2012 CHRYSLER 300 weight

WARNING! (Continued)
•Weight distributing systems may not be compatible
with surge brake couplers. Consult with your hitch
and trailer manufacturer or a reputable recreational
vehicle dealer for additional information.
Trailer Hitch Classification
Your vehicle may be factory equipped for safe towing of
trailers weighing over 2,000 lbs (907 kg) with the optional
Trailer Tow Prep Package. See your authorized dealer for
package content.
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 Maximum GTW towable
for your given drivetrain.
Trailer Hitch Classification Definitions
ClassMax. Trailer Hitch Indus-
try Standards
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
Duty10,000 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.
436 STARTING AND OPERATING

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/Transmission Frontal Area Max. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.)Max. Tongue Wt.
(See Note)
3.6L Automatic22 sq ft (2.04 sq m) 1,000 lbs (454 kg) 100 lbs (45 kg)
5.7L Automatic32 sq ft (2.97 sq m) 1,000 lbs (454 kg) 100 lbs (45 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 it should never exceed the weight referenced on the “Tire and Loading Information” placard. Re-
fer to “Tire Safety Information” in “Starting and Operating” for further information.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 437

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 collisions.
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.
438 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 collision.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
•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 a collision.
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 439

WARNING! (Continued)
•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.
•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 orchock
the trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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
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.)
440 STARTING AND OPERATING

Methanol.......................... 421
Octane Rating....................... 522
Saver Mode........................ 294
Specifications....................... 522
Tank Capacity....................... 521
Fuel Optimizer......................... 294
Fuel Saver............................. 294
Fuel, Flexible........................... 424
Fuses................................ 508
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®)........... 238
Gasoline (Fuel)......................... 420
Conserving......................... 294
Gasoline, Clean Air...................... 421
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 421
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................. 284
Fuel.............................. 280
Speedometer........................ 280Tachometer......................... 276
Gear Ranges........................355,359
Gear Select Lever Override................. 464
General Information............18,26,141,220,419
General Maintenance..................... 478
Glass Cleaning.......................... 506
Gross Axle Weight Rating...............432,434
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.............432,433
GVWR............................... 432
Hazard
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water...................... 371
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 448
Head Restraints......................... 165
Head Rests............................ 165
Headlight Washers....................... 489
Headlights............................ 517
Automatic......................... 176
10
INDEX 559

Spinning........................... 403
Trailer Towing....................... 441
Tread Wear Indicators................. 404
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 438
Towing............................... 433
Behind a Motorhome.................. 445
Disabled Vehicle..................... 467
Guide............................. 437
Recreational........................ 445
Weight............................ 437
Towing Vehicle Behind a Motorhome.......... 445
Traction Control......................... 380
Trailer Towing.......................... 433
Cooling System Tips.................. 445
Hitches............................ 436
Minimum Requirements................ 439
Tips .............................. 444
Trailer and Tongue Weight.............. 438
Wiring............................ 442Trailer Towing Guide..................... 437
Trailer Weight.......................... 437
Transfer Case........................... 501
Fluid..........................501,523
Maintenance........................ 501
Transmission........................... 499
Automatic....................355,358,499
Fluid............................. 523
Shifting........................... 353
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 25
Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 21
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) . . 238
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)........ 21
Transporting Pets........................ 81
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 404
Trip Odometer.......................... 276
Trunk Lid (Deck Lid)....................41,43
570 INDEX