2011 DODGE JOURNEY Owners Manual

Manual Control Setting Suggestions For Various Weather Conditions
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 327

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 334
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 334
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go ................... 335
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 335
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C)............... 336
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 337
▫ After Starting ....................... 337
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 338
Automatic Transmission ................. 338
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 339
▫ Four-Speed Or Six-Speed Automatic
Transmission ....................... 340
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 340
 AutoStick — If Equipped ............... 343
▫ Operation ......................... 343
▫ General Information .................. 344
 All Wheel Drive (AWD) — If Equipped ...... 345
5

Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 345
▫ Acceleration ........................ 345
▫ Traction ........................... 346
 Driving Through Water ................. 346
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 346
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 347
 Power Steering ....................... 348
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 349
 Parking Brake ........................ 350
 Brake System ........................ 352
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 353
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 354
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 354▫
Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 356
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 357
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ......... 357
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 358
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 360
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ............. 361
 Tire Safety Information ................. 362
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 362
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 365
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 366
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 367
330 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tires — General Information ............. 371
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 371
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 372
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 374
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 374
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 375
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 376
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 376
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 377
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 378
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 378
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 379 
Tire Chains .......................... 380
 Snow Tires .......................... 382
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 382
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 383
▫ Base System ........................ 386
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 388
▫ General Information .................. 392
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 393
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 393
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 394
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 394
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 395
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 395
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STARTING AND OPERATING 331

▫Fuel System Cautions ................. 396
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 397
 Flexible Fuel (3.6L Engine Only) —
If Equipped .......................... 397
▫ E-85 General Information ............... 397
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ................... 399
▫ Fuel Requirements ................... 399
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles ...... 400
▫ Starting ........................... 400
▫ Cruising Range ...................... 400
▫ Replacement Parts ................... 401
▫ Maintenance ........................ 401 
Adding Fuel ......................... 401
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 401
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 403
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 403
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 403
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ...... 404
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ........ 404
▫ Overloading ........................ 404
▫ Loading ........................... 405
 Trailer Towing ........................ 405
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 405
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 410
332 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 411
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 412▫
Towing Requirements ................. 413
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 418
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 420
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 333

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Children should be warned
not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the
shift lever. Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle, and do not leave the ignition in the in the
ACC or RUN position. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
334 STARTING AND OPERATING