ........................... 266
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............... 17
Alarm, Panic ............................ 23
All Wheel Drive (AWD) ................... 345
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............353,354
Anti-Lock Warning Light .............265,354,356
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 17
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..............473,503
Disposal ........................... 476
Appearance Care ........................ 484
Arming Theft System (Security Alarm) ......... 17
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 39
Auto Unlock, Doors ....................... 31
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................ 102
Automatic Door Locks ..................... 31
Automatic Headlights .................... 192
532 INDEX

Automatic Oil Change Indicator............. 275
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 319
Automatic Transaxle ................... 338,480
Adding Fluid .................. 481,482,505
Filter ............................. 482
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 482
Fluid Level Check ................. 481,482
Interlock System ..................... 339
Reset Mode ......................... 342
Selection Of Lubricant ................. 505
Shifting ........................... 338
Special Additives ..................... 480
Autostick ............................. 343
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet) ...... 230
Auxiliary Power Outlet ................... 230
B-Pillar Location ........................ 367
Back-Up Lights ......................... 499 Battery
............................... 461
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 24
Location ........................... 461
Belts, Seat ............................ 46,91
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 466
Booster Seat ............................ 77
Brake Assist System ...................... 356
Brake Control System, Electronic ............. 354
Brake Fluid ............................ 505
Brake System ........................ 352,478
Anti-Lock (ABS) .................. 353,354
Fluid Check ..................... 478,505
Master Cylinder ..................... 478
Parking ........................... 350
Warning Light ....................... 264
Brake, Parking .......................... 350
Brake/Transaxle Interlock .................. 339
Brakes ............................. 352,478
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 88
10
INDEX 533